Today I have been unsuccessful in attempts to enter the setup menu (Alt + Right Click).  This in FSX SE.  When I attempt to do so FSX SE halts into a black screen with only a title bar (see below).  I am unable to access FSX SE menu bar, or to close FSX SE or minimize it.  The sim icon is no longer showing in the taskbar.  In Task Manager it is not showing in running applications.  It is running as a process which from that location I am able to close it.  This is happening with both the GTN and GNS gauges.  I do not believe it is related to the most recent updates because I found the issue as I was attempting to access the update function in setup for the GTN.  i.e. I was at that point still using the mid-June update. 

It appears that as long as I stay away from the setup menus I am able to use all functions in the gauges.  The issue is entering the setup menu.  I downloaded and installed fresh eCommerce installers and the issue persists.  The only step I have not tried is a complete uninstall/reinstall with eCommerce installers.  

Interesting that it is affecting both GTN and GNS.  Any thoughts?

 

Edited July 3, 20214 yr by fppilot

Do you mean it was fine with the GTN 2.5.28.3 (the previous one for P3D5.2) but no longer with the latest 2.5.28.4 (P4D5.2 HF1)?

We've changed something with the code handling the GUI panels, but it was introduced already in the previous version, this is why I'd like to clarify this point.

Also, are you running full screen? In which case, if you exit full screen (ALT+ENTER) prior opening the GUI Settings, does it make any difference?

Have you also updated Windows lately? Or your video card drivers?

Edited July 3, 20214 yr by RXP

Just now, RXP said:

Do you mean it was fine with the GTN 2.5.28.3 (the previous one for P3D5.2) but no longer with the latest 2.5.28.4 (P4D5.2 HF1)?

We've changed something with the code handling the GUI panels, but it was introduced already since the previous version, this is why I'd like to clarify this point.

I believe I was using 28.3 when it first occurred as I was going into setup to access the update check that is there.  I had dismissed the 28.4 RSS update notification when it arrived as I did not have time at that point to run the update installer.  I also dismissed the GNS update notification so I was also using the prior GNS update release.  

It will probably take a few more customer feedback about this in order to pin point what could be causing this, and whether it is a bug in our last 2 versions or something which has changed on your system triggering this.

Did you change any driver lately or something system related?

26 minutes ago, RXP said:

Did you change any driver lately or something system related?

No.  The only change that has taken place was that I had to remove and then reinstall Windows Gaming Services to correct an issue that was preventing MSFS from getting past the splash screens.  I have no clue if that would have an effect on FSX SE or its 3rd party products.

I doubt this update would have any impact on this.

For the sake of making sure I just fired up FSX-SE to cross check and I can't repro whether in DX9 or DX10 preview, or windowed and full screen.

Do you have the same issue when opening the Panel Assistant GUI, instead of the gauge Settings GUI?

It is Shift+right click 😉

26 minutes ago, Bert Pieke said:

It is Shift+right click 😉

My error only in writing. Yes, it is Shift + right-click, and instead of Alt + right-click is what causes the issue.

9 minutes ago, fppilot said:

Yes, it is Shift + right-click, and instead of Alt + right-click is what causes the issue.

I'm lost! do you mean there is no issue anymore now that you're using SHIFT, or you just wrote ALT but was already using SHIFT and therefore you still have the issue?

In the latter case, what about opening the GUI Panel Assistant from the menu instead?

35 minutes ago, RXP said:

I'm lost! do you mean there is no issue anymore now that you're using SHIFT, or you just wrote ALT but was already using SHIFT and therefore you still have the issue?

In the latter case, what about opening the GUI Panel Assistant from the menu instead?

Oh my!  I never used anything other than shift right-click.  I just wrote it wrong in my original post.  In regard to the GUI Panel Assistant... What menu?  Would you please explain?  Location?  Instructions?

@fppilot

p4 of the RXP user's manual? 😄

Quote

Select the menu Add-ons | Reality XP GTN to add or remove GTN units to your aircraft panel. Once selected, the panel wizard opens and guides you through.

 

6 minutes ago, RXP said:

@fppilot

p4 of the RXP user's manual?

 

Jean Luc,
I am not attempting to install a GTN into an aircraft.  I did that two years ago.  I am attempting to enter the "settings" menu.  Shift + right-click on the top of the bezel.  This is not an issue restricted to one particular aircraft.  And it is not restricted to the GTN.  My GNS is likewise affected. Is there a method for me to use the mid-February updates?  I still have them but are update installers.

 

15 hours ago, RXP said:

In the latter case, what about opening the GUI Panel Assistant from the menu instead?

Please explain to me what it is that you are referring to as the GUI Panel Assistant?  Are you referring to the Configurator available in the FSX menus?  If so, how does the configurator allow me to access the settings menu?  

Frank,

I'd tend to believe that if I'm suggesting you to cross checking something, it is because there is a good reason that at least I understand, and which will help me helping you!

In detail: you're showing a bug/problem which exhibits itself as soon as you're trying to open the GUI Settings Panel. It could be a bug in the handling of the GUI Panel only, not that it is "settings" related. In trying to open the GUI Panel Assistant, not to configure your panel but for the mere fact of opening and displaying it, if the same problem shows up, this will strongly lead to a root cause in the GUI related code itself, otherwise, it will tell me the problem might be elsewhere.

So, what about you do open the GUI Panel Assistant to cross check whether this is blacking out the main FS window, not for changing your panel, just to cross-check the root cause?

Edited July 4, 20214 yr by RXP

2 hours ago, RXP said:

So, what about you do open the GUI Panel Assistant to cross check whether this is blacking out the main FS window, not for changing your panel, just to cross-check the root cause?

OK.  Same result. Attempting to enter the panel configuration via the FSX menu results in the same behavior.  The FSX window turns black as in the image I posted earlier in the discussion.  So attempting to enter the setup menu and attempting to enter the panel configurator both result in the same outcome.  And this is true for both my GTN and my GNS.  I was using the GTN version from mid-June when I first noticed this behavior.

Sorry for the bit of frustration earlier.  Please understand my confusion was I am not familiar with the description GUI Panel Assistant.  Have only seen it referred to as the configurator.  I did find that term in the User Manual but not until the latter pages about 3rd party vendor use.

Edited July 4, 20214 yr by fppilot

Thanks for your feedback, I'll send you a PM to further cross check something.