VRInsight FCU Combo and LINDA

[Eschell 0]

Hi Andrew,

I don't want to disturb you on Sunday, I only want to report, that now almost the whole System doesn't work.

Since the update of FSUIPC and LINDA, my SAITEK Radio Panel and the Multi Panel are lost. FSUIPC doesn't detect the Radio and Multipanel, although LINDA is detecting both Panels.

Erwin

[ScotFlieger 280]

Hi Erwin

Sorry for the delay but my job tends to have me working at the weekends. 

I have installed FSX today to see if I could replicate your problem. I have even changed the Comport to 7 to match your's. My MCP Combo panel works everything. I am at a loss to say why you are continuing to have problems. I suggest you make a backup of the /modules folder. Then completely remove FSUIPC4 and LINDA by deleting the /modules folder. Then reinstall first FSUIPC4 and then LINDA. You will need to go to Setup LINDA to set the Comport etc. 

The operation of Saitek Multi and Radio panels is completely reworked in LINDA 3.0.x as explained in detail in the release notes. You need to tick Saitek Panels in Setup LINDA and disable the radio and multi panels in Setup Joysticks. When you start/restart LINDA you will find that the AP LEDs and Landing Gear LEDs will cycle/blink in sequence until you operate one switch/knob. The Radio display will show dashes until you operate a control.

[Eschell 0]

Hi Andrew,

thank you for your reply. I will follow your suggestions.

But my Saitek Panels are doing this as you described in your post. The AP Led's are cycling, the Landing Gear Led's are blinking and the Radio Display shows dashes.

In LINDA, functions are assigned to buttons, switches in the Multi oder Radio Panels, but no Response, no Action nothing happend in the sim. Only the Multi Switch Panel is working as expected.

Thank you very much

[ScotFlieger 280]

The Multi And Radio Panel functions are hardwired for Default aircraft operation: this is why you disable them in Setup Joysticks. Further work is required by me to operate with more sophisticated aircraft like Airbus.  However, you will find that the Radio Panel works with most aircraft. 

If you wish to programme the Multi And Radio Panels with your own functions you need to untick Saitek Panels in Setup LINDA and enable them in Setup Joysticks. Performance and response is slower  

Only the Switch Panel is fully programmable. 

EDIT this information is in the LINDA release notes included in the downloads. Please read them. 

[Eschell 0]

Hi again,

I did what you suggested, but no success. The MCP Compo is not working, and I have no idea, what I should do now.

Anyway, have a nice evening

 

[ScotFlieger 280]

Hi Erwin

I have posed a query on the FSUIPC support forum to see what can be suggested.

I assume you have had your FCU panel working before with LINDA or is this the first attempt. Have you had it working with VRiSim?

Can you carry out a self-test of the panel for me? Switch the panel off. Switch Baro Units switch (top left) to InHg. Switch on panel. The radio display should show Test Mode. When you press a button or rotate a knob the buttons should flicker and the 5 char code for the button/knob appear in the second line. 

[Eschell 0]

Hi Andrew,

first of all, thank you very much for your working tirelessly, and sorry that I didn't read the release notes completely.

I did the self test of the FCU panel. If I rotate i. e. the speed knob to left it shows "SPD -", if I press a button it shows "ARPT." or "BTN1." for a knob on the user side of the panel. So on my Point of view it is working as is should. I think, the problem is the communication between FSUIPC/LINDA and the FCU combo (but as I told you before, I am not an IT specialist, I am only a user).

Regarding the Saitek Multi and Radio Panel:

What I meant before, I assigned to the HDG knob on the Multi Panel the Airbus function "Autobrake cycle" and in shifted mode "Door front left toggle" via LINDA. It works perfectly. If I understand now the realease notes correct, the Multi/Radio panel is no longer programmable with Airbus modules Function via LINDA, isn't it?

If FSX and LINDA run and I start additionally the VRSim software as administrator, the left side of the FCU seems to be working correctly (I can use the Baro-knob, Speed and Altitude and all the other knobs in the left part), but no response on the right (User) part of the FCU combo and I cannot assign functions to the knobs on the User side of the Panel. And, I pressed the "Lamb"-knob, then the Panel is shutting down.

Only for my understanding: The three modes on the FCU are completely different to the Shifted One - Shifted Two and Unshifted mode for the joysticks?

My questions and explanations seems to be confused, but believe me - I am really confused!

 

Erwin

[ScotFlieger 280]

10 hours ago, Eschell said:

Hi Andrew,

first of all, thank you very much for your working tirelessly, and sorry that I didn't read the release notes completely.

