Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020: X-56 Bindings Diagram

MS Flight Simulator support many hardware controls, including Logitech’s X56 HOTAS.

Much to my surprise, I found I coiuldn’t easily find a diagram showing the Logitech/Saitek X56 HOTAS controller bindings for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. So, I decided it was time to create one – although I borrowed a blank diagram interface template for the X56 (credit in the document) to do it. Although I’ve included a link to the diagram PDF here, I’m more the happy to furnish copies in MS Word or .jpg with sufficient demand for it. Please add your interest in the comments section to this article if that’s the case for you and which format you’d like to see this in. (I have simply not filled in the blanks on the other formats as of yet and don’t want to do the work if there’s no interest).

Download the X56 Bindings Diagram for MS Flight Simulator 2020 here.

Fly safe!

Microsoft Flight Simulator Saitek X56 Compatibility Issue & Missing Stream Content (2 Issues)

Microsoft Flight Simulator released gobally back in mid-August to generally positive initial reviews. Funtionality seemed initially sound and my Saitek X52 Pro HOTAS worked perfectly. This continued into early October — when Asobo Studio (the game’s developer, under contract with Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios) suddenly stopped working on my PC. In the following days and weeks, I decended into a netherworld of support fixes, articles, drivers and other nitemarish tech support imagery and even XML configuration files with GUIDs and everything; all to no avail. That is until, I finally decided to abandon my efforts to rely on my Saitek X52 and instead upgrade to the Logitech/Saitek X56.

A Costly Endeavour

Thus began my search online for a new X56. Thanks to the COVID-19 virus which plagued our beloved planet throughout the 2020 gaming season, supplies of “stay-at-home” hardware in computer tech had dried up somewhat. For specialty gaming items as HOTAS controllers (like the X56 in particular) it was all but impossible to find a reliable supplier. After wrangling with a non-delivered package and laying out nearly $1,000 (CDN) I eventually obtained my X56 at a premium by visiting the US Aamazon sales website (https://amazon.com) and ordering it directly from Logitech (which is an Amazon-recognized seller).

Getting the New Hardware to Work

So I’d had to wait several weeks for it to arrive, but when it finally did, initially, it didn’t seem to help matters. I started repeating the troubleshooting tips I’d used with the X52 to no avail. Shockingly, these same steps actually worked with the newly-procured X56. (Click here for the details.)

A New Problem Erupts: Missing Content!

• 

  Fig. 1: The Marketplace tab within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, shown in relation to other tabs.

• 

  Fig. 2: If “FULL CATALOG” is selected within the Marketplace, a menu appears on the left allowing installation of purchased product bundle(s) you qualify for.

Satisfied everything was now set to go, I proceeded to load Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, confident I’d found all the answers I need. And then I found out as I soon as went to fly anywhere my range seemed rather short. It turns out I was confined to the range of either of the 2 starter package aircraft, the Cessna 152 or the Beechwood King Air 350i. What was going on?

Well it seems that when I initially had downloaded the Premium Delxue edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 from Steam, the loading software (the Steam client) had installed the full Premium Deluxe content. But in one of my earlier troubleshooting steps, I’d decided to try re-installing the entire game and now none of the content being sent to me via Steam included the extra content. As a new Flight Simulator 2020 user, I’d never used the Marketplace tab witihin the game which actually brokers this content once it gets uninstalled for any reason. As such the remainder of my content would have to be downloaded separately from Marketplace.

With all the missing content downloaded, and the hardware successfully re-installed my technical support nightmare was over. This was not aided by Steam support who’d I’d mailed about the issue in any way. Steam would be infintely better-off at least advising customers that missing Deluxe and Premium Deluxe content could be downloaded directly from Microsoft using the Marketplace with a message dialog (at least) — it’s not something Flight Simulator 2020 users are necessarily aware of when they buy the complete product and install it for the first time through their service. Indeed, it only serves to lengthier support engagements via e-mail a general confusion all-around.

There is no expectation here that Steam even needs to support DLCs in a general way by maintaining the inventory of all client software and associated downloadable content. Just a dialogue for this one title and its millions of users worldwide.

Conclusion

This article is intended as helpful content for users who encountered the same X52 Pro issue I did and also for those who’ve got themselves an X56. Should the latter fail following some future update, it would be my approach to first repeat the steps above to resolve any and all issues. That said, I’m hoping something like this doesn’t happen and that Ascobo will start conducting proper QA in their software development practices against all intended supported hardware with the latest updates to Windows 10 deployed (at minimum). It seems clear this was not done where the X52 is concerned and during the COVID-19 pandemic, it could leave users who’ve invested onerous sums in hardware in software without a solution otherwise. In my view, at speaking as a professional software developer, this would amount to bad practice and questionable professionalism.

I would invite you if you have comments or opinions on this article to share it with others since documentation online seemed lacking. I will try to answer questions dilligently, as time allows.

AppRefactory Website Down Temporarily

T

he AppRefactory Inc. website is down temporarily, while some of the hosting arrangements and Microsoft Azure cloud account changes related to our recent updated service agreement (as a Microsoft Solutions Provider) are being processed.  This will likely take another week or so, but another update message will appear here when the site is back up.  And, at that time, we will also be able to act as a Microsoft Cloud Services Provider (CSP) which will be of value to existing and future customers.

Please bear with us during this outage period.

Planets With Atmospheres: Almost Available?

 

Frontier staff have recently been heard hinting that planet atmospheres could be gradually rolled into players’ Elite Dangerous Experience soon!

