installing panel problems

[Crash21]

hey,

i know there are instructions on this site for how to install panels.  but i was wondering if any one could put them in their own words to make it a little easier. some help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Crash21

[Hagar]

Crash. To find out how anything works in FS I suggest checking the default files. Open the Panel folder of any default aircraft. You should see one file named Panel.cfg in with one or more BMP images. This is how any panel will be set up. To install a new panel I suggest backing up the original Panel folder, rename it Panel.0 or similar. Then paste the new one in its place, properly configured in a folder named Panel.

Most 3rd party panels use one or more 3rd party gauges. (Again, open the FS2002\GAUGES folder to check it out.

[PH_AJH]

Hi Hagar,

You say don't overwrite existing files.

I find myself in doubt sometimes if the gauge I am pasting is newer then the existing one. Why is it newer? Is it updated, improved...? What am I missing if I don't overwrite the older one?
Someone shed some light on this please.

Cheers
AJ

[emh8]

AJ,

Overwriting existing files with third party software puts you at risk of corrupting files associated with the default aircraft, such as gauges you will need if you intend to continue flying the default aircraft.

[PH_AJH]

Okay, I can see the risk when overwriting default gauges. But would it be possible 3rd party gauges get updates of some sort and get distributed under the same file name? Or do you reckon updated gauges get a new name all the time?
If so, my doubts will be gone forever.
Thanks
AJ

[WebbPA]

It rarely happens, although I recall the radio gauges in Tipster's Beech Baron panel were updated by the author but they kept the same names.

I go along with the general rule that you don't overwrite gauges.

If, during your install, you see that 2 gauges have the same name and approximate size but different dates you might want to single them out for closer analysis.  You could then rename the later one and rewrite your panel.cfg or compare them with CfgEdit or Panel Studio.  IF it's that important to you.

[PH_AJH]

Not at all.
But thanks for the info anyway!

AJ

[packercolinl]

You also may find that you will need to retain the original Panel file for the Addon to work. Removing it can result in no panel at all.

I don't know why this is but both files remain in the folder for that aircraft separately.

A name change will,in my experience,have the same effect as removal.

Cheers

[Hagar]

Hi Hagar,

You say don't overwrite existing files.

I find myself in doubt sometimes if the gauge I am pasting is newer then the existing one. Why is it newer? Is it updated, improved...? What am I missing if I don't overwrite the older one?
Someone shed some light on this please.

Cheers
AJ

Hi AJ. emh8 & WebbPA have explained the reasons very well. Just to clarify, maybe I should have said "do not overwrite existing gauges unless you know what you're doing". It's easier to tell you not to overwrite any. If gauges have been updated for a particular panel the usual practice is to rename the gauge so the advice still applies.

[PH_AJH]

Hi all,

Thanks again for all the lessons. I have found out some do's en don'ts on my own the hard way (including the GPS-affair), it is very good to know why things happen.
You all should team up and make an idiot-proof, bug-free flightsim .

Cheers
AJ

[packercolinl]

Bug free!?! What would we talk about??

[packercolinl]

Apart from that. Hagar,are those files supposed to show as Panel.cfg or just plain Panel? I want to add [Old Modules] to the FS2002 file but which one is it?
Cheers.