I did the self test of the FCU panel. If I rotate i. e. the speed knob to left it shows "SPD -", if I press a button it shows "ARPT." or "BTN1." for a knob on the user side of the panel. So on my Point of view it is working as is should. You are getting the correct response from the self test. It is working correctly. 

I think, the problem is the communication between FSUIPC/LINDA and the FCU combo (but as I told you before, I am not an IT specialist, I am only a user). I agree which is why I asked the FSUIPC developer as to why FSUIPC is not reporting the panel type. A device number is being allocated by FSUIPC but no commands are being received by or data send from the panel.

Regarding the Saitek Multi and Radio Panel:

What I meant before, I assigned to the HDG knob on the Multi Panel the Airbus function "Autobrake cycle" and in shifted mode "Door front left toggle" via LINDA. It works perfectly. If I understand now the realease notes correct, the Multi/Radio panel is no longer programmable with Airbus modules Function via LINDA, isn't it? With Saitek Panels ticked, LINDA no longer allows the Multi or Radio panel to be programmed (this is middle stage in development). If you unticked Saitek Panels and enable each panel, you can assign functions as per Joysticks BUT response rates will be slow.

If FSX and LINDA run and I start additionally the VRSim software as administrator, the left side of the FCU seems to be working correctly (I can use the Baro-knob, Speed and Altitude and all the other knobs in the left part), but no response on the right (User) part of the FCU combo and I cannot assign functions to the knobs on the User side of the Panel. And, I pressed the "Lamb"-knob, then the Panel is shutting down. This indicates that the panel is communicating with VRISIM which is good. However, this is the VRISIM doing all the control and no LINDA programming will be used. It must one or the the other - VRSIM OR FSUIPC/LINDA.

Only for my understanding: The three modes on the FCU are completely different to the Shifted One - Shifted Two and Unshifted mode for the joysticks? Correct - the MCP modes and totally different and separate from the shift modes used for Joysticks.

My questions and explanations seems to be confused, but believe me - I am really confused!

Erwin

Guten Morgen Erwin

LINDA is supposed to be easy but in some cases it can be complicated to sort out some issues like your’s. See my notes above. 

I will continue to help to get things working. Pleas bear with me.

[Eschell 0]

Hi Andrew,

thank you that you are working so hard to solve MY problem.

I believe, my computer is living and he hates me.

I configured the SAITEK Panels as you described in the release notes, that means: I ticked in the LINDA Setup the box SAITEK Panels to control it with LINDA GUI and I disabled in the Joystick Setup  page the Radio and the Multi panel. Therefor, the Switch panel should be fully programmable. But not with my Computer. Neither with the LINDA GUI mode nor with the LINDA LUA mode (Saitek unticked in Linda Setup, Panels are enabled in the Joystick Settings) I am able to assign the command "BATTERY BOTH ON" from the Airbus modules to the switch Panel knob "BAT".

This is not really a Problem, as I can assign these functions to the Buttons of the yoke or the throffle quadrand with the shifted modes, but it shall show you, how my Computer is annoying me.

So I will not use the Radio, Multi or Switch Panel for the Aerosoft Airbus, no Problem.

Erwin

[ScotFlieger 280]

Hi Erwin

I have received some feedback to my questions but it does not go far to solving your problem. FSUIPC uses the same command calls to the MCP panel that LINDA uses. The problem you have is that neither is

I would ask you to try something. I would like to reset your VRi Combo comport number to one normally used. Please follow the following:

• Switch on MCP Panel. Do you hear a device connection sound?
• Open Device Manager.
• Select Ports (COM & LPT).
• Find USB Serial Port (COM7).
• Right-click on it.
• Click of Uninstall Device and click Uninstall.
• Switch off MCP Panel.
• Restart your PC.
• When running, switch on MCP Panel.
• Open Device Manager.
• Select Ports (COM & LPT).
• Find USB Serial Port (COMx).
• If it still reads COM7, continue below:
  • Right Click on USB Serial Port (COM7).
  • Select Properties.
  • Select Port Settings.
  • Click on Advanced.
  • Change COM Port Number to COM3.
  • Click OK.
• The USB Serial Port should now read COM3.
• Locate /fsx/modules/fsuipc4.ini and open in editor.
• Under [General] block, add 2 lines:
  • Debug=please
  • LogExtras=x40
• Search for [VRInsight].
• Change 1=COM7 to 1=COM3.
• Save.
• Open LINDA and select Setup LINDA.
• Change MCP Comport to COM3.
• Open Task Manager.
• Make sure VRiSIM (32 bit) is not listed under Apps. If it is, click on it and click End Task and report that you had to do this.
• Scroll down and ensure SerailFP2 Flight Panel (32 bit). if it is, click on it and click End Task and report that you had to do this.
• Close and open LINDA.
• Run FSX with default aircraft (not Airbus).
• Fingers crossed. Does MCP panel display change.
• Email me the resulting FSUIPC4.LOG.

