X52 Pro FSX plug-in does not work

[kdb]

hey guys,

As you can read in the title, the "Microsoft Flight Simulator X plug-in for the X52 Pro Flight Control System" just DOES NOT WORK at all.
I've read so many threads here, I m getting blind.
To start with, I ve got Windows Vista basic, and FSX deluxe edition with the acceleration pack installed...

1) I installed the newer drivers (the beta ones, the other ones weren't working...) and now I have "Driver version: 6.0.4.1" and "Software version: 6.0.4.1". However, this doesn't change a thing in FSX.
I can change the colours of the buttons/lights, but on the green LED screen of the throttle stick the only thing that appears is the hour and the date (and the mode it is in, being 1, 2 or 3). That s it.. Also not a single song title appears when I m playing songs in windows media player..

2) Although I did not install FSX after I installed the drivers, I tried to excute the SaiFlightSimX.exe file (C:\Program Files\saitek\directoutput and run (double click) SaiFlightSimX.exe), but it seems no setup process initiated (I tried to run it as Administrator as well and nothing works). However, this shouldn't even be necessary since I installed the drivers after I installed FSX as stated in the manual:
"If you have installed Flight Sim X and the X52 Pro’s driver software on your PC, the Flight Sim X iMFD plug-in will mean your X52 Pro is already set-up to display and control Radio Stack information and will show the radio stack settings when you open the Microsoft Flight Sim X application." Yeah right, doesn't work at all...

I just don't know what to do anymore. Please help me, I paid a lot for the X52 pro, and it really frustrates me like hell the plug-in isn't working.

Any help or advice guys?
Thanks!!

[osmith]

When you are running FSX, hit CTRL + ALT + DEL and select Task Manager.
Have a look in the process list.

Does SaiFlightSimX.exe appear in the list?
If this does not appear, it means the FSX config file might be corrupted. Look in C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX for exe.xml
Deleting this file and doubleclicking on SaiFlightSimX.exe should replace it with a working version, but it will remove any other plugins you may have, which will need to be added back in.

Does DirectOutputService.exe appear in the list?
If not, go to Control Panel -> Programs and remove the Saitek DirectOutput entry and reinstall the drivers.

[kdb]

Hey,

Thanks for the reply! Sadly, it just doesn't work. The Output Test works perfectly, and I am able to see the songs of Media Player, but all the rest (in FSX) doesn't work.

I did (exactly) what you asked, but SaiFlightSimX.exe still does not appear in the list. And neither does DirectOutputService.exe after uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers (I installed them as Administrator, I thought that might have changed something, but apparently it didn't)..
The only processes that appear (concerning Saitek) are SaiMFD.exe and ProfilerU.exe

Help please?

[UKSupport]

Could you zip and attach your exe.xml file so we can have a look at it please?

[wawibo]

Hi,

My configuration:
* Windows XP SP2 32bit, most security patches insatalled
* Saitek_X52Pro_Flight_Controller_SD6_32.exe version 6.0.4.1 (the latest on saitek.com)
* NO installation of SST
* FSX prof.ed. service pack 1
* X52 Pro

Old version of Saitek_X52Pro_Flight_Controller_SD6_32.exe worked well, no issues encountered with the MFD.

After installation of the latest version IT STILL WORKED UNTIL MY FIRST REBOOT!

After reboot I still find "DirectOutputService.exe" in my "Processes" list (and OutputTest works, so does HelloWorld; the latter one cannot be terminated without killing the process, however!)

Issues: If I now run SaiFlightSimX.exe the task appears in the "Processes" list for approx. 0.2 sec and then it disappears. When I start fsx.exe, SaiFlightSimX.exe appears again after a while in the Processes list - and disappears suddenly after 0.2 sec! - of course, consequently my MFD does not work anymore

My measures so far:
* Many "deinstall/reboot/install/reboot" cycles of Saitek_X52Pro_Flight_Controller_SD6_32.exe
* Deleting - as suggested - exe.xml (the version produced by SaiFlightSimX.exe attached - included path to the executable is ok)

Swift help more than appreciated!

