Taildragger

Update: I started testing DriveImage XML and discovered a nice feature. It allows the viewing and recovery of individual files or folders from the image without having to restore the entire drive or partition. Combines the advantages of imaging and copying in a single backup.Very useful for those cases where just one or a few files have mysteriously vanished or become corrupted.For more info, see the video tutorial here: John

Imaging is by far the best way to backup. You get not only the files, but also the registry settings, provided you backup not only the OS and FSX drives or partitions, but anyplace else you may have installed add-ons.And there is nothing complicated about it. Time-wise, it's about the same as copying all those files. Should the need arise, restoration is a breeze.Nor do you have to shell out big bucks. Check out these three freeware offerings. I can personally vouch for the reliability and user-friendliness of Paragon.http://www.paragon-software.com/home/db-express/http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htmhttp://www.macrium.com/ReflectFree.aspJohn

I know what you're going through, Manny. My first disk crash was a nightmare. But it convinced me to give disk or partition imaging backup a try.I had a second catastropic disk crash last year. This time, with recent image files on an external drive, reinstallation of everything on the new drive could not have been easier.With quality freeware imaging software available, it's now even more compelling.If you are still able to access the drive, it may not be too late to recover an image.John

Bill, after pondering it a bit more, I suspect the *.fsm file applies to the FSMap application, not FSM Moving Map. For the latter, only the manual import and calibration I outlined above will work.http://www.aerosoft.com/cgi-local/re/ibosh...gi?showd,,10650John

Bill,Not sure what the *.fsm file is. It has the calibration data, but FSMMM seems unable to recognize it. So the Mass Import option won't work.But you can still import each one manually, using the Add a New Map option, and then transferring the map top, bottom, and calibration points from the fsm file by hand. Then when you hit Save, it will create the necessary *.ini file.Or use the FSMMM calibration tool. Those charts are so nearly rectangular that only two calibration points are needed. I tried the Abau chart, entering only the upper left and lower right corners, and it seemed to work fine.I've pretty much given up on FSMMM. The FSWidgets freeware GMap with the Google Earth maps is a big improvement IMHO. And the latest version also works with custom imported charts like the png series. Again only calibration is needed, and well explained in their manual.http://fswidgets.com/shop/download_files.phpJohn

If you want some relief from the trial-and-error guess work of positioning gauges in a panel, check out FS Panel Studio. It's an indispensable tool if you do much panel editing or creating.http://www.fspanelstudio.com/The freeware demo version will give you a feel for the capabilities. At least you will be able to see whether it's worth upgrading to the full version. Grab the manual also.John

If there is no downside to the FS9 schema, I have no desire to create unnecessary headaches.Is the FSX SDK independent of the FSX schema? For instance, are any of the Tooltip commands incompatible with the FS9 schema?What little I know about XML so far comes from Nick Pike's tutorials at fs2x, yours at fsdeveloper, and browsing the various gauge forums. Is there any other basic educational info out there?John

OK, I tried using the Tooltip idea instead of HelpID, as follows: <Mouse> <Help ID="HELPID_GAUGE_HEADING_INDICATOR"/> <Tooltip ID="TOOLTIPTEXT_HEADING_INDICATOR_HEADING"/> <Area Left="133" Right="161" Top="131" Bottom="159"> <Tooltip>%((A:Heading bug indicator, degrees))%!d!</Tooltip> <Area Right="14"> <Cursor Type="DownArrow"/> <Click Event="HEADING_BUG_DEC" Repeat="Yes"/> </Area> <Area Left="14"> <Cursor Type="UpArrow"/> <Click Event="HEADING_BUG_INC" Repeat="Yes"/> </Area> </Area> <Area Left="1" Right="29" Top="131" Bottom="159"> <Help ID="HELPID_GAUGE_HEADING_INDICATOR_ADJUST"/> <Area Right="14"> <Cursor Type="DownArrow"/> <Click Event="GYRO_DRIFT_DEC" Repeat="Yes"/> </Area> <Area Left="14"> <Cursor Type="UpArrow"/> <Click Event="GYRO_DRIFT_INC" Repeat="Yes"/> </Area> </Area> </Mouse> What that produces is:While it shows a value of zero, that reading unfortunately never changes, no matter what the autopilot heading (it was 321 degrees at the time of this screen shot).But that seemed to be a step in the right direction, so I went back to the SDK Tooltip list and selected one calledTOOLTIPTEXT_AUTOPILOT_HEADING_INDICATOR"Heading Hold Selector (%((A:AUTOPILOT HEADING LOCK DIR, degrees) flr 360 % d 0 == if{ 360 })%!d!

As an easy learning exercise I'm trying to edit an FSX XML heading indicator gauge. The goal is to display the autopilot heading setting in the Help ID for the heading bug adjust knob.In the original gauge, the mouse code section for the knob reads: <Mouse> <Help ID="HELPID_GAUGE_HEADING_INDICATOR"/> <Tooltip ID="TOOLTIPTEXT_HEADING_INDICATOR_HEADING"/> <Area Left="133" Right="161" Top="131" Bottom="159"> <Help ID="HELPID_GAUGE_HEADING_BUG_ADJUST"/> <Area Right="14"> <Cursor Type="DownArrow"/> <Click Event="HEADING_BUG_DEC" Repeat="Yes"/> </Area> <Area Left="14"> <Cursor Type="UpArrow"/> <Click Event="HEADING_BUG_INC" Repeat="Yes"/> </Area> </Area>And the Help ID shows:To modify it, from what little I can glean from the SDK, it seems simply replacing the line<Help ID="HELPID_GAUGE_HEADING_BUG_ADJUST"/> with<Help ID="HELPID_GAUGE_HEADING_BUG_ADJUST_WITH_DESCRIPTION"/>should add the autopilot heading setting, with the format "Heading Bug Adjust Knob (%1!d!

