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Project Magenta - Unofficial => Boeing Software - Discussion => Topic started by: scojj on September 05, 2015, 12:11:17 PM

Title: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on September 05, 2015, 12:11:17 PM
Hi Gents,

I would like to know if this happens to you too :

I prepar my flightplan using imported routes from Vroute.

I add the departure runway, arrival runway, SID and STAR, erase the DISCOs and then push EXEC.

I can check in the legs pages that all the waypoints are present and valid.

At the end of the preflight all datas are present in the legs page.

But when airborne, all the waypoints are erased, only remains the arrival runway and the computed TOD...

I tried to uninstall and reinstall the complete PM suite but the problem remains the same...

Any idea please ?

Thank you very much in advance.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: jackpilot on September 05, 2015, 12:42:28 PM
Try to enter the same plan manually and see if it happens. ???
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on September 06, 2015, 07:42:37 AM
Yes, good idea.
I'll try this.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on September 07, 2015, 09:34:01 AM
Hi Jack,

Unfortunately it's not better.

I'm doing the preflight right now (EBBR-LFMN) and when manually entering the waypoints they vanis after a few seconds in the cdu display, one after the other.

Once the complete route entered (including the SID and STAR) I only have the display of the departure runway, then the SID then the arrival runway, then the STAR.

On the legs page only the wayponts of the procedures are displayed, there is a long straight flight segment between SID and STAR.

Sincerely I get bored of PM... too much bugs one after the other.

Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: jackpilot on September 07, 2015, 10:31:42 AM
I suppose that you update with new builds.
I stopped that long ago when I was satisfied with perf.
Since then I have no issues (only those I can live with ! lol)

Try to revert to previous CDU build

I'm planning to switch to SimA but laziness is in the way!!
:D
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on September 07, 2015, 10:41:16 AM
It happened before I updated with the new builds and remains after the update.

I thought it could related to filesharing on the network but pmfilecheck is ok.

Now after takeoff ony the arrival runway remains as a waypoint...
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: RayS on September 09, 2015, 09:36:27 AM
I'd be curious if the flightplan file on the share is being updated at some point after loading the waypoints...

Or, if you're flying in or around the Bermuda Triangle (Sorry... couldn't resist  ;D)
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on September 09, 2015, 10:40:50 AM
The flightplan was imported from Vroute or entered manually in the CDU.
I tried both ways with bad results.

You are probably right but how to verify this ? And if it's true how to avoid it ?

I will avoid the Bermuda for my next flights... :)
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Bob Reed on September 10, 2015, 06:30:17 PM
My thought is you are losing connection with the share.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: RayS on September 10, 2015, 10:05:34 PM
If that were the case, wouldn't he lose the entire flightplan?
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on September 10, 2015, 11:57:10 PM
pmfilecheck is ok (just suggest lowering the framerate in P3D).

The strange thing is indeed that it's not the entire flightplan that is lost, but only the route between the SID and STAR when entered manually, or the toutr between departure and arrival runways when the flightplan is from the recorded source in the CDU (coming from Vroute so in sbp format).

I have sent a mail to PM but with not much hope...
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: jackpilot on September 13, 2015, 06:35:36 AM
Keep us posted s it can happen to anyone with PM.
Jack
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on September 15, 2015, 05:26:43 AM
Of course.

For the moment no answer to my mail to PM.

I will try the ticket system but I have an old ticket (3 to 4 years old) which was never answered...
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on September 22, 2015, 08:28:28 AM
7 days past and no reaction to my ticket to PM. Even more days after my first mail to them and no reaction.

As one could fear, the end of the official PM open forum a few years ago was also the end of the official support from PM.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Trevor Hale on September 22, 2015, 10:26:17 AM
Well you can look at it that way, or perhaps they didn't get your email.

What version are you using?  Why don't you roll back a version and see?  I am going to guess that there is something wrong with your net directory.  I have seen that before where you program a flight an within a few minutes the CDU is empty.  I have actually watch files appear in the net directory and then watched them disappear.  If I were you, I would create a new net directory through the CDU and verify the files go in and stay in.

Trev
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on September 22, 2015, 11:45:42 AM
Well we can see that from different point of views.

I have sent 3 polite mails within 10 days, asking gently some help, and have sent a ticket 7 days ago.
(my last ticket was sent 3 years ago, without receiving an aswer).
I always write with respect.


I use the latest version after having updated in the hope to solve my problem.

I tried a complete uninstall/reinstall with erasing/recreating of all the PM shared folders (Netdir and Routes).
PMFilecheck finds no error and is happy.

I have the same behavior wether I use a SBP route file or a manually entered route : soon after takeoff the waypoints vanish from the leggs or route page.
There only remain the departure and arrival runway, sometimes the  SID and the STAR.

If I load the same route from the SBP route later in another session the complete route is still loaded...

Thank you for your interrest in my problem.


 
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Trevor Hale on September 22, 2015, 01:03:20 PM
What OS are you running?
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: RayS on September 22, 2015, 02:44:08 PM
I wonder if you can force that file to be read-only, and take ownership of it so nothing can change it. My thinking is that something will error out and the offending process might be captured in the computer's error logs, or the app's error logs. At least that will identify the culprit.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Trevor Hale on September 22, 2015, 03:23:49 PM
Well that is kinda what I am getting at. I know PM reported in one of their tech documents that UAS needs to be completely disabled. I understand that his pmfliecheck says the netdir is good but I still think there is an authentication issue when other programs try to write to it. I am sure I had a similar issue and I am pretty sure my solution was to move the netdir off my windows 7 machine and put it on the windows xp machine. I just recall lots of permission issues with the OS and pm.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on September 22, 2015, 11:15:58 PM
Hi,

Thank you for your help.

