Newbie player
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This is a generational subject matter. I’m 60 years of age and I’ve seen it all.
You’re not alone here, plenty of seasoned bone bags around these parts. I lived through the DOS and then MS/DOS eras, and each version of Windows since. It was when the tech gear I was buying literally required DX12 for functionality that I bit the bullet myself and began the fight to teach Windows 10 that my fancy gaming computer is not a smart phone. Mentioned previously in this thread iirc, I spent some time learning how to wrestle control back and get look and feel more on par with the older Windows I was used to (and I did), and wrote it all down in an article for my friends (and for my own personal reference in future, as I forget things plenty easy enough having been born in era of DOS).
Windows 10 is a demanding horse, but not one that is incapable of being tamed. In the way you know Windows 8.1, you can one day learn to force Windows 10 to function and behave similarly - even if it means involving *(known and safe) third party applications to help when necessary. But as long as you can get your Windows 8.1 to work, and you aren’t concerned with modern features or functions which may be unavailable in older versions of Windows, stick with what you know and keep doing what you love!
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Did you try the $5 version from gog.com? Ok if you don’t want to, well within your rights. I’m just curious to learn, if it’s something specific to Steam. (And if so Steam should refund you what you paid them.)
(Not sure about Steam but) the GoG version is a standalone download – it doesn’t need or make any use of their “GoG Galaxy” software running in the background.
Fewer moving parts == fewer stuff to break down over time. As true in software, just as it is in real world…
Yes, I just now purchased and downloaded the Falcon Collection from GoG…but alas, problem not solved. BMS installation still sees my system as sans Falcon 4 install. I now have two versions of Falcon 4…the GoG and the Steam version.
Can I please get some help here?
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Yes, I just now purchased and downloaded the Falcon Collection from GoG…but alas, problem not solved. BMS installation still sees my system as sans Falcon 4 install. I now have two versions of Falcon 4…the GoG and the Steam version.
Can I please get some help here?
That is certainly strange behavior. Taking shots in the dark, but not much more that can be done, really… It makes me wonder if Windows 8.1 has properly installed Falcon 4.0
You can verify this by opening the Windows Registry and navigating to the GOG program listing - press the Windows Start key and type RegEdit and click on the Registry to open, then in the address bar along the top, paste this line and press enter:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\GOG.com\Games\Extras\FALCON-BONUS
If installed, the screen should show all sorts of installation details like this:
If it’s not there, you can poke around to see if it is in a different location, potentially the same path without the “WOW6432Node” part of the address. But if it doesn’t exist anywhere, there may have been a problem with the program installation which is causing BMS installer to not recognize your Falcon 4.0 program.
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Yes, I just now purchased and downloaded the Falcon Collection from GoG…but alas, problem not solved. BMS installation still sees my system as sans Falcon 4 install. I now have two versions of Falcon 4…the GoG and the Steam version.
Can I please get some help here?
Why did you purchase the Falcon 4.0 “Collection” instead of simply purchasing Falcon 4.0? Did you do the same for Steam? I have that (Steam) version and got it when I was running Win 7, then Win8.1, reinstalled it again with Win10 Pro and never have had an issue.
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Yes, I just now purchased and downloaded the Falcon Collection from GoG…but alas, problem not solved. BMS installation still sees my system as sans Falcon 4 install. I now have two versions of Falcon 4…the GoG and the Steam version.
Can I please get some help here?
Hi, Josey,
Firstly, don’t get frustrated!
I just looked at Steam. There is still a Falcon 4.0 Standalone. That’s how I set mine up, on Win 10, with absolutely no issues. The reason I mention that is that I suspect the Collection is the problem, as others have mentioned. I don’t think BMS can “see” F4, it sees the collection. If it were me, I’d return both collections and just get the standalone F4
While I was in Steam, I went into F4 (BTW, jeez BMS has grown a LOT since then) . Can you enter the game via Steam? Not the collection, the actual F4? Just take it as far as the Intro screen, the one with Instant action on top. -
Yes, I just now purchased and downloaded the Falcon Collection from GoG…but alas, problem not solved. BMS installation still sees my system as sans Falcon 4 install. I now have two versions of Falcon 4…the GoG and the Steam version.
