Grounded: And it is all Caz's fault

[Priller]

I'll add something about the AMD vs Intel/Nvidia builds.

I've done some reading and comparing stuff, and if nothing changes, my next PC build will probably be AMD. Pricing is one (important) issue, but so is CPU architecture. Having looked at AMD CPU's a bit more closely, I'm pretty impressed, especially in the way they're built to handle graphics together with the GPU.

But my current rig is new, so it will have to wait a couple of years (unless this one suffers from something catastrophic)

Priller

 

[modelr]

Another big thing about shutting completely down overnight, while at work, (for those of you still young enough to do that, LOL,) is the reduction in the electric bill. My (unwanted, forced on me) "Smart" meter can tell immediately when I shut down.

I second Tom's advice about not using Fast Boot. I tried it for a short while, then went back to total shutdown, especially for the updating as he mentioned. The difference in boot time with this newer rig doesn't let me go to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee before it's up and ready. Heck, my 3 year old Android phone boots at almost the same speed.

@Caz

 

[P51FAN]

I've used Corsair RAM almost exclusively in my builds, since back in the late '90s when I built my first one. Never a problem. I have heard of people occasionally getting a bad stick. Maybe same with yours?

FYI, I'm not an electronics guru/nerd, I just like to build/assemble things. "Jack of all trades, Master of none." I'm sure there are a lot of us on here.

Back when I first built my desktop in 2019 about a month later it would turn on but not display anything. Since I'm a member of the "I know just enough to be dangerous" club with computers I didn't realize that one of the sticks of RAM was bad (I guess I got one of the few bad Corsairs), given my situation at the time I went in prepared to replace half the computer. Ended up using the motherboard and graphics card that I bought "in case of" in a computer for my sister, so no loss there.

Anyways, after swapping out the RAM I had video again, but I found out/remembered (I can't remember which now) during this process my ASUS motherboard has a 2 digit display that shows the boot process and gives an error code if necessary. I know for mine code 55 equates to a RAM problem.

I'll add something about the AMD vs Intel/Nvidia builds.

I've done some reading and comparing stuff, and if nothing changes, my next PC build will probably be AMD. Pricing is one (important) issue, but so is CPU architecture. Having looked at AMD CPU's a bit more closely, I'm pretty impressed, especially in the way they're built to handle graphics together with the GPU.

I remember reading a while back that some games did not play nicely with Intel's system of the power & efficiency cores, although I think that was the previous generation. I haven't looked into it too deeply, but I wonder if that's still the case?

 

[jmig]

Thanks John, very interesting ! I know a bit about the BIOS (in ancient times like with Windows 4/5 and FS5/95 et all). Had to because every other week my computers then would go belly up for whatever reason. Those days are deffinately gone. CMOS i know must be some kind of battery or accu or something but never had the intelligence to bring it into connection with my irritating problem. That's what the doctor was for.. Power On Self Test i.e. POST, sure, i've heard or read about it somewhere but must have forgot about almost immidiately..

So thanks very much for the reminder, John !



What cockpit might that be, John ?

It is a fighter cockpit that I built after retiring some ten years ago. It is my third cockpit. I have previously built a replica of a T-38 cockpit. I had flown the T-38 and loved its sports car look and performance. However, as I got into DCS I wanted something that simulated weapons.

The new cockpit was built as a cross between the F-16 and F-18. I made a major concession to my age by giving the left side a clam shell design, so I could just open it like a door and slide into the seat. I had to climb into the T-38 cockpit and lower myself in the seat.

Then came VR and I could no longer see all the cool switches, knobs, and buttons. Also, I was flying more and more GA singles and twins. I bought a Honeycomb Alpha, Bravo combination. To fit them, I had to redesign the cockpit again. I removed the right side and built a rolling box 12” wide and 48” long. One end has a side mounted joystick, which I had removed from its center position. On the other end is the Honeycomb Bravo throttle setup. The Alpha yoke is mounted in front of me like any yoke would be.

To switch between fighter type airplanes and GA yoke type airplanes, I only need to remove two cables, pull the pin on the door hinge that attaches it to the main portion of the cockpit. I then roll the side and turn it around 180 degrees. I then reinsert the pin into the second door hinge (one half of the hinge is attached to both sides) and reattach the power cord and usb cable that runs the right side hub.

Here are a couple images of when it was a T-38 cockpit. I will take some more recent images and post them later.

 

[modelr]

Dang it, John. Now I need to wipe the drool off my keyboard!!

 

[jmig]

Dang it, John. Now I need to wipe the drool off my keyboard!!

Here are some images of the current arrangement. You can see that I sacrificed authenticity for practicality. Since I mostly fly VR it doesn’t matter if every switch is in the correct spot. I know where they are and assign the same function to the same switch, regardless of where it is in the real airplane. I did replace the overhead projector with a 65” 4K TV which I run at 1920x1080.