Excuse me fot the delay, I live in EUrope

You might have hit the spot, as I run Windows 7-64.
I have no more PC running XP for many years.

I will try to disable the UAC completely.

What is strange however is that this PC is running W7 for years and that this problem only occured those last weeks.
But "les voies de windows sont impénétrables" if you understand a litlle (biblic) french ... ;)

Thanks again.

Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Trevor Hale on September 23, 2015, 01:08:45 AM
Windows 7 for years, and I was in the same boat. But there was a Windows update that I received the caused my problems. Perfect reason to not allow windows updates to run lol.

Anyway see of you can get that disabled and see if that helps.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on September 23, 2015, 01:11:34 AM
I will try and report in a few days.

Yhere are major works in my house at the moment.

Thanks again.

Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on September 27, 2015, 11:48:44 AM
Hi Gents,

Unfortunately, the UAC was already disabled in my PC.
I checked the permissions and sharing in the Routes and Netdir once again, they are fine.

I have blanked all log file in the CDU and will try another flight to see if something is reported there.

If you have more ideas ...
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on September 28, 2015, 12:34:19 PM
Hi gents again,

I did another flight from EBBR to LIPH with the same problem.

After that I observed the log files.

- In the CDU folder :

There is a cdu.log file that tells that a series of files have been copied to the CDU\Data folder. and that all sort of things were ok at the loading of the CDU software.

There is a CduLog.txt file mentionning the departure runway and airport.
BUT it mentions the arrival airport as LIRN which is NOT AT ALL the one programmed !!! (LIPH).
Is also listed a sort of spreadsheet displaying hour, distance, coordinates, IAS,HDG .. and next waypoint where I also find LIRN : that means that the CDU is convinced that I go to LIRN while he is programmed to go to LIPH !!!

- In the MCP folder :

There is a mcp.log file where I read from the beginning of the flight a "Read Error on ReadData (While NOT connected)".
This line is repeated until "airborne" is mentionned.

Precisely my route leggs are erased on the CDU display when airborne...

Do you have any idea ?

Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Trevor Hale on September 28, 2015, 02:10:00 PM
I am wondering if your nav data is out of sink. Maybe download a navigraph update from the pm website.



Or for giggles do a flight to lirn and see if the route erases lol
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on September 28, 2015, 02:14:26 PM
Navdatas are up to date from the latest serial from the navigraph site.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Trevor Hale on September 28, 2015, 03:23:53 PM
Well I am not sure about nav data collected from anywhere except but the pm site. So I can't help you with that part.

Do you run the CDU and PFF/ND on the same machine?

Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: blueskydriver on September 28, 2015, 04:09:50 PM
Check your cdu.ini file and see if FLUSH=Off. Also, are you using a second FO CDU and did purchase/have the RCDU (FO Side) of the pm software?

John
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on September 28, 2015, 11:36:24 PM
The CDU and PFD/ND run on the same machine, but did for years without this problem to occur.

I have the complete PM suite but don't run the RCDU : this will be for later.
I will chek the FLUSH=OFF, I think it's ON

Thank you Trevor and blueskydriver.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on October 04, 2015, 12:48:33 PM
Hi gents,

I checked this evening the FLUSH options that were both set to ON and put them to OFF.
Then made a flight from EBBR to LIRN (nice landscape with the Vesuvius).

The same occured.
Waypoints erased soon after takeoff.
The only remaining waypoint was the arrival runway...

No answer from PM.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Trevor Hale on October 05, 2015, 12:55:19 AM
Hi scott the flush option to my knowledge is when you land does it clear the CDU.

Post here your pm file check results please
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Bob Reed on October 05, 2015, 03:50:10 AM
I am hoping to have my sim back up and running tonight. So in the next say or so I may have some input on this. I too am using PM.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Trevor Hale on October 05, 2015, 03:50:33 AM
Don't think you should do an upgrade, If I were you I would copy your Keys, Completely uninstall all of the PM Software and your Nav Data.  Then go and delete all left over traces of the PM Software. Ini and Config files as well. Reboot and even do a registry clean of anything PM

Do a "Complete Install" (IN A NEW DIRECTORY) all of your software again.  Do not install NAV Data and see what happens.

I bet that will solve your issue if you are sure UAC is off and all your directories are Writable.

Just to confirm I hope you are using WideClient and not some simconnect crap.

Trev
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on October 05, 2015, 06:36:57 AM
Hi Trevor,

I know the flush option is for celaning the route data once landed but that was one suggestion and I wanted to try it.

I will post the pmfilecheck here down.

I use WideClient, not simconnect.

I will try your suggestion of the complete clean uninstallation and reinstallation, but I already tried it. (without erasing in the registry).

I will also try to install the latest navdata from PM and not the latest one from Navigraph.

