Help,RealFight G2 wont start in winXP,insert CD error

[1Way]

I can not start the program, it can’t seem to find the CD for some reason.

Here is what I’ve done
The install process went flawlessly, except that the first install I forgot to install direct X in my machine. I thought I had it, but that was on my old machine. So I uninstalled the program files but accepted leaving the serial numbers installed, plus the one other option bellow that I think. I immediately downloaded and installed the latest directX = 9.0b, and then I reinstalled RF G2, but I still get the same error messages (every time) right after I first try to start up the program, I’ve never gotten past the console, and I only get there “after” the 2 error messages.

The controller is working fine
After everything seemed to install completely and without problems (on both installs), I (again) hooked up my controller and XP found it (and installed it’s drivers) and it blinks like it’s supposed to, plus I’ve calibrated it via the console, so the control radio works fine.

What I did to get the error
When I click on the program to start it, for some reason it asks me to insert the CD into the CD drive even though it is already there, so I click ok, that does not work, and yes, auto run works on my machine, I even opened and closed the drive to see if that would help it find the CD, but it just keeps saying the same thing over and over again until I can finally hit cancel on the underlying window, then it gives me two consecutive error windows, saying

The error message
“KEError 32495. You may need to reinstall. Please contact technical support if the problem persists.”

Next error message says

“KEError 32494. Please contact technical support if the problem persists.”

My troubleshooting attempts so far I went to RF website and they had me check out the “something dot ini” file to see if that needs to be edited, and it seems ok, it correctly states my CDrom drive anyway. The very vague help suggestion did not tell me what exactly to look for, nor how to fix it, but I assume what it was trying to do.

I checked everything I could on the hardware test stuff on the console panel, and it all checks out fine (as far as I could tell). My machine is only 4 months old, has 1gig of fast RAM, 2serial hard drives in raid 0, and an ATI all in wonder 9800 pro.

I just got it today at the Toledo show for $165! It was from a smaller mom and pop shop table upstairs not a booth dealer in the show arena, but I chatted with the Great Planes guys about the purchase in case I might have problems with it and they were not shocked about the price and said it was a good price (only $5 over dealer cost=160, so I gatherd between the dealer and GreatPlanes blunt comments). I think they knew about the dealer upstairs and the box was in good shape with plastic seals intact, so everything except this error seems to be fine.

[gregw]

See if the error is in the Knowledge Base (http://www.gpsoftware.com/realflightg2kb.shtml), or contact (http://www.gpsoftware.com/contacts.htm) Great Planes for support.

I'd suggest uninstalling RFG2 and re-install everything again, including entering the serial number..

[1Way]

Ok, I searched their site for the KEError and got three things that do not apply, they have very little for startup error troubleshooting tips.

I'll try a complete uninstall and go from there. Also, I did not have the CDrom audio cable plugged in, but now plugged that in, so I will reboot after uninstalling the whole thing and try again and see. Thanks for trying.

[1Way]

gregw - Maybe I should register and download whatever updates and patches that may apply. But first the complete uninstall.

[1Way]

The complete uninstall did not help, but, SOMEHOW the serial number information was saved even though I told it to uninstall that along with everything else. ???

I'm guessing that it's something in the XP system settings somewhere. Bummer.

[gregw]

Hmmm... After you uninstalled RealFlight G2, was the RealFlight subdirectory deleted? I believe that the serial number is a file somewhere in that subdirectory.. You might want to try uninstalling it, then manually deleting the RealFlight subdirectory to make sure that it is completely gone before reinstalling. Good luck!

[1Way]

gregw - Yes, after I uninstalled everything, I went to that directory and deleted it all. However, from RC Universe, they are having me edit my registry to get rid of even more info for a proper reinstall, by usiing an installation fix provided by realflight that I did ot see before. But then again, I did not realize that I was having any problems with the install process and their description says that it's to fix install problems. Here is the link.

http://www2.realflight.com/rfserial.html

? I might as well try it, nothing else works yet.

[1Way]

Ok, except for the very first install where I forgot to install the latest direct X stuff, the install process has always worked perfectly well as far as I can tell. The problem happens after it has been installed and during the very “first” attempt to run the program. At that point it always does a full CD copy from the install disk, but then immediately after that copy session is over, and I’d expect the program would normally start to run, it halts on an error which asks me to insert the CD and try again, I say ok, and try again, but nothing ever works. Then, after I cancel out of that infinite loop of trying to access my CD drive by clicking on cancel on a primary (underlying) window (that also asks me to insert the CD and try again), that is when I get the KEError 32495 error first, I click ok, and then the KEError 32494 error message, also both, without fail.

