NOT AGAIN!!!

[Kaworu]

Well, my FS is in trouble again. This time in the DEEP STUFF, too.  :-[

Every time I start FS9, it starts up, then it shuts down on me...it just quits!

I'm worried the problems are related to a program I am beta testing for a friend. The program is a splash screen changer, with a few new abilities that will be AWESOME when it gets worked out.

However, it has a few bugs. I don't know why the program would cause any problems...it only modifies a few files, being:
dlgalert.bmp
dlgsplash.bmp
fsui.dll

It backs up all these files before editing anything. Even after I restore them, the sim wouldn't start.

Finally, I decide to reinstall FS, and STILL, it doesn't work! Of course, not a clean install, as I'm intending to just switch out the scenery, texture folders, and a few cfg's too restore the sim. A clean install is the last resort for me.

At this point, I'm pretty mad. Anybody got a any thing to help me?   :-/

[Sovien]

Bummer mate. You may have to uninstall the program your beta testing. It's more then likely what's causing the issues with FS9 espeically considering it's interacting with it (from the way you make it sound). If I'm understanding you correctly, it wont matter how many times you uninstall and reinstall FS9, you're going to experience the same issues repeatedly. It sounds like whatever program you're testing is causing the problem so until you get rid of it I wouldn't think it will get any better since that sounds like the source of the problem.

Since the program is modifying files within FS9, if it's not doing it correctly it will cause problems - just like if you modify the cfg file and dont do it correctly.

Just my opinion.

Best of luck resolving your problem!

[B-JR Night Hawk.]

Try to (Reset Default) its in the Start Menu / All Programs / Microsoft Games / Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 / Troubleshooting / Reset Defaults (click on the Reset Defaults) it should start up the way it did the first time.
Hope this helps.

[Kaworu]

Thanks.

The program I am using is installed manually, and doesn't have an installer. I know for a fact that it only modifies a few files, and I have completely removed it anyway, restoring all backups. I agree, that it is very likely the root of the problem.

However, since I have already reinstalled the sim, and restored it to default settings, I must conclude that there's a much bigger problem in there, possibly caused by the program. I ask that you think of other possibility too.

I looked at the fs9.cfg, it only contains:

[LANGUAGE]
DLL=language.dll

Is this normal? I have never successfully started fs9 since I reinstalled it, so I assume it needs to build the config file?

Thanks for the help. This is weird!  >:(

[B-JR Night Hawk.]

It should have this. (note this is only from my flight sim )

