Andreas Kruschwitz Phantom install

[Lynch]

Sorry, if this is in the wrong forum or has been asked before. I did a few searches and couldn't find any info regarding this.

I recently downloaded Andreas Kruschwitz F4 Phantom (phanf_4ef.zip), and am having trouble getting it into the sim properly. I've installed lots of Aircraft, but this one comes with a ton of extranious files and archives that are just making life difficult. I've done what seems logical (gauges contents = gauges gamefolder) but it won't load.

I'm dying to go Phantom flying. Last time I flew a Phantom was way 'back in the day' with Flight of the Intruder on an Amiga 1000. Unfortunatly FS2004 doesn't offer any Migs to shoot down. :(

Any help on where all this goes is appreciated.
Lynch

[moth01]

Hi Lynch,
Well, it's hard toi see all the lettering in the pic, but these look like thet should be in a folder called Phantom (or whatever its name was).
That folder then goes into your aircraft folder.
I know you said you have installed before so you should already know this.

The compress files like the gauges you will extract the individual gauges into your gauge folder.


Wait, upon enlarging the picture, I see that this may be a folder within a folder. If you go one level up, you should see the McDonnell-Douglas Phantom folder, then going another level up, you should be at your main aircraft folders.

I can't see the whole name of the folder you are displaying. BUt it looks like more then one Phantom folder.
Let's see.
Drag that whole folder out of your Main aricraft folder to the desktop.
Click on that folder. Does another folder open up?

If so, click on THAT folder. Does it open up now where you can see the tems that are in are in your picture? If so then you have to many folders before you get the the ones you need for FS to see.

When you drag a phantom folder back to your Main aircraft folder, it should open up and show the Texture, sound, model folders. Compare this to the default ones.

I think that will cure the problem.
I have seen some files that have too many folders included before you get to the actual planes folders.

I see one cessna for exapmle that when unzipped had two folders before you get to the inside of the Cessna's files.
FS9/Aircraft/Cessna/Cessna_v3/Cessna_v3/ then would show the sub folders.
If it's like this it will not open up.
Should be FS9/Aircraft/Cessna/ then should show sub folders.

Hope this didn't confuse you too much! :)
Let us know if it works.
Gary.

[moth01]

phanf_4efx.zip

Hi,
I just downloaded and there shouldn't be folders within folders on thie file. Looks like a regular downloaded plane file with no special installation schemes.


The plane installed perfectly and flew very well.
How do you install?
Myself I unzip to the Unzipped folder, then simply drag the aricraft's folder over the main Aircraft folder.
Of course unzipping the gauges and placing them where they should go.

The plane showed up in the select menu, with several types and liveries of the F4.

Let me know how you install, and then try to use the drag and drop method to install and see if that works for you.
Take care,
Gary Rabbitt :)

[Lynch]

I should have mentioned. The directory tree you see in the image is just where I temporarily unzip stuff before I move it.

I did the same, unzipped. Pulled the Phantom folder to my Aircraft folder and unzipped the guages in their proper folder.

It ended up crashing my computer everytime I tried to fly the plane. It would load in the selection screen, but once I entered the cockpit down it went. I deleted the folder and all is working again. It's not my computer, I have state of the art everything.

What did you do with these:
Effects.zip
Into FS9-Main-Directory.zip
Into the Mainsound of FS9.zip
VFR-Gauges.zip

I unzipped them as per their names...effects=effects folder, Mainsound = sound in game directory. Didn't seem to help.

Thanks
Lynch

[moth01]

Hi Lynch,
Sounds like you put those files where they belong already.

IIRC there might be a issue with the sound.dll file. I can't remember right now.
Something about replacing an older file with a newer one maybe.

Let's see. If you remove the plane, your progrm works.
If there is an issue with a gauge or effects or sound file, the plane is not being used, so there is no crash.

I would suggest that you remove the plane, and remove the gauges that you added. Remember, some of the gauges you added may have already been in there, so don't delete those.

Remove these files to a temporary folder, remembering where they go.
Now, add back the plane. See if it crashes. If not, then add back the gauge files maybe 2 or 3 at a time and see if one causes the crash.

I deleted the plane and zip file and I'd have to download again. When I tried the plane I did not add any sound or gauges. I only placed the F4 in the aricraft folder. I had no gauges obviously and the sound was not added.

So remove what you can then try the plane only. Add back the other files slowly. add the fssound.dll last.
I have fssound.dll in the modules folder, a new file and an old one that is backed up/renamed. I forget where the Phantom file says to put that one.

Let me know if you do this, and what happens.

Talk to you later,
Gary "Rabbitt?