I am not sure whether this will help but I am running out of ideas (for tonight/Heute Abend).

 

 

[Eschell 0]

Good morning Andrew,

I followed the instruction but no change! I mailed the log file.

I have only one thing to report: As I changed the  USB Serial to COM3, I realized that this port is already reserved (Modem?? - but I have no modem!) Anyway, I changed it to com 3, as you can see in the log file. - Yes, I had a look in it, but most of the lines I don't understand.

As I told you, my Computer hates me!

Thank you very much!

Erwin

Clarification: In the device manager there under ports (COM&LPT) only two lines listed: Communication port (COM1) and USB Serial Port (before com 7 now com 3). But if I select USB Serial Port (Com3) - properties - port Settings - advanced, it Shows, that port 4, 5 and 6 already in use. Which devices are using this ports? Maybe this occurs all the Problems

Edited December 19, 2017 by ScotFlieger
add clarification

[Eschell 0]

Hi Andrew,

I don't want to stress you but I think, that the Problem with my MCP occurs through my Hardware configuration.

As I wrote before, as I changed the Com port, I realized that com3, 4, 5 and 6 are in use, but I cannot see which devices use these ports. So I checked it (with help from the Internet)

I created a new Environment variable with the command DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES with the value 1 and then I restart the Computer. In the device Manager, I go to Ports and I activate the view "Show hide devices" And then I saw, that on port 3 the USB Serial Port AND A HUAWEI Mobile Connect - 3G PC UI Interface is connected. I have no idea, why a HUAWEI Device is connected, I don't use any HUAWEI devices. But this HUAWEI device uses COM 6 as well. So I deleted the HUAWEI device on com 3.

After restarting the Computer, I hoped that is will now work, but  unfortunately no success.

Erwin

[ScotFlieger 280]

Guten Morgen

Thank you for the log and reports. I too dislike PCs and Windows. I have worked with and supported them for over 40 years and switched to Apple Mac 10 years ago when I retired. I only own a PC for Flt Sim flying.

Windows logs all devices ever connected by individual USB port and reserves the port number. You can see the 'hidden' devices by selecting View/Show Hidden Devices. Those not connected are shown with a grey icon. Those you do not recognise or want can be removed by right clicking. This should leave just Com1 and Com3 in Device Manager.

The extra logging we switched on shows what data was being received from the port. I will need to sit down and see what it means. Can you send me the fsuipc4.log again for after removing the HUAWEI (your mobile phone???) device?

Also can you do another test with the LINDA logging switched on? On Setup LINDA. tick Developer Mode, Verbose and both GUI and LUA ticked.

It will be this evening before I can do anymore work on this.

Finally, how old is your MCP panel? Has it ever worked for you other than with VRiSim. When switched on, what version number is showing? Mine is v1.100.

[Eschell 0]

Hi Andrew,

I sent you both log files (the first one after removing HUAWEI from port 3, the second one after ticking Developer mode and selecting Verbose.

My MCP Panel is new, I bought it one week ago at simmarket. The Version is 1.100.

I removed all devices form the com ports except com 1 and USB seriell port on com 3.

Thanks

Erwin

[ScotFlieger 280]

Hi Erwin

I passed your log to my FSUIPC contact and he confirmed that the data received was gibberish (nonsense). He has given me another debug setting to try. Can you carry out these 2 tests please?

First edit FSUIPC4.INI and change the line to LogExtras=x44. This adds extra VRi logging.

Test 1

• Switch on VRI MCP Panel.
• Open LINDA.
• Run FSX.
• Once started, close FSX.
• Wait until fully shutdown.
• Save FSUIPC4.log.

Test 2

• Locate ipcready.lua (in /modules) and rename to ipcready.luaTMP.
• Run FSX only.
• Once started, close FSX.
• Wait until fully shutdown.
• Save FSUIPC4.log.

Then email me both logs.

If these logs show that your MCP Panel is not responding to the commands then I can only conclude that you have a faulty panel. In this case I would recommend it to SimMarket, stating the tests we have done and that it does not work with FSUIPC or LINDA.