OpusMSFS_Overview  OpusMSFS_User_Guide  OpusMSFS_Getting_Started_Single_PC  OpusMSFS_Getting_Started_Networked_PCs  OpusMSFS_ButtKicker

 

Contents

System Requirements. 2

Software Installation. 2

Create Desktop Shortcuts. 3

Firewall, Sharing and Security. 4  

Installation Log File.  

Initial Set Up and Configuration. 5

Spy. 7

General Operation. 9

Operating System Recommendations 

PC Performance 

Simulator Recommendations  

Uninstalling OpusMSFS

FAQ and Troubleshooting. 13

 

System Requirements

·     Microsoft Flight Simulator MSFS.

·         Windows 10/8/7 (64-bit version) operating system.

·         Microsoft .NET Framework v4.8.

·         65 MB hard disk space.

You can have a mixture of MSFS, P3D and FSX based server and clients, for MSFS run OpusMSFS; for P3D/FSX you will have to purchase and run OpusFSI_v6 (P3D only) or OpusFSI_v5 (for P3D/FSX).  

You also need Microsoft .NET v4.8 to be installed on your server, and on optional client systems for the Live View feature to work.

Microsoft.NET

You can check what versions of .NET you have installed in Control Panel by selecting Settings, System, Apps and features, then search for .NET and a list of installed versions will be displayed. For older operating systems check your c:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework or Framework64 folders. You should see a v4.0.xxxxx folder etc..

SimConnect (for Live View)

In the case of SimConnect, first make sure you have installed the sim, SimConnect is installed automatically with it. 

If you have mislaid or corrupted your SimConnect then you can try re-installing it. 

Windows problem running msi files fix ...

To run a msi that doesn’t have a valid Digital signature follow one of the methods mentioned below.

Method 1:
1. Right click on the file or program that you are not able to access.
2. Go to properties and click “Unblock”.
3. Try to run the application again.

Method 2:
1. Click on start button.
2. Type “Internet Explorer” in the “Start Search Box” and select it from the menu.
3. Click on “Tools” in the menu bar and select “Internet Options”.
4. Click on “Advanced tab” and locate “Allow software to run or install even if the signature is invalid” under the “Security” category and check the box.
5. Click Apply and then Ok.
6. Close the Internet Explorer and restart Internet Explorer.

Method 3:
1. Turn UAC OFF. Just type UAC into the start menu or Control Panel search box. Drag the slider to the bottom, never notify.
2. Run the Command Prompt in Admin Mode (not the same as you being an Admin user). 
3. Type: bcdedit /set testsigning off 
4. Reboot. Windows will power up in a test mode and will allow you to run any msi file. 
5. Install the msi file. After installing the software ... 
6. Run the Command Prompt in Admin Mode (not the same as you being an Admin user). 
7. Type: bcdedit /set testsigning on 
8. Reboot 
After rebooting you should still be able to run msi files but may need to answer 'More Info' and 'Yes' to a Windows 10 user query. 

 

Software Installation

Ensure Microsoft .NET v4.8 and SimConnect (for Live View) are installed on your PC.

Installing the Demo version of OpusMSFS

1. Click on the OpusMSFS Demo/Upgrade button on our downloads webpage and download (save) the OpusMSFS.msi file.

2. Double click on the downloaded OpusMSFS.msi  file and follow the instructions to install the software into the standard OpusMSFS directory. You may install the software onto any drive provided its folder name is OpusMSFS with the exception that you must not install OpusMSFS in the Opus Software, simulator or Program Files folders, and don't install in more than one folder on your PC.

The OpusMSFS demo software will display a popup error message stating that the software is unlicenced but it will run anyway.

Demonstration mode will run for 15 minutes with a minimum 2 minute interval required between runs.  

Purchasing OpusMSFS

1. Click on the Purchase OpusMSFS button on our downloads webpage and download (save) the OpusMSFS_Flight1_Purchase.exe file. 

If you get a warning the signature is invalid then right click on the msi and select Run Anyway.

You may get some warning messages from your virus checker at this point which is quite normal for this file type and as a result the installation window may be hidden behind your browser window. You may need to stop your virus checker if it automatically deletes the msi or the exe files.

If you see the following screen then click on the More info button to run the software. Next select Run Anyway.

Using Windows Explorer navigate to the location of the downloaded file and run the software. If you have a problem running the software then right click on the file and click “Unblock".

2. If you have previously installed the Demo then uninstall it via Control Panel, Uninstall a program. Do not delete your OpusMSFS folder containing your system configuration files.

