New Public Beta update available: .327

[Ryan Douglas]

A new public beta version of RealFlight G3 is now available. This update fixes problems with GeForce4 cards (including one bug that only appears when using old video drivers) as well as a Windows 98 compatibility bug.

If you are experiencing problems related to a lower-end graphics card or Windows 98, you should get this update and see if it fixes your problem. Otherwise, you should probably avoid it for now. In order to make this version available as soon as possible for the people who need it, we weren't able to test for as long as we'd like, but we do believe it's a stable build. That's why it's available on the public beta site for now.

To get the update, perform the following steps:

Start the RealFlight G3 Launcher
Click Additional Options, then Technical Support
Click Enter Tech Support Code
Enter the following code: B#h2x2ea45aayc (If successful, you will see a message saying "You are now registered to use the Public Beta site until the new version is posted to official download site.")
Go back to the main Launcher menu and click Registration/Updates
Make sure that in the bottom left corner it says Temporary Public Beta (PS). If not, try reentering the code
Either click Update to Latest Version (which should tell you that .327 is available) or click Update to Specific Version and choose .327.


The Launcher will need to restart partway through this process. Answer Yes when it asks if you want to continue downloading the new version. When this process is finished, you will have RealFlight G3 version .327.

You can easily switch back to the version you started with, .313, at any time. Simply click Registration/Updates, Update to Specific Version, and select .313. That means updating to the new version is risk-free.

Please post and let us know whether or not this new versions resolves the issues described above. Also, please let us know if you find any new bugs (that is, bugs that did not exist in version .313).

Note: If you are using Windows 98, you should avoid running G3 in fullscreen mode. Instead, use the windowed mode, which is the default mode (you don't need to change anything).

[handi2k_man]

Downloaded the Beta update and it works like a champ under windows 98. Thanks for the timely update. Frankly, as someone who works in a computer/software intensive industry (Geophysics), your auto update procedure is quite impressive. Keep up the good work.

Anyone who's running a Radeon 9200 se 128 Mb graphics card will probably be disappointed. I had to "dumb it down" quite a bit to barely get double digit frame rates. Time to upgrade the graphics card! (to my wife) "Oh honey, I've got a new Christmas suggestion!"

[jimcrc]

Hi Ryin still haveing problems loading software after upgrade. Fixed the kernel32.dll problem but now it goes to full screne mode and quits. Any ideas Jim :confused:

[ramora]

Hi Ryan, here is my pertinent system info:

System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
Processor: Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 - M CPU 2.00GHz
Memory: 512MB RAM
DX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce4 460 Go (Toshiba)
MFR: NVIDIA
Version: 6.13.0010.3639 (English)
Date: 8/15/2002 12:14:00, 3054026 bytes

Tried several different planes on several different fields from all add-on packs and all I can say is WOW :D , what a difference, did not see any bugs or graphics breakups, will let you know if I find any.

Thanks alot. Gary

[newg3pilot]

Gary,

Finally some good news! I have a similar system, Centrino P4 1.4 and Geforce4 420 Go. I sure hope this is the fix for me also. Is the repaired software a complete download or only the modified parts?

Paul

[Ryan Douglas]

I'm glad to hear the update is working for you guys. Thanks for the feedback.

prahsj, we will definitely be adding the option to export a color scheme file for editing in a future update, although I can't say when that will be available. At least that's not a problem that prevents the sim from running. :)

jimcrc, there is a separate issue with running in fullscreen mode in Windows 98. Try running in windowed mode, and you should be fine (if you need help with this, just ask). We'll fix this bug in a future update.

[Ryan Douglas]

newg3pilot, the update process will only give you the files you require--no extra "baggage". It will be roughly 6 MB total. And yes, this update should fix problems with your graphics card.

[mjadler]

Will this Win98 patch fix the same problem in WinME? Please, please let me know.
-mjadler

[newg3pilot]

Ryan,

The best news yet! I guess I have a keeper now. I'm sure the performance on my system will still be on the weak side but I anticipate a new desktop this Spring. Everyone's efforts to remedy mine and others problems is greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

Paul

[Ryan Douglas]

mjadler, there's a good chance, although I don't actually know what problem you're experiencing. Try the update and let us know! It won't cause any harm, and as described in the instructions, you can easily go back to version .313 if it doesn't help.

newg3pilot, sure thing. It's nearly impossible to release a software product without some bugs. Admittedly, the Win98 crash was a big one, and we're very sorry that one got out. But we're committed to fixing issues like these as quickly as we're able.

