Before reporting an issue

Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 6:24 pm Before reporting an issue

BEFORE REPORTING AN ISSUE

Folks, before posting please ensure:

● you have patched FSX to SP1 (Service Pack 1), available at http://www.fsinsider.com/downloads/Pages/FlightSimulatorXServicePack1.aspx . This is mandatory for Vancouver+ to work properly. It is optional whether you are patched to SP2 (Service Pack 2), or have XPack (Acceleration) installed. If you are unsure what version you have, go to the Help->About menu and check the version number:
RTM (original): 10.0.60905
SP1: 10.0.61355 (Russian: 10.0.61357)
SP2: 10.0.61472
XPack: 10.0.61637
● that you have not moved or copied any Van+ files into different folders
● that you have loaded recommended Van+ configuration settings

If you have crash-to-desktop issues (CTDs) please let us know:

● if they occur at start-up, at which percent value (approx.) of the loading bar they occur
● if they occur during night and day or during a specific season, please try these combinations:
--- day/winter
--- day/spring
--- night/summer
--- night/fall
● if you are using global replacement textures for roads, land class, etc.

Note that if for some reason you've got a faulty installation or have accidentally deleted files in the V+ folders, a "repair" function is available. Run the original setup program we provided, and choose the "repair" option. Or from the Start Menu, choose FSAddon->Vancouver+ FSX->Uninstall Vancouver+ FSX, but choose "Repair", not "Uninstall".

If you do want to report an issue, please provide your system specs (Operating System, CPU type and speed, video card model and amount of video RAM, amount of system RAM, and a list of other addons), and a screenshot if possible (please use SHIFT-Z to show the coordinates).

Here are known issues, no need to report:

Compatibility
● Installing FSX SP2 or Acceleration overwrites the FSX terrain.cfg file: all water in the Vancouver area will become land, and you will lose all custom textures. You can fix up your Vancouver+ installation by running a repair:
Start->All Programs->FSAddon->Vancouver+ FSX->Uninstall, then choose the Repair button and click Next.

MS-dependent - due to incorrect installation

● if you see black squares (that may turn on and off), or wild colour patterns near downtown Vancouver, you have probably not patched FSX to SP1. Uninstall all addons, download the patch (see link above), run the download, run FSX, close, then reinstall your addons.
● if you are running a non-English Operating System, and during the installation the password is not accepted, follow the instructions here: Changing Language for non-Unicode Programs http://setya5785.wordpress.com/2007/12/31/changing-language-for-non-unicode-programs/ . This occurs because our installer currently does not support a unicode environment without help from the Operating System.

MS-dependent – issues caused by changes in, or characteristics of, FSX by MS that we don’t have a fix for

● spray and wake effects only working for AI floatplanes for short time on landing
● you may get a building crash near the Lions Gate Bridge
● Startup at CYVR may start flight at CYV2 or CAM9 (and vice versa) unless specific runway selected. Same issue at CAJ8/CYPK and any other adjacent facilities
● Phototextures will not display snow on the ground in snowy weather
● Flights cannot be stored by category/addon
● Taxiing aircraft may occasionally take odd paths to/from the runway, and run through buildings or docks.
● For the same reason, ATC may direct you to parking ignoring links; you may be directed to go through buildings
● Floatplane AI will land on water runways as well as concrete runways; so you may see the AI use what looks like different landing locations
● Landing landing lights may erratically illuminate land below
● If your aircraft is partially on the edge of a platform, it will sink into the platform: the aircraft must be fully on the platform
● Van+ AI traffic will be disabled if you have any FS9-style AI traffic in other addon
● If you see cruise ships and cargo ships that seem misplaced in Vancouver Harbour, turn down your "Ships and Ferries" slider in the Settings->Customize->Traffic to 10% or less
● You may see autogen (trees and houses) floating above the ground: this usually means your settings are too high and you should turn down your autogen density in particular
● You get an Out of Memory (OOM) error and the sim shuts down, even though you have lots of RAM: documented in this post by Phil Taylor of Microsoft: http://blogs.msdn.com/ptaylor/archive/2007/06/15/fsx-and-win32-process-address-space.aspx . For some users, using FSAutostart to minimize background tasks and defragment memory (be sure to select this option), helps. Download from http://library.avsim.net/download.php?DLID=57040

MS and development dependent – issues due to changes in FSX or our implementation, that we may be able to work around in the future

● Custom waterclass textures only visible with optimized ground textures enabled
● Straight lines in water at some locations (only in the "Standard Ground Textures" option)
● Landing traffic at CYNJ and CYPK may take a jog to the right when slows to taxi speed
● DC-3 object at CYNJ is non-manifold: with ground shadows on it will cast a line shadow in the direction of the user
● Take it slow when coming off the top of the ramp at CAM9 or you may nosedive
● You may see sparks and smoke when flying close to the Lion's Gate Bridge
● No controller in tower at CYNJ
● Startup at "active runway" at elevated helipads sometimes places the user on the ground below; if this occurs then just reload the flight again and it should be fine
● When taxiing in a floatplane near a floatplane base you may briefly see sparks and smoke
● With Settings->Realism "Detect crashes and damage" selected, you will get a so-called "building" crash (and your flight will reset) when you come close to large objects like bridges, without actually touching the object
● If you select Settings->Customize->Scenery "Ground scenery shadows", you may get odd shadowing or flickering in some locations
● landclass in Mission not accurate
● CAD5: leading zero runway designator missing
● various minor road breaks
● texture lines in water off Roberts Bank
● at mesh resolutions of 5m or lower, you will see a spike at the south end of the Port Mann bridge (Near N49 12.47 W122 48.55). Adjust your mesh resolution to 10m
● water AI (like floatplanes and cruisehips may appear to bounce once, now and again. Try changing your Settings->Scenery->mesh resolution to 1m