FSUIPC, WIDE FS and a Newie........very green.

[petelg]

Hello,

I am very new into the world of Flight Simulator. I have learned a bit and heard a lot about FSUIPC and Wide FS. I have heard Mostly,.... stay away from it, you do not need it....is difficult to understand.....etc.

I came accross a piece of software (Free Drivers) that perhaps will help me with some problems that I am having with the "Saitek Panels". The software name is "SPAD". These, I am told, are drivers for the "Saitek Panels". My conumdrum is that this software specificallly says that one most have "FSUIPC" installed in order for it to work, if I have FSX and Accelaration Pack installed (Which I do). Can someone take the mistery and scary part out of this and help me out? I have wanted to purchase FSUIPC and Wide FS for sometime, for what I have read, seems that it would help FSX quite a bit.

Is it hard to install? Do I need a degree in engineering to use this? I know I am been facetious, but is mind bugling what I hear out here.

Could someone help me?

Any help is more that welcome.

Peter G

[Ian P]

Hello Peter,

Well, first of all, I've moved your post from the FAQ area, where Pete probably wouldn't see it even if he weren't on hoilday, to the main support area.

To answer some of your questions, no you don't need a degree to install and use FSUIPC. How complex it is depends on what you want to do with it, however you can investigate that yourself by simply installing it (it's a standard .exe installer which puts everything where you need it) and looking at the user guide to see what you need to do.

If you aren't actually planning on setting up controllers in FSUIPC or programming in LUA, for example, then that't it. FSUIPC will sit there and act as an interface without you needing to do anything more. You only need to register it and pay if you want to use more of its functionality (which is very powerful) or to run LUA scripts or WideFS.

You don't need to register it to install it though and that provides you with all the documentation. Simply download it from http://www.schiratti.com/dowson.html then read the installation guide and run the .exe file.

All the best,

Ian P.

[petelg]

Hello Ian,

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer me so quickly.

I will do as you have explained. As you can tell, I don't even know where in the forum should I

post my questions. I am posting this thank you note, I don't know if this is the corrrect place to do so.

I guess I have a lot to learn!

I hope the install will go OK for me.

I will let you know, if that is OK.

Am I doing this right? I mean am I on right group to ask these questions?

Thank you so much.

Peter G

[Ian P]

You're welcome and yes, this is the right place to ask for help if you need it!

Unfortunately Pete Dowson (FSUIPC's developer and only official support person) is away at the moment for about another week. Hopefully those of us around in the meantime will be able to help you with any issues you have in the meantime. Please do let us know that everything worked and if you do need further help, either add it to this thread or start another one in this support forum.

Cheers,

Ian P.

[petelg]

Hello Ian,

I purchased FSUIPC and WIDE FS.

I did install them as you suggested.

Pardon my ignorance, and there is plenty of that.

Even thought I am sure there are many places in these forums where, what I am about to ask has already been answered, I have failed to find an answer, and what is sad is that is probably right on my nose. Nevertheless, dummy here, has not come up with any answers. So here it is, could you explain to me how do I know that this software package installed correctly? How can I tell? I am sure I missed something in the process that probably explained everything, but dummy here somehow must have missed it.

Everything went so fast that I wonder if anything got installed. I remember entering the Registration Keys and then that was it. Can you help me?

I Thank you very much for any help you may be able to share with me.

Again, If I have missed the answer to my now questions, please excuse me, I am new at this.

Thanks Ian

Peter G.

[Franno]

Just a short comment from me.....I very green as well....started last december and user of FSUIPC and WIDEFS.

For me it works perfect....but you certainly should now look also at a FREE WARE program called LINDA..You still will

need FSUIPC and WideFS if want you want some remote computers connected..but LINDA makes programming buttons

and controls very simple....I love it....

Kind regards,

Frans

[Ian P]

Hi Peter,

Inside FSX you should have an "Add-ons" drop down at the end of the list, which contains a sub-option of "FSUIPC". That's the quick way.

LINDA does look very useful indeed, but it doesn't support my little VRi M-Panel yet, so isn't much use to me... ;)

Cheers,

Ian P.

[petelg]

Just a short comment from me.....I very green as well....started last december and user of FSUIPC and WIDEFS.

For me it works perfect....but you certainly should now look also at a FREE WARE program called LINDA..You still will

need FSUIPC and WideFS if want you want some remote computers connected..but LINDA makes programming buttons

and controls very simple....I love it....

Kind regards,

Frans

Hello Frans,

Thanks for the heads up.

I will check it out.

Peter G

[petelg]

Hi Peter,

Inside FSX you should have an "Add-ons" drop down at the end of the list, which contains a sub-option of "FSUIPC". That's the quick way.

LINDA does look very useful indeed, but it doesn't support my little VRi M-Panel yet, so isn't much use to me... ;)

Cheers,

Ian P.

Hi Ian,

I will look that up in FSX. I will let you know.

Thanks for your help

Peter G