Herr Prop-Wasche

NB stands for North Bridge controller. It's a chip that controls memory functions, etc. and can get almost as hot as the CPU, but frequently does not have a fan on it. You can usually find NB heatsinks and fans for sale at various computer stores. Memory settings and timings can be found in the BIOS when you start the computer. Look for DRAM settings or something similar in the BIOS menus.

I don't think that my HPWDM2.3 is to blame, but I will take a look into it. During development and testing, I set my realism settings to pilot never dies. Perhaps I should have reset it to Hard/Historical after I was finished testing??

Thanks for the report. I'll take a look at the Pup and some of the Nieuport's tonight. The solution looks like a combination of changes to the damage model (DM), as well as some changes to the flight model (FM).

It seems as long as I only edit the .cfg file, the changes will work in both QC and the campaign. Changing the .air file is what seems to create the conflict. For the most part, not being able to edit the .air files seems to have no major effects on the flight characteristics of the aircraft. The only major problem is that I cannot directly change the amount of parasitic drag set for each aircraft type in the .air file. This is unfortunate, because the drag setting is the major factor that controls the cruising speed and maximum dive speed of each aircraft type. This is why the Tripe has a level flight speed of 125 mph and has the fastest maximum dive speed in the stock game! I can alter this a bit by editing the .cfg file, but editing the .air file would be better. I still think there are some changes I can make to the .cfg file that will enable me to adjust the turn radius, cruising speed, and stall behavior of some of the 'problem" aircraft in OFF, at least to some extent. My ultimate hope is that the devs will reconsider the parasitic drag settings of some of the aircraft in OFF, like the Tripe for instance, in P4.

Well, the N16 was a notorious under-performer compared to the N11 and reportedly nose-heavy, so I am hesitant to mess with it too much. Let's just say it's low on my list of FM improvements at the moment. I want to start out slow with obvious fixes, like the Albs "backwards sliding" problem first. For others who are interested in trying my Albs fix, here is the zip file. This only changes the sliding problem and does not address any other FM issues at this time. Also remember you have to use JSGME in order to install the fix.

Sorry to hear of your 'puter problems, Olham. looks like we are stuck in the same proverbial boat! WM--glad to hear you are sorted. Cheers!

Good to hear from you, vonOben! Let me know how you like the update. Olham, I think the Pup and Nieuport problem is an FM problem similar to the Albs problem. If so, it probably can be fixed with a simple change to the empty weight CoG setting in the .cfg file. If anyone is interested in testing the same change to the CoG setting for the Albatros series of planes, just reply to this thread. Note: you will need JSGME to install the mod. This FM fix WILL work in the campaign, but it is still in the preliminary phase. Basically, the change makes the Albs slightly more "nose heavy" by moving the center of gravity forward an inch or two. The AI seems to fly a little better and doesn't hang on the aeroplane's prop so much with this change. Any effects on human pilots seems to be minor, but additional feedback from other humans would help.

Lasses and Gents, Here is my dilemma. I love playing OFF, imagining myself as a young and intrepid "knight of the sky" during the Great War, and tinkering with such things as the DM and the FM for the various planes. However, playing OFF, and especially the campaign, has become increasingly frustrating since upgrading to the HITR expansion. Here is the problem: with my current computer setup, I can either fly a full mission with barely adequate frame rates and the occasional slide show, or I can overclock the CPU or video card by 5-10% and get better frame rates but not be able to complete the mission because I invariably get dumped to desktop. I already run with my sliders set at 3-2-1-5-2 and ground density and air activity set to the lowest settings. I know the problem is my current setup and is not OFF's fault. My question is what part or parts should I upgrade on a very limited budget right now? Here are my current system specs: Socket 939 AMD X2 4200+ 2.33 GHz CPU with stock cooler Nvidia GeForce 8600 GT 256 Mb video card 400 Watt power supply The most likely candidate for an upgrade is the video card, of course. Do the newish cards still fit on 939 MB's? If I have to upgrade my CPU, I will basically have to build a new computer since they don't make CPU's for Socket 939 boards anymore. This is not an option for me financially right now. Perhaps a new cooling solution would allow me to overclock a little better with more stability? Finally, is a 400W power supply enough these days? I only run one SATA hard drive with a CD drive and a DVD drive. If you were me, what component do you think you would try to upgrade first? Which component would you leave alone or wait to upgrade last? Thanks in advance for any ideas and suggestions. I really want to experience OFF in all its glory--but on a budget!

