Hello guys, I need some help with flashing cdu's, lol, yes flasing cdu's, it started like two months ago, I was hoping the problem will go away the same way it came, by itself, but no luck they still flashing, I think I should move them to the wingtips and use them as strobe lights instead, Well if anyone have a solution for it please let me know, I updated the video drivers and still doing the same thing, here is a link to the video, any sugestion will be greatly appreciated, Thanks.
B737-800 full motion simulator (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSFgMYfFSqM#ws)
As it is happening to both units it suggests that the problem is not with the units themselves. Thats a good thing. How do you have the fmc's hooked up? Are they directly to the computer or through a usb hub. If through a hub try a direct connection to test. Is there a certain time when they start to flash like when the atc window is open? Try lowering the brightness a little on each one as well and see if that helps. Honestly not to sure what would cause it but its probably something simple. Hopefully anyway.
Gary
Hi Sam,
Almost looks like some kind of mini power surge. Check the power supply to the units if you can.
Harry
My guess is that you have a video card issue. Either a bad driver (try updating) or maybe your video settings.
Scott
Thank you guys for your comments and suggestions, I will try all of them, wish me luck., cheers!
Hi Sam,
Depending on which version of Windows you have, you need to go to contorl panel and add/remove programs or even Windows Update icon, and then look at the list of any updates back to the two months you mentioned. So, whatever is listed at that point will let you know what could be a problem with an update(s).
However, it might not be an update if you're not doing them. Thus, you need to go to Start>Accessories>System Tools>Restore, and then do a restore. You will be shown a calendar and you choose the point you'd like to use. Now, you can move back to previous months by using the little back pointer on the top left of the calendar; go back to a point (date) where this started or somewhere close to it. Most likely you will only see "System Check Points" unless you made some restore points yourself.
While going back through the calendar look for anything that doesn't say system control point. If you find any, note what they are about, they might say update for "whatever the name" program. So, you noted them, now select the date right before you believe when it started. Let Restore do its thing, and then fire up the sim/cdu and see if they flash? If not, you can look at your list or the calendar again to determine if anything has be updated or changed since that point.
Try a restore again, but move forward through the list repeating the restore process for each named point (not each system created control point). You'll have to check the CDU after each restore to see if they flash. Once you discover what program is the root, you'll have narrowed it down to know what needs fixed. Although if you have no named control points (based on a program or update). You could leave the restore back at the date right before it happened and you're good.
If you prefer to set the control point back to today, that's fine, just restore back to today. Of course that means you'll have to troubleshoot beginning with the FDS program or driver and etc, etc to find the problem... Assuming it is software, if it is hardware, you need to try what Scott, Harry and Gary suggests, if you haven't already...
John
Given the custom nature of Sam's sim and the issues he's had in the past I would not advise doing a system restore.
I would try Scott's suggestion and re installing the cdu drivers/sim avionics cdu software first.
Gary
I'll be affraid to try system restore, I'm using Windows 7 Ultimate OS, one in a while I do get automatic updates, should I turn off Windows updates?? after all the problems we went thru with my original PC's, I rebuild my system with new SSD's etc, is working like a dream, is just the CDU's, Thank you John for your advise but I will try Scott's, Harry's and Gary's first, then I'll try something else, meanwhile I have a towel to cover them while fying, lol. Best Regards,
Hi Sam,
You shouldn't fear System Restore because that is the beauty of it. You can go back and forth try things, but yet bring it back to where it once was. Either way, I would suggest you not fly your sim until the flasing CDU's are resolved because you must be sending a full load of power in order for the light to be so intense; therefore, that surge could/will do damage to the actual monitors within the CDU's themselves.
As for windows updates, you could go either way. On one hand, windows updates work if you use your computer for other programs and you use it to connect to the internet; on the other hand, if you only use the computer for the sim and nothing else, then avoid windows updates. In other words, if it ain't broke don't fix it...or update.
Furthermore, this is what leads me to believe that you had an update and it affected your computer; unless, you installed another program, it will more than likely be the updates. With W7 updates you'll even get video card drivers pushed to the computer via the update process. I just had some automatic updates on my non-sim computer and the updates had a Nvidia update that was Windows related, so the driver changed and now that computer's display settings keep changing on its own. There are two monitors connected too it, but it'll switch one of them off, and then I have to go and do a detect to turn it back on... So, I plan to undo that update.
