Flight Deck Technology Simboards

[Barrykensett]

I have been using FDT simboards for some time without problem but I am now upgrading the PC from XP to Win 7 and it will not accept the driver loader. FDT are not supporting any more. Has anyone managed to use Simboards with Win 7?
Barry
www.a320sim.com

[airac]

Hi,

I realise I am bringing back an old thread, but on-topic: Windows 7 does not support the FDT simboards driver format. I have tried to run Simboard inside the Windows XP mode (virtual machine). That, unfortunately, doesn't work either. The driver then works, as does the Simboards program. However, the driver is unable to start the hardware.

Did anybody try to run Simboads inside a virtual machine? Did you have more success?
/airac

[airac]

I have rewritten the Simboards INF driver file into Windows 7 format. The driver installs correctly for my Simboards master card, but it doesn't work yet. I attach the result and pasted the code below.

If anybody has experience fiddling with USB devices emulating serial ports, please get in touch.

Who else is still on Simboards? Any interest in getting a workgroup going trying to fix/patch things?

; SIM-board USB Driver Setup File
; Copyright (c) 2000 Microsoft Corporation
; Copyright (C) 2006 Flightdeck Technology Ltd


[Version] 
Signature="$Windows NT$" 
Class=Ports
ClassGuid={4D36E978-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
Provider=%PROVIDER% 
LayoutFile=layout.inf
DriverVer=12/10/2009,5.3.0.0


[Manufacturer] 
%DEVICE_DESCRIPTION%=DeviceList, NTx86, NTia64, NTamd64


[DeviceList.NTx86] 
%DEVICE_DESCRIPTION%=DriverInstall, USB\VID_1781&PID_0960   ; VID, PID match device descriptor


[DeviceList.NTia64] 
%DEVICE_DESCRIPTION%=DriverInstall, USB\VID_1781&PID_0960   ; VID, PID match device descriptor


[DeviceList.NTamd64] 
%DEVICE_DESCRIPTION%=DriverInstall, USB\VID_1781&PID_0960   ; VID, PID match device descriptor


[DriverCopyFiles]
usbser.sys,,,0x20                                      ; 0x20 means "Don't overwrite a newer version"


;------------------------------------------------------------------------------
;  Installation Configuration
;------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[DriverInstall] 
include=mdmcpq.inf
CopyFiles=DriverCopyFiles
AddReg=DriverInstall.AddReg 


[DriverInstall.HW]
AddReg=DriverInstall.HW.AddReg


[DriverInstall.AddReg] 
HKR,,EnumPropPages32,,"MsPorts.dll,SerialPortPropPageProvider" 


[DriverInstall.HW.AddReg] 
HKR,,DevLoader,,*ntkern 
HKR,,NTMPDriver,,usbser.sys
HKR,,PortSubClass,1,01


[DriverInstall.Services] 
AddService=usbser, 0x00000002, DriverService          ; 0x02 means "Mark this as driver for this device"


;-----------------------------------------------------------------------
; Usbser Service
;-----------------------------------------------------------------------


[DriverService] 
DisplayName=%SERVICE% 
ServiceType=1
StartType=3
ErrorControl=1
ServiceBinary=%12%\usbser.sys                         ; %12% means "C:\Windows\system32\drivers"
LoadOrderGroup = Base


;------------------------------------------------------------------------------
;  String Definitions
;------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[Strings] 
PROVIDER="Flightdeck Technology Ltd"
MFGNAME="Flightdeck Technology Ltd"
DEVICE_DESCRIPTION="SIM-board USB Interface" 
SERVICE="SIM-board USB Interface"

[spitfire9]

Anyone have any progress yet ? I am currently going through the same problem ??

Thanks

[airac]

Anyone have any progress yet ? I am currently going through the same problem ??
Thanks

Afraid we didn't make much progress. Both the virtualization of the Windows XP driver and reconfiguring the Windows 7 driver seem dead-ends. We now plan on replacing the boards with opencockpits / sioc boards. Until then praying that the old Windows XP machine survives...

[Westozy]

I started my sim building days with FDT Simboards and was an original beta tester with Chris Brett and Darren Knightsbridge. When they dissolved FDT, I switched to FDS Sys cards and never looked back. Builders say they are expensive, well yes I agree but for what they do and ease of use they are an absolute bargain! My advice is not to skimp on the brains of your sim!! I still have a full set of FDT support stuff and drivers etc if anyone needs it. Cheers Gwyn

[Barrykensett]

I have moved over to FDS boards but also need Leo Bodnar cards to cover encoders. Beauty of the FDT cards was that they covered all input types and were just as easy to use as FDS. I also have FDT cards up for grabs!
Barry
www.a320sim.com