[LANGUAGE]
DLL=language.dll
[PANELS]
IMAGE_QUALITY=1
UNITS_OF_MEASURE=0
QUICKTIPS=1
PANEL_MASKING=1
PANEL_STRETCHING=1
[Weather]
WindshieldPrecipitationEffects=1
MinGustTime=10
MaxGustTime=500
MinGustRampSpeed=1
MaxGustRampSpeed=200
MinVarTime=5
MaxVarTime=50
MinVarRampSpeed=10
MaxVarRampSpeed=75
TurbulenceScale=1.000000
DefaultVisibility=0
DynWx_MedianDewPointSpread=10.000000
DynWx_ProbCloudFormForMedianDewPoint=0.000500
DynWx_MaxDewPointSpread=50.000000
DynWx_ProbCloudFormForMaxDewPoint=0.000125
DynWx_ProbCloudFormForMinDewPoint=0.100000
DynWx_DryTempLapsePer1000Meters=9.000000
DynWx_ProbCloudFormForDryTempLapse=0.000500
DynWx_MoistTempLapsePer1000Meters=3.300000
DynWx_ProbCloudFormForMoistTempLapse=0.040000
DynWx_MaxProbCloudChangePerMinute=0.040000
DynWx_MultiplierForDynamicWeatherLevelMild=0.500000
DynWx_MultiplierForDynamicWeatherLevelNormal=1.000000
DynWx_MultiplierForDynamicWeatherLevelHigh=3.000000
DynWx_MultiplierForDynamicWeatherLevelExtreme=10.000000
DynWx_TempChangePercentageForOvercastClouds=0.750000
DynWx_TempChangePercentageForMinDewPoint=0.700000
DynWx_MaxTempChangePerMinute=0.060000
WeatherServerAddress=fs2k.zone.com
WeatherServerPort=80
WeatherGraphDataInDialog=0
DynamicWeather=2
LOADWEATHER=1
MAX_UNLIMITED_VIS=96560
CLOUD_DRAW_DISTANCE=4
3D_CLOUD_PERCENT=20
DETAILED_CLOUDS=1
CLOUD_COVERAGE_DENSITY=5
CloudsImpostorRingRadius=12800.000000
[INTERNATIONAL]
ASLAT=2
ASLON=1
MEASURE=0
[MISC]
COM_RATE=7
LOG_TIME=0
FOREIGN_TRANSLATOR=0
LOG_FILE=
[STARTUP]
DEMO=0
LOADSIM=1
LOADWINDOW=1
SHOW_OPENING_SCREEN=1
STARTUP_DEMO=
[GRAPHICS]
FULL_SCREEN=1
PERFORMANCE_MODE=0
DEF_PERF_MODE=4
TEXT_SCROLL=1
AUTO_LOD=0
DETAIL_TEXTURE=2
WATER_EFFECTS=1
TERRAIN_USE_VECTOR_MAP=1
TERRAIN_USE_VECTOR_OBJECTS=1
EFFECTS_QUALITY=2
GROUND_SHADOWS=1
SMOOTH_VIEW=1
IMAGE_SMOOTHING=1
TEXTURE_MAX_LOAD=256
COCKPIT_HIGH_LOD=1
AIRCRAFT_SHADOWS=1
LANDING_LIGHTS=1
IMAGE_QUALITY=0
TEXTURE_BLDG=1
TEXTURE_GND=1
TEXTURE_WATER=1
AIRCRAFT_TEXTURE=1
SEE_SELF=1
TEXTURE_QUALITY=3
LOD_TARGET_FPS=14
NUM_LIGHTS=8
[REALISM]
INDASPD=0
PFactor=0.000000
Torque=0.000000
GyroEffect=0.000000
CrashTolerance=0.000000
General=0.000000
UnlimitedFuel=True
TrueAirspeed=False
AutoCoord=False
RealMixture=False
StressDamage=False
GEffect=False
ManualLights=False
GyroDrift=False
CrashWithDyn=False
CrashDetection=0
[CONTROLS]
KBDAIL=64
KBDELEV=64