Regards,

JJ Scohy



Here is now the pmfilcheck :

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

pmFileCheck Build  82
Opening Connections

Windows 7 Ultimate
Windows Indexing Service is OFF (good)
User Account Control is OFF (good)

Local Path: C:\Users\GLASSC~1\AppData\Local\Temp\Rar$EXa0.186

Checking Computer and User Name
Local Computer Name: GLASS-PC
Local User Name: Glass cockpit

FSUIPC/WideFS found!
FSUIPC Check  1229127680
FSUIPC Check 0x49430000
FSUIPC Version 4.943

Lat/Lon/Alt/Hdg
505444N 0043008E -223 246

FS Version: Prepar3d

WideServer Version 7.943
WideClient Version 6.992

Flight Simulator Running
Testing FS Framerate and Data Rate for 10 seconds

FS Framerate Avg / Min / Max: 57.9 / 41.6 / 59.4
Data Read Rate in ms Avg / Min / Max: 32.9 / 10 / 57
Data Rate: 303 Ticks  30.3 data sets / sec
Read Attempts: 884 with  88.4 data sets / sec
Read Same Value: 581

OK   - GC Detected
GC Build  506

OK   - FMC Detected (CDU or MCDU)
FMC Build  506

OK   - A/P Detected (MCP or FCU)
A/P Build  506

Local Directory is C:\Users\GLASSC~1\AppData\Local\Temp\Rar$EXa0.186
Local DLL Files Found:
   pm.dll dated: 5/10/2015 16:22:33

Checking FS Path
OK   - Reported FS Path \\FS-PC\Program Files (x86)\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v2\

Trying to access FS Path
FAIL - Read access to FS Path
OK   - Read/Write access to FS Path
OK   - Read/Write access to FS Path

Wide Server reports:
19484 Connected to computer "GLASS-PC" running WideClient version 6.992 (skt=11244) TCP

Looking for NETDIR from CDU
Reported NetDir is: \\glass-pc\netdir\
Checking PMNETDIR Path (FMC Generated Path)
7 File(s) found in NetDir, last date is 5/10/2015 16:20:58
cdutype.bin
cdutype.txt
pfd.pln
route.bin
routeout.xml
routeoutb.xml
thrust.bin

Checking FSPLANS Path (To Load/Save FS Flightplans)
OK   - Read/Write access to FSPLANS Shared Folder
5 File(s) found in FSPLANS, last date is 4/10/2015 22:27:14

List of active processes:
[System Process]
System
smss.exe
avgrsa.exe
avgcsrva.exe
csrss.exe
wininit.exe
csrss.exe
services.exe
lsass.exe
lsm.exe
winlogon.exe
svchost.exe
WtuSystemSupport.exe
nvvsvc.exe
nvSCPAPISvr.exe
svchost.exe
svchost.exe
svchost.exe
svchost.exe
audiodg.exe
svchost.exe
nvxdsync.exe
nvvsvc.exe
svchost.exe
vsmon.exe
ISWSVC.exe
spoolsv.exe
svchost.exe
armsvc.exe
avgidsagent.exe
avgwdsvc.exe
ForceField.exe
taskhost.exe
dwm.exe
explorer.exe
SetPoint.exe
wmdcBase.exe
svchost.exe
svchost.exe
ToolbarUpdater.exe
loggingserver.exe
conhost.exe
WideClient.exe
pfd.exe
MCP.exe
svchost.exe
VolPanlu.exe
avgnsa.exe
AMBDEF.EXE
zatray.exe
avgui.exe
KHALMNPR.exe
svchost.exe
avgemca.exe
FDS-CDU.exe
cdu.exe
sa_wxr.exe
AdobeARM.exe
vprot.exe
SearchIndexer.exe
wmpnetwk.exe
svchost.exe
WmiPrvSE.exe
ctfmon.exe
avgcefrend.exe
iexplore.exe
iexplore.exe
iexplore.exe
sppsvc.exe
WmiPrvSE.exe
WinRAR.exe
pmFileCheck.exe
avgmfapx.exe
SearchProtocolHost.exe
SearchFilterHost.exe

Closing Everything

5/10/2015 16:22:59

Things To Do:

* Limit FS Framerate to allow more network throughput (FPS is > 40)
If you wish to, please check www.projectmagenta.com/notams.html (http://www.projectmagenta.com/notams.html)

Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on October 05, 2015, 06:39:24 AM
Quote from: Bob Reed on October 05, 2015, 03:50:10 AM
I am hoping to have my sim back up and running tonight. So in the next say or so I may have some input on this. I too am using PM.

Thank you Bob,

Curious to read your input.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Trevor Hale on October 05, 2015, 06:45:20 AM
This is interesting from Above.....


****  Trying to access FS Path ****
FAIL - Read access to FS Path

Also, I am not super happy about the local folder having "TEMP" in it.  Thats also not a good idea.  We all know the Temp folder gets written to and erased lots..

Trev
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Trevor Hale on October 05, 2015, 06:48:01 AM
I will also note that Mentioned in the PM Docs....  FS Folder being inside "PROGRAM FILES" Is not recommended..  as no matter what authentication level you have, Generally the Program files folder is OFF Limits to Network users. 

Be cautious here.

Trev
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Trevor Hale on October 05, 2015, 06:49:58 AM
WideServer Version 7.943
WideClient Version 6.992

I would need to check mine, but I am pretty sure these should be the same version?  Can anyone else confirm this>?
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on October 05, 2015, 08:47:02 AM
Hi Trevor,

The TEMP folder is the folder from which pmfilecheck was working.

The READ access fail is strange on FS path, as there was no READ/WRITE access fail (just one line after).

I have P3D in the Program file folder but not in C:\.
This was long before I had the problem so I'm not sure this is the cause.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Trevor Hale on October 05, 2015, 08:50:26 AM
Roger that..  Just wanted to point out some possible causes. 

I know I keep PM in the root..  I also Keep FS in the ROOT as well.  Obviously don;t change it now, though or you will really break things..  Just something I threw out there.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on October 05, 2015, 11:12:20 AM
I know you were searching possibe causes. Thanks !

The READ access fail is anyway strange.

Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Trevor Hale on October 05, 2015, 11:16:32 AM
I would be willing to bet, that it is plausible that if it fails in file check (Even though it passes the next ones) that may be the cause of your cdu wiping.  perhaps on the first attempt when it fails that's where it clears your route.