If you did not change anything hardware wise, like connected/disconnected a usb hub or unplugged/replugged it's power source, you should have no issues with it. By the way, the CDU's are powered via USB cables, so that means the place they're plugged into (hub or computer) could be having a problem with the proper power feeds or their assignments in the Device Manager has gotten screwed up because of the updates. In the old days computers used IRQs for assignments, but today it is different, but the same, so a resequence of the assignments will do this. An example is if you unplugged stuff and plugged it back in, FSUIPC might not see them in the same order as they were assigned. It's not a FSUIPC fault, it is because Windows assigns the USB devices based on when they're plugged in.
Finally, in my best opinion, you should go into System Restore and look at the calendar and see the restore points. You will see that there will be titles that W7 OS even made for you when it did do an update. You do not have to select the point(s) or go through with the restore, you just hit cancel. This way you can narrow it down a bit. Additionally, you need to go into control panel, and then go to Programs and Features, on the left hand side of the window you will see "View Installed Updates". Click that and a list will be shown of all the updates; look at all those listed for the past two months or when the issue began, and now see if you notice anything to do with the video card or video card drivers, as well as just look over the others... Don't worry about doing this as it will not change anything whatsoever.
John
Thank you John, I will take your advise, you are very knowledgeable and your input is very important to me, I will not be doing anything to it until next week, I just purchase a c-182 and I'm spending a lot of time at the airport, but I will make some changes and I let you know the results.
Best,!!
Hey Sam, any update on this issue? We are due a phone chat!
Yes we are Bob, where have you been hiding? Just kidding I know you are busy. No changes, still flashing!!!
Quote from: Sam Llorca on December 22, 2012, 03:16:22 PM
Yes we are Bob, where have you been hiding? Just kidding I know you are busy.
To be honest Sam, I have not been away or busy I have been hiding..... But I am trying to get back.
Me too. Call me tomorrow after lunch if you can, take care my friend.
Quote from: Sam Llorca on December 22, 2012, 03:22:29 PM
Me too. Call me tomorrow after lunch if you can, take care my friend.
Talk to ya then!
Hi all, just want to wish you a very happy new year and also to tell you that I try all of your recommendations and I still have flashing CDU's. Ho well maybe next year it will get fix, wish you guys the best and don't eat to much, lol.
Cheers,
Hi Sam,
Been reading about your problems and seeing suggestions and your reluctance to try things
and i fully understand as you have a really complex system. Do you Image your pc's. What
i mean here do you save an image of all of your PC'S. You should and then the fear should
subside. Ive done this in recent years as i have found FSX can do some nasty things and have
had to reinstall everything. I am configuring my system bit by bit at the moment and when im satisfied all is good then an Image is taken.
Just a thought, i would hate to see some offering really mess up your PC.
Seasons Greeting also and hope you find Resolution Soon
Les
Hi Less, I do have an image of the avionics pc, I have tried installing new video drivers, I have updates off , also did system restore to the date we last did some changes on the system, I don't want to go further back on that date because I may loose some upgrade done by Steve FDS and he really worked hard on it. Also updated the CDU drivers, next on my list is to exchange video cards since there are 3 boards on it, I did lowered the brightness, tried it with atc windows closed, every trick I know, my last stop is to exchange the video cards but I'm too lazy to open the computer, I will try different board's output first, thank you so much for your help, I'll keep you posted.
Sam,
Here is a thought about something you could easily try without disturbing anything. If you have a spare low end PC with one or two VGA outputs, you could load the SimA software and just run one or two CDUs from that PC. This way, it could help you really isolate the problem without disturbing your main SimA server.
Anyway, this is what I would do if I were you :)
Maurice
Great idea Maurice, I will try that next, thank you, cheers.
Hello friends! Happy new year!! Well I had a few days to play around with my CDU's and they still flashing, I connected the CDU's on a different video output and still flash, then I
Reconnected them to two different video boards and still flashing, double checked connection to CDU's and power supplies everything looks to be in order, any other comment or suggestions will be greatly appreciated, thanks.