F

or me, a veteran Elite CMDR who has been playing various versions of the game since its introduction in 1983 (yes — I am that old) being able to interact with planets regardless of whether they have an atmosphere or not is simply a basic feature.  Although the initial release of Elite back in 1983 offered only single-planet star systems where the “planet” was really just a line-art circle (whose surface would result in the loss of your Cobra Mk III craft if you ran into it), Elite II and Elite II: Frontier both enabled you to take off from partially-terraformed moon Merlin in the Ross 154 star system.  There, one could see the reddish sky and the eerie gas giant Aster dominating the skyline from the tarmac of the local starport with the lights of a nearby domed city also in-view.  Elite Dangerous has taken us back in some respects to an earlier time when such extravagances as being blasted to dust for not requesting tower clearance prior to liftoff from said planet-bound starport was but a glint in David Braben’s eye.  (Braben is, of course, the mastermind behind the Elite franchise as well as the original programmer.)

CMDR ObsidianAnt who runs an extremely popular running commentary on Elite Dangerous shares with us in his latest YT-cast a preview of what might (and should) be coming throughout 2018 and perhaps 2019 by merging the view of an Asp Explorer spaceframe with a short demo of worlds created using a tool called Space Engine, available for download here.  ObsidianAnt says that Space Engine and Elite Dangerous are “two very different pieces of software” in his video, but perhaps not being a software developer himself he’s missing some background.  Whatever code is used as the basis for Space Engine, I’m extremely skeptical at the outset that the two titles (the other being Elite Dangerous) can’t be integrated.  True, there are numerous tasks associated with software integration methodology, but speaking as a systems developer (my own strength) I’ve been tasked with taking two “very different” pieces of software and experienced some degree of success in getting the job done several times in my career.  Superficially, I’m not seeing any architectural issues or other seemingly insurmountable challenges.  Frontier Developments has a very capable team of software engineers, obviously — and it would be something just short of unimaginable to say a 3rd-party product like Space Engine can’t be made to work with Elite.

Of course, one must keep in mind the console platforms which might introduce challenges I could, in fact, not imagine.  But on the PC, it’s unlikely to my mind the effects we’re seeing in Space Engine can’t be successfully migrated to Elite Dangerous.  At the very least having a perusal of the Space Engine source could cultivate stronger implementations of atmospheres on the worlds of Elite Dangerous.

If you have a different take on this subject, please chime in with a comment below.

And regardless of the timeliness of new feature intros to the game — kudos to Frontier Developments, creators of Elite Dangerous, for creating a truly immersive and enjoyable spaceflight sim.  We’re all on the edge of our seats waiting for that next “big thing” to come out….we know you won’t let us down!

Elite Dangerous Launcher Locks Out All CMDRS!

Just filed the following ticket with Frontier Store support:

I am currently having multiple problems with my Elite Horizons installer and ticketing system.  First I got the following a short while ago trying to use the launcher app:

After attempting a re-install of the launcher which also failed, I attempted to launch a support ticket.  This resulted in the following from the Frontier support website:

Invalid response from user account service

….and no matter how many times I’ve tried to access my account through changing my password on the support maintenance site, I still get the same above errors!

What is going on?  I can’t file this trouble ticket on the website — how should I proceed???

Extremely frustrated with all the errors experienced playing Elite lately,
RH
(CMDR Trium Augus)
{omitted, use:} cmdr.trium@apprefactory.ca

REPOSTED: How to install and configure Azure PowerShell

G

ood summary article here on credentials configuration for Windows PowerShell’s Azure environment.  (Azure Dev newbies should be acquainted with this stuff.)

You can use Windows PowerShell to perform a variety of tasks in Azure, either interactively at a command prompt or automatically through scripts. Azure PowerShell is a module that provides cmdlets …

—Source: How to install and configure Azure PowerShell

 

Fresh New Look for The AppRefactory Inc.

A

fter 3+ years hosted at Weebly.com, it was time to finally take The AppRefactory Inc. company website into a modern hosting environment with features and integration potential that would allow us to demonstrate, albeit in brief, what ASP.NET MVC could offer.  Dynamic product listings with breadcrumb sub-navigation, upload sections for partner contracts and résumés; and database-driven contact forms that make it easier than ever (and convenient) to stay in touch are all just the beginning.  In the days ahead we still expect to add:

The AppRefactory Inc. website redeployment announcement graphic: http://apprefactory.ca

• Links to customer features site (requiring login) via Office365, Visual Studio (online ed.) and SharePoint,
• Highlights and links to ongoing software development currently being undertaken by the company,
• Book time online with a consultant to review your software service needs or setup an in-depth remote service session online through HackHands.com,
• Subscription for partner companies and contacts looking for email updates consultant availability and/or major site & service offering revisions, and
• Links to WindowsStore.com and related sites for specific product integrations (Windows desktop, server and phone all to be included).

So stay tuned!  There’s much more yet to come….and you won’t want to miss any of it.

(Additional graphics related to the new website can be found on our Yelp.ca listing.)

AR CamFeeder 1.0.1 (beta) Released to UI Testing

C

amFeeder, reflecting my latest work, has been deployed to the AppRefactory website.  It’s not in an ideal state just yet, but does offer the main UI to serve as the platform for future refinements of a tool that effectively replaces a much older utility that once existed for Yahoo’s application platform (which I forget the name of).  It features a simple XML file that contains data about web query strings and URLs needed to display and, eventually, capture imagery from traffic cameras anywhere in the world!  Because I live in the city of Ottawa (Canada), I’ve added a selection of cameras from this city’s own traffic monitoring service – but any camera with a web-based feed should be compatible.

AR CamFeeder screenshot (taken September 16, 2014); illustrating the auto-tiling camera feed feature.

Indeed, it would be particularly helpful to receive feedback from persons editing the XML file (called camopts.xml) in the application’s folder in other cities.  Currently AR CamFeeder is available only for Windows; but I expect to have a different version readied for Android smartphones in early 2015.