 

[modelr]

Quote program not working for me, today.


Looks amazing, John. Unfortunately, I can't use VR, as it makes me terribly airsick! Go figure.

I notice you have the Thrustmaster MFD Cougar Pack. I've been wondering about those. Do they work good? How do they work?
I don't like using the MFDs in the sim when having to manipulate them with the mouse.

 

[jmig]

Quote program not working for me, today.


Looks amazing, John. Unfortunately, I can't use VR, as it makes me terribly airsick! Go figure.

I notice you have the Thrustmaster MFD Cougar Pack. I've been wondering about those. Do they work good? How do they work?
I don't like using the MFDs in the sim when having to manipulate them with the mouse.

They work very well. MSFS automatically binds them in the sim to the default actions. I deleted those bindings and just assigned them using Axis & Ohs. If I am flying a G-530 GPS airplane I assign the right MFD to the GPS functions.

Where they really come into their own is in DCS, however. DCS, will assign them to the default buttons for the aircraft.

 

[Javis]

It is a fighter cockpit that I built after retiring some ten years ago. It is my third cockpit. I have previously built a replica of a T-38 cockpit. I had flown the T-38 and loved its sports car look and performance. However, as I got into DCS I wanted something that simulated weapons.The new cockpit was built as a cross between the F-16 and F-18. I made a major concession to my age by giving the left side a clam shell design, so I could just open it like a door and slide into the seat. I had to climb into the T-38 cockpit and lower myself in the seat.

That looks fantastic, John ! Wow!

I particularly like that you can use it for various aircraft. I had a 737 homepit but found that i was more and more using my normal FS computer setup to fly other planes..hehe

Thanks for the great photo's. Nice to see that you have build most items into the side consoles including the Thrustmaster HOTAS throttle (if i see that correctly..). Nice lighting too !

Btw, your latest posts will not copy the text into the editor, John. I think maybe has to do with the quotation marks you use for dimensions of your cockpit..This SOH editor doesn't like some of these punctuation marks...)

 

[Cazzie]

WOW John! I quit! I'm going back to constructing plastic models! That's freaking amazing. What VR headset do you use? If you tell me the new Apple Vision Pro, my drool is going to turn to dripping spittle!

Cazzie

 

[jmig]

WOW John! I quit! I'm going back to constructing plastic models! That's freaking amazing. What VR headset do you use? If you tell me the new Apple Vision Pro, my drool is going to turn to dripping spittle!

Cazzie

No Apple. I am not an Apple guy. I have the HP G2. It works well and serves my purpose.

 

[Cazzie]

No Apple. I am not an Apple guy. I have the HP G2. It works well and serves my purpose.

To tell you the truth John, you guys are "real" world pilots, I am not. I am a creative type fellow and I love creating scenery and liveries as much as piddling with flying. And if you could see my build model collection, you'd know, Cazzie loves airplanes, particularly warbirds. MSFS allows me wo whittle time away creating during the day in lieu of pitying my maladies. I may be cripple, but I'm not about to hang my life on a wall.

Cazzie

 

[jmig]

To tell you the truth John, you guys are "real" world pilots, I am not. I am a creative type fellow and I love creating scenery and liveries as much as piddling with flying. And if you could see my build model collection, you'd know, Cazzie loves airplanes, particularly warbirds. MSFS allows me wo whittle time away creating during the day in lieu of pitying my maladies. I may be cripple, but I'm not about to hang my life on a wall.

Cazzie

Sit in the rocking chair and you die.

I agree with you 100%. Do what you can and brings you joy. I have had to cut back on my other love, nature photography, because I can no longer hike 10 miles to take a picture. However, I still find places to photograph. They are just much closer to the highway, think drive by shooting.

I have started creating MSFS scenery twice now. Everytime I learn how to do it, I go on some big trip. When I return, I have forgotten how to do it again. I have stopped by three local airports and taken images of the buildings. They are just waiting for me to sit around long enough to learn for the third time.

 

[jmig]

Well, I am still grounded. The new memory came in and the result was the same. No Boot, no POST. After talking to Asus I am RMAing the motherboard. Sent it back yesterday. Now I wait until the middle of next week. Oh well, our best friends are coming over for Gumbo on Saturday, it is Superbowl Sunday, and Mardi Gras is Tuesday. I will have something to distract me from no flight simming.

 

[jmig]

I finally got the system up and running. I am pleased with the results, so far. I did a quick 2D flight over Manhatten. The nVidia frame counter stayed at 60 FPS. The CPU was running at 5.1 GHz and never went above about 75% utilization on any core. The highest core temp was 62 degrees c. This is without any tweeking. Yes, I am happy.