Hi Sam,
Looked at your video.
It could be that you have got an update from SimA that has a bug ?
Try to revert to an earlier build for the CDU.
The units at least seems to be OK.
Bjorn
Thank you, Bjorn, I'll try that, even tho I have the latest drivers from SIM-A. Cheers.
Quote from: Sam Llorca on January 03, 2013, 05:13:37 AM
Hello friends! Happy new year!! Well I had a few days to play around with my CDU's and they still flashing, I connected the CDU's on a different video output and still flash, then I
Reconnected them to two different video boards and still flashing, double checked connection to CDU's and power supplies everything looks to be in order, any other comment or suggestions will be greatly appreciated, thanks.
Sam,
I'm not sure if you did what I suggested. Did you actually load SimA on a different PC altogether and connect the CDU(s) to that PC or did you just connect the CDUs to different video cards/outputs on the same SimA server PC where they are connected now?
Maurice
Hi Mau, no I didn't use a separate computer. I use different video cards and reset the windows on the same pc.
Quote from: Sam Llorca on January 03, 2013, 06:34:15 AM
Hi Mau, no I didn't use a separate computer. I use different video cards and reset the windows on the same pc.
Well you really need to try what I suggested as it will help track the cause of this problem and it is not a hard thing to do if you have a spare computer.
Maurice
Ok Mau, I'll try that, thanks.
Sam, my building mate has a similar problem with flashing displays - he had a PC speaker situated too close to the display.
If you have a speaker near the CDU:s check that one, just an idea.
Who's CDU was your friend using? Did he do any RFI shielding on the interface cable or housing? Did he change any cable routing locations?
I plan on using FDS CDUs. Anyone had any issues with electrical interference or other anomalies with these units?
Mike
Hi Bjorne, No speakers near by, no rewiring or cable routing either, it all started when we were working on getting the throttle quadrant to work with Sim-A software, we also calibrated the joystick that day, I believe is got something to do with software compatibility because we upgraded Sim-A software at the same time.
Mike,
That was no CDU flashing, but three 20" screens connected to a TH2G. They had extra speakers close to the #1 and #3 screen.
Upgraded Sim-A and then the problem started. I think you just nailed the problem. Best thing, do as Maurice suggested with a clean install of sim A on a separate machine. Bet you don't have the problem after doing that.
Gary
Similar problem here with flashing MCDU's. It is an RF intereference problem and mine is caused by when I turn on the 400 hz. power supply for the Airbus cockpit seats, then I get flashing. Turn the power supply off and it stops !
I am waiting for a couple of new USB cables to arrive to see if that will shield them a little better and will look at the wiring shields on the power supplies to see if it has an earth loop.
All the little fun things that take up a lot of time to find.......
Hope that helps find the problem for you.
Regards...........Brian W.
Thank you Brian, I don't have any power amp Next or near by, but I like the idea of changing the USB cables for shield ones, thank you again.
Sam, when I was using 2 PSOne Screens for my CDU's (With a Y Cable) "RCA CONNECTION" Not USB I had seen them flash before... If I remember right they were actually flashing after shutting down the FMC Software computer. Even when I disconnected the video feed. Bright white, then off, Bright white then off etc. I remember turning the power on and off them quite a few times to get them to stop.. And I do remember them stopping, I just don't really remember what caused it to happen. I haven't had my FMC working in a long time, but I think if I was you and just took one out and plugged it into your FMC Machine with a short cable you would see pretty quick if that was a cable or noise issue.
I hope you already solved this and I am just blittering on like an goof for no reason..
Is this the screens themselves that are flashing? or the keys??
Did you check your video card to make sure it is set to NTSC and not PAL. That could be causing this issue.
Scott
Please Sam, Don't take this the wrong way, but being able to troubleshoot and isolate problems is a big part of cockpit building. You have had some very good suggestions given to you by great members of this forum. If they haven't worked at some point you need bite the bullet and remove those cdu's from there current location and try them on a different system. Your eventually going to drive yourself insane with this.