This was also an opportunity for a trial run using InstallShield as a package and deployment technology in concert with Microsoft Visual Studio 2013.  The Limited Edition package isn’t bad at all; offering a time-unlimited means to archive an entire windows application within a setup.exe and tailor all of the settings one used to need the Windows SDK and Orca to tweak properly (at least some of the time).  It is this setup.exe made available for download from The AppRefactory Inc. website you’ll be using to do the installation if you’d like to review the package or play around with adding your own cameras.

If you’d like to add your name to a usability testers list, get in touch with me via info@apprefactory.ca and I’ll add your name to the group list; with thanks for your assistance in advance.

To the rest: enjoy AR CamFeeder during this trial phase at no cost.  (Fear not: more features will be in the full release which, it is still hoped, will be a free download.)

AR HelpOuts Launched!

T

he AppRefactory Inc. launches its first service offering today with the debut of a partnership with Google Inc. through Google Helpouts.  This further enhances the company’s service offerings in the application maintenance and support space; but also extends its services to more generalized support of the tools and technologies it uses throughout its service delivery process.  Support is being offered through Google Helpouts for technologies and platforms like:

• Microsoft Visual Studio (all ediitions, 2005-2013)
• Programming Language Support / Tutorials:
  • Visual C#
  • Visual Basic / VB.NET
  • Java
  • JavaScript
  • HTML
  • XML
  • SQL
  • VBScript
• Microsoft SQL Server
• Microsoft Team Foundation Server
• Microsoft Windows / Microsoft Windows Server
• Microsoft Office / MS Office VBA
• Linux (Ubuntu)
• Apache WebServer
• Microsoft Internet Information Server
• Microsoft Windows Communication Foundation (WCF)
• Microsoft Windows Workflow (WF)
• Microsoft .NET Framework
• Web Services

…and much, much more!

Google Helpouts also offers payment features that allows either the business or individual user to use services on a demand basis easily.  And with this launch, the service is being offered, for a limited time, with a free support instance — giving potential customers an opportunity to “try-and-buy” for a fixed 20-minute session, without charges or fees applied.  (See Google Helpouts terms & conditions for more info.)

AddThis Chrome Extension Displays Empty Service List: Solution Found!

I

make it a point to try and share solutions I find to any computer issues that are particularly disruptive – or those which prompt me to post to support forums seeking assistance.  This is partly to ensure others who experience the same trouble as I can find the solution themselves somewhere at the very least (particularly if I encounter a problem that seems to have no solutions posted since I make it a point to do research before asking questions — RTFM, right?), and to expose my approach to public scrutiny in case there’s a more efficient method I’ve overlooked.  And, by all means, please add your comment(s) in this blog if you’ve got something to contribute.  More comments on a given topic increases the likelihood of matching searches on that problem topic.

There should be a list of services which would allow the user to select their favourite sharing mechanism for any web page displayed, as in the view above.

Synopsis

And so, what problem got solved?  Well a rather mysterious behaviour was being reported by several using the latest update of Google Chrome: the extension installs successfully, the orange “plus-sign” that serves as the AddThis icon appears in the Chrome toolbar – you click it, and the bubble containing the list of services you could link the currently displayed web page to appears….containing no services whatsoever.  Puzzled, you then right-click the toolbar AddThis button which yields the typical pop-up with “Options” menu item only to find a similarly empty service list customization screen.  Where’d all the services go?

Well after theorizing that it was a problem with Microsoft Windows 7 or Vista (since the XP machines I’d tested it on seemed to have no trouble loading it properly), but then discovering this wasn’t the issue, I finally tracked down where Google Chrome stores all the extensions logic on client workstations and started examining the JavaScript.  Eventually I realized one of the key JavaScript files which was not stored locally on the client workstations wasn’t being loaded…thus causing the locally-stored JavaScript to fail at exactly the point where the service lists are displayed.

Was it a networking problem?  Sort of.  In Windows it’s possible to store a text file in a key Windows system subfolder to override the network (IP) address of a given URL or web address  (or to be more technically accurate to override the IP address of any specific DNS entry).  It’s called a “HOSTS” file – and it’s typically stored in a folder matching the path “C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc\”.  Now, by default, this file contains only some commented-out information when Windows is first installed.  It’s expected that if you choose to edit the HOSTS file, you are aware that entries made therein will override network addresses for websites as far as your machine is concerned.  (Obviously changing a file on your own system isn’t going to alter network addresses for everyone else on the Internet.)

One popular use of the HOSTS file is to take a phishing site or perhaps sites featuring adult content or other spamming web sites and assign their URLs to a special IP network address which refers to the machine the HOSTS file itself is on: 127.0.0.1.  (This address referred to as “localhost” or “loopback”.)  Why would anyone want to do that?  Well if the hostile website you’ve been forwarded to by accidentally opening a link in an email that appeared legitimate or perhaps a virus wants to send sensitive info from your machine to a known hostile URL – adding the address to the HOSTS file and overriding its destination back to your own machine nicely prevents the harmful or undesirable network access from occurring.

