Questions on gracefully shutting down multiple systems [SOLVED]

[fsaviator]

Hey all.

Looking for some help/ideas on how others are gracefully shutting down their multiple system setups.

My startups are easy...  power buttons on all systems and they boot right up while shortcuts in the various startup folders execute my Sioc and Prosim.  No issues, all screens are always right where I left them, and FSX puts me at my favorite gate, cold and dark.

Shutdown on the other hand isn't so easy.  So far I've not had any issues just shutting down via the Start button.  No need to individually exit anything except for FSX first, but....

As I only have one keyboard via a KVM switch, I have to cycle through each system, press the start button which depending on the system use could be in the corner of a DU on the MIP, the lower DU... or a CDU.  Then...  I have to select Start and then Shut down...  then confirm shut down...  you guys/gals have lived it, you know the deal.

Short of a switch off the mains, is there an easier way?  A script that will run on multiple networked PCs, or something?

Thanks,

[tennyson]

I'm just a novice here, mate, but while working on another sim, I saw the use of "TightVNC".

It's free utility that loads to all of your PC's and allows you direct access via one master PC (or any of the PC's via the server facility).

I loaded it to my set-up here and I can remotely log in to each PC, change settings, etc. and shut down each unit as well.

It sure saves some time and set-up costs.

Hope this helps,


Frank Cooper

[saabpilot]

I might point you in a feasable direction 

I use PM and can shut all computers down with one button press.
This is done through WideFS and FSUIPC by adding the line allow shutdown=yes to the ini files.
The button press I suspect is easy and only uses an offset in FSUIPC.

Louis Gordos "Instructor Station" has the same possibility to shut down all connected computers from the interface.
But best is if you ask Marty at ProSim for a means to shut all down via their "Instructor" Interface.
He is very helpful and will fix this in no time if it is not already available.

Another, but a lot clumsier, way is to use TeamViewer or VNC and do it one by one.

Bjorn

[DEDHead]

You can use the Remote Shutdown Tool built in to Windows to do your shutdowns.  From the CMD line (or from RUN) type shutdown -i to bring up the interactive version of the tool (see attached screenshot). You can also script the shutdown into a .bat file with commands like shutdown /s /t 10 / f /m \\fsx-comp-1, etc... and then just run the batch file.

This tool will gracefully shutdown the PC's so you don't need to worry about corruption.  To see all the switches available from the CMD line type in shutdown -?

Don

[fsaviator]

Well Gents...thanks for all the replies.

I have achieved success thanks to all of you guys.  First, I can't believe that I had forgotten all about FSUIPC and WideFS.  Years ago I used WideFS to do exactly what I needed but had forgotten...  thanks for reminding me Bjorn, and pointing me in the right direction to get this done.

Frank, I was tracking on VNC..  I've used a few over the years but I was trying to avoid it as my system has two TH2GO's and numerous off-size LCD screens.  Trying to juggle the views via VNC was driving me crazy.

Don...  I was completely unaware of the built in Win7 remote shutdown...  I gave it a try and it worked great with the exception of some issues shutting down the clients... I decided to stick to FSUIPC and WideFS but I am definitely making note of this utility.  Thanks!

I also learned about a new utility that is awesome... Input Director!  Wow.  I now control all my systems with one keyboard and one mouse, without dealing with a KVM switch.  I can run my mouse from my instructor station laptop through my CDUs and Lower DU, up into and across my Left, Upper, and Right DU, then up into my TH2GO outside view...  Pretty neat as it spans three PCs.

So as it stands now using FSUIPC and WideFS, I turn on all three systems and they boot up.  My client PCs boot and WideClient waits for FSX to load and contact them before starting up all my Prosim Modules and SIOC.

To shut down, I use a Keypress (CTRL+SHIFT+E) and FSUIPC shuts down all my wideclient Apps and PCs, shuts down the Apps on my Server system, then closes down FSX and finally shuts down my computer.

Exactly what I wanted as I can map my kepress to say...  my Ground Power Switch!  The last thing I do in the cockpit before leaving is turn off Ground Power and boom!  Everything shuts down!

The only issues...  I my lower DU and CDU screens don't auto shut off...  I have to press a button to kill the power.  I'll probably have to fix that with the powerstrip switches.