AND, I THINK “SIGNIFICANTLY”, THAT ERROR OF NOT READING MY CD DRIVE ALSO immediately HAPPENS when I tried to use the INSTALLATION FIX. I have never even been able to use that file because it always errors saying that I should insert the CD and try again.

So it seems to me that there is some sort of low level function or hardware configuration setting that is not working right between RealFlight and my CD drive and/or winXP. On that note, RealFlight online tech support files suggests to verify that my CD drive has autoplay or autorun selected to operate on that drive, BUT, when I do what they tell me to do to verify this, there is NO such option for my CD drive in the device manager. I had to do a windows help search for this autoplay function, but, the only thing I get there does not address the CD drive itself, its about various media file types and how they are supposed to autoplay.

QuestionOk, except for the very first install where I forgot to install the latest direct X stuff, the install process has always worked perfectly well as far as I can tell. The problem happens after it has been installed and during the very “first” attempt to run the program. At that point it always does a full CD copy from the install disk, but then immediately after that copy session is over, and I’d expect the program would normally start to run, it halts on an error which asks me to insert the CD and try again, I say ok, and try again, but nothing ever works. Then, after I cancel out of that infinite loop of trying to access my CD drive by clicking on cancel on a primary (underlying) window (that also asks me to insert the CD and try again), that is when I get the KEError 32495 error first, I click ok, and then the KEError 32494 error message, also both, without fail.

AND, I THINK “SIGNIFICANTLY”, THAT ERROR OF NOT READING MY CD DRIVE ALSO immediately HAPPENS when I tried to use the INSTALLATION FIX. I have never even been able to use that file because it always errors saying that I should insert the CD and try again.

So it seems to me that there is some sort of low level function or hardware configuration setting that is not working right between RealFlight and my CD drive and/or winXP. On that note, RealFlight online tech support files suggests to verify that my CD drive has autoplay or autorun selected to operate on that drive, BUT, when I do what they tell me to do to verify this, there is NO such option for my CD drive in the device manager. I had to do a windows help search for this autoplay function, but, the only thing I get there does not address the CD drive itself, its about various media file types and how they are supposed to autoplay.

Question
So if anyone as any ideas for how to verify that my CD drive hardware is set to autoplay, I would appreciate that info. It autoruns the CD install program by simply inserting the CD into the drive, but I’m not sure that counts as “autoplay”.

I tried to update my device driver for the CD drive, but Windows tells me that they are already the most up to date.

I am really stuck aren’t I. (chuckles)

I’m sure it’s a really great piece of software.

Thank you all for your kind assistance, much appreciated.

I would appreciate it if anyone as any ideas for how to verify that my CD drive hardware is set to autoplay. It autoruns the CD install program by simply inserting the CD into the drive, but I’m not sure if that counts as “autoplay” or not.

I tried to update my device driver for the CD drive, but Windows tells me that they are already the most up to date.

I am really stuck aren’t I. (chuckles)

I’m sure it’s a really great piece of software.

Thank you all for your kind assistance, much appreciated.

[gregw]

Hmmm... That is pretty odd... When you insert the RFG2 CD, does it automatically start up the install program? When you open up "My Computer", does it show the RFG2 CD as in the drive? If both of these are present, then the CD-ROM drive recognises that the RFG2 CD is in the drive and should have no problems when you start up RFG2..

Another thing you can try.. Insert the RFG2 CD, in "My Computer", right-click your CD-ROM drive and click on "AutoPlay".. That should start the installation program.. If it works, then there is no problem with your CD.. You might also want to check the "AutoPlay" tab under the "Properties" when you right-click your CD-ROM drive.

[1Way]

Yes, and yes.

Yes, all that works.

Any more suggestions before tommorow when the tech support will be in?

[gregw]

Originally posted by 1Way

Any more suggestions before tommorow when the tech support will be in?

Sorry, no more ideas on what you can do... :( Sounds like it isn't a problem with XP not being able to find the CD, more probably a problem with the CD itself...

From your symptoms, it could be that the program reads/copies stuff from the CD to the Hard Drive and dies half way because it couldn't read the CD copy protection when it tries to start... I'm just speculating here since when I had my old copy of RFG2, it would occassionally ask me to insert the CD, and I assume they never bothered removing that even though the Interlink version now requires you to insert the Interlink USB Controller before it will start up..

