My battle with Falcon BMS 4.32 and Thrustmaster T.A.R.G.E.T.
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i dont have it in front of me, but i thought it was supposed to say all that, then you minimize the window and fly the sim and everything works.
Close but not quite. I took a screens shot of my TARGET running normally so I could link it here in case that helps any. The very first line he quoted:
"*** Allocated ProcInstances found from the previous run: use FreeProcInstance() *** "
is NOT a line on my TARGET script when running. Other than his error messages it looks pretty much the same. Picture below:
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This is PRECISELY why I run TARGET and key commands versus DX. I tried setting it up DX but the IDs would shift between reboots/uses without me connection of disconnecting anything so that what was a SSC command would now be on the MFD or some such. After I switched to key commands and TARGET I haven’t had any issues at all.
I never have this issue, only when I place a known device into another port, or when I add a new USB DX device to my pc.
I’ve been flying over 18months without issues with the following devices all working with DX in BMS: Cougar stick, Cougar throttle via TUSBA, ICP via Arduino.This also gives me the advantage of being able to set up multiple key presses to one button. Shifted MFD button to give me AWACS vector to threat/request help kind of commands (Q then 4 or Q then Q then 1) as a single button push rather than having to go to the keyboard for it.
You can have shifted DX buttons too, I have tons of them. A couple on my MFD’s voor awacs & tower calls. And some on my throttle (eg idle cutoff).
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Thanks again to all who have contributed help above, it’s most appreciated.
Another few hours spent last night trying to resolve this but without success. So i started working on a DX .key file to see how that goes (last option i guess?) So far, so good but as mentioned above i haven’t tried re-booting PC or sim yet so no idea if the assignments and axes with hold or not, probably not based on Stubbies comments. I guess i could live with a few amendments once in a while being required but every re-boot or sim exit might be pushing my tolerances somewhat!!!
Would locking the new DX .key file down as read-only once completed be any use? Obviously i have already made a backup. A bit spooky if BMS is capable of un-locking a file and then changing it as well!!! Lol!!
I do have another powered USB Hub that i will try, it only has 2 ports so would not be any good for my MFD’s but it’s worth a try? My only doubt about it’s validity is the fact that i’ve tried connecting the Joystick & Throttle direct to 2 separate laptop’s and the error still persists, to the letter in fact!! At least it’s repeatable!!
Anyway, update coming later, i have 3 days off as off this morning and the wife is away working in South Korea for a month so no distractions!!!
Thanks guys, every comment is appreciated!
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@ dutybooty,
BMS dumps its assignments if the device order changes. It is easily remedied by putting back your saved config folder (I think it might be the callsign.pop file, not sure).Hi Icarus,
Could you elaborate a bit on your comment above? Is it a file or folder i’m backing up and replacing? Happy with the device order comment, will keep an eye on that, so far no issues over last few re-boots though? I have JoyID to monitor and change order if required and also USBDev for more in depth info on each device.
Thanks mate.
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Am going to persevere for another day or two but if i can’t solve the TARGET issue and DX doesn’t work on 95% of sim flights then i guess it’s back to DCS A-10C until i get a new PC or controller setup and can hopefully re-visit BMS and run smoothly.
Pity, as i had both Falcon 3.0 and 4.0 when they were released and have missed playing them!
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Am going to persevere for another day or two but if i can’t solve the TARGET issue and DX doesn’t work on 95% of sim flights then i guess it’s back to DCS A-10C until i get a new PC or controller setup and can hopefully re-visit BMS and run smoothly.
Pity, as i had both Falcon 3.0 and 4.0 when they were released and have missed playing them!
Read my reply a couple of posts above. I’ve been flying DX with 3 devices in BMS for more then a year without issues.
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Read my reply a couple of posts above. I’ve been flying DX with 3 devices in BMS for more then a year without issues.
Hi Focal,
Thanks, but i must be doing something seriously wrong as i’ve just twice loaded the new DX .key file i spent 3 hours building last night and NONE of the commands work??? Axes are all cool but NO button presses, releases etc worked at all.
I used the Keyfile Generator tool from ragnar-darude’s page at SourceForge to build the file based on another one i had (Morphine’s i think?) It seems i am only able to program the buttons via the in-game interface? And then i’ve still not yet established if they persist after exit/re-start sim?
Maybe if you have some time you could post the exact process you followed for your setup and i’ll closely follow that?
Thanks mate.