KBDRUD=64
PAN_RATE=400
[USERINTERFACE]
MAP_ORIENTATION=2
PAUSE_ON_LOST_FOCUS=1
PROMPT_ON_EXIT=1
PageID=3
OpenATCOnCreate=0
SITUATION=
SelectFlightLevel=0
SelectFlightTitle=0
[SOUND]
SOUND=1
SOUND_FADER1=0.500000
SOUND_FADER2=0.100000
SOUND_FADER3=0.300000
SOUND_FADER4=0.800000
SOUND_FADER5=0.500000
SOUND_FADER6=0.800000
SOUND_QUALITY=1
[DISPLAY.Device.SiS 661FX.0]
Mode=1280x1024x32
MipBias=8
TriLinear=1
AntiAlias=1
[DISPLAY]
UPPER_FRAMERATE_LIMIT=20
TEXTURE_BANDWIDTH_MULT=40
[TERRAIN]
TERRAIN_ERROR_FACTOR=50.000000
TERRAIN_MIN_DEM_AREA=10.000000
TERRAIN_MAX_DEM_AREA=100.000000
TERRAIN_MAX_VERTEX_LEVEL=19
TERRAIN_TEXTURE_SIZE_EXP=8
TERRAIN_AUTOGEN_DENSITY=5
TERRAIN_USE_GRADIENT_MAP=1
TERRAIN_EXTENDED_TEXTURES=1
TERRAIN_DEFAULT_RADIUS=0.000000
TERRAIN_EXTENDED_RADIUS=0.000000
TERRAIN_EXTENDED_LEVELS=232
[SCENERY]
IMAGE_COMPLEXITY=5
DYNAMIC_SCENERY=1
DYN_SCN_DENSITY=0
DAWN_DUSK_SMOOTHING=1
SUNGLARE=1
LENSFLARE=1
[AIRtoCONTAINER]
SIM1=Cessna Skylane 182R RG
SIM2=Learjet 45
SIM3=Schweizer 2-32 Sailplane
SIM4=Sopwith Camel
SIM5=Extra 300S
SIM6=Boeing 737-400
[APL]
CACHE_WAV_FILES=1
[TrafficManager]
TrafficDensity=10
IFROnly=0
EnableAirline=1
EnableGeneralAviation=1
[AContain]
ShowLabels=1
ShowUserLabel=0
ShowLabelManufacturer=1
ShowLabelModel=1
ShowLabelTailNumber=0
ShowLabelDistance=1
ShowLabelAltitude=1
ShowLabelAirline=0
ShowLabelAirlineAndFlightNumber=0
ShowLabelFlightPlan=0
ShowLabelContainerId=0
ShowLabelAirspeed=0
ShowLabelHeading=0
LabelDelay=1000
LabelColor=FFFF0000
[SLEW]
MaxLateralRate=40000.000000
MaxVerticalRate=1000.000000
MaxPitchRate=360.000000
MaxBankRate=360.000000
MaxHeadingRate=360.000000
[VirtualCopilot]
VirtualCopilotActive=1
[MULTIPLAYER]
ALWAYS_SHOW_INITIAL_DIALOG=1
SESSION_NAME=My Session
PLAYER_NAME=Unnamed Pilot
GUARANTEED_MESSAGES=0
MAX_PLAYERS=8
MAX_OBSERVERS=0
TICKS_PER_SYNC=90
PACKETS_PER_SEC=4
COLLISION_SECS=2
FOLLOWING_MULTIPLIER=5
ALLOW_PLANE_MODEL_SEND=0
ALLOW_PLANE_MODEL_RECEIVE=0
ALLOW_TEXTURE_SEND=0
ALLOW_TEXTURE_RECEIVE=0
MAX_SEGMENT_SIZE=100
MAX_SEGMENTS_PER_SEC=1
CONNECTION_TYPE=0
PROTOCOL_SELECTION=0
ALLOW_DESCRIPTIVE_SEND=1
ALLOW_DESCRIPTIVE_RECEIVE=1
AUTOPILOT_LOCK=0
DISTANCE_DISPLAY=0
ADF_TRACK=0
ALLOW_NAME_TAG_DISPLAY=1
CLIENT_CONNECT_USE_CUSTOM_PORT=0
CLIENT_CONNECT_PORT=23456
CLIENT_HOST_USE_CUSTOM_PORT=0
CLIENT_HOST_PORT=23456
HOST_CONNECT_USE_CUSTOM_PORT=0
