Joystick Calibration - sudden problem

[expire]

After years of faultless FSX/FSUIPC operations I have suddenly hit a problem whilst trying to calibrate the controls of a Majestic Dash 8.

 

I can no longer calibrate the rudder and throttle quadrants.  The ailerons and elevators can still be calibrated. but not the rudder, throttle, pitch etc.   I am pretty sure that the Saitec controller is functioning because it triggers all of the appropriate responses in the Axis Assignment area of FSUIPC - all the 'in -out' numbers move around as normal and I can select axis assignments.  As I say, in the calibration area, the min. centre and max numbers remain static irrespective of the controller positions (apart from those relating to the ailerons and elevators which are working OK).

 

I would add that for the first time ever I selected the Profile Specific option for the Dash 8.  But I get the same problem on other aircraft.  I can see the control surface move but FSUIPC cannot calibrate all of them.  I assume that I have corrupted something.

 

Any help would be appreciated -  I have never edited any files in Windows; I hope I can keep that record! 

 

Mike

[Pete Dowson]

After years of faultless FSX/FSUIPC operations I have suddenly hit a problem whilst trying to calibrate the controls of a Majestic Dash 8.

 

I can no longer calibrate the rudder and throttle quadrants.  The ailerons and elevators can still be calibrated. but not the rudder, throttle, pitch etc.   I am pretty sure that the Saitec controller is functioning because it triggers all of the appropriate responses in the Axis Assignment area of FSUIPC - all the 'in -out' numbers move around as normal and I can select axis assignments.  As I say, in the calibration area, the min. centre and max numbers remain static irrespective of the controller positions (apart from those relating to the ailerons and elevators which are working OK).

 

I would need more information to help -- especially the actual version number of FSUIPC, and what actual controls you are assigning to.

 

If everything has been working fine for years, whay are you changing things? What have you changed?

 

I would add that for the first time ever I selected the Profile Specific option for the Dash 8.  But I get the same problem on other aircraft. 

 

 

So the Dash 8, which you explicitly mention for the problem, is irrelevant?

 

Maybe you should show me your settings -- the FSUIPC4.INI fie from the Modules folder.

 

Pete

[expire]

Pete

 

Thank you for your prompt reply - I will will send you the FSUIPC4. ini file when I get home tonight.  I have never opened the bonnet on software before so I am a bit apprehensive.

 

In answer to your questions:

 

I am using version 4.92 purchased 29th May 2014.

 

I mention the Dash 8 because it has its own control calibration Control Panel that lives outside of FSX.  To be honest it has been a pain to get to work but Majestic are persuasive that it should be calibrated before flying the DASH 8 (I wish I hadn't listened to them). 

 

My plan was to assign the axes into a specific FSUIPC profile (which worked perfectly - elevator, aileron, rudder, brakes, throttle, pitch and tiller+spoilers) and then remove the calibration 'shaping' that I had customarily used for the elevator, aileron and rudder - I wanted the DASH 8 Control Panel to receive as 'clean' data from FSUIPC as possible.  These calibrations too would be saved to the Dash 8 profile leaving my 'everyday' settings as they had been for years.

 

My intentions were honerable - but that is why I attempted the adjustments.

 

Thank you once again for your assistance.

[Pete Dowson]

I am using version 4.92 purchased 29th May 2014.

 

I'm sorry, but there is no way I can support old versions. Please update to the currently supported version (4.939m) and try again. Do this before trying to post any INI or LOG files.

 

Pete

[expire]

Roger dodger

[expire]

Dear Pete

 

I have installed Version 4.39 as recommended by you.  The 'ini' file is copied below. 

 

Before you read it - I have ascertained that I only have this problem when the I route the axis through FSX.  If I assign the axis to FSUIPC everything works fine.  I have been very careful not to 'double assign ' axes on FSX and FSUIPC as per the instructions.

 

Given that - it seems unnecessary for you to spend a lot of time on this problem - but if you see any obvious error in the file I would be interested to know.

 

Lastly - Can I simply remove the unwanted aircraft and tests (Vickers Viscount and Test) by deleting the unwanted lines - is it really that simple?  (you couldn't do this with FORTRAN).

 