If I get a chance tonight, I will run my file check and report back to you if mine ever fails.  (I don;t think it does) But I will let you know the next time I try.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Trevor Hale on October 05, 2015, 11:18:33 AM
Oh One other thing..  Disable AVG LOL  That could also be a pain in the ass.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on October 05, 2015, 02:08:10 PM
I'm curious to see your pmfilecheck report.

I have AVG and Zonealarm running in background, I know they can be serious problems.
They didn't for years but a simple update can be killing.

I will also try without them running in background.

About the READ access fail I will have to search for the folders authorizations in Windows 10.
I recently updated the main FS PC to this but that was after the erasing problem had occured.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Bob Reed on October 18, 2015, 09:14:28 AM
Ok scojj, I am up and running once more. I am not using the latest builds but I can tell you I am not experiencing the problem you are having. I have about 8 flights in already with none of those kind of issues.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on November 05, 2015, 11:03:09 AM
Hello dear friends ,

It seems that I've found the solution to the problem.

The firts flight is at the moment in the descent phase after the correction, and my waypoints are still alive...

The concern was about a major update of the PM glass cockpit software.
This newer version installed in a different folder from the older one that was named "PFD", in a new folder named "GC", with newer config files.
In the .ini file, the aircraft type has to be set to "CDU" if one runs the PM CDU software besides the glass cockpit software.
And with a new installation it was not the case...

After correction of this line in the .ini file, it seems to be obviously the solution, at least for this first flight .

In french there is a sentence that says "the devil lies in the details"...

Best regards and thanks to you all for your help.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Trevor Hale on November 05, 2015, 12:15:25 PM
Excellent to hear. And now we have a record of this for the next time. Awesome job and thank you for reporting this back to us. Happy flying.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: blueskydriver on November 05, 2015, 12:29:06 PM
That's awesome, way too keep digging to find the problem! Thank you for posting... Can you post the PM update number that caused this please?

Best Regards,

John
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on November 05, 2015, 01:06:18 PM
Keeping the post up to date was of course a thing to do since you were all present to listen, care and help and I thank you for that.

The precise version is difficult to fix because the last official installer at PM site is from 2014-08-27 and there are multiples updates after this date.

Also the version n° of the last complete setup is 5.06 and the last update is 5.12.

To be complete and honest I run PM softwares from years and it's possible that more than a few years ago the installation folder has changed : I had reinstalled the PFD software recently so that's the source of the problem.

The conclusion is : if you have to reinstall one or more software from PM, be sure to read again the user's manual to complete all steps of the configuration in the .ini files, to be sure they comply with your setup.
 

Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on November 07, 2015, 02:46:20 AM
Here we go again...:(

The previous flight was normal but yesterday I made a second flight during which the same problem occured again.
I didn't change anything in the programs setup...

As Shakespeare wrote, "There is something rotten..." in my PC.

I think the only solution will be a clean reinstallation of Windows 7 and the PM suite from 0.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on November 08, 2015, 12:36:32 PM
Something strange that I noticed is that this particular line in the pfd.ini file containing "AircraftType=..." automatically resets to "AircraftType=b737-800" where it should be "AircraftType=CDU" and has been fixed to it.

That's the heart of the problem for sure.
But why ?

I can observe that each time after a flight when the problem occurs with the waypoints, the line is automatically changed  in the pfd.ini file.

Also "B737-800" doesn't refer to such an existing file in the pfd folder.




Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on November 11, 2015, 11:54:30 AM
Well gents, here is an update...

I did a complete cleanup of my PC.
Removed a HDD that was not concerned by PM and the system but was declared as failing by the BIOS test.
Made a clean reinstall of Windows 7 and all the PM suite, with the latests setups and updates.
Carefully set the ini files of the PM softwares.

And still the same problem...

So I have not reached the heart of it...

Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: blueskydriver on November 12, 2015, 10:20:39 AM
Try going into your main PM folders and FS folders (the root folders) and sitting up shares for "Everyone". Make sure you do the same for the security. If you don't see an "Eveyone" you will have too add it manually, and then check read write access...

I am guessing that it's a sharing issue. You reinstalled everything, it worked and quit later on. When I switched from Win XP to Win 7 I had similar issues of folders not connecting. That could also explain the FSPath failure on the first line. So, it could be that Win 7 updates was the problem, did you have Win 7 updates turned on before and after the reinstall?

Finally, one other thing I noticed, you're naming folders with a dash - in between words...like Glass-PC. Don't use dashes, use underlines like Glass_PC or no underllnes or spaces at all. PM was written at a time when naming conventions mattered and dashes were a big red flag. It might not matter, but I stick with old methods because they work and Win Any Version is nothing more then a super Win DOS (where naming conventions got started) operating system with a hyped up GUI (graphical user interface).

John
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Trevor Hale on November 13, 2015, 11:33:54 AM
Same thing I suggested. It has to be an issue like that.

Scott, I thought you posted this was fixed? I am sure you found it already.

Or was I dreaming?

Trev
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Bob Reed on November 14, 2015, 07:02:44 AM
Going down to the sim today. I am sure I am not having this issue bit I will report on what I find.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on November 14, 2015, 08:32:23 AM
Thank you all for your help and comments.

To resume :

It worked again one time, when I corrected the pfd.ini line and then occured again.

I reinstalled Windows 7 and the PM softwares (with the latest setup and updates) from scratch, carefully checking the sharing of the folders and the .ini files. PMfilecheck was ok.
I checked that I can access the shared folders from a remote computer and modify their content.

All seems correct, I have checked once again befaore answering right now.

But the problem still occurs.

I just have disabled the UAC on the PM PC right now, and will try once again...


Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Bob Reed on November 14, 2015, 09:06:46 AM
I just completed the first flight since I have been home and have no such issues. This has got to be either a sharing issue or a settings issue....
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on November 15, 2015, 02:11:58 PM
Hi Bob,

Thank you for your kind help.

I'm sur this has to be related to a sharing or setting issue, but I checked, re-checked and re-re-checked everything.
After disabling the UAC nothing changed.

Typically, during the initial climb, at 2000 feet or so, exactly when I hit the N1 button on the MCP, the waypoints vanish in the CDU (LEGS page)...


Here is what you have to know about my config :

-The main PC is W10 (but the problem occured with W7) and I use P3DV2.

-The remote PC is the one where PM softwares are installed, along with the hardware : CPFlight MCP-Pro with one EFIS-Pro and a complete pedestal.
And also a FDS CDU.
This worked fine some months ago.



I made several trials and errors to try to find the matter of the problem.

- updated the firmware of the CPFlight MCP to be sure. No result.
- updated the FDS software (FDS controler) but no result.
- checked a multiple times the CDU.ini and pfd.ini files : the only thing I found were that in the CDU.ini file the NetDir folder is referred as "netdir" whereas it is "NetDir".

Also in the pfd.ini file the lline "Type" is set to "CDU" and the AircrfatType line automatically sets to "b737-800" even when I leave it blnak as recommended in the PM user's guide. I don't know if this means something.

- i tried to unplug the CPFlight hardware in case the problem would be an interaction with it. No result : when I click N1 in the MCP PM window, the waypoint disappear...


- I looked inside the CDU pages as displayed in the PM CDU and here is what I saw.

In the main menu you can choose MAINT and then NETDIR. I had this display :

                                              NETDIR SETUP

E:\CDU\NETDIR\         
<USE CDU.INI NETDIR         LSK1

   CREATE ON FS PC>              RSK2

GLASS-PC
<LOCAL COMPUTER            LSK3

<USE C: PATH                    LSK4
CURRENT NETDIR
E:\CDU\NETDIR\            LSK5

In my setup the PM sotwares are installed on the E:\ HDD.

So the line "E:\CDU\NETDIR\" is right.
But if I choose LOCAL COMPUTER at LSK3, the display at "current netdir" becomes "\\GLASS-PC\C\CDU\NETDIR" WHICH IS WRONG !!!!
If I choose USE C: PATH at LSK4 the display at "current netdir" becomes "E:\CDU\NETDIR\"

Anyway I read in the PM user's manual that the reference to the NetDir folder should be as "\\Computer Name\NetDir"
Any other local reference would be wrong.

The MAIN problem is that in the lines above, the reference is WRONG because it should be "\\GLASS-PC\NETDIR" and not "GLASS-PC\C\CDU\NETDIR"

So probably this can be the main problem, but I don't know how to find the solution.
Please remember that all seems to be good in the .ini files...



Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: blueskydriver on November 15, 2015, 08:49:48 PM
First, please post a copy of your PFD.ini, CDU.ini and MCP.ini text files or if you prefer send me your email address in a private message and I will send you my email address back. Then, you can email me copies of your files too review.

What is the port id number that the MCP is given after you plug it into the remote PC (that is where you plugged it in correct)?

Is your hardware directly plugged into the computer USB ports or are you using a hub? What type of ports are you using, are they USB 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 or 3.0...the same for the hub, what USB port type is it?

Next, unplug the CPFlight MCP unit from the computer, and then just use the onscreen display version of the PM MCP. Do as you normally would and engage N1 at 2000 feet using your mouse to select the N1 button. What happens? If the CDU LEGS stay as the should, it is an MCP problem.

If just removing the CPFlight MCP unit doesn't fix it, unplug all hardware from the PM remote pc and just use the PM software onscreen displays only, if the legs stay as they should, then you add one piece of hardware at time too see what happens.

Next, rename your remote computer in windows to something like PMREMOTEPC and that's it. Then make sure that is what FSUIPC and WideFS see. Which version of FSUIPC and WideFS are you using? Did you update those programs recently prior too all of this problem starting? Did you go into those programs and set them up too use names or ip address. Did you make a dedicated ip address for both your W10 and your PM machine or are you using DHCP mode. It's better too make dedicated ip addresses.

Do you use Skype? If so, let me know how too contact you in the private message...

John
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on November 16, 2015, 08:50:23 AM
Hi John,

Thank you for your help and review.

I joined a copy of the CDU, MCP and PFD .ini files for your review. They are all in a .rar file for complying with the forum rules for attached files.

You're right, the MCP is plugged to the remote PC, at COM port 4.

I don't use any hub, all hardware modules are connected to USB ports that are 2.0. (they only need 2 ports)

I did the test that you suggested : unplug all hardware and launch a flight only with the onscreen PM software. I had the same problem : when clicking on the "N1" button during the initial climb, all waypoints vanished in the CDU and PFD.

My PC are not with fixed IP adresses, the router is running rather in DHCP mode. I'll try to enter it's configuration and get fixed IP adresses.

I will also try to rename the remote PC with a simpler name (excluding the "-" sign).

I use FSUIPC (registered) ver 4.943, which is not strictly the latest one but a very recent one.

I use WideFS ver 6.9.9.9 which is the latest one.



Thank you again for your kind help.  :)


PS : I have skype but if I can write in english, I cannot speak fluently... so I'm ashamed .... :(

Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on November 16, 2015, 11:11:58 AM
A little update :

I change the computers' names to "FSPC" (for the server) and "GlassPC" (for the remote PC).