Can I please get some help here?
Dang.
Just to be clear – you are running the 64-bit edition of Windows 8.1, correct?
BMS 4.35 is now x64 only … but I don’t know what the error message is when attempting install on 32-bit OS. (Maybe it just gets confused looking for original F4 in the wrong spot?)
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I’m trying close to every avenue I read not only here, but other sites posting found via Google-
Here, posters say the Steam version works and is all that is needed.
(Fail)
Here, posters say to purchase the Falcon Collection from GoG-
(Fail)
Here posters say to examine my registry-
Steam doesn’t register.
GoG did however as shown by Semlar-But nothing is working…I’m getting sick to my stomach with this business.
Posters quote saying I need a Falcon4.0 folder with just the Falcon4.exe file…and I need registry info merged into my registry.
So…it begs to raise the question- where do I get the reg files and the executable?Why would BMS coders spend years on this developement if its more than a trip to the dentist to get it to work?
As far as securities go, I use default windows firewall with my own rules, Windows Defender and my own Windows Hardening procedure that culls certain services.Is there a Doctor in the House?
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Dang.
Just to be clear – you are running the 64-bit edition of Windows 8.1, correct?
BMS 4.35 is now x64 only … but I don’t know what the error message is when attempting install on 32-bit OS. (Maybe it just gets confused looking for original F4 in the wrong spot?)
Correct-
Windows 8.1 (64-bit)
28 Gb ram
2 Tb Western Digital
MSI MB
MSI GTX-1060 (6 Gb)
Toshiba 42" monitor
Wired Keyboard, Wireless Mouse, Logitech Wingman XtremeGoG registry entry makes no mention of Falcon 4.0…only Falcon Gold and Falcon AT
The Falcon 40 from steam refuses to launch…no matter what compatibility mode. Even FreeFalcon6 campaign fails work properly. So its got to be part of a windows update.
Do I need Dot.Net installed (which I don’t)
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From GOG you go into “Falcon Gold” and select the 367MB “extra” called “Falcon 4.0”
In your downloads folder it will be called
setup_falcon_4_2.0.0.1.exe
I feel bad for wasting your $5 so I’m spinning up a virt with Windows 8.1 and will give it a try… if it ever gets done downloading 8 years of security patches, lol
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From GOG you go into “Falcon Gold” and select the 367MB “extra” called “Falcon 4.0”
In your downloads folder it will be called
setup_falcon_4_2.0.0.1.exe
I feel bad for wasting your $5 so I’m spinning up a virt with Windows 8.1 and will give it a try… if it ever gets done downloading 8 years of security patches, lol
Ok…I see-
I’ve just now downloaded the setup_falcon_4_2.0.0.1 file…I had not done this before posting (w regards to GoG)…
Will run setup and see what follows.
5 bucks? Lord, I would spend 40 bucks just to get BMS back again. Its been so long since I had BMS albeit it was my earlier system that croaked. -
From GOG you go into “Falcon Gold” and select the 367MB “extra” called “Falcon 4.0”
In your downloads folder it will be called
setup_falcon_4_2.0.0.1.exe
I feel bad for wasting your $5 so I’m spinning up a virt with Windows 8.1 and will give it a try… if it ever gets done downloading 8 years of security patches, lol
Ok….here’s the outcome ATM-
the setup completed.
the setup window offered a “Launch Now” button on the lower right-
I selected the “Launch”Low and Behold, Falcon 4.0 main screen interface came up. Something I have not seen since probably 2001.
I’m just reporting fact ATM. I looked through the setup screen-
It recognized my logitech joystick- so, that was interesting to me anyway. I was scared to opt for an instant action for fear of a CTD, I’m just hoping that the successful loading of Falcon4 was recorded into my registry.
BTW, I just let the GoG setup run its default course, so the install directory is C:\GoG Game\Falcon4.0-Please Advise if I need to make an adjustment at this point. I will now attempt to start the BMS setup file and report findings ASAP-
PostScript:
Oh my God-
There is a God-
Of all days, to be on an Easter Sunday-
I have the BMS setup launch screen before my eyes.
I had to report at least the screen presence, as my hopes are now so high.