Thanks again!

Warren

[jackpilot]

The only issues...  I my lower DU and CDU screens don't auto shut off...  I have to press a button to kill the power.  I'll probably have to fix that with the powerstrip switches.

Thanks again!

Warren

I had that problem with my lower DU too (12"Earth montor) Check the strip where all the monitor buttons are find the circuit of the "on" button and wire it across. Worked for me. Screen off when PC shuts down.
Besides , that monitor had a 12V feed so I saved a cord/plug by having it powered straight 12V from one of the PSUs.

[fsaviator]

Thanks Jack...  My lower DU is TV/VGA/AV screen.  I plan to not only use it as a DU, but have it also display external views, and DirecTV as my entertainment on "long" flights.

I'll give it a shot.

Warren

[Kennair]

Hi Warren, what exactly are the parameters in your .ini file to shutdown the PC's?  I'm fine with starting and closing applications using this method but not closing down the whole PC.  Wondering if you'd share your .ini file?

Cheers,

Ken.

[fsaviator]

Hi Ken,

sorry it's taken so long to get back to this thread...  I'm getting really good at shooting off on tangents with the Sim (actually managed to reprogram my USBKeys PIC so my second CDU seems to work now)j

OK...  lets see...  first, Pete Dowson's got a fix in the newest FSUIPC 4.805 that slowed down FSUIPC from shutting down before the code could execute and close programs on the server system so that looks like it's taken care of.

second, I've got the whole autoshutdown thing turned off with comments right now as I mess with different stuff.  Hopefully I got everything back the way it was.  Everytime I would close out FSX, all my systems would shut down...  yes, I know that is the point but very annoying when you are just needing a restart of FSX.

Third, I have FSX and SIOC set up to start via the Startup folder on the server system.  My client systems that use SIOC also have it starting up from the startup folder.  I chose to let FSUIPC and Wideclient start up Prosim after FSX has loaded (using the READY command).

Here are my [program] and [wideserver] settings within FSUIPC:

[Programs]
Run1=READY,CLOSE,D:\Prosim737\ProsimMCP\ProsimMCP.exe
Run2=READY,CLOSE,D:\Prosim737\ProsimDisplay\ProsimDisplay.exe
Run3=READY,CLOSE,D:\Prosim737\Prosim737\Prosim737.exe

[WideServer]
WideFSenabled=Yes
AdvertiseService=1
ProtocolPreffered=UDP
BroadcastMode=Yes
Port=8002
Port2=9002
AllowShutdown=YES
AutoShutdown=YES
ShutDownHotKey=69,11

Here are my typical Wideclient settings on the client machines:

[User]
Log=Errors+
Background=C:\WideClient\Background.bmp
RunReady1=C:\Prosim737\ProsimDisplay\ProsimDisplay.exe
RunReady2=C:\Prosim737\ProsimAudio\ProsimAudio.exe
RunReady3=C:\Prosim737\ProsimCDU1\ProsimCDU.exe
RunReady4=C:\Prosim737\ProsimCDU2\ProsimCDU.exe
AllowShutdown=YES
CloseReady1=YES
CloseReady2=YES
CloseReady3=YES
CloseReady4=YES


OK, just tested it and it works.  The FSUIPC Wideserver "ALLOWSHUTDOWN=YES" is the line that shuts down the Server PC.  If you change that to NO, then the clients all shutdown, but FSX and the server stay running.

Hope this helps.

Warren

[Kennair]

Excellent, thanks Warren I'll give that a go.

Ken.

[XOrionFE]

This is great stuff Warren.  I appreciate your effort on this and am going to try it out in mine now.   Real timesaver!

thank you,
Scott

[Speedbird17]

I like to have more control over which PCs shut down and when, (useful when I am testing), so I  use this software for PC shutdown in conjunction with FSUIPC for software closure.

http://www.anyplace-control.com/

[fsaviator]

I've tried various remote access software, and it's great for the most part.  The issue I have is using it with TH2GO.  I have two TH2Gos in my setup (outside view and MIP DU's) and I always have a hard time keeping screens straight as the remote PC tries to display the widescreen.  Setup issues aside, the only time I want to interface with a screen and keyboard is my flightplan/topcat/instructor station prior to climbing into the cockpit, and I do that from my day to day laptop at my desk (dispatch).  that's why I'm building a complete cockpit.