HOST_CONNECT_PORT=23456
[SIM]
SYSCLOCK=1
[ATC]
AutoOpenAirTrafficWindow=1
UsePilotVoice=1
ShowATCText=1
PilotVoice=1
[MAIN]
Location=476,310,1124,844
HideMenuNormal=0
HideMenuFullscreen=1
Maximized=0
[FACILITIES]
COUNTRY=
STATE=
CITY=
GTL_BUTTON=6225
[KEYBOARD_MAIN]
SELECT_1=49,8
SELECT_2=50,8
SELECT_3=51,8
SELECT_4=52,8
MINUS=189,8
PLUS=187,8
ZOOM_1X=8,8
SOUND_TOGGLE=81,8
ENGINE=69,8
SIM_RATE=82,8
XPNDR=84,8
SLEW_TOGGLE=89,8
EGT=85,8
SMOKE_TOGGLE=73,8
STROBES_TOGGLE=79,8
PAUSE_TOGGLE=80,8
ATC=192,8
ADF=65,8
VIEW_MODE=83,8
HEADING_GYRO_SET=68,8
DME=70,8
GEAR_TOGGLE=71,8
ANTI_ICE_TOGGLE=72,8
JET_STARTER=74,8
JOYSTICK_CALIBRATE=75,10
ALL_LIGHTS_TOGGLE=76,8
SITUATION_SAVE=186,8
VIEW_WINDOW_TO_FRONT=222,8
AP_MASTER=90,8
FREQUENCY_SWAP=88,8
COM_RADIO=67,8
VOR_OBS=86,8
BAROMETRIC=66,8
NAV_RADIO=78,8
MAGNETO=77,8
BRAKES=190,8
SPOILERS_TOGGLE=191,8
SITUATION_RESET=186,10
FLAPS_UP=116,8
THROTTLE_FULL=115,8
THROTTLE_INCR_SMALL=114,8
THROTTLE_DECR=113,8
FLAPS_DOWN=119,8
THROTTLE_CUT=112,8
VIEW=111,8
ELEV_TRIM_DN=36,8
ELEV_DOWN=38,8
INCREASE_THROTTLE=33,8
AILERONS_LEFT=37,8
CENTER_AILER_RUDDER=12,8
AILERONS_RIGHT=39,8
ELEV_TRIM_UP=35,8
ELEV_UP=40,8
DECREASE_THROTTLE=34,8
VIEW_FORWARD=38,41
VIEW_FORWARD_RIGHT=33,41
VIEW_RIGHT=39,41
VIEW_REAR_RIGHT=34,41
VIEW_REAR=40,41
VIEW_REAR_LEFT=35,41
VIEW_LEFT=37,41
VIEW_FORWARD_LEFT=36,41
VIEW_DOWN=12,41
RUDDER_LEFT=45,8
RUDDER_RIGHT=135,8
BRAKES_LEFT=122,8
BRAKES_RIGHT=123,8
AP_ATT_HOLD=84,10
AP_LOC_HOLD=79,10
AP_APR_HOLD=65,10
AP_HDG_HOLD=72,10
AP_ALT_HOLD=90,10
AP_WING_LEVELER=86,10
AP_BC_HOLD=66,10
AP_NAV1_HOLD=78,10
EXIT=67,10
ABORT=3,10
READOUTS_FLIGHT=90,9
PANEL_TOGGLE=219,9
VIEW_MODE_REV=83,9
PANEL_LIGHTS_TOGGLE=76,9
LANDING_LIGHTS_TOGGLE=76,10
PARKING_BRAKES=190,10
MINUS_SHIFT=189,9
PLUS_SHIFT=187,9
FLAPS_INCR=118,8
FLAPS_DECR=117,8
PROP_PITCH_LO=115,10
PROP_PITCH_INCR_SMALL=114,10
PROP_PITCH_DECR=113,10
PROP_PITCH_HI=112,10
MIXTURE_RICH=115,11
MIXTURE_INCR_SMALL=114,11
MIXTURE_DECR=113,11
MIXTURE_LEAN=112,11
SCRIPT_EVENT_1=219,10
SCRIPT_EVENT_2=221,10
YAW_DAMPER_TOGGLE=68,10
CENTER_NT361_CHECK=57,11
CLOSE_VIEW=221,8
NEW_VIEW=219,8
NEW_MAP=221,9
NEXT_VIEW=9,10
PREV_VIEW=9,11
VIEW_TYPE=83,10
VIEW_TYPE_REV=83,11
RADIO_VOR1_IDENT_TOGGLE=49,10
RADIO_VOR2_IDENT_TOGGLE=50,10
RADIO_DME1_IDENT_TOGGLE=52,10
RADIO_ADF_IDENT_TOGGLE=53,10
GEAR_PUMP=71,10
SPOILERS_ARM_TOGGLE=191,9
