overwriting gauge files and effect files?

[whiteaegis]

Hello,
I download a lot of aircrafts including fighter jets, prop, vintage, and civil aircrafts. My aircraft folder is really big. During installation I was prompt asking," do you want to overwrite existing gauge files? For example installing F-15 coral I was asked do you want to overwrite F-16 gauge.  Some of planes I installed doesn't show up or texture is missing. Most of my military airplanes has good working panel. (This are the planes you just press setup.exe. I had a problems with manual installation.  I want to install custom panel for B-757, 767, 737, and 747. I download panel files, but all of panels files have a lot of gauge files and duplicate file names with same size. My previous experience with FS 2002, if I overwrite gauge some of panels will not display. Is it safe to overwrite exisiting gauge and effects files? Is is possible to rename gauge files? Whenever, FS asked me to overwrite more than 5 gauge files I just keep copy of gauge folder with my aircraft folder.
I also installed Jens B. Kristensen DC-4 / C-54 and DC-6. However, if I don't press #2 button plane crash and thrust is really weak. I don't know what is wrong. My real concern is it o.k to install add-on panels for B-747,757,737, and 767? Since, each of panel folder contains gauges with same name and size what should I do.
Thank you and hope to hear from you soon.

[Hagar]

Hi. It probably wouldn't do much harm but my advice would be not to overwrite files/folders when installing 3rd party gauges. Any panel designers worth their salt will rename modified gauges to avoid this type of conflict.

Alternatively, you could paste the gauges into the Panel folder of the aircraft/panel they belong to. FS9 will read them from there.

[Groundbound1]

Another thing, when asked to overwrite, take a good look at the file's size and date. Many times you trying to overwrite a newer or better file with an older one. It's hard to give a yes or no answer on whether or not you should. You must use your own judgement there.

As far as renaming gauges and effects, the simple answer would be NO! That's not to say that you can't, but unless you know what you're doing , and you make changes to the aircraft and panel config files accordingly, you're just asking for a headache.

You CAN however replace the default panels with add-on ones, but keep in mind that some add-on aircraft may alias to them.


Now personally, I avoid auto installers like the plague. If I do download an add-on that uses one, I'll ALWAYS have it install in a temp folder, then transfer those files manually. That way I'M SURE that any textures or effects I've made or modified won't be overwritten. (Again, that's just me though.)

[Hagar]

As far as renaming gauges and effects, the answer is simple. NO! That's not to say that you can't, but unless you know what you're doing , and you make changes to the aircraft and panel config files accordingly, you're just asking for a headache.

Just to clarify; I wasn't suggesting that whiteaegis should rename those files. An experienced panel designer would have already done so if necessary to avoid possible conflicts with previous versions of the gauges. As a rule of thumb I never overwrite gauge files when installing panels. The same applies to FX files.

[Groundbound1]

As far as renaming gauges and effects, the answer is simple. NO! That's not to say that you can't, but unless you know what you're doing , and you make changes to the aircraft and panel config files accordingly, you're just asking for a headache.

Just to clarify; I wasn't suggesting that whiteaegis should rename those files. An experienced panel designer would have already done so if necessary to avoid possible conflicts with previous versions of the gauges. As a rule of thumb I never overwrite gauge files when installing panels. The same applies to FX files.

No, no, I'm with ya. I was just trying to explain some of the hazzards in doing so.

[commoner]

Now personally, I avoid auto installers like the plague. If I do download an add-on that uses one, I'll ALWAYS have it install in a temp folder, then transfer those files manually. That way I'M SURE that any textures or effects I've made or modified won't be overwritten. (Again, that's just me though.)

...EXCELLENT advice GB1......commoner

[whiteaegis]

I appreciate your advice and I agree, however, I run in to in to same problmes when I tried to install a aircraft. Often gauge and effects files are duplicate. What should I do? For example typhoon effects file and other military aircraft contains same rcb gauge folder with same name and same file size. Should I just keep with under aircraft folder rather than moving to gauge folder? Although gauge name/file are same if I don't replace it sometimes aircraft will not work properly.
Is it a bad idea to install multiple panels?
Thank you and have nice weekend.

[Groundbound1]

I just want to be sure I'm clear here.

Is it ok to have duplicate gauge files, in seperate panel folders? Yes. It won't hurt anything as long as you're not short of hard drive space.

If the gauge files included in a download, have the file extension " .gau ", then they can stay in the aircraft's panel folder.

Now if an aircraft uses any XML gauges, then THOSE need to stay in their own folder, INSIDE the MAIN gauges folder. (Unless the instructions included in the download request otherwise)


I'll use this model to illustrate. (It's a nice aircraft, one that I don't think you'll mind having) These instructions may seem oversimplified and basic, but it's easier for me to explain things, and easier for you to understand, if I go through the install process step by step.

Download the F-14D by Steve Hinson, from this page:
http://www.simviation.com/fs2004military130.htm

It's a big zip (68MB) and it may take a while to get, but save it to your desktop, and unzip it.

It's Ok,

[FSFLYER2]

Hi guys, When loading a new panel in FS2002 I came to a full stop with my heart racing. I had spotted a gauge change, old for new.
Since then I have always placed gauges in a temp folder then transfered from there to folder .../gauges. In this way you see what is going on. 99% of the time I select the newest gauge> but as stated use your own judgement.
I do believe this has not produced any harmful results to my enjoyment.
With premium aircraft the gauges always go into the panel folder, I like this. There again how large a HD do you have!