-I turn the system on...  everything boots up and I'm at my favorite gate.
-I plan my flight and loadplan and use Prosim737 IS to place me where I want (if it differs from my favorite gate), cold and dark (or whatever) using my day to day laptop (Topcat works over the network) and transfer fuel and loads to my Jetstream model on the FSX system.  I even file my flightplan online through VATSIM via simroutes.

-I climb into the seat and flip whatever buttons I need and go fly
-I land, taxi and park
-I flip a switch and everything shuts down (currently I use a key combo as I have no switch assigned yet)


I'm in the process of working an old touchscreen monitor I have into the system for VATSIM comms (and will eventually be my built in EFB).

[Nick1150]

-I flip a switch and everything shuts down (currently I use a key combo as I have no switch assigned yet)

Hello Warren,

Thanks for the hint. I am trying to do the same thing a long time ago with no luck. I didn't know you have made it possible !!!!

I read very carefully your lines, but the only thing I am missing is where you program the key to shutdown all the PCs ? I am guessing through FSUIPC ? Can you give me a hint ?

Thanks

Nick

[fsaviator]

Hi Nick,

In the  [WideServer] settings:

AllowShutdown=YES [THIS SETTING TELLS FS9 TO ALLOW THE FS9 COMPUTER TO SHUT DOWN]
AutoShutdown=YES [THIS SETTING TELLS FSUIPC TO CONDUCT AN AUTOSHUTDOWN OF REMOTE SYSTEMS]
ShutDownHotKey=69,11 [THIS SETTING IS THE KEY PRESS USING FSUIPC KEY CODES]

In the [User] settings on the remote computers

AllowShutdown=YES [THIS SETTING CORRESPONDS WITH AUTOSHUTDOWN COMMAND IN FSUIPC]

I'm by far an FSUIPC wiz...  I had gotten this working years ago in my other sim and was able with Pete's help to get it working again.  Everytime I delve into FSUIPC I'm amazes at what you can do with it.  Pete is truly a genius.

On another note...  first week of July...  I'll be back in Athens.  Just for a week this time as I have to get up to Germany and report to my new job.  More trips to follow though.  We'll need to put your new plane through the paces.

[Nick1150]

Hi Warren,

Only one week !!!  its not enough time to see everyone here... Anyway at least a recorded online flight will be done, just for the shake...

Actually I have tried your setup and it works great !!! Now I can shut down all PCs with a touch of a button. Unbeleivable !!!

My question though was, if the ctr+shift+E can be changed with a button or a switch connected to my leo bodnard card ? I looked around buttons and switches in FSUIPC and there is no ShutDown option. Nevertheless till I find the so solution in that ctr+shift+E is fine.

Thanks for the great help !!!

Regards,

Nick

[fsaviator]

I know...  a week is not a lot of time.  I will be in Germany though, so hopping down for a week here and there will not be a problem.

As for key to button...  you should be able to map it through FSUIPC under the joystick button tab.

Warren

[Nick1150]

Thanks Warren,

Looking forward to flying together again 

I will try to map it in the buttons & switches tab and revert,

Thanks

Nick

[fsaviator]

The only issues...  I my lower DU and CDU screens don't auto shut off...  I have to press a button to kill the power.  I'll probably have to fix that with the powerstrip switches.

Thanks again!

Warren

I had that problem with my lower DU too (12"Earth montor) Check the strip where all the monitor buttons are find the circuit of the "on" button and wire it across. Worked for me. Screen off when PC shuts down.
Besides , that monitor had a 12V feed so I saved a cord/plug by having it powered straight 12V from one of the PSUs.

OK Jack...  at this stage now...

So, from what you're saying I should basically jumper the two sides of the ON switch, correct?

Warren

[Boeing Skunk Works]

I'm a little late for this topic, but as I'm using (or used) WidevieW, it has an option of shutting down all of the clients from the server after your session. The only drawback for me was that one of the clients was also my utilty desktop that I had to restart after each session shutdown.

Still, it beats having to go around and manually turn off five computers. Five mice, five keyboards, etc. that are not typically convenient to use because of the functions of the computers. One button push from the server and they're all off.