Dual FDS CDUs with Prosim737 2.0

[fsaviator]

Hey everyone.  Week two of trying to solve this issue in between real life responsibilities.  Very frustrated as I only get a couple of hours a week free to work on the sim, I'm burning them with trying to get these CDUs working and getting ready to start smashing stuff so I would appreciate some help.  I never thought I would say I am about ready to switch back to my two Opencockpits CDUs and SIOC.

What is the secret to getting two FDS CDUs working on one computer using Prosim737 2.0?

Both CDUs work fine when I select them as a standalone or as the CPT CDU.

I have two instances of Prosim-CDU running.  Each instance is mapped to the proper CDU serial number, and the proper role (CPT or FO) is selected in the config.  I have disabled backlight support so the screens stay on.

The CPT CDU comes on just fine.

The FO CDU is a black screen and it doesn't switch on.

Ideas?

Warren

[KyleH]

Just to be sure, you've got either apu running or ground power and both busses are on?

[FredK]

Warren

Could be a Windows multi-monitor / video card display issue...... 

I had a similar issue when I recently moved my FDS CDUs to new computer hardware.  They worked OK individually but not together.  I solved that by changing the HZ setting in the multi-monitor setup to something higher than the nominal 60hz for both. So try playing with that.

Sort of weird since they both worked fine on the old (very old) hardware.  I am using SimA.

Oh....and don't start smashing things just yet....I have been in this game long enough to know that these issues always get resolved!

Fred K

[fsaviator]

Just to be sure, you've got either apu running or ground power and both busses are on?

I think you may have hit on it Kyle...  Can't tell right now as my computer is in the middle of downloading 180 updates (newly installed windows 7) but I was working on the Avionics computer with the CDUs in the dining room.  I just checked the sim in the sim room and the right INS was INOP due to the malfunctions logic.  I'll see if that was the problem once the updates are done.

[fsaviator]

Warren

Could be a Windows multi-monitor / video card display issue...... 

I had a similar issue when I recently moved my FDS CDUs to new computer hardware.  They worked OK individually but not together.  I solved that by changing the HZ setting in the multi-monitor setup to something higher than the nominal 60hz for both. So try playing with that.

Sort of weird since they both worked fine on the old (very old) hardware.  I am using SimA.

Oh....and don't start smashing things just yet....I have been in this game long enough to know that these issues always get resolved!

Fred K

I'll give it a try if ground power doesn't fix it.  I'm using to Displaylink USB-VGA adapters and they seem to be working fine (after I removed the Fresno driver from an old install on this computer- that took half a weekend to figure out that incompatibility).  More to follow.

Very frustrated as I've made zero progress on anything else screwing these CDUs.  I won't smash anything yet
Thanks!

[Caflyt]

Warren,
I don't have the answer but I had the same issue!!!
I eventually just gave up and put the FO CDU on a second computer.
If you find the answer I can move the CDU back to the other computer. Sucks to have one small computer just to run a CDU but I figured I would just add some audio to that one for some of the aural warnings etc...

I hope you can figure it out!!

Craig

[blueskydriver]

Hi Warren,

Have you read this?

https://prosim-ar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13470

John

[FredK]

Warren

Could be a Windows multi-monitor / video card display issue...... 

I had a similar issue when I recently moved my FDS CDUs to new computer hardware.  They worked OK individually but not together.  I solved that by changing the HZ setting in the multi-monitor setup to something higher than the nominal 60hz for both. So try playing with that.

Sort of weird since they both worked fine on the old (very old) hardware.  I am using SimA.

Oh....and don't start smashing things just yet....I have been in this game long enough to know that these issues always get resolved!

Fred K

I'll give it a try if ground power doesn't fix it.  I'm using to Displaylink USB-VGA adapters and they seem to be working fine (after I removed the Fresno driver from an old install on this computer- that took half a weekend to figure out that incompatibility).  More to follow.