[General]
UpdatedByVersion=4939m
History=EIY6YKODVW8T4C0MGG9UO
InitDelayDevicesToo=No
NewInterceptTextMenu=No
UseSystemTime=No
UseMidMouseBtn=Yes
MouseWheelMove=No
MouseWheelTrim=No
MouseWheelTrimSpeed=1
JoystickTimeout=20
PollGFTQ6=Yes
BlankDisplays=No
FixControlAccel=No
FixMachSpeedBug=No
DeleteVehiclesForAES=Yes
AutoScanDevices=Yes
VisibilityOptions=No
OneCloudLayer=No
CloudTurbulence=No
CloudIcing=No
GenerateCirrus=No
SuppressCloudTurbulence=No
MaxIce=-4
MinIce=-4
UpperWindGusts=No
SuppressWindTurbulence=No
SuppressWindVariance=No
WindTurbulence=No
TurbulenceRate=1.0,5.0
TurbulenceDivisor=20,20,40,40
SuppressAllGusts=No
MaxSurfaceWind=0
WindLimitLevel=200
WindDiscardLevel=400
WindAjustAltitude=No
WindAjustAltitudeBy=2000
SmoothBySimTime=No
WindSmoothing=No
WindSmoothness=2
WindSmoothAirborneOnly=Yes
PressureSmoothness=0
TemperatureSmoothness=0
DisconnTrimForAP=No
ZeroElevForAPAlt=No
ThrottleSyncAll=Yes
WhiteMessages=No
ShowPMcontrols=No
SpoilerIncrement=512
MagicBattery=No
RudderSpikeRemoval=No
ElevatorSpikeRemoval=No
AileronSpikeRemoval=No
ReversedElevatorTrim=No
ClockSync=No
ClockSyncMins=5
ClearWeatherDynamics=No
OwnWeatherChanges=No
TimeForSelect=4
LoadFlightMenu=No
LoadPlanMenu=No
PauseAfterCrash=No
BrakeReleaseThreshold=75
SaveDataWithFlights=No
ZapSound=firework
ShortAircraftNameOk=Substring
UseProfiles=Yes
EnableMouseLook=No
DelayedMouseLookZoom=No
AxesWrongRange=No
TCASid=Flight
TCASrange=40
AxisCalibration=No
DirectAxesToCalibs=No
ShowMultilineWindow=Yes
SuppressSingleline=No
SuppressMultilineFS=No
AxisIntercepts=No
DontResetAxes=No
InitDelay=0
GetNearestAirports=Yes
OOMcheck=Yes
WeatherReadFactor=2
WeatherRewriteSeconds=1
CustomWeatherModify=No
SimConnectStallTime=1
LuaRerunDelay=66
Console=No
FSVersionUsed="Microsoft Flight Simulator X",10.0.61472.0
SimConnectUsed=10.0.61259.0

[JoyNames]
AutoAssignLetters=No
0=Saitek Pro Flight Rudder Pedals
0.GUID={940D8BA0-5957-11E4-8001-444553540000}
1=Saitek Pro Flight Yoke
1.GUID={19584B80-4B19-11E4-8001-444553540000}

[buttons]
ButtonRepeat=20,10
PollInterval=25

[AutoSave]
Next=1
Interval=120
Files=5
SaveOnGround=No
AutoSaveEnabled=Yes
1=Sat 182332
2=Sat 182740
3=Sat 182940
4=Sat 183139
5=Sat 183339

[GPSout]
GPSoutEnabled=No
Port=COM1
Speed=4800
Interval=2000
PosTo6Decimal=No
SimModeIndicator=No
Sentences=

[GPSout2]
GPSoutEnabled=No
Port=<none set>
Speed=4800
Interval=2000
PosTo6Decimal=No
SimModeIndicator=No
Sentences=

[WideServer]
WideFSenabled=Yes

[sounds]
Path=C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\Sound\
Device1=Primary Sound Driver
Device2=Speakers (Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio)
Device3=Digital Audio (S/PDIF) (Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio)
Device4=DELL 2408WFP-3 (NVIDIA High Definition Audio)
Device5=Digital Audio (S/PDIF) (2- High Definition Audio Device)
Device6=Digital Audio (S/PDIF) (2- High Definition Audio Device)

[JoystickCalibration]
AllowSuppressForPFCquad=Yes
ExcludeThrottleSet=Yes
ExcludeMixtureSet=Yes
ExcludePropPitchSet=Yes
SepRevsJetsOnly=No
ApplyHeloTrim=No
UseAxisControlsForNRZ=No
FlapsSetControl=0
FlapDetents=No
ReverserControl=66292
Reverser1Control=66422
Reverser2Control=66425
Reverser3Control=66428
Reverser4Control=66431
MaxThrottleForReverser=256
AileronTrimControl=66731
RudderTrimControl=66732
CowlFlaps1Control=66162
CowlFlaps2Control=66163
CowlFlaps3Control=66164
CowlFlaps4Control=66165
SteeringTillerControl=0
MaxSteerSpeed=60
Aileron=-16384,0,0,16383
Elevator=-16384,0,0,16383
Rudder=-16319,0,0,16256
Throttle=-16384,16256
Mixture1=0,8192,8192,16380
Mixture2=0,8192,8192,16380
LeftBrake=-16384,16383
RightBrake=-16384,16383
PropPitch=-16384,16128
Mixture=-16384,16383
Spoilers=-16384,16383