PITOT_HEAT_TOGGLE=72,9
AP_AIRSPEED_HOLD=82,10
AUTO_THROTTLE_ARM=82,9
AUTO_THROTTLE_TO_GA=71,11
LANDING_LIGHT_UP=38,11
LANDING_LIGHT_DOWN=40,11
LANDING_LIGHT_LEFT=37,11
LANDING_LIGHT_RIGHT=39,11
LANDING_LIGHT_HOME=12,11
PAN_RESET=46,9
KNEEBOARD_VIEW=121,8
MP_PLAYER_CYCLE=84,11
MP_PLAYER_SNAP=70,11
MP_GO_OBSERVER=79,11
MP_CHAT=221,11
MP_ACTIVATE_CHAT=13,8
PANEL_1=49,9
PANEL_2=50,9
PANEL_3=51,9
PANEL_4=52,9
PANEL_5=53,9
PANEL_6=54,9
PANEL_7=55,9
PANEL_8=56,9
PANEL_9=57,9
AP_MACH_HOLD=77,10
VIEW_FORWARD_UP=38,42
VIEW_FORWARD_RIGHT_UP=33,42
VIEW_REAR_RIGHT_UP=34,42
VIEW_REAR_UP=40,42
VIEW_REAR_LEFT_UP=35,42
VIEW_FORWARD_LEFT_UP=36,42
VIEW_UP=12,42
INVOKE_HELP=191,10
TOGGLE_AIRCRAFT_LABELS=76,11
ENGINE_AUTO_START=69,10
INC_COWL_FLAPS=86,11
DEC_COWL_FLAPS=67,11
USER_INTERRUPT=27,8
AILERON_TRIM_LEFT=37,10
AILERON_TRIM_RIGHT=39,10
RUDDER_TRIM_LEFT=45,10
RUDDER_TRIM_RIGHT=135,10
TOGGLE_FLIGHT_DIRECTOR=70,10
TOGGLE_AFTERBURNER=115,9
TOGGLE_MASTER_BATTERY_ALTERNATOR=77,9
TOGGLE_AIRCRAFT_EXIT=69,9
TOGGLE_WING_FOLD=120,8
TOGGLE_TAIL_HOOK_HANDLE=84,9
PANEL_HUD_TOGGLE=87,8
SNAP_TO_PANEL=45,41
MARKER_SOUND_TOGGLE=51,10
TOGGLE_WATER_RUDDER=87,9
TOGGLE_PUSHBACK=80,9
KEY_CHASE_VIEW_NEXT=87,10
KEY_CHASE_VIEW_PREV=87,11
HEADING_BUG_SELECT=72,11
ALTITUDE_BUG_SELECT=90,11
CHASE_VIEW_TOGGLE=81,10
EYEPOINT_UP=13,9
EYEPOINT_DOWN=8,9
EYEPOINT_RIGHT=13,11
EYEPOINT_LEFT=8,11
EYEPOINT_FORWARD=8,10
EYEPOINT_BACK=13,10
EYEPOINT_RESET=32,8
ENGINE_AUTO_SHUTDOWN=48,8
AIRSPEED_BUG_SELECT=82,11
TOGGLE_TAILWHEEL_LOCK=71,9
ROTOR_BRAKE=66,9
ROTOR_CLUTCH_SWITCH_TOGGLE=190,9
ROTOR_GOV_SWITCH_TOGGLE=188,9
VIRTUAL_COPILOT_TOGGLE=88,11
VIRTUAL_COPILOT_ACTION=88,10
[KEYBOARD_SLEW]
SLEW_TOGGLE=89,8
SLEW_ALTIT_UP_FAST=115,8
SLEW_ALTIT_UP_SLOW=114,8
SLEW_ALTIT_FREEZE=113,8
SLEW_ALTIT_DN_FAST=112,8
SLEW_ALTIT_PLUS=81,8
SLEW_ALTIT_MINUS=65,8
SLEW_PITCH_DN_FAST=119,8
SLEW_PITCH_DN_SLOW=118,8
SLEW_PITCH_FREEZE=117,8
SLEW_PITCH_UP_FAST=116,8
SLEW_PITCH_PLUS=57,8
SLEW_PITCH_MINUS=48,8
READOUTS_SLEW=90,9
SLEW_BANK_MINUS=36,8
SLEW_AHEAD_PLUS=38,8
SLEW_BANK_PLUS=33,8
SLEW_LEFT=37,8
SLEW_FREEZE=12,8
SLEW_RIGHT=39,8
SLEW_HEADING_MINUS=35,8
SLEW_AHEAD_MINUS=40,8
SLEW_HEADING_PLUS=34,8
SLEW_RESET=32,8
TOGGLE_AIRCRAFT_LABELS=76,11
EYEPOINT_UP=13,9
EYEPOINT_DOWN=8,9
EYEPOINT_RIGHT=13,11
EYEPOINT_LEFT=8,11
EYEPOINT_FORWARD=8,10
EYEPOINT_BACK=13,10

