"Combat Flight Simulator 2 Has Encountered a Problem and Needs to Close".
I have read this error message hundert of times with CFS2. In reality, I think CFS2 had never worked right with my PC and that´s pity because I love this programme.
I have tried a lot of things to find a solution of this problem:

-Launcher comptability Win98 or Me
-Launcher compatibility Win95
-Launcher with minimum options in display settings(640 x 480)
-Game with full or deckstop screen
-Game standard with zero add-ons, nothing, only default planes.
-Options in graphics display to the minimum settings
-Quick combate only with default planes , with luck I can shot-down a couple of Zeros, or F4Us,two minutes, and then crash to the deckstop.
-Combat aces of WWI work a little better maybe with luck 10 minutes , then crash system as always and back to deckstop.
-I have tried "RAM cleaner"programme, registry entry with regedit in windows to check memory management and other parameters, clean start, graphic card settings, all last drives of my ATI graphic card, etc.

And nothing....

Really I am very annoyed with this thing, IL-2, FB,Pacific Fighters Lock ON, FS2004, FS-X , CFS1 work all perfect, but the CFS2 is always a problem with all this continuos and very frutrating.
My configutation is XP, SP2 , 2 Gb RAM,Graphic Card ATI X1600, X1650, Processor Atlon 3500. I have four CFS2 in my PC, one for Korea, another WWI, another basic one(Only default) and a fourth Pacific Theater , but no one work right and all crashed to the deckstop after some so 5 minutes in quick combat.

Thanks for all help or ideas. I have tried a lot of things to this day but not luck and CFS2 is for me like a "Lottery", how long I can play a quik combat before crash system.

Thanks                

Yes, that was exactly the idea to have the default one. If I have also the problems there with only default stuff , that mean something is really wrong,maybe the DirectX version,I dont know.
Yes third partie planes can be problematic , and sometimes a very bad surprise after you pay for something; the packet Pearl Harbour was in this style, and the MDLs of the planes were infected with virus , the so called "dropper".Now my system is clean but I have loss all the MDLs of this Pearl Harbour planes, deleted by my antivirus.
I think the problem maybe is something to do with graphic or DirectX issues or a very bad management of the memory resources by CFS2.Ilogic because we cannot compare the memory management of CFS2 with the FS2004, Lock On or FS-X, much more demanding programmes in resources .I dont know, maybe must try like the old times, a boot diskette.              

Yes , I try that today , I make a backup of all stuff of Korea(the main CFS2) and then try of zero. The original one was in the D disk, this time maybe I try in C hard disk.The others three sims are copies of the original one with only the essential planes for each periode and less gauges and sounds.Thanks for your lines.

No, I think that is OK, the main gauges of the CFS2 are always there in each version, I mean, A6M2, A6M5, F4F4, F6F, F4U1 ,nik2J, the P38 and the gauges for the hud.Sounds , the main sound directory is always there, the sound of Jets MiG-15,F-86, F-84, etc or others are out for example in the WWI version.Also de WWI planes of the Combat Aces are not included in the Korean version.The idea is to organize well each periode , and never go Up of 75-80 planes to avoid the freeze of the editor.Also is more easy to work with the sceneies and campaigns.
Allready , the problem of deckstop crash was before of this four copies of the CFS2.Frustrated with that, I go back to IL-2,FB and last time I come back to CFS2 and again this deckstop crashes.

Yes, of course , I make this new complete install tonight in the C disk, then I try and test the full default versión, nothing modified.Now I cannot because I am now online in multiplayer with a T-6 in VATSIM with FS2004.But in so one hour I make the complete uninstall and new install.Maybe with the CFS2 in C and not anymore in D, I have more luck.Thanks again for the lines.

Well, well, well, that was a really a good idea, that´s work , not crashes after complet new install.
Then I have performed the small correction in the DPs of the USN and some IJN planes.

-Machine gun .50 M2 corrected to 850 rpm, speed 800 m/s, weight of the bullet 1.522 ounces.1d1*14.
-Machine gun .30 M2 corrected to 1200 rpm, speed 870 m/s, weight of the bullet 0.369 ounces. 1d1*8.
-Type 97 IJN 7.7mm corrected to 900 rpm, speed 750 m/s, weight of the bullet 0.372 ounces. 1d1*8.
-Type 99-I 20mm cannon corrected to 520 rpm, speed 525 m/s, weight of the bullet 4.535 ounces.1d1*36.