[1Way]

gregw - Thanks for trying! You said, Sounds like it isn't a problem with XP not being able to find the CD, more probably a problem with the CD itself...

From your symptoms, it could be that the program reads/copies stuff from the CD to the Hard Drive and dies half way because it couldn't read the CD copy protection when it tries to start... Well, I don’t think the problem is with the “CD itself”. I think it’s that the CD does not like my CD/DVD combo drive setup. I have a CD/DVD player/recorder, and I just heard from another post elsewhere that DVD (combo) players have more compatibility issues with some unusual hardware calls, like some copyright verification schemes. One user with this same problem simply borrowed an external CD drive and it installed on his system just fine!

I am tempted to buy into an external CD player which might come in handy for occasional CD backup burning, but you can do that via a hard drive copy and I do not plan on burning many backup CDs. So I guess I’ll have to hold out for RealFlight tech support, and fortunately from what I gather from others with similar problems, this issue seems fixable as I have seen no one yet say that this problem was not resolvable via their tech support. I just got it Friday and wanted to get it up and running already. Thank you very kindly for freely offering your assistance!

[gregw]

Originally posted by 1Way
I think it’s that the CD does not like my CD/DVD combo drive setup. I have a CD/DVD player/recorder, and I just heard from another post elsewhere that DVD (combo) players have more compatibility issues with some unusual hardware calls, like some copyright verification schemes.

Yep.. Most software companies have gotten rid of the CD copy protection for the simple reason that it creates more problems than it solves, especially since most bit based CD copier programs like CloneCD will be able to copy/duplicate the CD anyway, rendering the copy protection scheme useless.. Now that RFG2 uses the Interlink controller as the copy protection hardware key, they really don't need this anyway..

[1Way]

Yes!, it’s working and it runs great. Tech support just gave me a code that locks in my software (to the computer I guess) which was a work around for the protection scheme like we talked about, and it has worked flawlessly ever since. I’ve tested out different aircraft and all the locations and set the visual effect all the way up and it all works. It looks like a great program!

[sidewinder60]

I'm having the same problem as you. I just got Real Flight G2 and after installing it won't recognize my Cd drive. What code did they give you to make it work?

[1Way]

Sidewinder60 - You said “CD”, my CD player was a DVD/CD player combo, and the DVD side of things was at issue. I do not believe they just gave me “a” code that is like a universal fix, they first ask you to enter in stuff in a troubleshooting box, you verify that info then enter it, then it spits back an answer, you give that answer to them, they verify that info for correctness, they do this troubleshooting to verify some things, then if everything is properly verified (i.e. basically your product is not registered to some other owner), they tell you to enter in some very long data string, then you verify that, then enter that, then upon reboot you should be fine. But you are probably stuck out of luck since they are not open on the weekends. I had to wait till Monday.

Authentication is unique for every product
And I did not record that entry, but I think it is generated autonomously such that perhaps every fix will require a different code to fix the same basic issue (she was entering my codes into her computer just like I was entering codes into mine). I think that code is somehow tied in with your registration for your product, or else it’s tied in with the specific product ID which is hardwired into your controller. I say that because this problem involves authentication involving your product’s identification, so it is probably looking at your “install” and the “CD” and the “product ID”, to make sure everything is in order.

And all that happens after you answer their first several minuets of obligatory and customary questions for standard troubleshooting, and it may also serve to register you as a user, plus theoretically it could be other issues. It really didn’t take very long and they were very friendly and helpful.

Stand alone CD player might help
Lastly, if you just can not wait till Monday, if so I can’t blame you, your next best option is to reinstall using a CD drive that is not also a DVD player or recorder. That was too much of a hassle for me, but I read somewhere where someone had a CD/DVD combo and they figured out the probable problem on their own, and borrowed a CD player from somewhere and it worked flawlessly. But if your problem is the same as mine, it will work within so many minuets of contacting technical support.

DVD player/recorder is the culprit
As soon as I told them it was a CD/DVD combo, they said ok, they commonly heard of this before, so this is simply a DVD combo or DVD player problem, seems to (generally) work fine in a CD player. They said the fix actually bypasses or completes the authentication process to finally finish the install process which is technically not done yet. So they must be doing manually what the program is doing automatically in terms of verifying your product ID and CD and install.