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Hi Focal,
Thanks, but i must be doing something seriously wrong as i’ve just twice loaded the new DX .key file i spent 3 hours building last night and NONE of the commands work??? Axes are all cool but NO button presses, releases etc worked at all.
I used the Keyfile Generator tool from ragnar-darude’s page at SourceForge to build the file based on another one i had (Morphine’s i think?) It seems i am only able to program the buttons via the in-game interface? And then i’ve still not yet established if they persist after exit/re-start sim?
Maybe if you have some time you could post the exact process you followed for your setup and i’ll closely follow that?
Thanks mate.
First determine what button ID your buttons on the stick & throttle have. Do so by going into BMS setup page where you have a view of the buttons/axis/keyfile and press for example the pickle switch (red weapon release button on the stick). Beneath the list of key commands you then see “Button 3” appear while pressing it. 3 of course just being an example.
That means your computer is seeing your joystick button as the third in a row of all possible buttons of all DX connected devices.
In your key file however, you need to extract 1 from that number, because BMS counts the first button as being “0”, not “1”. So when you see button 3 in the UI, use id 2 for that button. So that would be “SimPickle 2 8 -2 0 0x0 0”.
All the information on this is in the documentation somewhere (can’t tell it by heart here from work). -
First determine what button ID your buttons on the stick & throttle have. Do so by going into BMS setup page where you have a view of the buttons/axis/keyfile and press for example the pickle switch (red weapon release button on the stick). Beneath the list of key commands you then see “Button 3” appear while pressing it. 3 of course just being an example.
That means your computer is seeing your joystick button as the third in a row of all possible buttons of all DX connected devices.
In your key file however, you need to extract 1 from that number, because BMS counts the first button as being “0”, not “1”. So when you see button 3 in the UI, use id 2 for that button. So that would be “SimPickle 2 8 -2 0 0x0 0”.
All the information on this is in the documentation somewhere (can’t tell it by heart here from work).Ok Focal, i hear what you’re saying and now assume that the Keyfile Generator application by Red_Dog i used to compose my new .key file that is not working as it should be or i’m using it incorrectly?
So will the BMS-DX-Generator 1_6.xls spreadsheet/tool by Kolbe (in the BMS-User-Joystick-Generic-Kolbe folder) be ok to use to do this editing or is it literally a case of typing/copy/pasting all that hex-code stuff directly into the keyfile in Notepad++???
Because if it is i’m not sure my will to live will survive that experience!! I’m pretty much at the end of my rope with this to be honest? It says the Warthog page in the BMS-DX-Generator 1_6.xls tool is Work In Progress too so i’m not exactly confident that’s going to be a pain free experience using that either!
Can’t believe how difficult this is to resolve, been flight-simming a LONG time and not sure i’ve encountered anything as complex and frustrating?
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Ok Focal, i hear what you’re saying and now assume that the Keyfile Generator application by Red_Dog i used to compose my new .key file that is not working as it should be or i’m using it incorrectly?
So will the BMS-DX-Generator 1_6.xls spreadsheet/tool by Kolbe (in the BMS-User-Joystick-Generic-Kolbe folder) be ok to use to do this editing or is it literally a case of typing/copy/pasting all that hex-code stuff directly into the keyfile in Notepad++???
Because if it is i’m not sure my will to live will survive that experience!! I’m pretty much at the end of my rope with this to be honest? It says the Warthog page in the BMS-DX-Generator 1_6.xls tool is Work In Progress too so i’m not exactly confident that’s going to be a pain free experience using that either!
Can’t believe how difficult this is to resolve, been flight-simming a LONG time and not sure i’ve encountered anything as complex and frustrating?
There’s nothing complex to it?
The xls I never used, faster typing it by hand where necessary.
If you’re using the excel, be sure to set the starting ID number for your devices correctly.
Can you post here what the pickle switch ID nr is when pressing it in BMS config UI, and the extract of your key file regarding the stick to compare? -
Hi Icarus,
Could you elaborate a bit on your comment above? Is it a file or folder i’m backing up and replacing? Happy with the device order comment, will keep an eye on that, so far no issues over last few re-boots though? I have JoyID to monitor and change order if required and also USBDev for more in depth info on each device.
Thanks mate.
Yes, keep a current backup of your BMS config folder or the callsign.pop file. If your devices go out of order and you don’t enter the BMS UI and they go back to normal order before you enter BMS, no harm will be done. If you enter BMS GUI and BMS notices your devices are out of order, it sees the button assignments do not match and dumps your settings to default in the callsign.pop file. Exit the sim and replace the callsign.pop file and re-enter……voila it will be back to normal because your devices match the file.
