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slicker55

3. Danger Dogz
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Posts posted by slicker55

  1. Hello again everyone... time for another quick update.

     

    Well, I've recently been 'off the air' whilst upgrading my system - a new motherboard, cpu, cooler and ram. The hardware switch itself went fine but then I ran into usb incompatibility issues with my controllers. To cut a long story short these are all now fixed and I'm back up and running again. I have ordered Acronis True Image 2015 to make my life easier should I need to restore my system again in the future.

     

    My plan is now is to take up where I left off and continue with my practice (as outlined on 3rd April).

     

    Just before the upgrade I had started to make some progress with the A10-C in DCSW... that really is a great plane and I know the challenge it presents will keep me engrossed for a long time to come.

     

    That's it for now... short and sweet (for a change) just wanted to dispel any rumours that CaptJack and A.P had frightened me off with their big planes!

     

    :)

  2. I've been 'out of action' for just over two weeks after getting off to such a great start in my virtual flying career. Everything was working fine but I decided to upgrade my system (see signature for new spec) and ran into some unexpected problems.

     

    The actual upgrade was straight forward and everything was back to normal within a day but as soon up I connected my Saitek X55 HOTAS and Combat Rudder Pedals, the computer would not boot.

     

    Most of the time a flashing cursor would appear in the top left-hand corner of the screen which of course would mean re-booting often with the same result.

     

    However,  sometimes Windows 7 would start to load (the coloured balls would start spinning) but then everything would simply lock up there being no alternative than to literally switch the computer off. 

     

    On the next attempt, a message would appear warning that Windows had failed to load and offering to repair the installation.

     

    I have literally tried everything that people have suggested which includes replacing the motherboard (suspecting faulty USB ports), purchasing a powered USB hub, installing a dedicated USB backplate connected directly to USB 2.0 headers on the motherboard, purchasing a 4 port USB 2.0 hub with separate switches for each port, changing setting within the USB 'options' menu in the BIOS but none of these suggestions worked....

     

    I contacted Saitek and spoke to a very sympathetic guy in their Technical Dept who explained they are currently working on a firmware upgrade to resolve a known USB incompatibility issue which arises when their gear is connected to this platform.

     

    He suggested that the only temporary workaround was to plug the controllers in after the OS had loaded and of course, disconnect them before shutting the system down.

     

    Here's a link to a post I made on another forum - straight away I must give full credit to Formski for making a great suggestion which has resolved this issue. 

     

    http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=2389540#post2389540

     

    If you're having similar problems, I hope this post reaches you earlier enough to save you the many hours of frustration etc that I have endured.

     

    Thanks for reading... 

     

     

     

     

     

  3. Hi Jabo,

    Thanks for being the first to reply - i'm sure others will be along soon... I thought the same as you but I've checked and can't find a duplicate anywhere. I have changed the INSERT for a different command which i know is unused but with the same result. Something I have noticed is that when the button is pressed (even very quickly) it fires the command several times so this might be the root of the problem... Just about to try a different button... I take it that yours doesn't behave in the same way as I originally outlined?

  4. Hi Guys,

     

    I have NWS keyboard command (INSERT) mapped to the small round 'pinky' button on my Saitek X-55 HOTAS stick.

     

    Whenever I press this button to activate/deactivate NWS the screen freezes for approx 3 seconds during which time the plane is free to go where it wants - clearly something is wrong!

     

    After the delay everything is OK again.

     

    Any idea's?

  5. Thanks guys... I did say I'd do a few tests and report back. Well, for me the 'trim nose down two notches' seems to work well - I will also try using the rudder instead of aileron when things are starting to go pear shaped. Last week Fen taught me how to recover from a high altitude stallI (using rudder and throttle) and I've been practising this too. Thanks Fen (for the take-off check list) - another (copy/paste) keepsake!

  6. Perfesser,

    Thank you for mentioning this tip.

    I'm going to try this out because I have been experiencing the very issue you have outlined and just thought this was something a more experienced pilot would counteract by slightly moving the stick to the right. I have been trying to do what I thought was correct but with mixed results - can't wait to try out your advice - I'll report back soon!