Beyond this, there are a lot of advertisements online which can slow down performance and you might not want to have to deal with pop-ups and display ads all the time.  (I’m in that group!)  So I periodically obtain updates to my HOSTS file from a Microsoft MVPs website at http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2000.  There are a number of helpful tools offered at this site; but I am interested in the HOSTS file because it eliminates a lot of the annoying and threatening content online.  Unfortunately, despite its utility, there are some URLs which are actually useful but which, for whatever reason (they vary), the HOSTS file author(s) have determined are a threat or otherwise undesirable.  Among these addresses were:

# 127.0.0.1  s3.addthis.com
# 127.0.0.1  s7.addthis.com
# 127.0.0.1  s9.addthis.com

Conclusion

So what this article discussed was the cause and solution for one possible scenario that could cause the absence of services being displayed from all elements of the AddThis interface in the Google Chrome web browser platform (all versions which support extensions so far).  It was discovered that specific network settings (located in a text file with a default Windows 7 pathname of “C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc\HOSTS”) blocked a network address upon which the AddThis application is entirely dependent was blocked, causing the aforementioned absent services behaviour.  While the HOSTS file was the cause of this particular issue, it stands to reason that any network management tools or software (eg. anti-virus/spam, Windows firewall or other firewall management hardware/software, etc.) could potentially cause the same behaviour.  If you are experiencing the behaviour described above, your troubleshooting efforts should include checking your network settings – especially those which could block IP network addresses.

As always; comments and questions are welcome.

Windows Live Feels Like Death Warmed Over?

Do you agree that Microsoft Live applications should offer a more intelligent installer?  Make yourself heard using the poll applet here!

A

s many of you know, I am a huge advocate and evangelist of Microsoft’s .NET technologies.  However, one chronic source of disappointment for me is Windows Live.  My latest beef?  Why does it need to re-install absolutely every Live application known to man when I got prompted this morning to upgrade my Windows Live Writer blogging tool?

C’mon, Microsoft!  Get with the program (as in software) and make your Live app suite installer a little more intelligent.  It’s not that hard — I certainly was able to get the installer for Microsoft Commerce Server 2009 R1 to install a number of optional features that integrated elements of Commerce Server, SQL Server and SharePoint!  So I am quite sure the folks at Live can spare us the need of a 20-minute install that only re-installs apps we already have in the name of updating one.

Sheesh!

del.icio.us Tags: windows live,live.com,live,live writer,windows,microsoft

HP Support: Missing More Than Just Drivers….

Hewlett-Packard support agents claim that they sell 64-bit PCs, but will only support 32-bit Windows…. ”Correct me if I’m wrong, but as this is a 64-bit machine, how is it that HP would sell me such hardware without offering software to support it – particularly given the fact that both the support site and sales literature indicate that Windows Vista 64-bit is supported for this machine?  The fact I originally purchased the machine with the 32-bit OS installed shouldn’t be relevant as to whether 64-bit Vista ought to work – again – especially since support is clearly offered for Vista x64!!!”

I

admit, I can be a little terse with people sometimes.  I’d like to think before my anxiety becomes too apparent, that there has to be a fair bit of provocation though – nobody’s perfect, after all.  But I couldn’t take it this time – and so I’ve decided to share an experience I might otherwise keep to myself with the rest of the world online.

So what provoked me this time?  Well, it has been my observation that when I do a job people almost universally expect it done well.  They have a right to – I’m paid good money to provide programming services, and if I make a mistake, usually there are consequences that can disrupt business pretty dramatically, which ultimately cost more money.  So, in fairness, I expect people I pay for products or services to live up to the standards they set for themselves too; i.e. if a computer is advertised as being a 64-bit machine, I expect Windows Vista x64 editions to work fine.  And if they don’t, that the vendor will ensure someone will help me out until the problem is solved.

Hewlett-Packard (HP) Inc. didn’t do that today.  And they haven’t been doing it now for over a week.  Below is a transcript of an effort I made to acquire drivers for my HP Pavilion a6318f desktop PC.  It was sold with Windows Vista x86 (32-bit) edition, but last week I started trying to upgrade it to the x64 (64-bit) edition of the same operating system.  Would love to see some comments (obviously, I’m hunting for sympathy here, but I’ll take it all, so long as it’s constructive) following a read of the transcript:

From: Ross Holder [ross.holder@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 02, 2009 12:19 AM
To: ‘PAVILION_SUPPORT_EN@MAIL.SUPPORT.HP.COM’
Subject: RE: RE: Re: RE: HP Pavilion a6318f Desktop PC e-mail support

Please see my comments in-line and highlighted below.  I am extremely puzzled by the difficulty in getting support for this, so please make an attempt at offering a thorough explanation in response to my specific questions.  (The detail I’m looking for has been lacking in prior responses.)

Gratefully,

ross holder |
home: xxx.xxx.xxxx | cell: xxx.xxx.xxxx| office: xxx.xxx.xxxx
ross.holder@gmail.com | http://ross613.spaces.live.com
xxx-345 Clarence St. | Ottawa, ON (Canada) | K1N 5R5

P Before printing this, think about the environment|Avant d’imprimer ceci, pensez à l’environnement

From: PAVILION_SUPPORT_EN@MAIL.SUPPORT.HP.COM [mailto:PAVILION_SUPPORT_EN@MAIL.SUPPORT.HP.COM]
Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 11:13 PM
To: ross.holder@gmail.com
Subject: RE: RE: Re: RE: HP Pavilion a6318f Desktop PC e-mail support

Hello Ross,

Thank you for writing back to HP Total Care.

Ross, I understand from your email that you are unable to find the drivers for your DVD RW drive after upgrading from Windows Vista 32 bit to Windows Vista 64 bit.

[*** Ross inline:] Correct me if I’m wrong, but as this is a 64-bit machine, how is it that HP would sell me such hardware without offering software to support it – particularly given the fact that both the support site and sales literature indicate that Windows Vista 64-bit is supported for this machine?  The fact I originally purchased the machine with the 32-bit OS installed shouldn’t be relevant as to whether 64-bit Vista ought to work – again – especially since support is clearly offered for Vista x64!!!