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There’s nothing complex to it?
The xls I never used, faster typing it by hand where necessary.
If you’re using the excel, be sure to set the starting ID number for your devices correctly.
Can you post here what the pickle switch ID nr is when pressing it in BMS config UI, and the extract of your key file regarding the stick to compare?Attached is screenshot of my BMS.key file which is the active one in-game. Could not locate SimPickle in the Mapping column of the game control UI so i assigned Joystick Button 1 (Trigger First Detent) to SimTriggerFirstDetent (obviously!) and as you can see in game it comes up as Button 1 as expected and Button 2 in BMS.key file.
I couldn’t take a screenshot of the game UI, it wouldn’t print screen from the game for some reason? Trust me though it button 1 in game came up as Button 1.
It’s also here below:
SimTriggerFirstDetent 0 8 -2 0 0x0 0
SimPickle 1 8 -2 0 0x0 0
SimPinkySwitch 2 8 -2 0 0x0 0
SimAPOverride 3 8 -2 0 0x0 0
SimMissileStep 4 8 -2 0 0x0 0
SimTriggerSecondDetent 5 8 -2 0 0x0 0
SimTMSUp 6 8 -2 0 0x0 0
SimTMSRight 7 8 -2 0 0x0 0
SimTMSDown 8 8 -2 0 0x0 0
SimTMSLeft 9 8 -2 0 0x0 0
SimDMSUp 10 8 -2 0 0x0 0
SimDMSRight 11 8 -2 0 0x0 0Also, will the fact that my laptop will definitely be disconnected and reconnected most day affect the workability of any fix for this? I have to take it to work with me so leaving it plugged into my hub/controllers is not an option? Understand not everyone has experienced the re-ordering of devices on disconnect issue but i have to assume that i might?
Thanks again Focal appreciate your assistance greatly, especially as you’re still at work!!
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Attached is screenshot of my BMS.key file which is the active one in-game. Could not locate SimPickle in the Mapping column of the game control UI so i assigned Joystick Button 1 (Trigger First Detent) to SimTriggerFirstDetent (obviously!) and as you can see in game it comes up as Button 1 as expected and Button 2 in BMS.key file.
If in UI it came up as 1, the 0 in your key file should be correct.
But, You might be looking at the wrong part. See attached screenshot. I do NOT mean the button 1 in the red circle. I mean the part in the yellow square (69 in the example). That should be the value-1 in your key file.
If that indeed showed button 1, then the key file should work. Unless somewhere you have a duplicate, or a bad written line missing a digit or character (which breaks all that comes after it in the key file).I couldn’t take a screenshot of the game UI, it wouldn’t print screen from the game for some reason?
Hitting prt scrn in BMS automatically saves your screenshots to \Falcon BMS 4.32\User\Pictures\
Also, will the fact that my laptop will definitely be disconnected and reconnected most day affect the workability of any fix for this? I have to take it to work with me so leaving it plugged into my hub/controllers is not an option? Understand not everyone has experienced the re-ordering of devices on disconnect issue but i have to assume that i might?
I don’t have issues when I disconnect everything and reconnect them afterwards, for when example I go to a LAN.
Just make sure all devices are in the same port as before, and they are all in there before booting.Thanks again Focal appreciate your assistance greatly, especially as you’re still at work!!
no problemo.
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Silly question but you are loading the key file in BMS? This usually only needs to be done once and it would explain your key bindings not working. I personally wouldn’t have edited the BMS.key file but made a copy and used that.
I have been using a pure DX setup for a few years now and have never had any issues. I disconnect controllers and reboot the computer no problem. Make sure when you plug the controllers in you use THE SAME PORT. If you put a controller into a different port Window (bless it little heart) will reassign the USB device order … you might be lucky and this reassignment results in no change but that’s not usually the case.
Your key file looks a bit suspect …
Here is a snip out of mine (my stick is the 2nd USB controller hence why the numbers stats at 32).
SimTriggerFirstDetent 0 8 -2 0 0x0 0
That 8 is -1 in my file and looking at documentation I have should be. That 8 is saying that the 2d control that has ID 8 can also trigger this function, -1 indicates that no 2d control is assigned.
Here is what I get when I press the trigger in setup
Notice the key file used (RGT) and the key press message at the bottom.
Hope some of this helps….
Ninja’d by FD
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my key file has 8 also. Never had issues actually.