Very frustrated as I've made zero progress on anything else screwing these CDUs.  I won't smash anything yet
Thanks!

Further info......I checked my CDU hardware configuration this morning......In addition to the above I did move the Captain's CDU to a second video card on the same computer with the FO CDU. I have only the Capt CDU running on that second video card, nothing else.

I have two computers running my SimA.  The primary SA computer runs the PFDs, NDs, and EICAS displays on a single video card.  The second SA computer runs only the MFD and FO CDU on one video card and the Capt CDU on a second video card.

Fred K

[navymustang]

My FDS CDUs work fine on a single computer. I could lend assistance if you are still stuck. Running Prosim and Windows 10 with P3d V4.2

[fsaviator]

Kyle, you hit it on the head.  I  started up the main sim and fired up Ground power and now both CDUs show up just fine.

I'm still having issues with one of the CDUs though.  When I try to "shorten" the screen display (make it narrower) it won't shorten.  It will widen all day and then I have to reset the screen.

That same CDU locks up the keys become unresponsive.  The EXEC light doesn't light up either.  I have a feeling I'll need to send it back for repairs.

I am running both CDUs on the same system.  They are connected through a power hub.  Video is provided by two USB-VGA DisplayLink adapters.  Both screens work fine.  I've run both CDUs through the Tekworx utility and they test out fine (EXEC LED does NOT light up on one though).

I'm going to try running them on different systems and see what happens.

[navymustang]

As a last chance to ensure it's a hardware issue versus a configuration issue, try switching the roles of the two CDUs and see if the problem follows the role change. If it does, then you at least don't need to send one back.
Roles being CAPT versus F/O.

[fsaviator]

I have switched them up.  It's the one CDU that's an issue.  Unfortunately I can't tell if it is that one CDU that is causing the lock-ups as well.  I'm going to install it on another PC and see if it works without any lockups (other than the EXEC light and screen adjustment).

[fsaviator]

I made this video for Steve Cos but maybe someone here can help.

I'm pretty sure it is a hardware issue though.  What do you all think?

https://youtu.be/dGrnSqwF3uI

[jackpilot]

I have both on my SimA PC... works fine, on video cards though
Displalylink USB adapters can be a problem

Jack

[fsaviator]

My FDS CDUs work fine on a single computer. I could lend assistance if you are still stuck. Running Prosim and Windows 10 with P3d V4.2

I have both on my SimA PC... works fine, on video cards though
Displalylink USB adapters can be a problem

Jack

Hi guys.  The displays are working fine, on the same systems so displaylink seems to be OK.  I've also confirmed that there is a problem (some problem - no idea how deep or involved it could be) with one of the CDUs.

Here's my question so I can at least move forward while I wait on Steve to get back from an install and delve into my issue with the CDU:

How do I run both CDUs in Prosim on one computer?  Do I run two separate instances of Prosim737CDU?  Do I need to rename the exe files or directories or just click the exe twice and then set up the CDUs as CPT and FO with serial numbers?

Thanks!

[navymustang]

Correct - two instances of Prosim CDU running on same computer. I created two directories with duplicate software, one for each CDU.

[fsaviator]

That's what I've been doing.  Looks like I'm flying single for a bit until I get that fixed.  Just did a quick EDDS to EDDF with an ILS onto 25C.  Good to go!  Man, I've forgotten so much...  but the sim flies!

[ifeliciano]

I've never been a fan of video dongles. Especially video thru USB. I would find a cheap PCI or PCIe video card with multiple VGA outputs and try that.
Did you also say your USB-VGA dongles are plugged into a USB HUB? To me that just spells trouble. The least number of cable connections the better.

[fsaviator]

The dongles are working fine.  No issues.  The key to dongles is using DisplayLink compatible ones.
The issue is the CDU.

[ifeliciano]

The dongles are working fine.  No issues.  The key to dongles is using DisplayLink compatible ones.
The issue is the CDU.

Oh ok. Still though, I do not like/trust dongles.