I appreciate you searching for the drivers separately, but I insist that you must have drivers available if you offer Vista x64 as a possible configuration for this machine.  Do you not have drivers available at HP to support your own hardware?  At the very least, could you not simply take cdrom.sys, cdrom.inf and any other necessary files from an installed instance of Windows Vista x64 to help me resolve this issue???

I greatly appreciate that you have forwarded your concerns and given me a chance to assist you with this issue. Please be assured that we are here to assist you and resolving your issue is of primary importance to us.

HP does not recommend changing or upgrading the Operating System (OS) to a retail version, as it might lead to missing device drivers which need to be downloaded separately from third party websites, and our support will be limited after such a change. HP and Compaq’s warranty and support cover only the original pre-installed operating system and software.

[*** Ross inline:] I understand this concern – which is what is prompting my inquiry to you now.  The missing drivers are obviously a legitimate concern, since I’m missing a set of drivers  for the CD/DVD-ROM at the moment; and asking you to provide them.  Clearly, you do have a set of compatible drivers in your software library since the OEM Vista x64 edition ships with them.  In my view, it would be really, really silly – to the point of being dishonest – to offer 64-bit hardware and claim that your OEM version of Vista, and ONLY your OEM version of Vista will work with your hardware.  Surely HP can do better than that!

I searched for the specified driver in the HP Website and found no drivers for the device listed under the 64-bit Vista Operating System.

The drive has the drivers only meant for the 32-bit Vista Operating System the computer was shipped in with.

If you need further assistance, please reply to this message and we will be happy to assist you further.

For information on keeping your HP and Compaq products up and running, please visit our Web site
at:
http://www.hp.com/go/totalcare

Sincerely,

Shane J

HP Total Care

***Do Not Delete Service Ticket Number***

{ticketno:[8024557696]}

***Do Not Delete Service Ticket Number***

Our advice is strictly limited to the question(s) asked and is based on the information provided to us.  HP does not assume any responsibility or liability for the advice given and shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages in connection with the use of this information.  Always back up your data.
For more information, including technical information updates, please visit our Web site at http://www.hp.com/support.
HP does not require you to sendany financial data in your reply to this email.  As a prudent reminder, do not insert credit card details or other financial information in any e-mail replies.
Original Text

From:	ross.holder@gmail.com
To:	PAVILION_SUPPORT_EN@MAIL.SUPPORT.HP.COM
CC:
Sent:	05/02/09 02:32:08
Subject:	RE: Re: RE: HP Pavilion a6318f Desktop PC e-mail support

Okay, we need to try this once again…..

I am aware of the existence of Windows Update, HP Support and other pertinent websites.  As the previous discourse on this trouble ticket indicates, I am having trouble finding drivers for the TSSTCorp H653N CD/DVD-ROM which will allow Windows Vista x64 setup to operate correctly.  There is a prompt asking specifically for these drivers, which are not on Windows Update, not on HP Support’s website nor anywhere else I’ve tried.  I am not interested in the firmware upgrade – I simply want the 64-bit drivers for the TSSTCorp H653N CD/DVD-ROM, which you should have.

Please read the above carefully, and understand that I am not looking for anything else – no URLs to other websites nor other information which can’t help me in this situation.  (I am sure you’ll agree if you think carefully, you’ll realize that telling me to goto Windows Update to get 64-bit drivers while using a 32-bit version of Windows Vista is not going to help since Windows Update automatically detects the system you are currently using, and as I am in the process of setting up the x64 version of Vista, Windows Update would only detect the 32-bit Vista edition…which I’m using.  Not to mention, using the URL you provided while using Windows Vista will only result in you being given a message to use Vista’s Windows Update utility from Control Panel – thus making visiting Windows Update via the URL a totally unproductive exercise.)

The best, most direct way to assist me is to simply provide me with the requested drivers or direct me to a website known to have a copy of compatible, 64-bit drivers available.

Thank-you for careful attention to my request and the background to this issue.

ross holder |
home: xxx.xxx.xxxx| cell: xxx.xxx.xxxx| office: xxx.xxx.xxxx
ross.holder@gmail.com | http://ross613.spaces.live.com
xxx-345 Clarence St. | Ottawa, ON (Canada) | K1N 5R5

P Before printing this, think about the environment|Avant d’imprimer ceci, pensez à l’environnement

From: PAVILION_SUPPORT_EN@MAIL.SUPPORT.HP.COM [mailto:PAVILION_SUPPORT_EN@MAIL.SUPPORT.HP.COM]
Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 7:40 PM
To: ross.holder@gmail.com
Subject: RE: Re: RE: HP Pavilion a6318f Desktop PC e-mail support

Hello Ross,

Thank you for writing back to HP Total Care.

Ross, I understand from your email that you are unable to find the drivers for your DVD RW drive after upgrading from Windows Vista 32 bit to Windows Vista 64 bit.

Please note that if the DVD RW was shipped with the computer, you can go to the web link provided below and get the updated driver for the same.

www.windowsupdate.com

Note: The above-mentioned URL will take you to a non-HP Web site. HP does not control and is not responsible for information outside of the HP Web site.

Orelse you need to contact Samsung for further assistance. 

We appreciate your valuable time in troubleshooting this issue.

If you need further assistance, please reply to this message and we will be happy to assist you further.

For information on keeping your HP and Compaq products up and running, please visit our Web site
at:
http://www.hp.com/go/totalcare

Sincerely,

Morgan T.