That didn't solve the issue.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: RayS on November 16, 2015, 02:34:17 PM
Quote from: scojj on November 16, 2015, 08:50:23 AM

My PC are not with fixed IP adresses, the router is running rather in DHCP mode. I'll try to enter it's configuration and get fixed IP adresses.


That might be your problem right there. Try and get those PCs all using a static IP address and make sure your configs across the board all use those new IPs. Also make sure they are all on the same subnet. I recall a conversation years ago with Peter Dowson that weird things can happen if all the PCs aren't on the same subnet.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Bob Reed on November 16, 2015, 04:10:36 PM
So I believe you said this all started before an update? Have you tried going back a couple of versions with the PM software to see what happens? This is very strange behavior indeed and I am as stumped as you are. When you did your clean install, did you do the Windows updates before you installed PM and tried the flight? There is something at the very basic settings we are missing here. Be it PM, FSUIPC or Windows.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on November 17, 2015, 10:23:29 AM
Hi Ray and Bob,

I changed the IP addresses configuration of my PCs (with fixed IP on the router).

If I'm right, the only line to change is in the WideFs.ini file, is that right ?

Well, that didn't prevent the same problem to occur.


I will try two last things :

- setting the NetDir= line in the CDU.ini file from "\\Glasspc\NetDir" but to "E:\CDU\NetDir".

and if there is no result with it,

- try to install an old version from 2013 of the PM softwares.

The problem occured after an update during the 2015 year, I don't remember exactly when.

After that, I have no more idea of what to do.

I submited a ticket to the official PM site on september 15, had only 1 answer on october 7 (asking for the airport, SID, STAR, to reproduce the problem) and no later answer after that even if I posted some updates on the ticket ...



EDIT :

a trial after the change in the NetDir line in the CDU.ini file didn't change my problem.

I'm now uninstalling the actual version to reinstall the older (2013) version of the softwares.


By the way, the Windows update in Windows 7 is disabled...

Thank you again for your interrest in my problem and challenge ;)
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: blueskydriver on November 17, 2015, 11:46:06 AM
Hi JJ,

I did look over your .ini files and I just haven't had a chance to compare them with mine yet. However, here is your CDU.ini file below, please make the changes that I show by this text /CHANGE.

You can leave that line in there as it's just a way too make a note.

I think what happens in the updated version it auto creates the netdir by using the name \\Glass-PC\netdir where you named the remote computer GlassPC. It should read NetDir=\\GlassPC\netdir.

So, make sure you turn on the DisableAutoNetDir=On...

I also changed other items too do with Flushing the CDU. Did you change anything regarding IP address usage versus DHCP yet? I think with everything working before and then you did the PM update, it was the update that changed everything. Did you backup your .ini files before you did the updates? If so, please send me a copy of the ones that worked too compare.

As a way of not having this happen again, if you did not do backups before an update, you copy the folders and move them onto a backup drive somewhere. Do this for all your remote PM folders, your WideFS folder, and your entire FSX folder from that computer. This way you'll always have the files if things go crazy.

I really wish we could Skype as it's faster too tell you what to do over my one-finger typing on my ipad...lol. You are from Germany (sorry I forgot), but if so I might be able too understand "poor English". I was stationed in Germany for 3 years; although, my use of the German lanuage is really poor, but I can still make out a little or at least someone trying to speak English who is German.

Let us all know if you switched back too an older version or not. I rather you don't and we help you solve this issue with the updated PM files.

Best Regards,

John


[Project Magenta CDU]
Build#512

[Display]

Title=On
                              / Enables/Disables Title Bar.
WindowName=Project Magenta CDU - Build 512
                              / You can set the name in the Title
                              / Bar here.
Topmost=Off
                              / Will set the CDU program on top
                              / of any other window.
FSWindow=Off
FSFocus=Off
                              / Will try to be inside the FS window
                              / and give back the focus to FS after
                              / a key has been pressed
Minimize=Off
                              / Will minimize after initialization

[Network]

DisableAutoNetDir=On /CHANGE
                              / Automatically creates the netdir
                              / entry when enabled
NetDir=\\GLASSPC\netdir\   /CHANGE
                              / Sets the folder which shares data
                              / with the other programs
SBPPath=
                              / Fath to the folder in which Squawkbox
                              / flightplans are saved

[Flight]

LimitMCPSpeed=Off
AutoFlapRetract=Off
AutoFlapExtract=Off
                              / MCP Speed limits set by MCDU, flap
                              / retraction auto or manual
LowAlt=Off
                              / Also use Low Altitude Airways when
                              / autorouting

[User]
Printer=
PrinterMargin= 0
PrinterWidth= 0
PrinterFont=courier new
PrinterFontBold=Off
PrinterFontSize= 10
                              / Printer name to target print outputs,
                              / has to be set
                              / Current printer is:
                              / \\JJ500-PC\Brother HL-2030 series
LastBuild= 512
                              / Last version of the software run
                              / on this PC
DeleteCFPFiles=Off
                              / Automatically deletes binary CDU
                              / Flight Plan Files (.CFP files)
                              / when flight plans flushed and program
                              / exits.