[Kaworu]

i figured it still needed to be created. I will be working w/ the author of the program to get this fixed. As it's a beta and it's freeware, I don't hold him responsible. There has to be a fix.

[garymbuska]

Well, my FS is in trouble again. This time in the DEEP STUFF, too.  :-[

Every time I start FS9, it starts up, then it shuts down on me...it just quits!

I'm worried the problems are related to a program I am beta testing for a friend. The program is a splash screen changer, with a few new abilities that will be AWESOME when it gets worked out.

However, it has a few bugs. I don't know why the program would cause any problems...it only modifies a few files, being:
dlgalert.bmp
dlgsplash.bmp
fsui.dll

It backs up all these files before editing anything. Even after I restore them, the sim wouldn't start.

Finally, I decide to reinstall FS, and STILL, it doesn't work! Of course, not a clean install, as I'm intending to just switch out the scenery, texture folders, and a few cfg's too restore the sim. A clean install is the last resort for me.

At this point, I'm pretty mad. Anybody got a any thing to help me?   :-/

I think the problem is the digsplash.bmp I am pretty certain that is the main Splash screen FS2004 uses I had a similar problem with a splash screen generator. FS9 would start up and then just shut down. I replaced the original from the install cd removed the splash screen program and that solved the problem.
If you did a complete uninstall you need to delete or rename the FS9cfg file. I usually just rename it that way I can put back my starting location  and some other stuff I make changes to.

[MattNW]

Thanks.

The program I am using is installed manually, and doesn't have an installer. I know for a fact that it only modifies a few files, and I have completely removed it anyway, restoring all backups. I agree, that it is very likely the root of the problem.

However, since I have already reinstalled the sim, and restored it to default settings, I must conclude that there's a much bigger problem in there, possibly caused by the program. I ask that you think of other possibility too.

I looked at the fs9.cfg, it only contains:

[LANGUAGE]
DLL=language.dll



Is this normal? I have never successfully started fs9 since I reinstalled it, so I assume it needs to build the config file?

Thanks for the help. This is weird!  >:(

Definitely needs more in the .cfg file than that. When FS2004 closes it writes a new .cfg. Sometimes it gets interrupted while writing the .cfg and you end up with a truncated file. What I do is keep a backup copy of FS9.cfg just in case. When that happens I can just rename the backup and drop it in. If you don't have a backup you will need to delete the file and restart FS9 so it can build a new .cfg. First thing I check if FS9 crashes on startup is the .cfg. That seems to be 80% of startup problems with the sim.

[Kaworu]

When I strat fs9, it simply shows the splashscreen, then it quits 2-3 seconds later.

In frustration, I'm doing a clean install.

Thanks for the help! I'll tel you how it goes.

[Kaworu]

I've got a working sim again! Just needed a clean install. Now, I'll test the beta in a clean install, then I'll restore the addons I have.

[MattNW]

You always should do beta testing in a clean install at first. Lot easier and quicker to reinstall if the test program nixes the sim install and it doesn't complicate resolving bugs because there's no question if it's the program being tested or an add on conflicting with the test program. After it works well in the clean install then you can try it in a modded sim to get an idea of what the end user might encounter.