[angels355]

Hi Gary and Lynch,

You were mentioning a sound dll, I was just installing a few things this evening and came across that sound dll so it's more fresh in my mind than last time I mentioned something about it. There's a file called FSSound.dll which goes into the Modules folder in the main directory of FS9, for certain aircraft which come with that file, if such a plane requires that dll and you don't have that file installed then when trying to use that plane the sim will crash. But as far as I can tell I don't see a Modules folder listed in the files in the photo provided by Lynch that came with this plane so probably not relevant.

I'm in the middle of a dvd and it's a little late, but perhaps tomorrow I might download this file, as I like F4's also and see what it's like. Usually you don't have to install everything to be able to test fly the plane. If you have the aircraft, F4 folder, containing the model, panel, sound, texture, AIR, and aircraft.cfg files, then the plane should fly. The effects, gauges, and most other things aren't necessary if you just want to test fly it, as long as a Module file is not required for the plane to fly. I'd be curious to see what's inside the Into FS9 Main Directory.zip file, perhaps it might be a necessary module that prevents the plane from flying. Any way it's too late for me to download and try it myself tonight, maybe tomorrow.

One of my favorite F4E's is from FS98, I have it installed also in FS9. The graphics of the visual model are very rudimentary by today's photorealistic graphics standards, however this plane is a dream to fly, especially on landing where I'm most critical of a plane. The author is very nice also, Richard ("R.E."/"D*ick") Turner, his main contribution was reworking the flight dynamics and did a very nice job. It has a very nice sound and panel file, and plenty of power, and flies nice. That file name is f-4e70.zip If you install it in FS9, when you select it from the aircraft menu, make sure to select that you do not want to disable unsupported software in this aircraft, otherwise you won't have landing gears.

EDIT: Almost forgot, there are certain aircraft which will only run if you have Windows XP, I think that usually they state that in their "Readme"'s. I noticed Lynch said that he has a state of the art system, so it's probably not relevant for me to mention this, however in case you're using an OS before Windows XP then that could be the problem. Check the Readme if you're using an older OS.

I'll check out that F4 tomorrow probably. Doing installations like this just takes practice. It's nice of you Gary to give him a hand.

Down below here, is Mr. Turner's screen shot of his F-4E Phantom, I'm sure he won't mind me posting it, he's a very nice guy. The graphics will definitely not be what you're used to, however this is a very nice plane to fly:


http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/111245.gif

[angels355]

Lynch,

Sorry to keep you waiting, but I think due to the size of the file I'm going to have to download it this evening, just have dialup. Kruschwitz has some very nice planes, I have his Mig 29 but I use the previous lower thrust air file for it. I spotted his F104, and Mig 23 which I think I'll also download.

Kruschwitz also has an update for his F4, your original file name listed was incorrect it should be: phanf4ef.zip at least that's the way it is listed at flightsim.com . Also the fix file name is phaf4efx.zip . The fix file is probably not needed until you get the orginal file working in the first place.

Sorry to keep you waiting, let us know if you make any progress. What is inside that "into main fs9 directory.zip"?

Are you using XP or an older OS? If the aircraft files are simple and ordinary it probably won't matter, but there are some aircraft which will only work with XP. Also there's that module issue, I don't know yet if there's a module in the package that might cause problems if not installed correctly.

Gary said his installation of this file worked fine. It's probably straight forward but it will be some hours before I can take a look.

[moth01]

Hi guys,
I have not had time to play with the file today.
Remember when I 'tsted' the plane, I did not install the supporting files like the gauges and sound files. Just the plane.

In his posted image of the files, that looked like the contents of the F4 file when unzipped.
Thee was a zip file in there that has the fssound.dll, as it usually goes then to the FS9/Modules folder.

I can't remember if by default there is an fssound.dll file, I have 2 of them, one has been renamed, as that's what I do if a newer file comes along.

If it's possible to remove everything that was installed then add them back slowly the bad file may show up.
See you later,
Gary.

[angels355]

Hi Gary,

Not having that FSSound.dll file installed in the Modules folder could have been the culprit. In other aircraft I've had that includes that file it says that if that file is not in the Modules folder then it will cause FS9 to crash to the desktop.

I think I have time now to download that plane, it might take a while on dialup.

[angels355]

Lynch,

First of all, totally disregard the previous discussions about the FSSound.dll file, that file is not in this aircraft so disregard previous discussions about it. There is however a GaugeSound.dll file that needs to go into the main FS9 directory so that might be a culprit.

Any way, I downloaded this plane plus the update and installed everything taking notes as I went. I found that there were basically almost no installation directions so good thing I've done this before. Here are my notes:

***

Open zip phanf4ef.zip and place McDonnel-Douglas F4-Phantom into the aircraft folder. Go down to the >>>> paragraph, and if you haven't previously installed the GaugeSound.dll file in a previous installation perhaps install this file second in order in case this might be the culprit in making your plane crash. First of all, open your FS9 main directory folder and check your dll files, check to see if you already have the GaugeSound.dll file installed, if you do don't overwrite it. If you do have that dll file you can just go onto the Effects folder right below in the next paragraph, however if you don't have that GaugeSound.dll file in the main directory, then install it now.

