Muklum

Hi, If you haven't checked already, it's worth looking at programs that run automatically at system startup. My frame rates recently dropped suddenly from the 40-60 range to around 20, and sometimes even single figures. Various attempted fixes, including rebuilding fsx.cfg and turning graphics to very low settings, didn't lead to any significant improvement, so I checked my startup items with msconfig.exe. I found that Java Platform SE Auto Updater had somehow become included in the startup items, and when I disabled it, my fsx performance was immediately restored with no need to turn my settings down. Dugald

Frank, Thanks, that's very helpful. I actually used Acronis to clone my C: drive when I got my first SSD, and like you I regularly make a backup clone, but it didn't occur to me to try dual booting. So I'm off now to check the current SSD offers in the UK! Dugald

This sounds like a great idea. I'd also like to know how to install it. Do you need two separate Windows licences? And how do you answer when you download an add-on that asks (if I remember rightly, Flight 1 software does this) whether it's to be installed on this computer or on a different computer? Thanks, Dugald

I've found that since the update, my Saitek Cessna trim wheel no longer acts like an axis in the sim - it's more like a series of button presses, but with a seemingly random sequence. I can trim just fine if I assign the trim operation to yoke buttons. I have the trim wheel calibrated via FSUIPC (now using 4.938c), and the action seems perfectly smooth in the FSUIPC calibration page. I have the problem with all aircraft, both default and add-on. The trim wheel worked normally before the update, and it still works correctly in boxed FSX and in X-Plane. Can any trim wheel user confirm that theirs is working normally in FSX-SE? Dugald

A2A Cub + Accusim are fine. On a system with both versions of FSX, UTX Canada appears to be installed correctly when pointed to the FSX-SE directory, but when enabled, it activates its features in the boxed FSX version, so there's no change in the FSX-SE picture. According to the UTX configuration interface, the "registry" location is the original FSX location, and the "installed" location is the FSX-SE location. The "registry" location appears to be the only one that matters when it comes to activating features. Dugald

Hi Dean, I now have the updates. Thank you very much for your help. Dugald

Thanks, Dean.

Hi Dean, The Carenado X-Plane aircraft in question are the Bonanza F33 and the Cessna 172N. Thanks for your help, Dugald

I've been trying to get information from them about the version 3 updates of some Carenado aircraft for X-plane that I bought from PC Aviator some time ago. Their website is still showing the version 2 packages, though version 3 for these aircraft has been available on the Carenado site for some time now. When I contacted PC Aviator to ask about version 3, I had an automatic response saying that I would receive an answer within 24-48 hours. That was over a week ago, and still no reply, so I'm not impressed with their customer support. Dugald

I have an LG 3D monitor, which came with its own grey 3D glasses and Tridef 3D software, and I find that 3D makes FSX very immersive, especially when flying low and slow or in cloudy weather. It's also very impressive in outside views (but I still prefer the VC cockpit view with TrackIR). There is some FPS loss, but not enough to worry me. The display is very slightly darker than without 3D, but the difference isn't significant. One slight disadvantage is that since the mouse pointer isn't 3D, it appears as a double image, so it can be slightly difficult to position it correctly to operate small switches or buttons. Text in any 2D message panels (VoxATC) and menus is also slightly fuzzy, I think because of the faint horizontal lines that are always visible (if you remember to look for them) in the 3D image. All in all, I think 3D makes a worthwhile difference to the sim.. Note that the LG TV glasses (and cinema glasses) don't work with this monitor, so the 3D TV technology may be different, but if anything I'd expect it to be better than the monitor technology. Also, other installed software can stop the Tridef 3D from working, though I don't know how common this is. Internet Explorer 9 was a known culprit, and the only way to restore the 3D was to uninstall IE9 completely (simply turning it off under Windows Features wasn't good enough). IE8, 10 and 11 are all OK. Dugald

Open Windows Explorer, then select Tools from the top menu, then Folder Options from the drop-down menu, then open the View tab. Untick "Hide extensions for known file types". You should then be able to see your ini file in the Modules folder. Dugald

I use multiple copies of the file X-Plane.prf (in the Output\Preferences folder) with different values for _tex_res, but that means selecting the particular copy for the Malibu before any X-Plane session using this aircraft, then changing it back before a session with other aircraft. Dugald

As reported above, I originally had serious stutters with the Malibu Mirage. However, Daniel K. at Carenado pointed me to a forum thread in which Ryan reported success with the C90 after reducing the Texture Resolution setting. I did the same, and I've had no stutters or fps problems with the Malibu Mirage since making this change. I'm now very pleased with this purchase. Dugald

Ryan, I'm having the same problem with the Malibu. I don't have the King Air to compare it with, but I have several other Carenado aircraft in X-Plane and they all give good, steady frame rates (as do all my other X-Plane aircraft). I've raised a query with Carenado, but if the King Air is doing it too, it's maybe a "feature" of their latest work (HD textures?). That would be a real pity, since I enjoy their earlier offerings, but for me, the Malibu is a waste of money as it stands (or stutters). Dugald

As advised by Mike W, it should just be case of loading (or creating) a plan for your next flight once you've landed - there should be no need to exit FSX. However, you must remember to save your flight after loading the new flight plan (I always name the new flight "x", unless I think I'll want to use it again at some time). Edit: You may also have to disable VoxATC and then enable it again so that it can recognize the new flight. Dugald