Then some small correction in the DP for the planes and test. Work perfect and not crashes.Alternative test , A6M2 againts F4F, F4F againts A6M2 , A6M5 againts F4U, F4U againts A6M5.

All OK, and very calm and slowly a few new planes. A A5M4 "Claude" , a A6M3 Type 32 "Hamp", a A6M3 Type 22 and two P-40B Tomahawk(AVG and USAAC).Revised and corrected all DP and Flight Dynamics, mdlnames block note and Quick combat entries actualised in CFS2 and first test. I have a crash but was my mistake, a wrong entry in the Quickcombat, must exactly match the entry name of the plane in the library.Also the same for the mdlnames. Test and work fine, not problem with the P-40B panel and sound.

Already to catch a A5M4 "Claude" with a P-40B is really "The Adventure" , this little IJN plane maneuver capacity is incredible!!.Had only two 7.7mm but well used can make the job. The P-40B heavy and good dive capacity, like the real thing, but armament is quite weak , specially this two 0.30s.
The A6M3 Hamp performed good and better was the A6M3 Type 22.

Ok Hagar, thanks for your notes, that´s the way, slow and checking all new add-ons and planes carefully in detail.In moment I check for a couple of days only this five add-on planes. When I am certain of all work OK, I install then maybe five more. In this way we have "not surprises" and the Sim work like expected.Happy finally, to play with CFS2 some good times without crashes.
Thanks again ,Hagar.                           

   

All fine and continuing test. A F2A-3 Buffalo, a flyable P-39D, a P-400 and two P-40E USAAF and RAAF.
Actualised the corrected DPs for weapons and damage and go to test.The most important extra entries for the P-39 and P-400 was the addition for the Coolant Reservoir, not included in the default CFS2.
Same problem with the default P-38, not damage files for the Coolant reservoir, but the P-38 is for the next week.Like the P-51 all this planes utilised liquid cooled(Allison in the P-39, P-40 and P-400s) engines.The P51s ,Packard Merlin liquid cooled(certainly the most weakest point of the P-51 this radiator).  

All OK for the planes to fight Tainan Kokutai in Port Moresby, P-40Es, the P-39D and the P-400.
Some problem in the Buffalo for the missions and campaing of Midway.
The CFS2 crash after some impact of my A6M2 Guns in the Buffalo and the thing can come from the visual display effects.
Checking the Buffalo entries in the DP and other files, but is a old model, and I decided to switch to the model of Thicko.
Actualised and corrected the Thicko Buffalo Aerodynamics and DP, the parameters of the 0.50 , 450 rounds in the wings MG and the damage files.
And new test.
All OK.

Conclussion of all this affaire with the CFS crashes to deckstop.

As the panel and sound , all the entries in the DP cfg must be right and precise. There many numerical conventions and all this numbers must match his respective parameter. the DP cfg is EXTREME IMPORTANT for the stability of the CFS2.

You can maybe fly with a panel with a gauge less and not crashes of the CFS2, but with a error in a entry in the DP cfg you have near certain a crash of CFS2.

Three entries are vital in the DP cfg file:

[SYSTEMS] must match exaclty [STRINGS] entries, number by number.
BOMB in not included(was in CFS1)but not in CFS2.
That mean for example for the P-39D:

[STRINGS]
"box_name.0"=Nose
"box_name.1"=Fuselage
"box_name.2"=Pilot
"box_name.3"=Port Wing
"box_name.4"=Port Wing Tip
"box_name.5"=Starboard Wing
"box_name.6"=Starboard Wing Tip
"box_name.7"=Tail (forward)
"box_name.8"=Tail (aft)
"box_name.9"=Port Elevator
"box_name.10"=Starboard Elevator
"box_name.11"=Rudder
"system_name.0"=Nose Structure
"system_name.1"=Oil Reservoir
"system_name.2"=Engine
"system_name.3"=Hydraulics Reservoir
"system_name.4"=Starboard Guns
"system_name.5"=Cannon
"system_name.6"=Machine Guns
"system_name.7"=Pilot
"system_name.8"=Radio
"system_name.9"=Center Gear
"system_name.10"=Fuselage Structure
"system_name.11"=Rudder Cntrl Cable
"system_name.12"=Bomb Release
"system_name.13"=Elevator Cntrl Cable
"system_name.14"=Port Wing Structure
"system_name.15"=Port Fuel Tank
"system_name.16"=Port Guns
"system_name.17"=Port Flap
"system_name.18"=Port Ail. Cntrl Cable
"system_name.19"=Port Gear
"system_name.20"=Port Wing Tip Structure
"system_name.21"=Port Aileron
"system_name.22"=Starboard Wing Structure
"system_name.23"=Starboard Fuel Tank
"system_name.24"=Starboard Flap
"system_name.25"=Starboard Ail. Cntrl Cable
"system_name.26"=Starboard Gear
"system_name.27"=Starboard Wing Tip Structure
"system_name.28"=Starboard Aileron
"system_name.29"=Tail (fwd) Structure
"system_name.30"=Tail (rear) Structure
"system_name.31"=Rudder
"system_name.32"=Port Elevator
"system_name.33"=Starboard Elevator
"system_name.34"=Coolant Reservoir
"system_name.35"=Bomb
"payload_name.0"=Guns Only
"payload_name.1"=Guns Only Long Range
"payload_name.2"=Bombs Medium
"payload_name.3"=Bombs Light

35 system entries to match with:

[SYSTEMS]
system.0=%system_name.0%,405,0
system.1=%system_name.1%,210,2
system.2=%system_name.2%,395,3
system.3=%system_name.3%,190,7
system.4=%system_name.4%,300,31
system.5=%system_name.5%,300,46
system.6=%system_name.6%,300,45
system.7=%system_name.7%,150,8
system.8=%system_name.8%,50,9
system.9=%system_name.9%,290,42
system.10=%system_name.10%,405,18
system.11=%system_name.11%,80,19
system.12=%system_name.12%,150,20
system.13=%system_name.13%,80,22
system.14=%system_name.14%,395,23
system.15=%system_name.15%,210,15
system.16=%system_name.16%,300,24
system.17=%system_name.17%,200,25
system.18=%system_name.18%,80,26
system.19=%system_name.19%,295,27
system.20=%system_name.20%,385,28
system.21=%system_name.21%,200,29
system.22=%system_name.22%,395,30
system.23=%system_name.23%,210,12
system.24=%system_name.24%,200,32
system.25=%system_name.25%,80,33
system.26=%system_name.26%,295,34
system.27=%system_name.27%,385,35
system.28=%system_name.28%,200,36
system.29=%system_name.29%,405,37
system.30=%system_name.30%,405,38
system.31=%system_name.31%,250,41
system.32=%system_name.32%,245,39
system.33=%system_name.33%,245,40
system.34=%system_name.34%,190,1

The 35th is not included because that´s the BOMB(was included in the CFS1) but no in the CFS2.
The new parameters of the Coolant Reservoir are the Number 34 and must also be included in the EFFECTS also under number 34!!!

[EFFECTS.34]
; System = Coolant Reservoir
effect.0=10,LIBRARY,,
effect.1=60,LIBRARY,fx_intsmoke,
effect.2=95,LIBRARY,fx_airexpl_m,
effect.3=100,BREAK,,

Very important for the stability of the Sim, and after a eventuell modification , the last number in the [SYSTEMS] entry at the extreme right:

system.0=%system_name.0%,405,0

This 0 mean, in this number convention :NOSE.
The 1 is always the COOLANT RESERVOIR, the 24 PORT GUNS, the 41 the RUDDER, etc,etc.

Iy you have a wrong number in a certain part, and playing in CFS2 you hit maybe this part with your guns, you have certainly 99% of posibility of CFS2 crash deckstop.
Other posibility you hit the part but the visual effect is not present in your EFFECT LIBRARY or is not listed in the EFFECTS list of the DP cfg .Crash to deckstop!!!

Well, continuing so ,slow and calm this series of test for each new plane or add-on.
Thanks again Hagar.

H might have a point there. Once you start editing files manually it's very easy to mess things up. I've done a bit of DP editing in my time & always used DPED. I don't recall having any problems. I'm sure you know about deleting the corresponding CDP file each time you modify a DP.