[Hardware]
FSC1=
FSC2=
EngravityComm= 0
                              / Serial communication to Engravity
                              / CDU hardware
SFSComm=Off
                              / Simflight Studio Communication
                              / handling
EHIDComm=Off
EHIDPort=
                              / UDP communication to FMC hardware,
                              / do not set it to on if you do not
                              / have any such hardware connected
                              / This is for EHID Support
ElanComm= 0
                              / Serial communication to CDU hardware
                              / Logs flight path calculation.
Font=pmbcdu
FontNoSerif=Off
FontBold=Off
FontFactor= 1
                              / Font display parameters
UseOtherFont=
                              / Override Default Font (unsupported,
                              / use at your own discretion)
Text=colour
BackgroundBlue=On
                              / To set blue background in full
                              / text mode
PreFlight=Full
                              / Can be set to Off/On/Full which
                              / results in different handling of
                              / the CDU setup process. E.g speeds
                              / and weights are set automatically
                              / when this is off.
LastNavData=OCT15NOV11/15
NoSelPrompt=Off
                              / Disables RWY and CO RTE SEL prompts
RteSecond=Off   /CHANGE
                              / Route Legs not shown on first page
                              / when this is set to on
RteLNAVUpdate=Off
                              / Route is not updated when not in
                              / LNAV
NoAwyPrompt=Off
                              / Disables option to offer airway
                              / proposals for route page entries
SetIdent=Off
                              / Defaults to IDENT Page
Flush=Off
                              / Flushes data from the CDU on startup.
FlushOnLand=Off   /CHANGE
                              / Flushes data from the CDU when
                              / speed is below 60 knots
DescendNowNM= 50
                              / Distance from T/D at which DESCEND
                              / NOW is anunciated on the DES page
                              / (lower alt selected, VNAV)
Messages=Off
                              / Displays current messages in the
                              / Scratchpad.
NoCOMXPDR=Off
                              / Disables COM/XPDR display in the
                              / NAV RAD page
KeyboardLights=On
KeyboardLightsXP=On
                              / Lights keyboard lights when EXEC,
                              / MESS, FAIL light up
AutoKeyLayout=On
KeyLayout=N1
                              / Setting from MENU/DISPLAY where
                              / the type of keyboard layout is
                              / controlled
FixPages= 6  /CHANGE
                              / Max Number of Fix Pages 1-6
PageUpdate= .8
RemotePageUpdate= 1.1
                              / Sets the update frequency of the
                              / local and the remote CDU screen
RemoteKeyhandler=Off
                              / Allows to make inputs on the CDU
                              / for the RCDU
                              / Alt Key A-Z 0-9 . / + Del, Enter
                              / and Backspace
                              / Shift F1 to F12 LSK
                              / Ctrl F1 to F12 Command Buttons
                              / To exit you have to press Ctrl-Q
                              / when this is enabled
AutoILSLOC=Off
                              / Sets LOC CRS automatically
ShowFrqinRoute=On
                              / Displays frequency of VORs/NDBs
                              / on the LEGS page
CLBThrOAT=Off
                              / Uses OAT instead of TAT for the
                              / climb thrust calculation
PlanStep=Off
                              / Handles the scrolling of the LEGS
                              / page differently in PLAN mode
AutoGear=Off
                              / Auto Gear for Standalone version
DisableDoubleClick=Off
                              / disables minimizing upon mouse
                              / double click
NoOrigFlush=On   /CHANGE
                              / Does not Flush data when origin
                              / is entered
NoFSGWT=Off
                              / Does not display FS gross weight
                              / in the PERF INIT page [in brackets]
Case=Gray
Log=Off
                              / Logs flight path calculation/ CDU
                              / procedures
StrobeLights=Off
StrobeBacklight=Off
                              / Shift Register Light Handling Customizaition
ShowPreflightComplete=On
PresetPos=Off
                              / Loads Preset Position and writes
                              / it into simulator

[OpenGL]
                              / This section is for OpenGL settings
                              / and OpenGL Full Screen Display
UseOpenGL=On
                              / Will use OpenGL rather than normal
                              / windows text, 24 columns, 14 rows
FontSmoothViaPolygons=On
                              / When set to on, font smoothing
                              / for display is done via polygons,
                              / if off, via blended outlines
UseOpenGLFull=Off
                              / Bitmap-less full screen operation
SetOpenGLFull=On
                              / Will automatically Maximize screen
                              / for full screen operation
OpenGLFullX= 12
OpenGLFullY= 0
OpenGLFullZ= 0
OpenGLFullWidth= 0
OpenGLFullHeight=-3
OpenGLFullFontSize= 0
OpenGLFullSpacing= 0
OpenGLFullScratchPad= 0
OpenGLFullTitleText= 0
OpenGLFullRotate= 0

[Max]
Full=Off
                              / Full screen text activation and
                              / parameters
                              / To set, use MENU key (twice), DISPLAY,
                              / FULL SCREEN pages
FullTopmost=Off
FullNoFrame=Off
InvertFull=Off
ScreenTop= 0
ScreenLeft= 0
ScreenHeight= 5175
ScreenWidth= 9600
TextTop= 580
TextLeft= 360
TextWidth= 7018
TextOffset= 1110

[COMMAND Keyboard Codes]
                       //these are used *in addition* to the Ctrl-F1-F12 etc. commands
                       //for INIT/REF RTE ETC

Access=

[Key]=OEDBN
Key=QYXVD39

Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on November 17, 2015, 12:47:58 PM
Hi John,

Thank you very much for your help.

(I'm from Belgium and my native language is french.).

Here is what I did from my last answer.

- change the IP adresses and get fixed IP adresses for both the server and remote PC. The only thing to change then is in the WideFS.ini file with the line "ServerIPAddress=...", right ?
That was not a solution to my problem.

- change the NetDir line in the CDU.ini file : I read again the user's guide from PM and saw that the reference to the NetDir folder is written as "E:\Data\" or "\\SERVER\C\", but not "E:\Data\NetDir" or "\\SERVER\C\NetDir".
I did this change but it was not a solution to my problem.

- revert back to a 4.92 version of the setup for CDU, PFD and MCP, which are from 2013, so 2 years ago.
That DID solve my problem !!!
I could make 3 flights without seeing the waypoints disappearing after engaging N1.


