CSM sim problem solving

If you're having problems installing or running the CSM simulator check these suggestions out.

Version 10 problems

There are 2 common problems with V10. One is Error 200 at installation time and the other is a shortage of memory which may show up as an Error 203 if running from DOS or as "Illegal operation" is direct from Windows 95/98. Below are some notes from Wendy Mill which may help you out. (Thanks Wendy !)

Runtime error 200

It won't even install. This is due to the compiler we use not liking Pentium IIs. We fixed it just as v10 came out, but a couple of hundred English language v10s exist that have the problem - they mainly went to Australia! The fix is to have the latest version available from CSM at the usual address (csm_ltd@compuserve.com).

This next bit is NOT from CSM ! I picked it up from the rec.model.rc.air newsgroup. I haven't tried myself (don't have a fast enough PC to need it) so try it at your own risk.

There is a program available which is able to fix programs built with the broken compiler referred to above. It is available free on the Web at (http://www.vobs.at/comments/haemmerle.htm). The page is in German but all you need to do is download the program tppatch.exe and run it from a DOS command line with the command

tppatch <>

inserting the name of each of the CSM .exe files in turn for <>

I suggest you make sure you have a copy of all the CSM files before you try this.

Base memory problems

A shortage of base memory will show up in several ways.

If running from the DOS prompt a runtime error 203 will be reported.

When running from a Win 95 shortcut an Illegal operation error message may be reported but on many installations the program fails and returns directly to Win 95 without an error message.

Since the Aero simulator requires more base memory than the helicopter simulator the problem more frequently arises when running the aero simulator.

To check the available base memory go to the DOS prompt (either by using the 'restart in DOS mode' option at the shut down screen or by selecting the MS-DOS prompt in the program group.) and type:-

MEM (enter)

From the information given check the 'Largest Executable Program Size'. This should be at least 550K. If the Largest executable program size is less than 550K then base memory is being used up either by drivers or applications running. Try shutting down all running applications and re-check using the MEM command as described above.

If , even with all applications shut down you have less than 550K of base memory you may have applications in your 'StartUp' group that are launching TSR programs which occupy base memory after terminating.

You should try removing applications from the 'StartUp' group as follows:-
Click the 'Start' button.
Click 'Settings'
Click 'Taskbar'
Select 'Start menu Programs'
Click the 'Remove' button
In the list presented find and double click on the 'StartUp' entry. This will show a list of programs shortcuts within the StartUp group.
Now highlight the shortcut in the StartUp group you wish to remove by clicking on it.
Then Click the 'Remove' button.
When you have removed the required shortcuts click on the 'Close' button. Then click the 'OK' button.

To take effect you will need to reboot your computer after removing the shortcuts from the StartUp group.

If you wish to restore a shortcut back to the StartUp group double click on the recycle bin. Locate the deleted shortcut in the list (it will have an original location of 'C:\windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp) and having highlighted the shortcut by clicking on its entry in the list click 'File' and then 'Restore'.

Boot Disk. If all else fails you may wish to create a boot disk to the simulator. To create one place a blank floppy disk in drive A: and do the following:-
Double click on 'My computer'
Single Click on the '3 1/2 Floppy (A:) icon
Click 'File' and then 'Format'
In the format type select 'Full'
Under 'Other Options' select 'Copy System files'
Click OK and the disk will be formatted.
On completion of the formatting close the format window leaving the 'my computer' window visible. Using 'my computer' copy the file 'Aero.bat' from the CSM10 directory onto the newly formatted floppy disk. Then rename this copy 'Autoexec.bat' using the 'Rename' option in the 'File' menu of 'my computer'. This completes your boot disk. To use it simply start the machine with the disk in drive A:

Note, if the file extensions (e.g .BAT, .EXE ,etc) are not being shown by 'my computer' you will find it easier to locate and rename the .bat file required if you turn file extensions on using the 'Options' entry in the 'View' menu of 'my computer'. Find the 'Hide MS-DOS file extensions.......' box in the view page of the options and un-tick it.

Version 9 Problems

Problems running CSM on a fast Pentium II ? If it's version 9 (NOT VERSION 10 !) make sure you have the latest (V9.3) which fixes the vast majority of problems. Check file "aero90.exe", its date should be 3/6/98. If yours is older than that there's a copy below you can download. My thanks to Colin and Wendy of CSM for allowing me to make it available here. NOTE ! This is an English language version only. FOr any other language variants try "moslo" below.

I suggest you download the file below and unzip it into a temp directory e.g. C:/TEMP. Make a copy of your existing CSM3 directory for safety. Run the install.exe from C:/TEMP. You should now be o.k. (Note you only really need the *.exe files so, if you know what you are doing, you could just copy these into CSM3).

Click here to download CSM V9.3

If that doesn't fix your problem and particularly if you have just upgraded your computer to a Pentium II and CSM won't even install the other things that may be worth trying are a DOS slowdown utility (get MOSLO below) or, more likely, you have too many other things loaded and are out of DOS memory (below 640K). If you know how, check your environment for anything which is loading in low memory and get rid of as much as possible (see the V10 section above for some hints for Windows 95/98 users).

Download "moslo" here