3. Run the OpusMSFS_Flight1_Purchase.exe file. A Flight1 form with 3 buttons will be displayed. If you already have a Flight1 account click button 1 to log in (this is optional and if you get any Flight1 login error messages don't use it). Click on buttons 2 and 3 to fill in your purchase details and then the Purchase button will appear, click on this button to complete purchase.

4. You will now find the OpusMSFS.msi  installation file in your 'unwrapped' C:\Opus Software folder. N.B. You need to keep your Flight1 key and licence files on drive C in the C:\Opus Software folder but can move the msi file to another drive.

Double click on the OpusMSFS.msi  file and follow the instructions to install the software into the OpusMSFS directory. You may install the software onto any drive provided its folder name is OpusMSFS with the exception that you must not install OpusMSFS in the Opus Software, or Program Files folders, and don't install in more than one folder on your PC.

Updating OpusMSFS

There is a 'Check For Updates' button on the Server form and a checkbox option in the Configure dialog (enabled by default). When enabled the software will automatically check for newer release or beta versions each time the FSISERVER program is started. If a newer version is available the standard 'Check For Updates' dialog is displayed centre screen providing options to download the new MSI install file into your c:\Opus Software folder.

The OpusMSFS Spy window will display the latest available Release and Beta versions.

Download software updates and betas from our website downloads page http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

Release Upgrade

If you have previously purchased OpusMSFS and want to upgrade to the latest Release version then click on the OpusMSFS Demo/Upgrade link in the 'Download Demo or Upgrade' column of our Downloads webpage and download the msi file. If you have a problem running the msi then right click on the file and select Unblock.

Do not delete your OpusMSFS folder. Double click on the Opus msi file and follow the instructions to install the software upgrade. 

All your original configuration (DAT and CMD) files will remain intact in the OpusMSFS folder but it is a good idea to take a backup of your files anyway.

Beta Upgrade

Click on the OpusMSFS Beta hyperlink in the Beta Development column and download the OpusMSFS Beta msi file.
Install as per the Release upgrade above.
 

Create Desktop Shortcuts

After installing the software we recommend you create a shortcut on your desktop for the server program. This shortcut will allow you to manually start your system without too much fuss.

1. In Windows Explorer, navigate to your installation folder (OpusMSFS) and right-click on the FSISERVER.EXE  program. 

2. Select the Send to - Desktop (create shortcut) option.

3. Right-click on the new desktop icon, select Properties, in the Shortcut tab check the program is configured to Start In: your installation folder (c:\OpusMSFS). Select the Compatibility tab (if available) and tick the checkbox to Run this program as an Administrator.  

4. Left click on the icon once to select it and then left click again to select the icon name, type in OpusMSFS SERVER to rename the icon.

You will find alternative program icons in the OpusMSFS installation folder should you wish to change the existing icon.  

Firewall

You may need to allow OpusMSFS through your firewall. In Control Panel select System and Security, Windows Firewall, Allow a Program or feature through Windows Firewall. Click on Allow another program and browse to FSISERVER (or FSICLIENT on a client PC) in the OpusMSFS installation folder.

Sharing

You may need to set sharing and security permissions on both your OpusMSFS and your MSFS folder in order for OpusMSFS to write the necessary files into the MSFS folder. This is usually necessary if you have installed the simulator in the Program Files folder, for this reason it is advisable to install the sim in a folder outside Program Files. If this does not work then set sharing and security permissions on your whole drive.  Be aware that if you set permissions and sharing on the whole drive then you may have different permissions and sharing on subfolders so make sure you check the OpusMSFS folders. Also ensure the folders are not set to 'read only'.

Absolute worst case, just install MSFS in its own folder (e.g. d:\MSFS), moving outside the secured Program Files folder. If OpusMSFS still doesn't work correctly after setting sharing and security permissions a re-install may be necessary.

 

To set up Sharing on a folder/drive run Windows Explorer, right click on the folder/drive you wish to share, select Properties, select the Sharing tab, select Advanced Sharing, tick the checkbox to share the drive and enter a share name, make sure you use the single letter code, e.g. C, not 'Drive C' for instance. Click on Permissions, enter Everyone in the Group or user names box and tick the checkboxes to allow Full Control for Everyone.

 

Security

To set up Security Permissions run Windows Explorer, right click on the folder/drive you wish to set Security settings for, select Properties, select the Security tab, select Everyone in the Group or user names box and ensure the Permissions are Full Control, if not click on the Edit button and tick the Permissions checkboxes to allow Full Control for Everyone. If Everyone does not exist click Advanced, click Change Permissions, click Add, type in the name Everyone and click OK. Then specify Full Control for your newly created Everyone group. Click OK.