HP Total Care

***Do Not Delete Service Ticket Number***

{ticketno:[8024557696]}

***Do Not Delete Service Ticket Number***

Our advice is strictly limited to the question(s) asked and is based on the information provided to us.  HP does not assume any responsibility or liability for the advice given and shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages in connection withthe use of this information.  Always back up your data.
For more information, including technical information updates, please visit our Web site at http://www.hp.com/support.
HP does not require you to send any financial data in your reply to this email.  As a prudent reminder, do not insert credit card details or other financial information in any e-mail replies.
Original Text

From:	ross.holder@gmail.com
To:	PAVILION_SUPPORT_EN@mail.support.hp.com
CC:
Sent:	05/01/09 23:15:36
Subject:	Re: RE: HP Pavilion a6318f Desktop PC e-mail support

Patrick:
Thank you. Further research has revealed that I need to get the TSSTCorp
H653N CD/DVD-ROM (RW) driver as well. In fact, it is actually this driver
which apparently lets setup detect the CD-ROM correctly – and it is required
for setup to work properly also. It seems that the drivers were either
included with the original HP image for 32-bit Vista, but drivers are not
included for 64-bit Vista. Rumour has it that they do exist, so I’m hoping
you folks can point me in the right direction by providing a link to
TSSTCopr H653N drivers that will prove compatible with Vista Ultimate x64
edition.
Thanks again for your prompt assistance!
Sincerely,
ross holder | [The Ross Report]
home: xxx.xxx.xxxx  | cell:xxx.xxx.xxxx | office:xxx.xxx.xxxx
ross.holder@gmail.com | http://ross613.spaces.live.com
xxx-345 Clarence St. | Ottawa, ON (Canada) | K1N 5R5
P Before printing this, think about the environment|Avant d’imprimer ceci,
pensez à l’environnement
Confidentiality Message
This e-mail and its content is confidential: its privileged information is
intended for the exclusive use of the addressee. Any other person is
strictly prohibited from disclosing, distributing or reproducing it. If the
addressee cannot be reached or is unknown to you, please inform the sender
by return e-mail immediately and delete this e-mail message and destroy all
copies.
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joint ou vous est inconnu, veuillez informer l’expéditeur par courrier
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celui-ci.
2009/4/30 <PAVILION_SUPPORT_EN@mail.support.hp.com>
> Top of Form
>
> Hello Ross,
>
> Thank you for contacting HP Total Care.
>
> By reading your Email I understand you want to install Windows Vista 64 BIT
> on to your HP Pavilion a6318f Desktop PC and you need 64 BIT Drivers to
> complete the setup.
>
> Ross, I am giving a link to download the 64 BIT Drivers for your System.
>
> http://driverscollection.com/?file_cid=40909790922c329b052a52ee364
>
> *Note:* The above-mentioned URL will take you to a non-HP Web site. HP
> does not control and is not responsible for information outside of the HP
> Web site.
>
> *Note:* Clicking on the URL may display an error. If the error occurs
> please copy and paste the URL in the address bar of the browser.
>
> Ross, the drivers are for the GeForce 6150SE nForce 430which is the Chipset
> on your motherboard .
>
> This should resolve the issue. If you need further assistance, please
> reply to this message and we will be happy to assist you further.
>
> For information on keeping your HP and Compaq products up and running,
> please visit our Web site
> at:
> http://www.hp.com/go/totalcare
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Patrick R
>
> HP Total Care
>
>
>
> ***Do Not Delete Service Ticket Number***
>
> {ticketno:[8024557696]}
>
> ***Do Not Delete Service Ticket Number***
>
> Bottom of Form
>
> Our advice is strictly limited to the question(s) asked and is based on the
> information provided to us. HP does not assume any responsibility or
> liability for the advice given and shall not be liable for any direct,
> indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages in connection with
> the use of this information. Always back up your data.
> For more information, including technical information updates, please visit
> our Web site at http://www.hp.com/support.
> HP does not require you to sendany financial data in your reply to this
> email. As a prudent reminder, do not insert credit card details or other
> financial information in any e-mail replies.
>
>
> Original Text
>
> *From:*
>
> ross.holder@gmail.com
>
> *To:*
>
> PAVILION_SUPPORT_EN@MAIL.SUPPORT.HP.COM
>
> *CC:*
>
>
>
> *Sent:*
>
> 04/30/09 23:53:09
>
> *Subject:*
>
> RE: HP Pavilion a6318f Desktop PC e-mail support
>
>
>
> I very much appreciate your prompt reply. I have just a few more questions
> related to this issue for you. Please find my questions in-line below
> (marked by highlighted text, to make understanding the context of my
> remaining questions clearer).
>
>
>
>
>
> *ross holder | * <http://ross613.spaces.live.com/>
>
> home: xxx.xxx.xxxx | cell: xxx.xxx.xxxx | office: xxx.xxx.xxxxx
>
> ross.holder@gmail.com | http://ross613.spaces.live.com
>
> xxx-345 Clarence St. | Ottawa, ON (Canada) | K1N 5R5
>
> *P **Before printing this, think about the environment|Avant d’imprimer
> ceci, pensez à l’environnement*
>
>
>
> *From:* PAVILION_SUPPORT_EN@MAIL.SUPPORT.HP.COM [mailto:
> PAVILION_SUPPORT_EN@MAIL.SUPPORT.HP.COM]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, April 29, 2009 10:42 PM
> *To:* ross.holder@gmail.com
> *Subject:* RE: HP Pavilion a6318f Desktop PC e-mail support
>
>
>
> Hello Ross,
>
> Thank you for contacting HP Total Care.
>
> From your email, I understand that you would like to install Windows Vista
> 64 Bit Operating System in your PC in second Partition, at Setup, Windows
> Vista does not detect the Drivers for Hard Drive (SATA), and Internal
> Components (Chipset, LAN and Modem etc) pre-installed by HP and listed in
> C:\HP\Drivers folder.
>
> *[*** Ross inline:] This is correct. I would only add that regardless of
> where I place the drivers, setup lets you specify their location if it can’t
> find them. And I have tried placing drivers in D:\HP\Drivers (since the
> partition in question is D:, not C:) and in other paths – and specified
> those particular paths using the setup UI when prompted – all to no avail.
> *
>
>
>
> I apologize, but, we are not trained on dealing with installation of Retail
> version of Windows Vista 64 Bit OS.
>
> *[*** Ross inline:] That does strike me as a little odd, given that the
> hardware is clearly 64-bit, and this is – after all – an HP product.
> Fortunately, I don’t think that’s a serious issue. To be sure I’m using the
> correct drivers, it would be helpful if I could obtain the original 64-bit
> motherboard drivers. The download site seems to offer an update – but not
> the original drivers. I understand it may well be that there’s no
> distinction between the 32-bit and 64-bit drivers or that the latter are not