So my conclusion is that OBVIOUSLY the newer versions of the PM software induced that bug.

I will also try what you suggest with the newer version that I can easily reinstall.

Unfortunately I haven't kept any copy of older .ini files.

Thank you very much again for caring, paying attention and trying to add solutions to the problem.

Without this unofficial support forum, I woulld still be wihtout any help...



Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: blueskydriver on November 17, 2015, 01:12:07 PM
Okay, I thought it was Germany...sorry about that.

So, the DisableAutoNetDir= is what I think is causing the problem in the updated versions. In your older versions it all works fine. Will you please look at your CDU.ini from your older, now working version, and see if it has the DisableAutoNetDir=off or is it on? Also, what does your NetDir= have now that it works? Will you please attach the same 3 .ini files of your working version; I want to compare them all..

As for your WideFS, yes it should be the ServerIPAddress= the ipaddress of the FSX computer or you can have both I think at the same time:

ServerIPAddress=
ServerName=

John
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Bob Reed on November 17, 2015, 02:21:18 PM
Tonight or tomorrow night I will report what versions of the software I am running. I am not having the OP's issues. Glad it is working.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on November 21, 2015, 04:40:39 AM
Hi Bob and John,

Sorry for the delay for answering, I've been very busy those last days.

So in both the non-working version (512) and the older but working version (492) the DisableAutoNetDir= is set to off.

I have attached the 3 ;ini files of the 492 (working) version, thank you for your work !

Bob, did you have the opportunity to check what version you are using ?

Best regards.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: blueskydriver on November 22, 2015, 07:52:17 AM
Same here for me, been dealing with shed issues all week...

Anyway, just a quick glance and I see that your older CDU.ini ver 492, it has NETDIR=\\GLASSPC\netdir and in your new ver 512 it had NETDIR=\\GLASS-PC\netdir and that means there is difference in the way the DisableAutoNetDir is working.

When you say DisableAutoNetDir=no you're telling PM to use the AutoNetDir part, which basically makes the folder netdir (in a sense). And, when you say DisableAutoNetDir=yes you're telling PM to not use the AutoNetDir part.

The problem is when the DisableAutoNetDir=no (working) it is adding the dash. Here is why... You renamed the machine GlassPC and yet, your cdu.ini showed the dash was there again between Glass-PC. So, the real issue is Windows does not do dashes well or at all in networking naming conventions. I would guess that is why you kept having issues.

Still, the question is do you want to try again? If so, you could always setup two locations for your cdu folder; use one for the new version and one for the old version. What you do is have two folders on your remote pc and nane them CDU1 and CDU2, and then install your PM CDU base software into both. After that you do your updates in CDU1 to version 492, so you can still fly. In CDU2 folder, you add updates up to the newest version 512, so that you can try to get it to work or call it "testing"

Next, you must add two CDU exe icons on your desktop and name them CDU492 and CDU512 respectively. Just double click CDU492 icon when you want too do some flying and CDU512 icon only when you want too test 512 (not both at the sane time). The simplest way is to first go too CDU1 folder, find the CDU icon, right mouse click, select send to desktop. Now, go to that icon on the desktop and right mouse click it and select rename, and rename it too CDU492. After that do the same thing again, but go to CDU2 folder this time; also, change the desktop name too CDU512, so you will know which one is which later on.

As for the other aspects of PM, most times new versions will work with older version files, so as for PM PFD, PMSystems and etc, they can be the 492 versions while trying out CDU512; however, once you get the CDU side working in 512, you then switch the other programs up too version 512.

The point here is too only deal with one part of it at a time and since it's a CDU issue, that's how I would do it...

John
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on November 22, 2015, 08:10:11 AM
Thank you John !!!

Nice work and detailed analysis from you.

I had not catched the GLASSPC ou GLASS-PC line mismatch.
This was recent, from when I changed the computer's names to avoid the "-" in the name.
So it can explain recent failure but not the whole story, of course.

I will correct it and try again.

I can easily switch from 4.92 to 5.12 by erasing the folder's content and uncompressing there some .rar files containning the files related to one or the other version.

thanks again!
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on November 22, 2015, 09:01:21 AM
Hi John,

I checked the GLASSPC or GLASS-PC issue in the CDU.ini file.

In the actual .ini files from both versions the computer's name is correct, so I guess that I have sent you the .ini file related to the 512 version prior to changing the computer's name.

Yesterday evening I made a test (with the correct computer name on the CDU.ini file) but the problem still occured.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: Bob Reed on November 22, 2015, 09:09:45 AM
I think I am running version 512. I will have to look a little later.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on November 22, 2015, 11:52:42 AM
Thanks Bob,
As Shakespeare said, there must be something rotten in my PCs...
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on April 02, 2016, 03:27:38 PM
An important new for this topic : my support ticket at PM had an asnwer and after all this time a solution came with the 2016 march updates of the PM softs (cdu513d, gc513e and mcp513e).

So Idon't know what exactly was the problem, but the solution eventually came from PM and I thank them for that.

This can be important to know if someone had the same waypoint problem.
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: jackpilot on April 04, 2016, 05:26:11 AM
As there is no more forum on PM can you give us your opinion on these latest builds.
Jack
Title: Re: waypoints vanishing from the CDU route
Post by: scojj on April 04, 2016, 11:56:01 AM
The more important was to enjoy the latest development on the glass cockpit without having the waypoints vanishing problem occuring again.

I didn't notice any difference with ver 5.12, ecxept the waypoint problem solved.

I have had to revert back to ver 4.92 to get the waypoints back but now it's finished ! ;)