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Hey guys,
So, if i’m reading this right (probably not!) i need to search through the 736 lines of code in BMS.key to find any missing or incorrect entries? Gulp!!
I backed up every key file i have, especially the BMS stock ones so i do have reference copies. How would i build a .key file from scratch to ensure there are zero omissions or conflicts etc? What is the best tool for this?
Been having another look at Morphine’s profile “Warthog_DX.key” from his Warthog Files site and it’s really well composed with everything in sections with headings etc (a lot like Tiffy’s above!). Would there be any way to use this as a basis for my own .key file and get that to work?
I’d be happy to just get the below bit to work:
#################################################################
Full real TM HOTAS Couger DX button mapping,
this is the UNSHIFTED (without holding Pinky/S3) layer.
Notes:
Windows counts the buttons from DX 1 to 32,
BMS counts the buttons from DX 0 to 31.
set g_bHotasDgftSelfCancel 0
(this is set to 0 by default)
#################################################################
The 1st number after the function name is the DX button number,
the rest of the line is always the same and irrelevant for us.
TG1 (Win DX1 = BMS DX0)
SimTriggerFirstDetent 0 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
Pickle/S2 (Win DX2 = BMS DX1)
SimPickle 1 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
Pinky/S3 (Win DX3 = BMS DX2)
SimHotasPinkyShift 2 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
Paddle/S4 (…and so on…)
SimAPOverride 3 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
MslStep/S1
SimMissileStep 4 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
TG2
SimTriggerSecondDetent 5 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
TMS/H2
SimTMSUp 6 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
SimTMSRight 7 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
SimTMSDown 8 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
SimTMSLeft 9 -1 -2 0 0x0 0DMS/H3
SimDMSUp 10 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
SimDMSRight 11 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
SimDMSDown 12 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
SimDMSLeft 13 -1 -2 0 0x0 0CMS/H4/Z-Axis
SimCMSUp 14 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
SimCMSRight 15 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
SimCMSDown 16 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
SimCMSLeft 17 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
SimSlapSwitch 18 -1 -2 0 0x0 0Left Throttle Button
SimToggleMissileCage 19 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
Cursor Button
SimCursorEnable 20 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
Coolie Switch
OTWGlanceForward 21 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
FOVToggle 22 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
OTWSelect3DCockpitMode 23 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
OTWSelectHUDMode 24 -1 -2 0 0x0 0Radio Switch
SimMPO 25 -1 -2 0 0x0 0 #DX26 used by EORMOTOR for MPO Hold
SimTransmitCom1 26 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
SimCommsSwitchRight 27 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
SimTransmitCom2 28 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
SimCommsSwitchLeft 29 -1 -2 0 0x0 0Speedbrakes
AFBrakesIn 30 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
AFBrakesOut 31 -1 -2 0 0x0 0As before thanks for all help and comments guys…the battle goes on!
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Use the excel, or use another key file like the one you mentioned and edit that to your likings. I just copied Kolbe’s one and changed a small amount of keystrokes and manually did all DX things.
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Use the excel, or use another key file like the one you mentioned and edit that to your likings. I just copied Kolbe’s one and changed a small amount of keystrokes and manually did all DX things.
Ok cool, so just so i get it right if i am happy with Morphine’s key file in its entirety all i should technically have to do is:
Go into the sim, load his key file in the controllers UI.
Manually map all the DX HOTAS buttons to the same assignments as he has in his file by clicking on te key command and then hitting the desired joystick, throttle, mfd button?
And then assign and calibrate all axes?
Click Apply and click ok, good to go??
Fingers crossed!
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I know you’re looking into dx assignment and hope it works out for you, but I’m still pondering the Target issue. Have you tried a different script file?
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I know you’re looking into dx assignment and hope it works out for you, but I’m still pondering the Target issue. Have you tried a different script file?
Yes mate, i’ve tried quite a few and the result is identical every time? Weird!! Thing is i’m not convinced TARGET has ever worked on my system as up until re-visiting BMS in the last week or 2 i’ve never had a need for it. I’ve been flying DCS A-10C pretty much since i got both my Warthog HOTAS and my current system. I’ve never felt the need for TARGET in DCS and when i looked at it on first receiving my Warthog it just seemed a bit to heavy duty to be worth getting to know? It seemed to have a lot of bad press on the DCS forums too, so that was another reason i never got involved.
I tried running a couple of profiles from the Script Writer again as well earlier but alas the exact same error!! WTF!!
Thanks.