How do I properly install gauges. I always have a problem with them even with payware that has installation programs. I follow the instructions given to me in the READ ME but when I select the aircraft it gives me the Flight Simulator Cannot Find This Gauge Message. Does any one know how I can fix this? :-hmmm

You could try FS Panel Studio from http://www.fspanelstudio.com/ . Don't be put off by the idea that it is aimed only at panel designers it's great for customising panels particularly the freeware ones. Alternatively if you get the panels_sdk_setup from Microsoft which will explain all much better than could be done here.Andrew BrownROARING THIRTIEShttp://www.gordiusfs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

FS looks for gauges in the FS9/Gauges folder and in the FS9/Aircraft/xxxxx/Panel folder for the aircraft.Do a search for the missing gauge on your FS harddrive and find out if it is located in a different folder somewhere.I've seen add-ons that create a new gauge folder inside the aircraft folder and expect you to move the gauges from there to the gauges folder by hand etc...

Donny AKA ShalomarFly 2 ROCKS!!!I highly recomend FSManager 2.8 in the library. Only 8 MB download, but it packs a punch. First it scans your entire installation, looking for misplaced stuff. It can diagnose all your aircraft, and guages etc... Also provides almost goof-proof editing, though an "expert" option is available if you're feelin' lucky. Also, for planes without an .exe installer, it will install them for you. I tried to install the freeware Avanti to get ready for the race, and had error messages like last year. I removed it with FSManager, then installed using it. The first clue was the folder was now called "Avanti" rather than "P180". I must have goofed extracting it myself. I struggled for an hour to install the BAE 146, the manager did it in two minutes. That was the one thing even FSManager had trouble with, once I extracted the downloaded folder FSManager could work with the two zipped files inside. Once I had it on my desktop and tried again, it took 30 seconds. Another neat feature is the hangar, planes can be zipped up to save disk space and speed up your sim. The guages used by other aircraft are extracted, and other planes that rely on components of it are told where to find them. Getting a plane back out of the hangar takes about twenty seconds, everything except the default 172 can be put there. Great for the race, you can put the heavies and what you won't be using away and get them back later. Reducing the # of planes can really help performance even if AI is turned off. Among other things it provides a launch for FS9 that optimises RAM, options for fixes like the yaw damper and metar fog issue, options for landing and crash effects. a screenshot utility that can save Jpeg or other format pics anywhere you want...It's worth the download:-wave

It has occured to me that a practical offer of help might be of use to you. If you can copy and paste an example of the panel.cfg file (just the part with the "non existing" gauge in it not the whole thing which is probably rather long maybe a few lines before and after) I/we might see something obvious that you could do. Alternatively if you email the whole panel.cfg to me at [email protected] I will check it here. It is often something quite simple so ......Please state which panel the paste is from and where the gauge comes from.Andrew BrownROARING THIRTIEShttp://www.gordiusfs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/