[Profile.Test]
1=Cessna Skyhawk 172SP Paint1
2=VickersViscount_800_CAMB

[JoystickCalibration.Test]
AllowSuppressForPFCquad=Yes
ExcludeThrottleSet=Yes
ExcludeMixtureSet=Yes
ExcludePropPitchSet=No
SepRevsJetsOnly=No
ApplyHeloTrim=No
UseAxisControlsForNRZ=No
FlapsSetControl=0
FlapDetents=No
ReverserControl=66292
Reverser1Control=66422
Reverser2Control=66425
Reverser3Control=66428
Reverser4Control=66431
MaxThrottleForReverser=256
AileronTrimControl=66731
RudderTrimControl=66732
CowlFlaps1Control=66162
CowlFlaps2Control=66163
CowlFlaps3Control=66164
CowlFlaps4Control=66165
SteeringTillerControl=0
MaxSteerSpeed=60
Aileron=-16223,0,0,16160
Elevator=-16191,0,0,14304
Throttle=-16384,16383
MapProp1to234=Yes
PropPitch=-16380,16380
Rudder=-16384,0,0,16256
LeftBrake=-14592,16384/16
RightBrake=-14592,16384/16
SlopeRudder=6
SlopeAileron=6
SlopeElevator=6
Mixture=-16384,16383

[Axes]
RangeRepeatRate=10
0=0X,256,D,7,0,0,0
1=0Y,256,D,8,0,0,0
2=0Z,256,D,4,0,0,0
3=0R,256,D,3,0,0,0
4=0U,256,D,5,0,0,0
5=0V,256,D,6,0,0,0
6=1X,256,D,1,0,0,0
7=1Y,256,D,2,0,0,0
8=1Z,256,D,4,0,0,0
9=1R,256,D,3,0,0,0
10=1U,256,D,5,0,0,0
11=1V,256,D,6,0,0,0
PollInterval=10

[Axes.Test]
RangeRepeatRate=10
0=0X,256,D,7,0,0,0
1=0Y,256,D,8,0,0,0
2=0Z,256,D,4,0,0,0
3=0R,256,D,3,36,0,0
4=0U,256,D,5,0,0,0
5=0V,256,D,6,0,0,0
6=1X,256,D,1,0,0,0
7=1Y,256,D,2,0,0,0
8=1Z,256,D,4,0,0,0
9=1U,256,D,5,0,0,0
10=1V,256,D,6,0,0,0

[Profile.Dash 8]
1=MJC8Q400_POE

[Axes.Dash 8]
RangeRepeatRate=10
0=0X,256,D,7,0,0,0
1=0Y,256,D,8,0,0,0
2=0Z,256,D,4,0,0,0
3=0R,256,D,3,0,0,0
4=0U,256,D,5,0,0,0
5=0V,256,D,6,0,0,0
6=1X,256,D,1,0,0,0
7=1Y,256,D,2,0,0,0
8=1Z,256,D,4,0,0,0
9=1R,256,D,3,0,0,0
10=1U,256,D,5,0,0,0
11=1V,256,D,22,0,0,0

[JoystickCalibration.Dash 8]
AllowSuppressForPFCquad=Yes
ExcludeThrottleSet=Yes
ExcludeMixtureSet=Yes
ExcludePropPitchSet=Yes
SepRevsJetsOnly=No
ApplyHeloTrim=No
UseAxisControlsForNRZ=No
FlapsSetControl=0
FlapDetents=No
ReverserControl=66292
Reverser1Control=66422
Reverser2Control=66425
Reverser3Control=66428
Reverser4Control=66431
MaxThrottleForReverser=256
AileronTrimControl=66731
RudderTrimControl=66732
CowlFlaps1Control=66162
CowlFlaps2Control=66163
CowlFlaps3Control=66164
CowlFlaps4Control=66165
SteeringTillerControl=0
MaxSteerSpeed=60
Aileron=-16384,0,0,16383
Elevator=-16384,0,0,16383
Rudder=-16319,0,0,16256
Throttle=-16384,16256
PropPitch=-16384,16128
Mixture=-16384,16383
LeftBrake=-16384,16383/16
RightBrake=-16384,16383/16
Mixture1=0,8192,8192,16380
Mixture2=0,8192,8192,16380
Spoilers=-16384,16383

[Pete Dowson]

I have been very careful not to 'double assign ' axes on FSX and FSUIPC as per the instructions.

 

Best to disable controllers altogether in FS, if you are assigning in FSUIPC. Sometimes FS will automatically reassign default axes, all by itself. It does this when it thinks the device is newly connected.

 

Lastly - Can I simply remove the unwanted aircraft and tests (Vickers Viscount and Test) by deleting the unwanted lines - is it really that simple?

 

 

If you mean the Profile called "Test", then delete the complete sections

 

[Profile.Test]

[JoystickCalibration.Test]

and

[Axes.Test]

 

(Sections are delineated by those parenthesised [... ] names).

 

I notice you haven't assigned any buttons yet. Don't you use buttons?

 

Pete

[expire]

Hi Pete

 

Assigning buttons will be my next task for when I permanently disable the controller from FSX..  (I did disable the controller from FSX when I was experimenting last week - I am aware that this is your recommendation).

 

So that should keep me happy, thanks again for your assistance.

 

Mike