Effects into Effects folder, don't overwrite anything.

Open gauges zip, inside that there's a gauges folder, open that select all copy and paste into the FS9 Gauges folder, do not overwrite everything. I already had nearly all of these gauges installed already except for two. Exited F4-E aircraft, selected another aircraft and loaded it. Then selected the F4-E again loaded it again and flew it for half a minute to make sure everything was working OK, everything OK.


Still in the gauges zip file, there's a dsbxml zip file, opened that, selected all copied and pasted into the FS9 Gauges folder. Cycled aircraft as in above aircraft and loaded the F4-E again. Everything OK so far.****This was the only step I was not sure about, I wasn't sure if I should open this zip file and place the whole folder dsbxml into the gauges folder, or whether to open it and copy the gauges inside and paste them into the gauges folder, so what I did was do both. It worked fine for me. If anyone else is more sure about this step let me know.


Still in gauges zip file, selected three last files dsd_xml_sound.gau, and se.f14 cabinet file (do not unzip the cabinet file leave it like it is), and the sonic_bang XML gauge, copied and pasted into the FS9 Gauges folder. I already had all three of these gauges installed so didn't overwrite anything, and everything OK so far. (If you do not have these files already installed, test the aircraft after each installation step, cycle the aircraft as mentioned above and fly it for half a minute or so to make sure everything is working OK.)


>>>>After installing the aircraft file into the FS9 aircraft folder in the first step of the installation, perhaps it might be better to install this GaugeSound.dll file second in order, in case this is the culprit in making your plane crash to the desktop. There was no FSSound.dll file included in this aircraft package so all previous discussions of that file do not pertain to this aircraft. HOWEVER, inside the "Into FS9-Main-Directory.zip" file, open that, inside that is a file named "Ins Stammverzeichnis" and of course I speak fluent German about as well as Homer Simpson, DOH!!, however opening that file there is the GaugeSound.dll file and that file goes into the main FS9 directory all by itself without that Ins Stammverzeichnis folder, copy that and paste it into the main FS9 folder, DO NOT OVERWRITE if that file already is installed into your main FS9 directory. You're probably wondering how I knew where that file goes without any directions, I already had that GaugeSound.dll file installed in my FS9 main directory. It is my suspicion that if you don't have that file installed that when you select that aircraft it will probably cause FS9 to crash to the desktop. (If you do not have these files already installed, test the aircraft after each installation step, cycle the aircraft as mentioned above and fly it for half a minute or so to make sure everything is working OK.)


Opening the file "Into the Mainsound of FS9", there are four wave sound files copy those and paste them into the FS9 Sound folder. There appears to be an alternative dsd_xml_94 wave sound file inside the folder named "In den Mainsound", I double clicked on both and didn't like the file inside the "In den Mainsound" folder as much, so just stuck with the four wave files mentioned above. I already had all of these files installed and did not overwrite anything. (If you do not have these files already installed, test the aircraft after each installation step, cycle the aircraft as mentioned above and fly it for half a minute or so to make sure everything is working OK.)


The last zip file is the "VFR-Gauges.zip", I think this file is a total waste of time in my opinion, it is not necessary for one thing, and also I don't want it. What it is is the option to use the Cessna panel to fly with. I totally skipped it.


I used plenty of upward elevator trim for landing.


This plane also has an update file, phaf4efx.zip . In the F4's folder I made a new folder, I call it "orig config" where I put original files that I want to save in case I don't like the update, if I don't like it I can easily reverse it. I put the panel, and also the aircraft.cfg files into this folder. Then in the update file I selected the new panel, and texture.13 through 18, and the Aircraft.cfg file, copied all of these and pasted them into the F4's folder. Don't overwrite anything. I opened the additional gauges zip, copied and pasted into the FS9 Gauges folder, I already had all of these gauges except for one. I cycled the aircraft as above and tested it, everything was good.


You see, no problem, easy installation, no sweat! OK perhaps it was a little more complicated than most aircraft. It turned out great though, thanks for bringing this aircraft to our attention. I really like F4's and this one is great.


(I still like RE Turner's F-4E also, try it out, it's a nice plane, but make sure you choose to not disable unsupported features on the aircraft, otherwise you won't have landing gears.)


If you use an older Windows version, there are some aircraft that won't work.


I hope your installation goes well. This is a very nice plane.


Good luck.

[napamule2]

This is a perfect example of a messed up SYSTEM for install. Had it being a 'self-mauler' you would be picking duplicate (and probably un-needed) gauges all over the place.

