6. HARDWARE

CAN A FORCE FEED JOYSTICK AFFECT PERFORMANCE?


The first version of Directx 7 had this problem. It's now fixed in Directx 7.0a, which you
can download from 
www.microsoft.com/directx. I recommend that you also download/install the patch for
FS2000.



WHAT IS A GOOD VIDEO CARD FOR FS2000?


 I have K6-3 400Mhz, 64Mhz RAM, Matrox G400 16Mb, and the frame rate with
all options full is dismal: 8-12 fps. What's a good video card for this FS2K
beast? 

Thanks!


1.  In the game's display options, selecting a low Terrain Texture Distance
value will help the MOST.  I run the thing at about 26 or so.  BIG HELP!
2.  Resolution:  on my TNT-1 card (old technology) there is almost no
difference between 1024 x 768 and 1280 x 1024.  This is significant as it
suggests the video card is not really the bottleneck for this sim often.  So I
run it at the desktop res of 1280x1024x16 which is nice, real nice.
3.  Back on to display options.  Keep the Terrain Mesh Complexity down to 40 or
so.  Visibility at 80 miles or so.  Scenery Density at normal or dense is OK. 
Pretty much everything else should be run at as low as you can tolerate.  I
find the Image Quality (or whatever it is on top left of the slider series in
display settings) is best at #2.  Still looks nice but is a bit less taxing. 
4.  Cloud layers are beautiful, but brutal.  Use them sparingly!
5.  On the heavy jets--learn to use the autopilot wherever possible as this
offers smooth and realistic flight.  It takes the JS input out of the mix and
you get ultra smooth flight (unless in heavy weather . . .)
6.  For takeoffs and landings in busy areas--use the full max front view to
smooth the sim out dramatically.  When I am on final approach I get down to 80
feet or so and hit the W key (or a programmed button on my JS) to bring up full
main view and lose the panel.  Landings then are silky smooth.



                            Noel




WHAT IS THE BEST HARDWARE TO USE ON FS2000?



 After spending many hours and many $$$ in upgrades I have come to this 
conclusion:  This sim puts more stress on CPU than
the video card.  I had a k6-2 333, 128 meg and Maxi gamer Phoenix 16 meg card,
and was getting a very choppy 8-12 fps.  I went to Fry's and bought a Creative
S3 video card with 32 meg, and saw no improvement in the fps.  I returned the
card and bought a new motherboard and P3-500, and put my Phoenix card back in. 
I also reinstalled the dx7 from the CD.  I now get an average of 20 fps on
startup at Meigs.  Not only better fps, but it runs alot smoother now.  I can
also run the scenery setting at "very dense".  





SHOULD I FLY WITH A YOKE?



What are the advantages of getting a flight yoke, like the CH Flight Sim Yoke? 
I am not looking for realism in my flying, but would getting a flight yoke make
the flying easier?  I am using a Logitech Wingman Extreme joystick without any
problems right now.

Thanks!!

Dave

Actually, some might argue that a joystick makes it "easier" than a yoke, in
both the sim and in real life. I prefer yokes myself, and I can't help but want
realism. A joystick for the newer Airbus is realistic, as it is for the Extra
300, but I can never get used to flying a Piper or a Boeing with one. 

Lou







>FS2000 worked fine with all my personalized settings until today.
>A few weeks ago I assigned my Hat to be able to look around like in FS98 and
it worked just fine. Today when I was about to enjoy FS2000 these settings where gone. 
>All other assignments work except the Hat and Throttle!
>I tried to re-assign them but it won't work. I already checked alibration and it
>detects fine in WingMan Profiler.
>After that frustrating experience I downloaded the lates drivers from
>logitech.com and nothing changed. Do you have an idea?


Hi Thomas,

There is a solution to this. Microsoft's support was very helpful and
got the problem solved together with me, on the phone (can you believe it;-))
Unfortunately it's a very difficult and cumbersome process, you have to
uninstall your wingman (both control panel and wingman profilersoftware).
You might also need to uninstall FS2000 after that, but before you do that
try this:

1) remove all wingman related software (1st control panel) and (2nd wingmanprofiler
   software)

2) do a clean reboot (run msconfig to make sure no wingman software isloaded)

3 start FS2000, while starting it hold the keys ctrl + shift down until you're
  in the cockpit view (this gives you a new and clean FS2000.cfg file)

4) end FS2000 and re-install your wingman software

5) fire up FS2000 again, you should be able to configure your hatswitchand
   throttle again.

The problem seems to be, if you ever play with the assignments in the wingman
profiler software (which I unfortunately did), FS2000 can't convert all of
these commands (that's what MS told me) and therefore has problems
interpretating it. So only assign your joystick assingments within FS2000,
never the profiler. Might also be a directX problem?
If all this doesn't work, uninstall FS2000 and begin with step 1 again.





HOW CAN I GET THE RUDDER TO CENTER WITH MY YOKE?


I have been flying FS98 with this yoke since 98 came out. I have now installed FS2000 and the yoke is acting up on the ground. It's like the nose gear is screwed up. I downloaded the latest drivers from CH and nothing changed. I am sitting on the runway using the FS2000 737 and as I apply power it moves to the left. I try to trim and it does not help. If I get airborne
all is fine.  The yoke has been calibriated and shows up fine. Problem is JUST on the
ground. I am running a Gateway PII 300 with 128meg ram, two hard drives 22 meg total
and a Voodoo 3 w/16 meg.
Thanks Paul
 

I had the same problem with my Virtual Pilot Pro. Using Cycle View modes
forward (S) and viewing the airplane from the rear, could see that the rudder
was set in full left.  First time it happened, all my aircraft had the same
problem.  Made it impossible to taxi or even take off. Solved it by using 
the "Center ailerons & rudder" (keypad 5)and that returned the rudder to neutral.  
Bob Lutker