Gary
Hi Gary I know that I have to do something about it to isolate the problem, but I'm afraid, I spend three months to get this sim to run again and thanks to Steve FDS after long hours of hard work We got it to work again, I was blame of all the problems caused, I don't want to be blamed again, there was a suggestion to do a system restore, I tried and I lost trim setting, I got it to work again, I strongly believe is the sim-a software, but I'm TERRIFIED to load a previous version and screw things things up, I take very serious all the suggestions you guys ask me to do, like Maurice suggested to try a clean sim-a install in a diferent computer and I know he is right, that's what I should be doing but I'm super SCARE to touch anything else, hope you understand, you guys are great!!! But I'm not touching anything without knowledgable supervision, sorry.
Hi Sam,
You should not be scared to work on your sim. You just need more time to understand what is doing what. In all the years of doing my sim, I have redone it twice. Both times because I upgraded computers, but I still have the older ones to mess around with and learn from. Another thing too understand is that before you mess with any file(s), you save a backup of it before hand. In fact, you should be mirror driving your entire system, so if A drive fails B drive can take over, and that will keep you from losing sim time. As you already experienced, having your sim down sucks!
Still, until you learn more, you are right to trend lightly, so too speak. If it keeps your sim flying, then that is what you do. However, I also agree with Gary because troubleshooting is a "daily" thing with sims...lol.
John
Just wanted to point out that I have been working with Sam behind the scenes. Also from talking to Sam he has been in teh sim game for a while and is always taking it to the next level. This one being the highest so far. Quick learner so as well!
The CDU issue is a mystery as we have more than 500 out there and not seeing any issues with the actual CDU related to screens flashing. I also see it flashing when logged in remotely so if it was the screen itself I wouldn't see it.
Now that I am back I am going to jump in again and try and sort out the CDU and install the latest version of Sim-A for Sam.
After I dig out of the snowstorm we are having!
I should also mention that after seeing the video, that you are getting white screens whereas I am getting black screens. Not sure what the difference is, but will check in here with my findings as soon as the USB cables get installed. It may also be interference on the video cable, so I will look into that if the USB cable does not help.
Cheers................Brian W.
OK, found the blinking trouble on my MCDU's. It was a bad centre pin connection on the power supply of the input.
For some reason, both of my MCDU's had some sort of corrosion on the center pins and had to be cleaned to rectify the problem.
A tricky fault to find !
Regards................Brian W.
Thank you for your information Brian, I will look at the power input plugs this weekend, I'll let you know the results, Cheers.
Please Check To See If You Are Having a Problem With Intermittent Connections:
The final result of this problem I have only just discovered. How we think we have the answer and after ages it turns out to be something completely different !
I ended up getting black screens on one MCDU with only the one connected in the Console. If I moved or touched the console the MCDU would go black screen and the lack of USB connection would sound on the speakers. Well, we pulled everything out and put new USB cables in etc. etc...........It seemed to be getting worse not better.
Finally pulled the FO MCDU out and no problems, so what was the cause.
Ended up being an earth connection from the second MCDU touching the aluminium rails and connecting to the Capt. MCDU.
So you need to isolate the 2 MCDU's so that they do not connect to each other on their chassis'.
This was happening only because of the power supplies. Bad plugpacks.
Hope this may solve some very nasty problems.
Regards...........Brian W.
Hi Brian
Not sure I uderstand where the ground contact came from.
Are your CDU the latest from FDS ?
Jack
Yes Jack, the latest MCDU's from FDS. I am not sure Why or how yet, as I will do some thorough testing today with a CRO. I have both power supplies plugged in to a 240V socket, and if i have only one MCDU connected (for testing) via the USB ,video and power supply and then with the second power supply lead, I touch the frame of the connected MCDU with the earh side of the of the secnd power supply, I get the screen problem, which in fact seems to be turning off the USB connection.
So it is probbably an earth leak or a voltage leak somewhere, so will post results later today.
I might add that the 2 power supplies are from FDS, so not sure of the setup, but they are only 2 pins on the 240V side so are floating earth, therefore the earth side of the 12V output should be isolated, but will check.
Regards..............Brian W.
With this sort of issue you really should be contacting us at FDS Brian....