I think I’m going to cry and ask for forgiveness of my sins. -
Let us know! I just completed install of GoG Falcon 4 and and BMS 4.35.0 on my test virt … seems to work just fine. (Can’t actually play it on a virt … no direct3d graphics and no audio device … but the install seems clean and the config-launcher starts, can even get the 2D menu screen to load for a moment.)
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Let us know! I just completed install of GoG Falcon 4 and and BMS 4.35.0 on my test virt … seems to work just fine. (Can’t actually play it on a virt … no direct3d graphics and no audio device … but the install seems clean and the config-launcher starts, can even get the 2D menu screen to load for a moment.)
Well, it seems that the purchase of the GoG, along w the appropriate Falcon 4.0 D/L that I totally missed- worked. A configuration menu starts first on my screen, then launching takes me to the “BMS Main Interface”…
Yes!
I go thru the setup screens, all appears fluid and devices are recognized.
It was so pleasing to hear the original background theme music. God it brought back 3000 hours of memories from back in the day.I’m beside myself ATM.
One serious question persists.
I need to know that for whatever may come down the pipeline, I can repeat this install trouble free.
If I have to save every registry entry, I would like to know what those entries are as it pertains to the GoG installation config.
If I have to export 20 entries, so be it. If I have to save everything to a Flash drive and burn a DVD, so be it.I can not put into words the exhaustion and depression I have gone through trying to find the correct procedure for installing BMS. If anyone in my tightest orb knew how I have suffered and became emotionally torn over this matter. At 60 plus years of age, my health was reflecting this state of affairs, as I kept my sadness on this matter buried deep within. Having worked with computers since the early 1980s, knowing every flavor of Windows ever released, every little back door…
If my orb knew my suffering, they would have gathered and committed me into an asylum.
So, on bended knee, I want to thank the posters on this last thread that posed the correct direction and suggestions, while kindly pointing out where I have missed steps that make this process work in full.
The version loaded is 4.33 with a screen note of some version updated. After setup and two Instant Action runs, I noticed there were no clouds. I didn’t care for now. I also noticed I will have to relearn the Falcon keyboard, as my memory recall failed to initiate guns or flares.
My skillsets include broad base of Photoshop going back to version 4…I took AutoCad in college and its all forgotten, not to mention I don’t have AutoCad anymore. I assume AutoCad or similar drafting programs are using for modeling aircraft in today’s flight sim genre.
Please forgive me as I close for now. My chest hurts and I am at a point of grief and gladness.
I will check back when my chest pains are subsided.
Sending My Best to Each and Everyone-
Eddy -
[QUOTE
GoG registry entry makes no mention of Falcon 4.0…only Falcon Gold and Falcon AT
)
This sound to me like evidence supporting the "PC seeing the collection, NOT F4. I’m still going with my original advise -
Just save ‘setup_falcon_4_2.0.0.1.exe’ on a USB thumb drive, or wherever you backup your stuff and you’ll never need to endure the pain of Steam/GoG again.
I suspect that’s what most of us do … and why the advice (and even youtube videos) gloss over a lot of the important details of exactly how to find and download the right thing… imho it’s the hardest part of the install…! unless you have to deal with torrent files (for a new release) on a firewalled network…
Glad you got it working. Yep, happy easter! Time to open the Training pdf and start working through the tutorials…
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I laid in bed watching some Ytube stuff on the matter. All the news about 4.35 release. My nerves couldn’t take much more.
But I pulled the trigger. Brought down the 435 full installer, and after some graphic education, it was WoWville.Now where do I send my money to show my gratitude and support for this simulation…?? If I can throw money at DCS F14B, I should be able to support BMS just the same. Hell, I have too many modules for DCS that I purchased just for dumb bordem. All the While trying to fill the void that Falcon 40 left computer systems technology shot through the roof.
Hell, I spent two days flipping a coin on whether or not I should go for the Third Wire Strike Fighters 2- Vietnam….
Ya just can’t substitute scripting as close as a dynamic game engine. Period.
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Congratulations, glad you got it all working! Had a feeling that Falcon 4.0 was not installed or something was wrong with it, sure 'nuff… darn 'puters.
Have fun and study hard - it’s worth it!