Registration is a good idea
I suggest that you register also, as she made it clear that she verified my registration as being active or good (I registered like 4 times in repeated failed attempts to get it working). If you do not have your product registered, I do not know if that may or may not be required prior to a full fix or not. I would normally doubt it would be a problem, but, who knows. So, if your problem is exactly the same as mine, either wait till Monday or somehow get a CD player and install it that way. I would do a full uninstall first before trying that route.
Calibrate the controller
Also, I think the radio controller is a digital device, but I think you can verify the controller settings in joystick/game controller under control panel. I think the rotory nob was about the only thing that needed adjusting, but there’s a complete setup routine in WinXP anyway which calibrated the controller.

Very helpful tips for learning to hover
“Time multiplier” is the ultimate :) difficulty level setting
If you want to learn to hover, I suggest downloading the Cap232 3D version from the down load site at the main software site. But last I checked I could not find it, so I’d download the Caps and I think one of them will turn up saying Cap232 3D in your program. Use that plane and set the time multiplier to it’s lowest setting, go to options, misc. time multiplier. It will be WAY easier to learn to hover doing it that way, than leaving it at 100%. But, don’t get too used to that setting, hovering is very complex but fun mental work. As you progress, keep uping the time multiplier.

After a bunch of practice, I highly suggest doing the opposite! Set the multiplier to max and try hovering, it is a crackup. But, it is not completely impossible. Then work your way down to 100% and eventually hovering near 100% will become doable. I’m not there yet, more like 75% for occasional prolonged yet somewhat precarious hovers. :D But the “time multiplier” is crucial especially if you have little or no experience doing it or any other difficult maneuver. You can hover with a few different planes, some like the purplish biplane, some like the blue and white trainer, but few are really well setup for hovering. I like to reduce the “wing loading” (you reduce the weight in like 4 different areas on the plane, like just reduce them all by 1/2 or whatever) to make the plane more of a 3D type aircraft. I like the Cap232 3D, in the lowest time setting it is slow motion and sorta blimp like. Your options are open, the sky’s the limit.

Good luck with all that, and drop us a line to let us know how you did sometime. It really is a great program, and online flying can be great fun too.

[1Way]

Sidewinder60 - Looking forward to your response.

[Mopar92]

Just happened to me last week.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=234462

I put in my disk, the thing runs fine, I took out the disk, all is well.

[1Way]

Mopar92 - Yours sounds a bit different if you were able to use the program at all prior to it needing that disk. I was not able to use the program at all, just the update console and all that until they troubleshot the thing over the phone. It was the DVD player portion of the CD/DVD combo that evidently had problems reading the disk when it was supposed to.

Did you actually play the sim prior to it freezing up on you? Did you play it more than once? Glad it worked for you, but inserting the disk did not work for me, the disk could not read right because of the DVD player confusing things, so inserting the disk does not simply (or always) fix this problem, but I'm glad it worked for you. Sorry for asking the obvious, but, why didn't you insert the disk when the problem came up?

Apparently after the install routine is completely finished and the copyright protection is verified, then you should not need to insert the CD again, at least Tech Support that fixed my system told me that it should not seek my CD now that the verification has been settled.

[Mopar92]

I was flying, stopped, left it running but paused,went to dinner, 1.5 hours later.......... I unpaused and the same error message came up for me. It WOULD NOT WORK without the disk all of the sudden. I was out of town, and had to wait 5 days to insert the disk, then it read it, then I removed the disk just fine.That what you mean?

[1Way]

Yes, thanks, so, when was the first error message, and how did you solve that problem?

With the problem I had, you do not get to play the game at all, no, none, not, zilch, ,,, until you finally either install with a CD drive, or call tech support and they manually finish the verification process.

(Potentially some CD/DVD combo's might work, but from my limited experience and from learning from others, generally speaking, if you have a DVD player, the install process will most likely fail and you will not be able to use this product until you either call tech-support or you install it with a CD drive.)

It's good to know your experience too, others might have similar problems and so it all may help someone. Thanks for the updates.

[1Way]

Also, you might have picked up on a windows issue by leaving your system alone for that long of time. If your system has power settings that might have been that particular culprit. Perhaps windows sort of like half way shut down your program from active memory, but not a full program shut down, so when you went to continue playing it, the program woke back up and was sort of lost as to why it was up and running this way, so it naturally did a verification process and so on.

I'd check your power settings within control panel, all of them, to see if you hard drives ever shut off, or if it goes into suspend mode or shut down mode or whatever. I'd leave all that stuff off, unless you have a laptop and are running on batteries.