So I started off this morning wanting to get some SIOC scripts for my new Opencockpit gauges. I fired up Sim2, which is the SimA server, and low and behold my Sony PS1 screen that is my captains clock screen was blank. It was on, but no video. I checked the svideo to RCA connector on the back of the Nvidia card. It was good. From there I have an RCA cable go right to the screen. That was ok. So I checked the Display control panel. TV Screen wasn’t showing up. I checked the Nvidia control panel, set it to force TV recognition and rebooted. Nothing. Bah. Then I remembered I had done some Windows updates on shutdown the last time Sim2 was on. I bet Windows screwed up a driver. Went to Nvidia’s site, installed latest drivers, rebooted, screen was OK. Stupid windows updates.

So then, I fire up mcp.exe from the sima server and it says it can’t find my hardware cpflight mcp. Argh! Config file said COM4, I saw no com4 in device manager. Hmm. Checked the power connector and what do you know, it had slightly come out a little, when I installed the new 3 LED screens. Plugged it in and well a couple hours later, NOW I’m ready to start on SIOC scripts for my new gauges.

Start simple on your troubleshooting. It’s usually the stupid stuff that is the root of the problem.

Back when I had my Cessna Simulator I used a Matrox Triple Head to Go. When I started the 737 Sim, I moved away from that because I wanted a large screen, so I bought a projector and had a 5 foot screen on the wall.

But I never felt immersed in the sim, so using money I received over the holiday plus some extra I had for the sim, I bought 3 Samsung SyncMaster BX2431′s. These are 24″ 1080p LED flat screens. Super thin. I built a stand from 2×4′s for them to sit on and secured it to the FDS MIP monitor tray. Then I used 2″ industrial strength velcro to secure them to the backs of the upright 2×4′s.

These LED monitors have two HDMI connectors as well as a VGA. As my TH2G is the older “analog” one it’s only VGA. I only had 6 foot cables and some adapters so I tried using those. But after firing up the screens I had serious monitor ghosting. (Where you can see an “after image” of what is on the screen. I knew it was from interference from the adapters that were connecting the various VGA cables together. So back to the electronics store I went and got a good deal on a 50′ VGA cable. That did the trick, the screens are crisp and clear.

Yes I’m back to having the little bezels of the screens, but… the quality is far superior to what I had with the projector. Clouds look amazing! And I can again see the cars driving on the freeways. And finally… I do feel immersed in the sim in it’s current build. So much, that I did almost feel a little “air sick” haha. My end goal is to have 2 more screens that will cover the Captain and First Officer sides, at which point, I’ll start using WideView.

The 3 Opencockpit overhead gauges I ordered have arrived! I went to a local store after DHL dropped them off and bought some connector ends. Those will let me lengthen the wires so they can reach from the overhead to the interface card. I’ll probably work on these over the next several days.

Wishing all of you a very Happy Holiday season!

A few days ago I ordered the first three gauges for the overhead from OpenCockpits. I went with OpenCockpits vs Flight Illusion because I already own three Opencockpit radios, and I also already own one of their USB interface cards which currently powers my flaps gauge. The gauges I ordered are the 737 Overhead Cabin Climb, 737 Overhead EGT and the 737 Overhead Duct Pressure.

I’ve placed my order for two of the best 737 Yokes currently on the market, from ACE’s site, found at www.737yoke.com! They are very popular right now and so I should see these beauties in the cockpit in about 8-12 weeks. But not bad considering the quality of these yokes! Definitely go check out these yokes, they are awsome looking! I also want to send a very special thank you to the owner, Ali, who has been great during my entire transaction with him. Thanks Ali!

Received my 737 Cockpit Companion last week! What a book!
If you are serious about simming, you need this book! Its filled with about every technical aspect of the aircraft you could imagine! This one is color and I recommend that, and it also comes with fold out charts of the panels and pedestal as well as a wiring, fuel and other diagrams.

They are in and working quite well!