Cheers

[wawibo]

Hello again,

Just wanted to be smart and tried several configurations (always with reboot and deleting of exe.xml!)

Here we go:
1) Saitek driver 6.0.4.1 + DirectOutput v.6.0.4.1: no, it does not work (see above)
2) Saitek dr. 6.0.4.1 + DirectOutput v.5.7.0.24: no, but the task "SaiFlightSimX.exe" REAMAINS IN THE TASK LIST! (attached the exe.xml)
3) Saitek dr. 5.7.0.22 + DirectOutput v.6.0.4.1: no, and "SaiFlightSimX.exe" disappears from task list
4) Saitek dr. 5.7.0.22 + DirectOutput v.5.7.0.24: yes, it works

So, enough stabbing around in the dark, it's now time for the experts!!
Thanks in advance

[UKSupport]

Definitely not a problem with the exe.xml file then - mostly proven by your experiments with the different versions!

We're definitely confused as to why this is happening though - about the only thing we can think of that is different is that you've got service pack 1 applied to FSX. However, that doesn't explain why you're okay with the old driver and directoutput versions - really, the FlightSimX.exe file hasn't changed over the different driver versions.

So in the interest of experimentation, could you try FSX without the Service Pack 1 applied to see if that makes a difference?

[wawibo]

Hi,

Will give it a try (even it is quite an effort or can I simply "disable" SP1 somehow?)..

One idea: can it make a difference if a driver version is digitally signed or not? I'm asking because e.g. "Brockhaus Multimedia" (a encycl.) had problems with one security patch issued by Microsoft - the patch prevented their copyright protection system to work properly. So, Microsoft had to publish a patch that rolled the previous one back...

In addition after my deinstallation/reboot cycles FSX did NOT ask me again if it is ok to start SaiFlightSimX.exe ...

Just an idea....

[wawibo]

Hello,

There is no difference whether the SP1 is installed or not.

Thanks for help

[Boombox]

My first post on here.... I'm having the same problem, it appears that everything is running, profile for FSX loaded etc, when I run FSX i get a blank config. I had it working after the original profile installation but since I rebooted it won't play ball.

[UKSupport]

@Wawibo & kdb, until Boombox posted here, you were the only ones who have reported such an issue so this is going to need more investigation.

That said, if Boombox could do what you've tried and confirm which version of Windows they're running, as well as if the OutputTest.exe responds, then that would help us see if we've now got three people with the same issue.

[wawibo]

Hello UKSupport,

Just for calibration of this issue: in other forums like

http://forum.flightxpress.de/showthread.php?tid=4378

you can find exactly the same discussions and issues

Still hoping for a patch..

Best regards

[affonsoamerico]

Originally Posted by UKSupport

@Wawibo & kdb, until Boombox posted here, you were the only ones who have reported such an issue so this is going to need more investigation.

That said, if Boombox could do what you've tried and confirm which version of Windows they're running, as well as if the OutputTest.exe responds, then that would help us see if we've now got three people with the same issue.

Unfortunately you're wrong Richard. I'm having the same problem. What I do is reinstall the drivers prior to run FSX every time I'm gonna fly. Doing this it works. Isn't that bad? I'm keeping the installations files on a HD folder just to avoid time losses. I'm really disapointed with the drivers and the lack of a repair.
Thanks

Affonso

[Hurtz]

I was having the same issue until i read this post http://www.saitekforum.com/showthread.php?t=12390

I guess my problem started after I reinstalled fsx so yours may be different. All that was needed was to manually launch SaiFlightSimX.exe and fsx then prompted for the plugin.

[OPTIMIST6]

Hi..

I have the same problem... I'm using Vista Ultimate and installed latest version 6.2.2.4...

I run saiflsimX file.. and result is the same... iMFD not running...

Please note that here the exact solution for this problem....