andyross@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Andrew Rossmann) (10/09/89)
Microsoft recently released version 4 of Flight Simulator. It contains several new features, such as variable weather and other air traffic. It also has modules for 8088/86,80286 and 80386 computers. Unfortunately, it also appears to have 2 major bugs. The first really only affects Tandy 1000 computers. If you select the Tandy 1000 keyboard, it will also use the Tandy's 3-voice sound for better effects (especially crashing!). Unfortunately, when it initializes the ports, you end up with a high-pitched whistle that lasts even after you exit the program. I did find a work-around, though. If you run BASIC first, it apparantly sets things up right and Flight Simulator will work right. I start up FS with a batch program: basic quiet fs4 %1 The QUIET.BAS program consists of 1 line: 10 SYSTEM Another work-around is to use the standard keyboard layouts. Do NOT use the 'function keys on top' version, though. Use the 'function keys on left' setting. If you have the TL or SL, you should probably use the 'keys on top' version, although you won't have the 'better' sound. Another major bug I found is that it does not use the startup mode settings! If you make changes (such as setting full realism and other stuff) and use the 'Save startup mode' command, when you re-start FS4, it goes back to the normal startup!! The only work-around for this is to make a separate mode that you have to manually load in. I should mention I have a Tandy 1000SX with a Paradise VGA+ video card. Temporarily going back to the built-in video did NOT fix the noise problem. Andrew Rossmann andyross@ddsw1.MCS.COM P.S. Does Tandy have a version of BASIC that supports both 3-voice sound and EGA/VGA graphics???
silver@eniac.seas.upenn.edu (Andy Silverman) (10/10/89)
Does anyone know if there is an upgrade policy from 3.0? +-----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Andy Silverman | Internet: silver@eniac.seas.upenn.edu | | "All stressed out and | Compu$erve: 72261,531 | | nobody to choke." | | +-----------------------+-----------------------------------------+
toma@tekgvs.LABS.TEK.COM (Tom Almy) (10/10/89)
In article <15312@netnews.upenn.edu> silver@eniac.seas.upenn.edu.UUCP (Andy Silverman) writes: >Does anyone know if there is an upgrade policy from 3.0? Yes, following standard Microsoft policy, upgrades are $75.00. They'll charge your account (or cash your check) now, and deliver the Flight Simulator (t.m.) six months later :-). I actually called in and reported some bugs (the autopilot only completely works in Chigago. Gee, I wonder where this game was developed??). I wonder if I can get a free upgrade?? (Fat chance, I'd guess). Tom Almy toma@tekgvs.labs.tek.com Now, more than ever, Standard Disclaimers Apply