  7. Thanks Jabo for taking the time to be so detailed in your reply. I really appreciate all the help that I'm getting and hope to be in a position to help other newcomers at some time in the future....


    BluBear...

     

    Thanks for the encouragement...   :)

  8. Progress Update:

     

    Attended my first Storm of War event last night (02/01/15)... everything went better than anticipated.. took off (after a fashion), managed to stay aloft but didn't get an opportunity to engage.. ran out of fuel on the way back.. landed safely (well, glided in, to unknown airfield, as engine had cut out), re-spawned minutes before 'mission end', returned to base but didn't land so well this time (out there early this morning still picking the pieces up), overall, enjoyed the experience.. felt very supported by DD_Fenrir, Eshark, Snacko and other members of the formation.

     

    I recognise that I have much to learn but I am striving to eventually become an asset to the squadron.

     

    Today, I have prepared a list of things for me to do in order to improve and prepare for the next event :

     
    1. practice formation flying
    2. practice navigation
    3. practice familiarisation with terrain, landmarks and situational awareness.
    4. practice interpretation of cockpit instruments
    5. practice take-off and landing (in varying weather conditions)
    6. practice airport traffic pattern (ATP) and radio procedure
    7. understand the brief
    8. know my callsign
    9. know callsigns/names of everyone in my Element (identify Element Leader)
    10. squadron callsigns/pilots - list (display on touchscreen)
    11. map obscured view (set up 'quick view' and ‘zoom’ to HOTAS)

    I am eager to learn and welcome anyone who wishes to help me out with items 1 - 6

  9. Hi Jabo,

     

    I am finding it challenging but fascinating and addictive - Amongst the many things I've learned so far is some early advice which still stands true today -   no names / no pack-drill once advised,  "maintaining a well greased stick is the secret to keeping a permanent smile on a pilots face"....

     

     This advice coupled with the occasional reference to sheep is totally confusing :)

  10. As if being a newbie to a shed load of new hardware, gadgets, cables, DCSW, 1946 & CLOD wasn't a steep enough learning curve for any sane person to take on board, I'm now curious to take a look at ROF...

     

    Let me put this as politely as I can - I have a very influential trainer!

     

    :salute: 

     

    I have discovered the free demo download website which is fine.

     

    However, a number of on-line retailers are currently offering Steam keys for various editions for only a few dollars.

     

    Examples include:

     

    Channel Battles Edition

    The First Great Air War
    Iron Cross
     
    Here's a few questions:
     
    Which is the best edition to get (and why)
     
    Are the any drawbacks to using Steam for this title?
     
    Will ROF run on a triple screen setup?
     
    Thanks in advance....
     
     

     

     

     

  11. Fenrir... thanks for confirming my application to the DD squad.

     

    Please count me in...

     

    As the newbie, this is all quite bewildering but I have been very fortunate to have Snacko as my personal trainer... We have covered sooo much in a relatively short space of time - I am truly indebted to him for his time and patience.

     

    Any chance of me taking position GREEN 3 in the above chart so that I can try to follow him?

  12. Thanks Fenrir for putting this tutorial up...  I've just watched the other one  on 'Take-off & Landing' .. these really are great resources for newbies like me and are very much appreciated. I have been practising the method used in the above tutorial (Snacko covered this method in a recent 'training' session with me).

     

    CaptJack, thank you for taking the time to explain your preferred method - I'm looking forward to trying it out... many thanks to you sir.

  13. Absolutely BRILLIANT... this is what newbies like me really appreciate... this provides some great practical tips and also answers a question I raised only the other day... wind... no, not with the doctor but with a another flyer... I was aware it is desirable to take-off and land 'into wind'. I had noted that only one side of the boards are painted and assumed this is to indicate which direction you should fly but I hadn't noticed the windsocks. I really appreciate you taking the time to prepare this tutorial... crystal clear video quality and very concise commentary - very well done!

  14. The second one is more like what I had in mind but, well, over here, they cost a bomb...

     

    I have found something that might do the trick... 

     

    (pic to follow)

     

    I might need to fix a 'backing board' or similar to where the iPad would normally go and then stick the keyboard onto the backing board...

     

    Looking hopeful ... we'll see...  :)


    Vonhaus iPad Bracket

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