Peter
I will do that Peter as soon as I get some conclusive details. It maybe due to induced voltage from all the power cords , both A.C. and DC. It will take a bit of tracking, but am certain I can find the cause . Will keep you informed.
Regards.............Brain W.
It appears the power supplies are putting out too much RF and getting the USB to shut down, which is either caused by movement and or proximity to the RF field.
Cure: I connected up a reliable 13.8 Volt 15 Amp power supply to both MCDU's which has no ripple at all and this seems to have cured the fault.
I will now rew-install back in the cockpit and check for resuts.
Regards...........Brian W.
Thank you for the post Brian, I will try to isolate the CDU's from the frame, let see if it works before I go blind with white flashes in my face every time I fly.
... and with all your respect Peter, I think we should post the good the bad and the ugly, sharing ideas is how we get results. Cheers.
On a somewhat related issue, I have my IO cards located inside the Throttle Assy and if for whatever reason it gets bumped a little, the USB would drop out and I'd lose all controls to the Throttle Assy and my yoke/pedals (those are on the same card). Now, I thought it was the bumping for the longest time; however, as it turns out, the problem came from static electricity and not having the Throttle Assy/Cockpit properly grounded.
I remembered this by finding a note of advice from Rob that I wrote down years before too ground these items to an Earth Ground/outlet ground. So, I used a 3 prong to a 2 prong plug with a ground wire and wired the Throttle Assy body and Cockpit to this ground wire, and that solved the problem once and for all...
Finally, I know this is not the issue with your CDU's, but they're attached to the metal of the MIP which is not grounded, plus the Power Supplies for the CDU's are 2 prong types w/o ground; therefore, the other electrical signals coming off the MIP (from other items attached) could be causing an out of sync phasing from those items and causing the flasing. If the MIP were grounded, that might stop the bleed over electricity, and then stop the flashing.
John
Funny how this all goes around and nobody knows how things are really wired in each sim project???
Sam's CDU's are wired to a separate 12V dedicated power supply, powering 12V devices. No 2 prong wall adapter etc.
But everyone seems to have the answers.
The "flashing" happens with Remote Access as well. If it was the actual CDU I wouldn't be seeing the "flash" on my screen. Which leads me to a videocard or driver issue.
I think Brian's is one issue and Sam's is a different one.
Just saying....
Hi Steve,
Yes, things are wired differently for each sim I agree, but I wasn't suggesting to give an/the answer to either Brian's or Sam's issues, I was just describing my thoughts on grounding the metal within my sim, and how grounding fixes stray electrical voltage like those caused by static or a bare metal making contact elsewhere.
I have seen flashing computer monitor displays before and it could be a mulititude of reasons for it too happen. Yet, in most cases, it takes a process of elimination to find out what the real reason is...much like it did for my static issues.
Finally, I re-read my post and I noticed that when a I spoke about CDU's in the last paragraph, I meant too say my CDU's are attached to the metal of the MIP and I have 2 prong power supplies or wall warts.... My apologies for implying it was those guys CDU's.
John
Sam's flashes white, not black or off which one would associated with a loss of power. They don't "synch" flash either as one will flash then the other.
I offered to bring down my CDU when I am in Florida at our Clearwater plant again.
Again, it is unlikely the actual CDU's are the problem. They could easily be tested on a laptop to check them. If it was the CDU, I would not be seeing the flash when I log in remotely. I see the screen on my screen flash white as well. It is something else but the question is what is it? It would take some time to isolate it piece by piece.
Biggest problem is it never did it here. Only once Sam connected things up at home. Somethings changed as well. PC issues for one.
Plugpacks are known for producing noise which radiates into all sorts of areas. A hand wave over the top of a radiating RF source will change the amount and direction of that radiation. Earthing sometimes will stop the radiation and sometimetimes it will turn the part that has been earthed into a radiating antenna.
So it is hard to track down and even harder to eliminate.
Best practise is to use good power supplies from a well regulated transformer, not cheap Plugpacks from some of the international suppliers.
I will be changing all my plug packs to dedicated power supplies which eliminates the problem before it starts, as it may not be the plugpack on one device that causes problems but problems from other plugpacks.
It is certain that the changing of the plugpacks to a good power source, on the MCDU's cured the problem.
