Installing airplanes

[rootbeer]

I've tried the instructions and gotten nowhere. The other day I finally figured out how to get Windows Explorer to open in two screens, like the instructions say. I figured out that I have to do much more clicking than the tutorials tell you to do. I clicked open my C: drive, then a few more clicks and I finally opened the Microsoft Games folder and the FS9 folder at long last. I tried to drag and drop an airplane from the left side of the screen to the right side and into the open FS9 Aircraft folder, but I don't think it worked.

What I am looking for is for someone who really knows how to do this to PM me their phone number and I'll call you after 2100 PST on Friday thru Monday morning at 0600 when my cell plan allows me to call for free. I am out of town on Saturday night until Sunday evening. I am at home on Friday nights. That would be the best time for me. If someone can help me through the process once or twice, I can do it myself after that. Any takers?

[ashaman]

I would like to help you, but I don't really think you can afford an international call to Italy only to have the honor to decipher my spoken english.

I don't really get your problem though. When you install planes, the best thing to do is to extract the main zip file in a temp folder, then put the folder inside with the model, panel, sound and dynamics of the plane into the "aircrafts" folder of FS9, then look for other subfolders into the temp folder.

If there is a folder named "gauges", you'll take the files inside it and move them into the "gauges" FS9 folder. If there's a folder named "effects", you'll take all the files inside and move into the FS9 "effects folders", and so on. Sometimes the effects can be inside a zip files, sometimes even the gauges, instead of a subfolder, but that's quite straightforward, treat the content of the zip files like they are folders themselves and you'll be fine.

A good idea is to always look and follow the instructions of the readme file, to see if there are exceptions or special requirements. If exceptions or requirements are contemplated, then follow the writ on the readme file and you should be fine.

If the problem is instead the use of windows to manage and move files, well then, you don't have a problem with FS9, your problem is with windows. It would help in moving files around if you set winXp to display icons and windows "the old way". The old way being the easy and intuitive way of using windows that M$ inherited in Win95 from the Mac and that (just for the sadistic pleasure of complicating the life of the users) has tried to leave behind with Xp and its absurd default displaying of the start menu and absence of utility icons on screen. But that's just another mess, and if this is your problem it would be a good idea if you found someone that can teach you how to use windows.

[Hagar]

I've tried the instructions and gotten nowhere.

Hi rootbeer. Think I've tried to help you before but obviously without success. Your problem seems to be unfamiliarity with Windows Explorer. I've probably suggested you read my Windows Basics & Working with Windows articles. If not, may I suggest you do this before going any further. If you set your Windows Explorer Folder Options like mine I'm sure you will find all this much easier. --->Windows Basics

The other day I finally figured out how to get Windows Explorer to open in two screens, like the instructions say. I figured out that I have to do much more clicking than the tutorials tell you to do. I clicked open my C: drive, then a few more clicks and I finally opened the Microsoft Games folder and the FS9 folder at long last. I tried to drag and drop an airplane from the left side of the screen to the right side and into the open FS9 Aircraft folder, but I don't think it worked.

Everyone has their own favourite ways of working & this is not the method I use. It's not compulsory to work in two windows or use the Drag & Drop method for moving files. I prefer the right-click mouse options like Cut & Paste. You must use the method that suits you & that you find easiest.

[garymbuska]

There is another way of doing the same thing. Make a temp folder on your C drive call it what ever you want I use Airplane Hanger for my folders name. Unzip the file into the temp folder then mke sure everything is where it should be [ you should see several folders model panel and sound you should also see a aircraft cfg file if you see a gauge folder than the contents of that folder need to go into the gauge folder of FS2004] The way I move the files is to select the files you want to move than put the mouse arrow over the selected files than right clck than select copy than just click on the aircraft folder of fs2004 and when it opens place th emouse arrow on a blank space within the aircraft folder and right click than select paste and the entire folder will be copied leaving the orignal folder as a back up in case you need it later. 8-)

[rootbeer]

How do I put the gauges into the gauge folder of FS9? Y'all make it sound so easy...

How about somebody on the West Coast, in the Pacific Time Zone?

[Hagar]

There's several different methods. Here's how I do it.

After you extract the zipfile any gauges are usually in a folder named Gauges or similar. Open this folder & click Edit/Select All on the Windows Explorer menu bar. All the files in the folder will now be highlighted in blue. Right-click (right-hand mouse button) anywhere on the highlighted area & select Cut from the drop-down menu. Now navigate to your FS9\Gauges folder & open it. Right-click in a clear space in the window & select Paste. (Do NOT overwrite files/folders if prompted.) You have now installed the gauges.