Downloading panels

[Brown]

how do you downloiad and install a panel

[Hagar]

Here's how I do it. First check out that the new panel is configured properly in a folder named Panel.
Before going any further I open the main folder of the aircraft I intend updating & back up the original panel by renaming the Panel folder to Panel.0 or similar. You can use any name you wish as it's not important. This is a safety measure in case anything goes wrong.
Now paste the new Panel folder into the aircraft.
Finally, install the gauges. Open the included Gauges folder, click Edit/Select All & paste all the included files (usually GAU files) into FS9\Gauges. Do NOT overwrite files if prompted.

PS. I get a lot of mail from people having problems installing the gauges. There are 3 different types of gauge used in FS2004. The most important thing is recognising those gauges for what they are. These could be the old familar GAU format, CAB files (which might look like zipfiles) or even ordinary folders. The last two examples will contain one or more XML files + BMP images. These are known as XML gauges. The CAB files or folders must be pasted into FS9\Gauges just as they are or they will not work.

[Graycat8524]

Heya Brown,

Hagar's method is what I've been doing for years and it works great.  If you need further information, check out Fly2e's excellent Aircraft Installation Tutorial in the Flight Simulator 2004 FAQ's at the top of this Forum.

[Hagar]

I think you'll find that Pete wrote that aircraft installation tute. The panel installation tute* is very good but doesn't cover XML gauges. This is what seems to confuse people most about installing panels.

*Here's a link. http://www.simviation.com/paninstall.htm

[Graycat8524]

Excellent link Hagar.  Under the Gauge installation section, however, it doesn't say what to do if you Copy/Paste Gauges into your FS 2004 Gauge folder and you get a message saying "file xxx dated yyy already exists, do you want to overwrite this file?"  I'm like Hagar in this case.  I'll always click "No".  I'll then leave the Gauge folder as-is in the newly installed Panel folder.

When I select the aircraft I'll take it out for a "test drive".  If there are any issues with a gauge on my newly installed Panel I still have the Gauges folder from the new Panel author available.  I can correct issues then get to the important stuff---flying!

[Hagar]

[quote]it doesn't say what to do if you Copy/Paste Gauges into your FS 2004 Gauge folder and you get a message saying "file xxx dated yyy already exists, do you want to overwrite this file?"

[Graycat8524]

True Hagar.