Why switch to FSX Steam Edition

[OldAirmail]

I really haven't paid much attention to FSX: SE but I spotted this video, admitted my ignorance and bias, and decided to watch it.

I didn't watch it all the way through before I realized that FSX: SE has some very good points.

I would certainly recommend FSX: SE over the boxed edition from Microsoft.

If I were to stay with FSX, I might even switch over to steam. See what you think.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UpQgUBKDKM[/youtube]

[Fozzer]

Having read this reminded me to run my version of "Steam FSX" just to remind me what it looks like, (haven't run it for a while), compared to my original M$ Boxed version.... ...!

It runs as sweet as a nut....

...'trubble is, it doesn't contain any of my zillions of downloaded + installed add-ons... ...

...and 'cos it runs directly from the Steam Server, (via Valve, like the rest of my Steam Games), I don't actually have my own "Steam FSX Folder" on my own HDD to add all my amazing stuff to!

Now I may be missing something out here, but without a dedicated Steam FSX Folder on my HDD, I can only run, and see, the basic Steam Version.... ...!

Paul...The Easily Confused....(trust me!).... ...!

[jphespe]

Several months ago I purchased FSX SE as my original FSX is no longer supported. I was concerned that if one or more of my CD's were to become damaged or if I lost the activation codes I would be out of luck. I still have my original FSX on my computer but also have a separate installation of SE. I have noticed that SE seems to have a noticeably better frame rate by comparison. Main reason for SE is that your installation is maintained on their cloud. If you have a system crash your sim files, all of them, including add ons, are automatically downloaded from the cloud. No need to reinstall tons of programs.

Regarding a HDD file of SE, when you go to your hard drive there is a STEAM folder. In that folder is a file called STEAMAPS, and in that file there is a sub folder called COMMON. Open that file and you will find a folder FSX. Open that and you will find all of the normal FSX folders, ie: ADD ON SCENERY, SIM OBJECTS, ETC. I was able to add most of my scenery files, ORBX and Megascenery, and nearly all of the freeware aircraft easily by this means. However, some publishers, specifically CARENADO, are NOT compatible. Carenado is not helpful at all in correcting this issue, saying that "they are testing solutions" as of 4/15/15. So if you have some of their aircraft in your hanger you most likely will not be able to use them in SE. Carenado's lack of action to correct this issue is the reason I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER OF THEIR PRODUCTS UNTIL THEY DEAL WITH THE CONCERNS OF THEIR EXISTING CUSTOMERS.

[Fozzer]

WOW!.... ...!

Many thanks, JP!

A long convoluted way of getting there!.... ....>>>>
Finally found it!...
C/Prog Files (x86)/STEAM/STEAMAPS/COMMON/FSX

I've just got to insert all my payware/freeware add-on stuff there!

Many thanks again for the secret route to get there!

I told you I was easily confused.... ...!

Paul.... ...!

Loads of stuff to move over..... ..... so I think I will stick to my FSX original boxed version for a while....Leave Steam FSX add-ons for a rainy day!.... ...

[OldAirmail]

I don't know, Paul.

Even if you prefer the original FSX, you might want to copy as much as possible to the Steam folder just in case.

What could a bad sector or a virus do to your ability to fly.

[Shadowcaster]

Main reason for SE is that your installation is maintained on their cloud. If you have a system crash your sim files, all of them, including add ons, are automatically downloaded from the cloud. No need to reinstall tons of programs.

However, some publishers, specifically CARENADO, are NOT compatible. Carenado is not helpful at all in correcting this issue, saying that "they are testing solutions" as of 4/15/15. So if you have some of their aircraft in your hanger you most likely will not be able to use them in SE. Carenado's lack of action to correct this issue is the reason I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER OF THEIR PRODUCTS UNTIL THEY DEAL WITH THE CONCERNS OF THEIR EXISTING CUSTOMERS.

Sorry to wade in on this but it's been my experience that steam does not store all of your addons, the most it may save is the addons you bought through steam. I really can't see Steam/Valve committing valuable drive space to peoples addons in my case all of of the England photo scenery from Horizon and some scenery from FTX not to mention terrain mesh.

I also have to say that I have had no problems with Carenado planes I have 3 of theirs and they installed with no issues. I would say that installing them on 2 versions of FSX can cause a few issues not only with licensing but pointing the installers in the right direction.

Cheers
Rich

P.s. These days I am only running FSX Steam as I do think it's more stable and seems quicker, however I could well be wrong.

[davido53]

I've had no issues with Carenado or any other addon with FSX:SE. I have had a lot of issues with FSX addons with P3D however, which is why I went back to FSX:SE (runs much better, too)

[jphespe]

Re: Carenado and FSX SE; Please tell me the secret to installing on SE. Carenado is NO help and I can't seem to find a way edit their installer to send the files to SE instead of MS Games/Microsoft Flight Simulator. I have issues with the V35B, A36, Rockwell 114, and Cessna 182RG. All of these run fine in FSX but MANY MANY missing files when I try to install in SE. This incudes both downloaded (from Carenado) files as well and original Carenado CD's. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim

[davido53]

If the files install to a different location, just locate the root folder (perhaps it is titled 'FSX') and cut and paste it into the same folder as FSX:SE.

[Shadowcaster]

Sorry if this sounds like teaching you grandma to suck peanuts, If you have both FSX and FSX SE then you and have want to install to SE then, assuming that FSX was the first version installed, you will have to point the installer to the FSX SE folder in my case H:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\FSX SE with the original FSX location being D:\FSX. it should then install to the right place. From memory I don't think that I did anything else it may be worth looking at the 2 config files for FSX and FSX SE, look at the appdata folder C:\Users\yourname\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX and C:\Users\Rich\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX SE I think, the old memory is not as good as it used to be. It's possible that the addon installer could write to the wrong config file. If you have to manually add a repaint, scenery ect then then check you are in the right folder.

I think that makes sense or have I confused the matter further

Cheers
Rich

[jphespe]

Particularly with Carenado, the default location on the installer is: C:/program files (x86)/Microsoft Games/Microsoft Flight Simulator X

For FSX SE, this is C:/program files (x86)/Steam/steamaps/common/FSX

The problem is that Carenado will ONLY use the default location in the installer. I have not been able to find a way to redirect it to Steam. Once you get into the steamaps folder/FSX you will find all the familiar files for FSX.

Regards,
Jim

[davido53]

Do a search for FSX registry repair tool. It will fix the default location in the registry. I used it this week and it worked.

[Shadowcaster]

Now I see the problem, I had no issues because I got my Carenado aircraft from Just Flight, and it seems they use a different installer which gives you a browse button to locate the correct directory. I reckon with all the talent around here we will solve it in the end.

Cheers
Rich

[OldAirmail]

I just checked about installing one of my favorite aircraft, the Carenado V35, into Prepar3d V3.



My V35 was bought directly from Carenado, and permitted me to select the instillation location.


Best of all, it works just fine in P3d V3.

[garymbuska]

I was part of the Beta test team for Steam and I have to admit they did a pretty good job so if one either never had FSX before or for some reason was unable to reinstall there boxed version this is a good substitute. But like you stated it has to run on there servers and that is the only draw back. The only problem I had was when I installed the SE version it did not create its own FSX CFG file and used mine which caused it to crash because of downloads I had on my boxed version that was not part of the SE version. But they have fixed that problem. But as for me I plan on staying with my boxed version for now. But I can always down load it again as it is in my Steam library.