[mjadler]

Looks like the patch is also working for WindowsME. I was home during lunch and tried it out. Didn't have time to really get into it. Will keep you posted. Thanks for the hard work in correcting these issues.

mjadler

[jimcrc]

Hi Ryan it will not give me a chance to run in winmode the error is, (This application is about to switch a full screen mode. To access menu press ALT key. To exit press ALT + F4). It will not allow you to enter the menu but when you exit the application it gives a windows falt and closes the program. Thanks Jim

[Highflyer]

Seems like pretty good customer service to me.

[jimcrc]

jim go to the realflightG3 directory on your hard drive look for a file called realflight.ini open the file with wordpad scroll down to a listing called windowstate.

if it says windowstate=0 that is full screen mode change it to

windowstate=1 save the file changes then open realflight it should be in windows mode now .


Rian, windowstate is not listed in my ini file. Here is my file. Jim

[MRUMenu7]
NumItems=0

[General]
Language=English

[MRUMenu5]
NumItems=0

[Sound]
WalkSoundTurnedOn=Yes
NarrationVolume=0.6
PlayCrashSound=Yes
WindSoundsVolume=0.4
3DRolloffFactor=0.45
SoundEffectsVolume=0.85
3DDopplerFactor=0.75
MusicVolume=0.5
PlayEngineSounds=Yes
WalkSoundVolume=0.3
PlayMusic=No
WindTurnedOn=Yes
EngineVolume=0.85

[MRUMenu4]
NumItems=0

[Ryan Douglas]

We just made a new version, .329, available on the public beta site. The only change is to prevent G3 from defaulting to fullscreen mode on GeForce2 cards.

jimcrc, I haven't asked yet, but since you're stuck in fullscreen mode without being able to run, I'm guessing you have a GeForce2. Try this new update (the instructions are exactly the same as for .327, but no need to enter the code again if you already have) and see if it helps. To be extra safe, you might try clicking the "Restore Defaults" button in the Launcher before trying to run it.

Let us know what happens! :)

[Ryan Douglas]

Ryan any timeline on the heli section as there is a heli club here in pittsburgh 150 strong looking forward to it .

thanks again
john

John, I'm afraid I can't give a time estimate. If I do, and it turns out to be wrong, everyone will be angry! ;) However, I can say we're working on it as quickly as humanly possible. We want to get it finished and out there for all of you to use just as much--and probably more--than you want to receive it! I will will also say that we expect to beat the estimate of Spring 2005.

[jimcrc]

Hi Ryin it appears the new update worked ok, I want to thank you for all your help and support. One more question will registered owners receive information about the helicopter version?
Thanks Jim :)

[Ryan Douglas]

Jim, at this point I don't know if Great Planes plans to send out a newsletter with information about it when the time comes or not (you'll receive that email if you opt-in when you register). But we will certainly post about it on these boards. The update itself will probably be available as another online update, but we're still finalizing the actual delivery method(s). So when the time comes, even if you didn't see any messages telling you about it, when you went to do an online update you would see a new version available and the description for it would say that it included the heli update.

[ramora]

Hi Ryan,

Just an update to let you know that after testing all the flying fields on all add ons and playing around with several aircrafts for several hours that I have had absolutely ZERO glitches from the beta patch.

Good work :)

Gary

[Ryan Douglas]

I'm glad to hear it! I'll pass that on to the person who worked on fixing those specific bugs. Thanks for letting us know. :)

[jwilson]

Ryan,

I have read many of your helpful hints you have posted over the last week and I am hoping that you can lend your expertise to my situation.

I am running Win2000 and have been batteling with G3 for 3 days with no luck.

The program will initiate and start to run, then about 1/2 thru the Scenery Loads, it locks the computer down. I have to Power Off to regain access and then reboot my computer.

I emailed my Diagnostic Eval to the Tech Desk and they replied:

"We have found that they error IVIAUDIO.AX is nearly always the cause of such problems as it relates to the MP3 Background Sounds. Please Edit your realflight.ini file as follows":

[Sound]
PlaySongs = No

I do not know how to do the above described action, and have been beating my head against the wall trying to figure it out by trial and error.

Can you guide me thru this Adjustment, Step by Step. I am really anxious to fly after investing the money and now the time to get set up.

Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

Sincerely,

J

[Egyptian]

Ryan, I can't get to the Beta updates since G3 will not register on line. I have sent several emails to the support email address, but they keep sending me canned responses. My internet connection is OK, I can update G2 with no problems.

Egyptian