http://forums1.avsim.net/index.php?showtop...amp;hl=managingJohn

Grand Coulee is included in the default FSX. You should see this:As for the other dams, do you have the latest UTX update? Version 1.3.1 includes most of the dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers.All you get though is a bare concrete edifice. To spice it up a bit I added a dynamic water spray effect to simulate an active spillway. Easy to do. Here's an example at The Dalles.John

Have a look at the AirWrench utility, here:http://www.mudpond.org/AirWrench_main.htmIt's a great help in editing the air file, as it provides some insight into the meaning and proper choice of all those cryptic settings. Takes a lot of the guess work out.For example, it gives an estimate of stall speed, max speed, and rate of climb, calculated from the variables you select. Or inversely you can specify the performance values and AirWrench will adjust the variables as needed.For the problem you described, the free demo version should work fine.Also grab the user manual and tutorial from the web site.John

Don't put simming on hold, Bob. You may have to cut back on the time you spend with it, but keep active if it is something you still enjoy.As a cancer survivor, I can attest that your worst enemy is depression. The human body has great recuperative powers, but it requires the help of a healthy and active mind. Anything you enjoy doing, that requires some mental effort and takes your mind off your troubles is a useful part of your therapy.As for support groups, you have one right here. There are plenty of us who have shared what you are going through and also share your love of flight simming. Keep active in the forum, use the email contacts, and you will find a wealth of support.Best wishes for a complete recovery.John

Nick, great idea, but how do you do that?Given that the OS in which you installed FSX has the registry entries, how do you make the same FSX run on another OS, in a different partition or drive, without installing it there also?John

If you just want to quickly see the basic flightplan of an AI plane, edit the default AI aircraft labels (Options/Settings/Display/Traffic-Aircraft Labels).In the [AContain] section of the fsx.cfg file, add or modify the line:ShowLabelFlightPlan=1The label will then show, for example, KSEA - KLAX (IFR).Another useful one is:ShowLabelAirlineAndFlightNumber=1John

Skip,Here's an example of a highway map display using FSMMM.The blue aircraft symbol south of Puyallip is my current location on approach to KSEA, and the three red ones off to the right are AI traffic.Johnhttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/192738.jpg

Skip,The freeware FSM Moving Map by Rana Hossain does exactly what you are asking. It's in the library as fsmmm120.zip.The map shows the real-time location of your plane, along with any nearby AI traffic.If all you care about is roads on the map display, you can even scan a highway map to a jpg file and use that after calibrating it as described in the documentation.FSMMM was last updated for FS9, and I believe you must have that sim (or FS2002) to install it. But once installed in the older sim, FSX will recognize it automatically. Just be sure you also have FSUIPC4 installed (unregistered version OK).Try it first using one of Matt Fox's pre-calibrated sectional charts to see if you like the interface. Example: us_sectionals_pack_1.zip, also in the library. Sectionals show most roads. But if you find them too cluttered, then experiment with custom highway maps.John

Doug,If you want a dynamic moving map display using your own custom maps, such as low altitude enroute charts, try the freeware FSM Moving Map by Rana Hossain. It's in the library as fsmmm120.zip.It will accept almost any map style that you have as a jpg image. The only requirement is calibrating the map in FSX, which is well described in the documentation.FSMMM was last updated for FS9, and I believe you must have that sim (or FS2002) to install it. But once installed in the older sim, FSX will recognize it automatically. Just be sure you also have FSUIPC4 installed (unregistered version OK).Try it first using one of Matt Fox's pre-calibrated sectional charts to see if you like the interface.Example: us_sectionals_pack_1.zip, also in the library.John

Thanks, Rick -- very useful info. Right up there with your tutorial on managing humongous terrain mesh add-ons. For those who might have missed that one, seehttp://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=24965Scroll down to Feb. 28 entries.John

You might try reducing the texture load for AI aircraft as detailed very well by Luis a few days ago.http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...ode=full#453301John

Freeware SBuilderX is an absolute must-have. Somewhat steep learning curve, but amazingly versatile once you get the hang of it.John

Nick, you might try reduceai.zip by Henning Schaefer, in the library. It's not a true randomizer, but will automatically group flights by whatever interval size you specify, steps of 1%, 5%, 10%, etc.It will not work with default FSX flightplans, or those converted to FSX format. But FS9 formatted flightplans, like WoAI, can be first "randomized", then converted to FSX if desired (or used without conversion).John

Bump -- too good of a question to get buried.John

Zalman CNPS9500 CPU cooler.I let the shop that built the computer set it up to the max. That way the warranty was not compromised.Here's some reading to get you started.http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/12/11/ove...g-guide-part-1/http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/01/04/ove...g_guide_part_2/http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/01/18/ove...g-guide-part-1/http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/11/08/dua...quad/index.htmlhttp://www.tweaktown.com/articles/944/over...y_go/index.htmlhttp://www.tomshardware.com/2006/10/10/che...ills/page2.htmlhttp://extremeoverclock.org/http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/240001-2...ads-duals-guidehttp://www.tweaktown.com/guides/19/intel_f...uide/index.htmlhttp://www.tomshardware.com/2007/11/23/ove...n_five_minutes/http://www.overclock.net/John