Greetings, 

 

I've been a long term FSX user since its release several years ago. Yesterday, I suffered a catosoprohic Windows 7 and FSX failure. I have restored both after several hours. Unfortunately, very little is as it was. Active Sky Next (ASN), FSUIPC and the very dreaded Simconnect don't work. It has been three years since I have had this level of frustration and thought maybe the time is right for a clean cut to P3D. 

 

I have not considered P3D at all until now and almost know knowledge of the product. 

 

My question is - Does P3D involve the same level of frustration? 

 

The following are must-have items and very curious of their P3D utility:

 

1.) 3-monitor setup P3D setup 

2.) Network access for two additional PC's

3.) FS Economy

4.) FS Commander

5.) Elite Throttle Quadrants

6.) Active Sky Next

7.) FSUIPC

8.) CH Elite Yoke

 

Aircraft: A2A (e.g. C182, PA-24), Flight 1 B200, Real Air Dukes. 

 

Does P3D utilize the dreaded Simconnect? 

 

Many thanks in advance for any comments and/or suggestions. 

 

Les Parson

 

 

Les,

 

Sorry to hear of your frustration.  In short, yes P3D uses Simconnect.

 

Have you looked at the AVSIM FSX/P3D Installation Guide?  I haven't looked at it in a while, but I believe there is a section on SimConnect.

 

Also, there is a great SimConnect forum right here on AVSIM.

 

Both of the above should help you to reinstall SimConnect without having to reinstall FSX.

 

Best of luck!

Does P3D utilize the dreaded Simconnect?

Yes. In fact several of the add-ons you list require it. If it gives you any comfort, though, I personally have never found a reason to dread it. Before you make the jump, please be sure to research which of your add-ons require a new P3D license to be purchased. A2A planes in particular aren't portable between FSX and P3D.

Les,

 

I forgot to mention there is a FSX Uninstall procedure as well, as simply installing over an existing FSX installation will create a host of issues.

 

Here is a link to a very good Guide for Uninstalling and Reinstalling FSX: 

 

Hope this helps you.

Installing Simconnect is about five seconds. Hardly difficult. P3D requires several versions, all included in the folders. So call it 40 seconds all in.

http://www.avsim.com/topic/477378-pmdg-simconnect-and-p3d-v3-problem-cause/?hl=%2Bsimconnect#entry3318725

 

Given that you are struggling with FSX, I would be very cautious about advising to change to P3D which brings it's own set of challenges, some of which can be quite complex.

 

Your 8-point question can be answered by using the search function - there's a wealth of information across the forums here that will tell you all you need to know, but they can be dotted about different topics or sub-forums.

Thanks for all the info. I wish I could say Simconnect is as simple as you suggest. I've been looking for some simple step 1,2,3 stuff with some sample files (for FSX). 

You click, you install, It is that simple. Surely someone in the FSX forum has pointed you to the location of the inbuilt SimConnect installer?

Thanks for all the info. I wish I could say Simconnect is as simple as you suggest. I've been looking for some simple step 1,2,3 stuff with some sample files (for FSX).

Are you referring to the process of running simconnect over a network? In that case it is true that there is more to it than simply running the simconnect installer, since you have to make sure that the simconnect.ini and simconnect.xml files are present in the proper locations on local and remote computers, and contain the correct information, such as server name or IP address. If you own ASN, there is a section in the documentation for how to use ASN on a second computer, rather on the main FSX/P3D machine. Most of that info would apply to using other simconnect-enabled apps over a network.

Well if he's using simconnect over a network and FSX is giving him trouble, that really answers the question as the install and operating pangs are exactly the same - or more complex with the new file format of P3D v3 and the `less than complete` transition of some of the listed addons for the sim. 

 

Installing a new sim never solves problems with the old. It just gives you different problems with the new.

Are you referring to the process of running simconnect over a network? In that case it is true that there is more to it than simply running the simconnect installer, since you have to make sure that the simconnect.ini and simconnect.xml files are present in the proper locations on local and remote computers, and contain the correct information, such as server name or IP address. If you own ASN, there is a section in the documentation for how to use ASN on a second computer, rather on the main FSX/P3D machine. Most of that info would apply to using other simconnect-enabled apps over a network.

Thanks for the info. I have the very useful ASN document from the HIFi website. By the way, might you be the same Barrett that worked at JFK ATCT in a previous lifetime a long, long time ago? 

Thanks for the info. I have the very useful ASN document from the HIFi website. By the way, might you be the same Barrett that worked at JFK ATCT in a previous lifetime a long, long time ago?

Not the same! I live in upstate NY (Finger Lakes area), and try to avoid NYC like the plague.