Regards...........Brian W.
All makes sense Brian. Seen that with monitors that needed a plate added and "cheap" PC speakers and the magnetic creating havoc as well. Lots of different things can upset a perfectly planned project. Isolating them is the challenge.
No "plug packs" in Sam's simulator. All connected to power supplies in this case.
@Sam,
Just concerned about the lack of attention span out here. People read "problem" and blanket an entire product line. Luckily here, we are surrounded by a lot of talent..
For our end, we don't hide from issues and we have no reason to do anything but make sure people are ok with the product.
Steve is my best expert as he hears it all.. My preference is for people to try him first as he has "seen it all" usually and can help people zone in on issues.
There are hundreds of Cdus out here... Very few issues luckily.
Bottom line is trying everything we can to help.
There are more forums than FDS guys and that makes it tricky to be helpful.
In this case, several posters offering erroneous or non-related info, then a different issue..
I am more concerned about the fact you have "flashing Cdus" and really want to get that sorted Sam. No reason for that issue if we dial into that and try some things...
My bet is it is something small causing a big issue.
Again though, I really trust Steve's input as he sees so much out here.
Just want happy customers.
Peter
SAM:
Could you try one test for me to see if it makes any difference. Get another power supply and put a connector on it and plug into one of your CDU's with nothing else connected to that power supply.
Regards..........Brian W.
Hello Brian, yes I will try it like that and I'll let you know via pm
Another quick test if I may Sam. Try to isolate the CDUs. Perhaps pull one, try running the other. Reverse and try.
Aso worth taking the Cdus out and running them without touching the dzus rails...
Quite a few ways to troubleshoot and pin down the primary issue or remove items from the list of issues.
Steve did mention that your Cdus are not using wall plug type supplies.
Your trainer has high quality commercial power supplies.
My bet is with some basic troubleshooting you can isolate the problem to a specific scenario..
Process of elimination. Once we confirm we can sort the correction needed.
I have Cdus here on standby if we can eliminate the other elements.
Peter
Ok Peter, I will do that actually I'm planning to isolate the CDU's from the rails this coming weekend like Brian suggested, I don't have the time to do this testing at night like before cause of the baby but for sure I will try every suggestion and ideas, I did tried a alternate power supply by itself for each CDU's like Steve recommended, I updated the video card drivers, the CDU's do not flash out of the trainer connected to a separate computer like Maurice suggested, I did tried a different video card, I'm sure is NOT the hardware!!! But thank you for your suggestion, is very important to us to have different ideas and support from a knowledgeable source.
Thanks Sam
My biggest issue in Sam's problem is the following:
Why do I see the flash when I log in remotely? If it was electrical or hardware to the VGA screen why would I see the flash on my screen? An electrical issue should only effect the actual hardware. Hard to believe that the issue would show up on my screen all the way up here.
Make sense?
I get ya Steve...
If you see the flashes whilst remotely logged in, my bet it has to be a result of Computer/Video Card/Drivers.
Are the two CDU's attached to the one video card (assuming a single Sim-A Comp with 3 dual output cards?) NVidia Cards?
Nat
If Steve is seeing this remotely, it is not a hardware issue. Could be a computer issue, but I am more inclined to think it is a software issue as even a driver issue should not show up remotely. Interesting to say the least.
I removed my post as I made some wrong assumptions. Will resend soon
Maurice
Quote from: Bob Reed on April 10, 2013, 06:09:55 AM
If Steve is seeing this remotely, it is not a hardware issue. Could be a computer issue, but I am more inclined to think it is a software issue as even a driver issue should not show up remotely. Interesting to say the least.
I am assuming that when Steve says he sees the white flash, he has loaded a software version of the CDU and it is running on the same PC that currently runs the actual physical CDUs. Am I correct?
If this is correct, then it very well still could be a hardware issue. What Steve is seeing is a snapshot of what the video card is sending to whatever screen is connected to that PC. Even if that PC has no screen(s) or CDUs attached to it, the video card is still sending information to the screen. On Steve's remote access PC, the remote access software takes a snapshot of the physical or virtual screen on the actual remote PC and transmits the snapshot to Steve's PC. It is pretty much like if the remote access software took a picture of the screen and e-mailed it to Steve.
