Service & Support

FAQ for AS2 | FAQ for 3DAGS and ATP | Downloads AS2 | Downloads 3DAGS/ATP

Sounds:

Q: I run Windows XP and have no or garbled sound.

A:Windows XP sound system is flawed. We recommend, even if your sound seems to work, to use the VDMSound Utility. Download and install both version 2.0.4 and its update. This utility will also give you full support of USB Joysticks with AS2.

Q: I run Windows XP with VDMSound, but there are words missed by spoken ATC/ATIS.

A:Right click the icon, that you launch AS2 under VDMSound with, properties, advanced, adlib tab, make sure that "dev." is checked and select "Microsoft Sound Mapper (wave)" as output device, then go to the soundblaster tab, also make sure "Dev." is checked and select "Microsoft sound mapper (wave)" too. That should take care, that all words are now spoken properly.

Q: I have installed Windows Millenium on my machine, and don't get sound or get only garbled sound.

A:Windows Millenium has introduced some problems on DMA, that we fixed with patch 2.07. Upgrade to this version, please.

Q: I have a sound card based on Via Chipset and don't get sound, get only garbled sound or sound fails after several minutes.

A:This problem is known and has been fixed with version 2.07. Upgrade to latest version, please.

Q: I have got a Yamaha OPL-3 Chip on my computer's main board, and experience problems. Often, when I try to launch AS2, I get no sound and need to reboot my machine a couple of times before I get sound. When I get sound, it lasts only for a couple of minutes before sound fails again and AS2 crashes out.

A: This sounds like outdated Yamaha OPL-3 drivers, that are supplied with some motherboards. Get the latest revision of those drivers from http://www.yamahayst.com .

Q: I have got intermittent strange sounds and/or pauses on my AS2, what is this and how can I get rid of
them? I am running AS2 in a Win9x DOS-Box.

A: Make sure, that tasks on Win9x like Fast File Find, Printer monitors and other similar tasks are not
running, while AS2 is executed. AS2 like any other time critical real time animation needs full horse
power by the CPU and does not respond well to interruptions by the operating system to run other tasks.

Q: When running AS2 in Windows DOS Box, I hear funny/weird sounds.

A: Make sure, that SMARTDRIVE isn't loaded in your AUTOEXEC.BAT, as it is conflicting with Windows 9x and AS2. It's not needed as well, as Windows is providing the disk caching by itsself anyway.

Q: My sound does come from the PC-Speaker, not my soundcard and speakers.

A: Check the resources of your soundcard in (Win9x) Start,Settings, System, Device Manager, your soundcard (DOS or SB emulation if present), Resources. The i/o ports 388 to 38b must be covered by the card (the original SB FM-ports), as they are used by AS2 to detect the presence of a compatible soundcard. If these ports are not covered, try out the different configurations available (you need to uncheck the automatic resource settings) or change the address yourself. Some sound cards with OPTI chipset will have the address at 390 to 39B by default, change that manually to 380 to 38b, and it works.

Q: Where do I get DOS drivers for my SBLive card from?

A: Check out http://easymamecab.mameworld.net/html/snddosdr.htm, as Creative Labs no longer seem to offer those drivers for download or provide them with their CDs.

Install:

Q: When running setup (Win9x autostart) installation crashes.

A: Make sure, that for the install all other tasks have been finished. Installshield does not work with several Anti-Viruspackages active. To terminate all other tasks (except Explorer and SysTray), press CTRL-ALT-DEL, then highlight the task in the upcoming window asking for "End Task, Shutdown, Cancel" and click "End Task". Repeat, until all tasks but Explorer and Systray have been terminated.

Q: I want to install the patches using Install-Shield (e.g. AS202CORE.EXE or AS209SCN.EXE) under pure DOS, can I do that?

A: Download RAR For DOS Software to extract the files stored in the Install-Shield Archive.

Q: I have Windows Millenium, it doesn't give me expanded memory as needed to run AS2.

A: Microsoft has posted good advice on how to enable expanded memory.

General:

Q: I run Windows XP and my joystick doesn't work.

A:Use the VDMSound Utility. Download and install both version 2.0.4 and its update. This utility will give you full support of both gameport and USB Joysticks with AS2 (aileron, elevator, rudder and throttle).

Q: Is AS2 compatible with Windows NT, Windows 2000 or Windows XP?

A:We are sorry, but we have not managed to get AS2 running under Windows NT or Windows 2000. However, we managed to establish compatibility with Windows XP starting version 2.10. We do recommend all users of 2.10 under Windows XP however to upgrade to version 2.11. If you are running Windows XP, you can use AS2.11 within the DOS Box.

Q: Is AS2 compatible with Windows Millenium?

A:AS2 has been successfully tested on Windows Millenium (Windows ME), the successor of Windows 98. Note though, that rebooting into DOS Mode does not appear to be supported by Windows ME anymore, so you need to use the DOS Box (no ATI accelerator support).

Q: When I try to launch the program from the desktop icon I get the opening screen followed by the following error message -

A: Sorry about that - apparently you are launching via "Use USA scenery" icon. There's a file missing (MODE1.MOD). You can cure that by copying file AS2USA.MOD to MODE1.MOD or by upgrading to latest patch version.

Q: I am having problems working with the MD-83 Performance Computer, what keystrokes is it using? I can not adjust the numbers …

A: The Performance computer actually computes those numbers based on the selected mode, outside temperature and other factors. You can not modify these numbers directly, you just can tell the performance computer that you want takeoff thrust, flex takeoff, cruise, MCT (max continous), climb or go-around thrust. You can select these modes by activating the thrust computer (ALT-7 number pad) and then ALT-F1 to ALT-F6 to select the mode. Note, that for TOGA button to work also arming the according autopilot modes, you need to select "Takeoff" or "Flex Takeoff" before takeoff or "Go Around" in the beginning of the approach …

Q: How can I silence Master Caution, Autothrottle Disconnect warning, AutoPilot Disconnect warning and other alarms?

A: To cancel any of the alarms press ALT-C. The warning light might continue to flash as long as the error condition persists, but any aural alarm will be cancelled at once (unless it reoccurs).