 

Also select Authenticated Users in the Group or user names box and tick the checkboxes to allow Full Control.

Installation Log File

The SERVER program will create a FSISERVER.log file in the OpusMSFS installation folder which will be automatically displayed if any installation errors are detected.

The log file includes installation details along with any installation errors that are detected when the program is activated. Refer to this file and send it to Opus Software if there are any problems encountered when running the software.

Example content of the \OpusMSFS\FSISERVER.log file ...

OpusMSFS Flight Simulator Interface

Log Generated 28 October 2020, 15:01 Hrs 

Installed Folder: C:\OPUSMSFS

FSIGENCOM Initialise: OK
FSIGENCOM Validation: OK

Data Download ...
Data Download Initiated
Data Download Completed
Data Download Checked
Data Download Validated

Invoking DLL Checks ...

No DLL Errors Detected.

Licence File:

OpusMSFS Filespec : c:\Opus Software\OpusMSFS.lic
OpusMSFS Licenced : 23 October 2020

Installed Files:

FSISERVER.EXE Version: 1.0.1.6 , 28 October 2020, 10:49 Hrs 
FSISYSTEM.DLL Version: 1.0.1.6 , 28 October 2020, 10:49 Hrs 
OPUSFSI.DLL Version: 1.0.1.6 , 28 October 2020, 10:49 Hrs 
OPUS64.DLL Version: Correct , 06 March 2018, 07:35 Hrs 

 

System.TypeInitialisationException error

You need .NET version 4.7.2 and SimConnect (for Live View) to be installed for OpusMSFS and its SimConnect links to work.

You can check what versions of .NET you have installed in Control Panel by selecting Settings, System, Apps and features, then search for .NET and a list of installed versions will be displayed. For older operating systems you can check what versions of .NET you have installed by checking your c:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework or Framework64 folders. You should see a v4.0.xxxxx folder.

In the case of SimConnect, first make sure you have installed the sim, SimConnect is installed automatically with it. If you have mislaid or corrupted your SimConnect then you can try re-installing it. 

SlimDX error

You must ensure the FSISERVER program ...

Is starting in the correct c:\OpusMSFS folder.

Has permissions to copy and rename the SlimDX DLL file.

Is able to copy the current SlimDX DLL, it's not locked or write protected.

Is not blocked by AV or Win Defender software.

 

Otherwise its attempt to copy and rename the SlimDX file will fail. You may also need to install the SlimDX dotNet runtime using our supplied msi file in the OpusMSFS folder.  

 

OpusMSFS won't run in Windows 10 

If you have have allowed OpusMSFS through the firewall as described in the above section, have run as Administrator, and the software still won't run on Windows10 then run the Microsoft vcredist_x86.exe VC redistribution package located in the OpusMSFS folder. For new Windows10 builds you may need to download and install the older 2013 C++ Redistribution packs (vcredist_x64.exe and vcredist_x86.exe) from the ‘Other Downloads’ section of our Downloads webpage http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/OpusMSFS/downloads.htm.

 

Initial Set Up and Configuration

Run the FSISERVER program on your sim system.

The SERVER program MUST be started in its local installation folder, in other words it MUST be started in OpusMSFS.

N.B. Do not run the CLIENT program on your server PC since it will cause the sim to freeze, it is only used on networked client PCs.

You do not need to run the flight simulator at this time since we are just going to configure the system.  

Click on the Configure button to display the 'OpusMSFS Server - Configuration' dialog.

 

 

Figure 1 - MSFS Server's Main Form

Figure 2 - MSFS Server Configuration Dialog

The number of (Live View) client computers should be configured to zero.

The Live View Scan Rate (0 to 60ms) adjustment is for optional networked systems and controls the position update rate communicated to the server enabling you to match the preferred rate found using the Live View Test.

Close OpusMSFS

Run the sim.

Run OpusMSFS

You are ready to fly.  

Spy

If you run the simulator in windowed mode you can click on the OpusMSFS server program's Spy button and monitor its progress. 

The Options button provides the means to specify the form's topmost, opacity, and font settings. The window can be resized.

You may find it useful to select the Spy window's Options and set the Opacity to something like 60 % and click Modify so that the window does not obscure anything on the sim's display.

All joystick button and keyboard 'key press' events will be shown within the main Spy window unless they’ve been disabled via the 'Disable Button/Key Events in Spy' option in the Configure settings.

The Spy window is automatically cleared after 30 minutes.  

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