So, when Steve sees a flash, he is seeing what the video card is sending to the software CDU that Steve has loaded in that same PC. So if the VGA signal is sending a white flash, you would also see the white flash on your remote screen because they are virtually the same.
So as far as I understand this, the actual physical CDUs are definitely not the problem. So what does it leave?
I believe Sam mentioned that he did change the video card & drivers that drive both CDUs. If that is the case, then it is really beginning to look like a motherboard issue to me. But before tackling that one, every other possible cause should be eliminated first.
One other thing to suspect is the big motors driving the motion platform. These can generate electrical interference which might affect a video card. But since they did not create problems at FDS, the only difference is that the power for the motors is now generated by Diesel generators. Could these be introducing some electrical noise somewhere? If the sim can run without turning the generators for the motion platform on, do the CDUs still flash?
Maurice
Sam,
If I were you, this is what I would do to get rid of this problem without messing with anything and risking to damage something else in the process.
You said that you tried what I had suggested and connected the CDU to a separate PC and it did not flash. Did you leave the CDU(s) in place as I meant or did you physically remove the CDU and attached it to another PC?
If you left the CDUs in place and just connected them to a different PC, why not leave that PC there and presto the problem is solved. This can be a low end PC with any video card that has 2 VGA outputs.
If on the other hand, you had removed the CDUs, then this was not a good test since it did not take electrical interference in the sim into account. I would redo the test if I were you but do it this way: Just connect a VGA & USB cable to the new test PC and connect them to the CDU while the CDU is still in its proper location. Edit: You can even use the existing CDU cables and just connect them to the new PC.
If the flashes still disappear, then the problem is obvious. Either the video card, drivers, CPU and/or motherboard are causing these flashes and the problems have nothing to do with any electrical interference.
Again, for the cost of a low end PC and low end video card, the problem is gone.
As I said, this is what I would do but I understand why you would prefer not adding another PC to the mix. However, if the choice ends up being replacing a motherboard or adding another PC, I think the choice should be obvious to anyone :)
Maurice
Process of elimination for sure.
One example of a "CDU Problem" we saw in the past....
Customer receives a CDU.. Plugs it in.. Fires up .. sets the screen...
Half the screen is "Yellowish".... Customer not too pleased.. (email to me to prove!)...
I throw some ideas back.. ask about trying other computers etc..
Turns out... Problem was the Video card was not "Seated" properly in the Motherboard...
Personally? I never would have thought to even look there... But he pushed it in and presto.. CDU works fine..
I worked over 12 years in Car Audio before FDS and in that business ( I was with Alpine and then Pioneer) I usually got handed the troubled customers..
Often it was "Engine Noise" or pops in the system. While I was never a "Hands on" guy" (I love my brother for this as you all know!) I did learn to systematically weed out problems and help get them resolved. It always started with a "minimal" setup and then adding things back in.
I was remembering how much our Cockpits are like this. Sometimes it is not one item but a collection of things or events that create a problem.
Peter
Mau,
Take the generator and motion platform motors out of the possibilities. Our first flight had niether turned on and the flashing was happeneing.
John
Quote from: jskibo on April 10, 2013, 09:44:01 AM
Mau,
Take the generator and motion platform motors out of the possibilities. Our first flight had niether turned on and the flashing was happeneing.
John
That was a long shot anyway but it's good that neither are an issue as it wouldn't be easy to fix. Doesn't leave too many likely culprits on the table now.
Maurice
Hi guys I just want to say that I really appreciate all your suggestions, I'm testing the units in small steps to actually see where the problem is (have only weekends to work on it.) that's why is taking me so long, I did removed the CDU's from the trainer and tested them on a bench with another PC, no flash, also I tested them with the FSX PC outside the trainer and no flash, like John JSkibo said we can rule the electric motor out, they flash even with them off, is not the power supply, I changed the USB cables for a shielded one, there are not too many other causes out there anymore, I'm thinking is drivers issues with the video card and the low resolution setting, but before I need to isolate the units from the rails, If that doesn't work them is time to roll back to the old video drivers or get a separate PC (not my preference), but thank you again to all of you, Cheers.