This 'system' uses NO SYSTEM. There is no folder structure, path, or 'tree'. Zip files inside zip files? INSTEAD use FOLDERS INSIDE OF FOLDERS (which will then extract correctly). Author just put miscel files/zip/xml/cabs in there, then closed it, uploaded, and now wants YOU to figure it out (which we can't-we can't read minds!). Too bad.

If you have you files in D: HD (or, 'X:' HD), you can make a 'dummy' PATH in your C: HD (C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9\Aircraft) and drop the FOLDERS into 'Aircraft' Folder (ie: you make a 'McDonnell-Douglas F4-Phantom' folder). Then, when you zip it up, you will have the PATCH included CORRECTLY in you zip upload. When you zip, zip 'FOLDER' and you're done. No need to zip one file in one zip. Just put it in a folder (any name) under Aircraft folder and will be included when you zip the 'Aircraft Name' folder.

The cab files can be in 'Panel' folder, so no need to put in gauges folder. Only gauges HAVE to go in gauges folder. FS9 will find/work with 'cab' file if put in main Panel folder.

The cfg has several synthax errors (2 dots over 'o' is not right) which is PROBABLY why it crashes, or don't load. If you can use another panel, you can 'select all', then go to folder created, and delete all but 'aircraft.cfg' and the 2 air files. I wouldn't worry about 'effects' or 'smoke'. Those can come later, IF the author posts a fix for those. Looks to me like they don't know how to work the cfg files entries. Ck out the 'Smoke' section. Cheeeeesh! Good luck.
Chuck

UPDATE: Just installed, and flew this AC. It's EXACTLY Kasinoru Ito's 'f4ehaf1.zip', 11mb, but with a poor attempt to include a panel (he put out 'fix'-ha), and is a 'suplementary' (code for 'someone's else's work') which he claims as being his, somehow. Included are Sean Doran's and other's paints. No credit. What's with this guy? Junk files. Junk dynamics. He is ruining some one's else's work. No bueno!

[angels355]

Chuck,

That was probably the most difficult installation I've done, because there was zero to go on except experience. Actually second most difficult, iFly's 747-400 plus update installing it all manually was maybe the most challenging I've done. I appreciate your comments.

Just this second I was working on his (K's) Mig 29A, it came with a way overpowered air/cfg set of files which put me in a spinning stall at 100,000 feet climbing straight up. I replaced that with the original air/cfg files that had more modest thrust, in fact too modest. The thrust in the aircraft.cfg was listed at I think 117xx.0 lbs of thrust something like that. But according to Wikipedia the thrust is 20,725 lbs thrust each engine. So I entered that figure in the aircraft.cfg, did I do that right? Or should I double that and enter 41,500 lbs total, or is that figure required the listing of the amount of thrust for just one engine, and I was right the first time by entering 20725.0 lbs of thrust?

I'm going to test fly it now and see how it is with the entry of static thrust=20725.0.

I almost have the rudimentary parts for another 'puter, but not sure if this old decrepid video card is actually a video card or some evillle piece of hardware that's not going to work/help. If I replace the mobo on an XP 'puter and XP shuts down demanding a new key, is it a simple process to ask Microsoft for a new key? I've never had to do that before. (Don't know if it will do that, just heard about it.)

Edit: PS: try out RE Turner's F4-E and tell me what you think of the flight dynamics, it's very nice to fly.

[napamule2]

Farley,
Well, I let him (K) have it, ah? Living off other's work AND NOT GIVIING CREDIT. No bueno. It was actually M. Person's repaint work he 'supplemented' into that monster download. The different AC are available as individual 'pieces' (less his panel). In all fairness, his panel WOULD have been very good. He has panel talent-he should stick to that.

100,000 ft? What the heck are you (trying) to do up there? Never mind the thrust, most AC (fighters, too) would 'lose' it anyway at around 80K ft. You set your 'elevated' hopes TOO high. Try FL 750 (MAX).

I don't have Turner's F-4e. I imagine they all fly about the same. What 'K' did is try to be 'original' and change values in cfg and air file, thus goofing it up. Very unprofessional and transparently so!

The thrust value would depend on other things. Models vary. Empty wt and load out (military load) also vary. I have a Dassault Alpha Jet (Belgium AF) 'M-5', by Dube, orig for FS2k2, which is 'cool' at 99,000 ft. I can get up and back down with 'control'. The thrust for that is 4000 in cfg, and 6800 in air file. It's 5,280 lbs empty. and thrust scalar in (JetEngine) is 1.3. Does M 4.0. Want them? email me cbackus3@hotmail.com and I will zip and attach them to you).
Chuck

[angels355]

OK, perhaps RE Turner's F4-E flies better in FS98, some FS98 aircraft are like that, some fly just as well in FS98 others don't. But I still enjoy it in FS98.

For FS9 those Kazunouri Ito F4's are pretty good.