> available. In which case, I would still very much like to get the original
> 32-bit drivers for the motherboard. The update offered by the product
> support web site is insufficient for my needs here.*
>
> * *
>
> *Additionally, I would like to obtain separate drivers (again, 64-bit, if
> possible) for the hard drive which came with my PC. It’s not clear to me
> that the support web site is offering the original drivers – again, it
> appears to be a firmware update for the hard drive rather than merely the
> drivers.*
>
> * *
>
> *Can you provide a download URL for these items? To recap, I’m looking
> for:*
>
> · Original HP Pavilion motherboard driver(s);
>
> o 64-bit edition (if available)
>
> o 32-bit edition
>
> · Original Athlon x64 CPU driver(s) (if applicable):
>
> o 64-bit edition (if available)
>
> o 32-bit edition
>
> · Original hard drive drivers (for the hardware that shipped with
> my PC);
>
> o 64-bit edition (if available)
>
> o 32-bit edition
>
>
>
>
>
> However, you may refer to the URL given below to get complete information
> on installing Windows Vista 64 Bit OS in Dual Boot Configuration.
>
>
>
>
> http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00815955&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en
>
>
>
> *[*** Ross inline:] I appreciate your providing this URL, but it’s of
> little use to me since I’ve already successfully configured the partition
> space I need and am very familiar with the Windows installation process.*
>
> Note : Clicking on the URL may display an error. If the error occurs,
> please copy and paste the URL in the address bar of the browser.
>
> Though it is for Windows XP and Windows Vista, it works in configuring two
> Windows Vista systems in Dual Boot Setup.
>
> This should resolvethe issue. If you need further assistance, please
> reply to this message and we will be happy to assist you further.
>
> *[*** Ross inline:] Respectfully, I don’t think you understood the issue
> if you believe this advice would “resolve” my problem. To be clear; the
> issue is one of Setup not detecting hardware properly – not a failure
> setting up a partition. Again, the partition space has been successfully
> configured and setup runs normally otherwise. Setup simply can’t find the
> drivers when trying to install Windows Vista Ultimate (x64). I believe
> obtaining the missing drivers will resolve the issue, so will you please
> make them available to me today?*
>
> *And by way of further clarification – I understand you folks aren’t
> trained with supporting the 64-bit editions of Windows Vista. Although I
> could certainly use assistance provided by someone with relevant expertise,
> I can manage on my own properly equipped so I’m not specifically asking or
> expecting support with the installation process. I just need drivers –
> unless you feel there is something else I’m doing which could be causing
> setup to not recognize either the hardware or drivers on my system.*
>
> *Thank you!*
>
> For information on keepingyour HP and Compaq products up and running,
> please visit our Web site
> at:
> http://www.hp.com/go/totalcare
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Nathan B
>
> HP Total Care
>
> ***Do Not Delete Service Ticket Number***
>
> {ticketno:[8024557696]}
>
> ***Do Not Delete Service Ticket Number***
>
> Our advice is strictly limited to thequestion(s) asked and is based on the
> information provided to us. HP does not assume any responsibility or
> liability for the advice given and shall not be liable for any direct,
> indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages in connection with
> the use of this information. Always back up your data.
> For more information, including technical information updates, please visit
> our Web site at http://www.hp.com/support.
> HP does not require you to send any financial data in your reply to this
> email. As a prudent reminder, do not insert credit card details or other
> financial information in any e-mail replies.
>
>
> Original Text
>
> *From:*
>
> ross.holder@gmail.com
>
> *To:*
>
> HP Support
>
> *CC:*
>
>
>
> *Sent:*
>
> 04/30/09 01:53:31
>
> *Subject:*
>
> HP Pavilion a6318f Desktop PC e-mail support
>
>
>
> hp e-mail support
> Webform submittal date/time : 30 April 2009 01:52:26 UTC
> language_code : en
> language : English
> Country of Residence : Canada
> product_line : 6J
> product_oid : 3645446
> product_name : HP Pavilion a6318f Desktop PC
> part_number : GX769AAR,GX769AA
> purchase month : 8
> purchase year : 2008
> problem area : installation and setup
> serial number : 3CL80201FN
> operating system : Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64
>
> Is your computer unable to work with accessory products? Please select all
> that apply. :
> printer
> scanner
> digital camera
> CD/DVD/floppy disk drive
> multimedia games
> accessories (i.e. Joystick)
>
> What type and brand of CD/DVD media do you use? : TSSTcorp CDDVDW TS-H653N
> SCSI CdRom Device
> Was the CD/DVD writer drive built into the computer when you purchased it?
> : yes
> Can you hear sound from the connected speakers? : yes
> Does the display on the music center appear to be working properly? : yes
> Have you connected the music center to your TV, DVD or music system? : no
> problem description : During execution of 64-bit Vista Ultimate setup (i.e.
> booting into the Windows pre-installation environment, called WinPE), setup
> runs successfully until clicking on the "Install NOW" button, following
> which point a dialogue appears claiming hard disk drivers could not be
> located. Acknowledging the dialogue provides an opportunity to specify a
> location for drivers, but placing the HP drivers in a folder doesn’t seem to
> work – setup can’t see the drivers in the specifiedfolder.
>
> Additional background concerning this issue was posted in an article I
> wrote to Microsoft TechNet:
>
>
> http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/itprovistasetup/thread/edff2815-173d-4bbc-b0ec-c4accb8700cb
>
> NOTE: I am what you might call an "expert user". I am currently a senior
> software developer with proficiency in programming with the .NET framework.
> Until recently I worked for Microsoft Corp. working on the Commerce Server
> 2009 product. (I’ve since taken a position with the Government of Canada.)
> troubleshooting : Attempts were made to locate drivers for both the hard
> drives, R/W CD/DVD-ROM and motherboard. These drivers were placed in a
> folder and specified at the setup prompt when the dialogue indicating
> drivers could not be located appeared. None of these efforts had any effect.
>
> setting changes : I have continued to successfully use 32-bit Windows, but
> very much would like to take full advantage of my HP Pavilion desktop system
> by installing 64-bit Windows Vista.
> tech skill : Advanced
> first name : Ross
> last name : Holder
> phone : (xxx) xxx-xxxx
> email : ross.holder@gmail.com
> form url : $emailformprotocol://
> h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/email?product=3645446&lc=en&cc=ca&dlc=en&lang=en&cc=ca
> form country : Canada
>
>
>

