Trouble with downloading

[Oinkey]

Hello

Apologies if this is a stupid question but my computer is downloading the files but they are not showing on FSX (the downloads are in my documents) is there something I'm missing. The downloads never allowed me to run the file at the outset, what do I need to do.

Thanks

[Nels_Anderson]

After you downloaded the files, did you install them? If not, they won't do anything other than take up space. Start by reading the instructions provided inside the zip file, there should be a .doc or .txt file with information on how to use the file.

[aircav1970]

Oinkey,not every FSX add-on aircraft has a "self-installer".Most every freeware aircraft requires you to "un-zip" the files and add them by hand to the proper FSX folder.Now this is a lot easier than it sounds and if you go to the Wiki section here on FlightSim.com and look in the "how-to"section you will find a good article on just this subject.Once you get familiar with the folders and what goes in them you'll be amazed at all the wonderful freeware stuff that our fellow enthusiasts have made available to us for free.Once you get to this point,if you are still having problems,just ask and someone here will be happy to help you out!

[mallcott]

Be helpful to be more specific so someone could look at the troublesome file for you. And we need full details of your computer. systems specs and version of FSX installed. A thread at the top of the forum provides guidance on how to ask for help.

[Oinkey]

Thanks everyone for your help I will look into this.

Mallcott I have downloaded 3 aircraft and none have self installed (more self install please). My computer is one of the latest with top spec it seems its the lack of self install that is the problem.

[fxsttcb]

...I have downloaded 3 aircraft and none have self installed (more self install please)....

When one of those installers overwrites a default file, corrupting it, you will change your mind! Most usually an effect.
If you are using installers, when available, I suggest a complete back-up of your FSX folder before you get bit...Don

[ScatterbrainKid]

..my computer is downloading the files but they are not showing on FSX..

If you mean downloading freeware add-on aircraft, give me a link to one of them so i can download it and tell you exactly what to do.
Remember, like Aircav said, most don't automatically download straight into FSX, you have to download them to somewhere like desktop, then manually pick them up and put them into your FSX Airplanes folder yourself, i've been doing it for years, you know where you are by doing it hands-on manually.
Nothing wrong with doing things manually, for example Armstrong landed on the moon manually, disengaging the autopilot and flying the spacecraft over the alien surface dodging craters cool as a cucumber..

[Oinkey]

Thanks again for your reply's.

Not an expert on unzipping files and the files seem to have lots of sub files so getting frustrated.

I might of missed it but there should be a tutorial on this site when you first sign up.

Anyway, have decided to leave it for now until one of my techie friends comes and sees me.

[ScatterbrainKid]

...Anyway, have decided to leave it for now until one of my techie friends comes and sees me.

But WE'RE your techie friends too, we're nice people, we shower regularly and don't smell!
I posted a download tutorial a while ago but it was a bit longwinded and waffling, i keep meaning to do a simpler one.
Tell me exactly which plane you want to download, then i'll download it and take step-by-step screenshots as i go along to put into a new simpler tutorial.

[ScatterbrainKid]

Meanwhile here's a good tip to find out if you've installed your plane properly-
Go to Sim Objects > Airplanes and find your plane, let's use my Tripacer as an example.
Click it and the contents should open on the right like this-





They're the ESSENTIAL 6 files that MUST be in there, namely Model/Panel/Sound/Texture/Aircraft/Air.
If any of them are missing it means you probably haven't installed the plane correctly.
Don't worry if there's a bunch of other files in there too, just make sure you've got your essential six and you'll be laughing.
As Mr Bond would say- "You've had your six".

(EDIT-other guys here know more about files and stuff than me and will no doubt correct me if i'm wrong, I'm WinXP Home so it might look different with other Op Systems)