Simviation Forum - Use of Freeware add-ons, after downloading.

Aug 5^th, 2003 at 8:44am

Russell Offline
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I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

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I need a "computer whiz" to become my friend and tutor, ( just for a day or two ). My equipment is a desktop, running Windows XP home edition, with 2.4 ghz, Pentium IV, 512mb DDR, 80 gig HD, ATI Radeon 9700 PRO 128 bit video card, 32bit sound card, and a 21" NEC flat monitor. I have FlightSim'98, 2000, and 2002 on my computer, as well as CFS 3. I'm a pilot in real life, and flight simulation is one of the most important functions I use my home computer for. When I discovered "simviation" I became very excited at the prospect of being able to augment the programs I was already running, with a variety of new aircraft, etc. The problem is, I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. That's obvious to me now. Cry

Last night I downloaded some freeware add-ons for FlightSim2002. Once downloaded, winzip popped up. No problem. I had already purchased winzip months ago, ( although I don't know how to properly use winzip either ), so I entered my winzip registration information, and then proceeded to unzip my downloaded FlightSim2002 add-ons. Now my problem is I'm stuck! ??? I've read that these freeware add-ons are compatible with FS2002. Okay, that's why I downloaded them, but now what do I do? How do I get these add-ons to run? How do I open them? How do I run them? How do they work in conjunction with FlightSim2002? Like I said before, I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing! It's a very humbling experience. Cry

Can someone, ( or a few of you ), take me under your wing for a day or two, and help me get off the ground? PLEASE? My FlightSim2002 program seems unchanged, and unaltered when I run it. It works fine, but no differently than it ever has before. Are my freeware add-ons supposed to augment FS2002? How do my freeware add-ons interface with FS2002, or do they? I don't know how to initiate opening my freeware add-ons. I don't know how to run these add-ons, now that I've downloaded them. I need someone to be patient, hold my hand, and walk me through this process. I'm totally unfamiliar with this, apparently. I thought I was smarter than this, but I'm obviously not. HELP!!!....HELP ME PLEASE!!!...... Roll Eyes

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Reply #1 - Aug 5^th, 2003 at 8:51am

Scottler Offline
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Albany, New York USA

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Okay, quick rule of thumb for you that will save you lots of headaches. NEVER unzip directly into the game. The reason for this is simple. If you don't like the add-on, or if it doesn't work the way you'd hoped, you'll spend hours searching for the files. You may never find them. Also, if by chance you've gotten your hands on a bad file, which is VERY rare, you don't want to infect your entire F$ folder. lol

The easiest way, and thus the way I do it, is to unzip to a temporary folder on your desktop. Then you literally just copy the folder to the correct location. (i.e. gauges to the gauges folder, sounds to the sound folder, etc.)

Most add-ons have installation instructions, but in the off chance that they don't, just try this method. It's quick, and it's simple. It takes some getting used to, but you can do it. Once you've done a few, it will seem even easier.

If you've got any more questions, this is definitely the right place to ask. The folks here are VERY helpful.

Welcome to SimV!

Great edit, Bob.&&&&&&Google it. &&&&www.google.com

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Reply #2 - Aug 5^th, 2003 at 10:25am

fisharno Offline
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Also, too...

Every now and then you'll come across a zip file that when the author put it together, they negelected to arrange all the files correctly, in their own folder(s).
So, what happens is when you unzip it, all of the files are dispersed where you unzipped them too. Real headache if there's already lots of files there. Then they get mixed in with the others, and you'll have a heck of a time retreiving them.

ALWAYS, create a new folder to unzip them too, but not in the FS2002 directory, itself. Keep a seperate folder for everything you download, and then just copy and paste your new files into the correct FS2K2 folder as needed.
8)

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Reply #3 - Aug 5^th, 2003 at 12:15pm

Hagar Offline
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My Spitfire Girl
Costa Geriatrica

Posts: 33159

Welcome to SimV Russell. May I suggest you check out the SimV Help & Tutorials section. http://www.simviation.com/fsdhelp.htm
Also my own Lair. http://www.simviation.com/lair/index.htm
You will find plenty of tutes covering most subjects & common problems with all M$ sims. If you still have problems, please mail me direct from my site. I've helped literally 100s of people get started in the hobby over the last 4 years. Wink

PS. I have no knowledge of CFS3 as it won't run on my machine.

Founder & Sole Member - Grumpy's Over the Hill Club for Veteran Virtual Aviators
Member of the Fox Four Group

Need help? Try Grumpy's Lair

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Reply #4 - Aug 5^th, 2003 at 12:34pm

TJ_Gumby Offline
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Vancouver

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Posts: 754

Russel, all add ons come with read me files. They usually have very good instructions on how to install them. If you can take the time to read these posts, you can read the designers instructions. Wink

&&

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Reply #5 - Aug 5^th, 2003 at 12:40pm

Hagar Offline
Colonel
My Spitfire Girl
Costa Geriatrica

Posts: 33159

Quote:

Russel, all add ons come with read me files. They usually have very good instructions on how to install them. If you can take the time to read these posts, you can read the designers instructions. Wink

Just remember that not all designers know the best way to install stuff themselves. I've seen some install instructions included with files that make me cringe just thinking about them. Roll Eyes

Never, Never, Never extract (unzip) files direct to the sim. This is the quickest way to disaster I know. Please ignore all advice/instructions to do so. If you follow the tutes posted in the Help section you will soon figure out the best method.

Founder & Sole Member - Grumpy's Over the Hill Club for Veteran Virtual Aviators
Member of the Fox Four Group

Need help? Try Grumpy's Lair

My photo gallery

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Reply #6 - Aug 5^th, 2003 at 1:33pm

fisharno Offline
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Russ;

How did you get along with your earlier versions of FS?

Didn't you use any addons with those versions?

Just curious.
8)

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