And as is obvious, the messages are ordered in reverse-chronological order.  So there has been no additional discourse with HP since Thursday.  Again, comments are welcome – but of even greater value to me would be a solution, in the form of drivers or a URL pointing me in the right direction.

Whatever solution is eventually arrived at, I will be sure to post it here (as is my habit) – assuming one is found.

Additional threads have been started on both HP’s public Desktop PCs support forum and on Microsoft’s TechNet forums, under Windows Vista Setup.  Additional background and details concerning this issue can be found there.

Thanks!

MSN Search Toolbar Won’t Upgrade or Uninstall

 

Don’t you just hate it when you get a bug in somebody’s software – and you try to uninstall it but can’t?

Nothing drives me nuts more.  At minimum, any user should be allowed to remove software from a system they own at anytime without being trapped into a situation were they’ve got someone’s crazy, buggy app polluting their system.  But that’s exactly the scenario I had recently with the MSN Search Toolbar.  To make matters worse, it doesn’t appear that any other third parties have fixed this problem either – and only a couple of others I found after reviewing Google / newsgroups and other sources on the subject appeared to ever encounter it.

 

Well, hooray for MSN’s software testing practices.  But even the beset of ’em won’t always catch every bug and, dammit, I wanna uninstall or at least be allowed to upgrade.  But that’s the problem, you see.  Due to a Windows XP crash during the upgrade from MSN Search Toolbar v02.01.0000.2214 to v02.05.0000.1082, subsequent attempts to either remove the toolbar completely or reapply the upgrade to build 1082 failed and I was left without any remedy and lots of broken link icons labeled "Search Desktop".

The solution?  Luckily, I had a copy of the older build’s .MSI (installer) file and discovered that by following the steps outlined below, I could fix the problem.  The fix, accompanied by the earlier build’s installer file should resolve the problem for anyone else who had the misfortune of my experience and I’m sharing both here for their benefit.

 

The .MSI file in question and distribution of it may be protected by copyright – I dunno.  However, MSN’s support site is extremely unsupportive (there are no bug fixes or troubleshooting articles of any kind from what I saw).  Therefore, I’ll respond kindly to those who e-mail me directly at ross.holder@gmail.com requesting to know where they can get a copy.

Date: 07/16/2005 08:48:23 PM
Applicaiton Causing Exception: MSN Search Tool v02.05.0000.1082

Source .EXE/.DLL(s):

IEXPLORE.EXE
MsnSearchToolbarSetup_en-us.exe
msntb.dll

 

Exception Description:

After installing the MSN Search ToolBar, an installer error occurs, following which execution of the installer package in the "All Users" folder fails. Specifically, when any attempt is made to uninstall the application, or during repeated reinstallation attempts, a prompt for a valid installer package appears as follows:

 

Upon providing a path to either an old or (more likely) current .msi package, the following prompt appears:

 

 

Subsequently, the installer exits.  The Windows error log records the following info:

 

Event Type: Error

Event Source:     MsiInstaller

Event Category:   None

Event ID:   11714

Date:       7/16/2005

Time:       8:44:24 PM

User:       MACHINE\username

Computer:   MACHINE

Description:

Product: MSN Search Toolbar — Error 1714. The older version of MSN Search Toolbar cannot be removed.  Contact your technical support group.  System Error 1612.

 

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Data:

0000: 7b 37 44 31 44 43 42 42   {7D1DCBB

0008: 41 2d 46 36 46 35 2d 34   A-F6F5-4

0010: 32 42 34 2d 42 39 30 42   2B4-B90B

0018: 2d 46 30 34 41 43 45 34   -F04ACE4

0020: 44 46 44 36 43 7d         DFD6C} 

 

Resolution:

• Locate a copy of the appropriate .MSI for the version currently installed (in this case – 02.01.0000.2214)

• add that version of the MsnSearchToolbar.msi to the folder propmted for initally (typically C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MSN Search Toolbar2.01.0000.2214)

• Ensure that the address bar in the prompt dialogue refers to the legacy .msi file and click "OK"

•  The (un)installation process should continue normally, prompting for a restart at the very end.