New DM sent for approval! Look for it in the downloads section. The update is meant to replace previous updates. Here is a look at the additions in the new update:

Interesting information, Parky. I'm 95% positive my PCi-E slot is 16X-1, so I will be on the look out for that video card. I may also upgrade my power supply, since I can always use the new PS in any future system upgrades.

BTW, I try to end as many running programs as possible with Alacrity or End it All, but they don't seem to have any effect on the drops to desktop. Another thought: with my DM and Fm editing, I have several extra files lying about in my installation. Might be time to clean some of those out.

Thanks for the replies, guys. I built the computer about two years before I heard about phase 3. When P3 came out, the system was just adequate to run the game. I'm afraid HITR took it over the brink. That said, the main frustration is the drops to desktop. I'll be going along fine, with fps in the low 30's, when the game just stops and sends me back to the OFF manager. Seems to happen particularly after a long flight followed by a furball. Short flights or those without furballs seem to go better. Makes me wonder if a better cooling solution will help. Right now, I can only overclock the CPU a maximum of about 5-8%. This also has the advantage of being cheap. But will it improve anything? Perhaps a combo of cooling solution and new power supply? Olham mentioned my CPU as the bottleneck and that upgrading my video card would be pointless. Good cards are cheap these days--is getting a new one worth a shot? Memory and video card should be "adequate" right now, with 3 GB's of Corsair memory on an XP system and a PCI-E graphics card.

I am drooling with anticipation--and making plans to update my 256 MB Nvidia 8600 GT graphics card!

Olham, I believe I have a very nice surprise for you regarding the "sinking over the tailplane" difficulty. Check your PM box for more info. If Olham can confirm I am correct about this, I should have an announcement for the "general public" soon.

I'll check into the Alb DII fuel leaks. However, I don't think I changed much in that particular plane. I could be wrong, though! Thanks for the report! Interesting information about the pressurized fuel tanks. I had forgotten that piece of information.

I've noticed you can't select the N17bis to fly in any squadron, British or French. However, you can fly the N17B if it is listed in the squadron roster. I believe they are the same plane but with a slightly different name.

Thanks, Olham. That is exactly the type of information I am looking for. Anyone else who has installed my DM and flies Albatros noticed any increase in punctured tanks? I am also interested in information about punctured tanks in Nieuports, Fokkers, and British aircraft. Regarding the tail damage, I increased the hit points to the horizontal stabilizers a little bit over the standard OFF hit points, so, theoretically, it may take a bit more damage to the stabilizer before you notice increased control difficulty.

HPW DM 2.3 update: I am still testing and working out a few kinks in the new DM. The main question I am concerned with is the tendency for an aircraft to lose all of its fuel after being hit. Has anyone noticed an increase in the frequency in which your aircraft is hit and loses all of its fuel after installing HPWDM2.2? If so, have you noticed it more for any particular aircraft, and if so, does it happen too frequently in your opinion, or is it just about right? Before 2.2, I noticed that the majority of aircraft could develop up to three fuel leaks from hits to the fuel tank. In 2.2, I added a third fuel leak to the fuel tank of aircraft that previously only had two. For these aircraft only, do you think I should go back to two leaks or keep it at three? Another area I am working on is the number of oil leaks. Most aircraft can suffer up to three separate oil leaks from hits to the oil reservoir. However, some aircraft (particularly Nieuports) can only get two oil leaks from hits to the oil reservoir. Is there any evidence that Nieuports or other rotaries were any less likely to get oil leaks than other aircraft? Thanks for any information or advice anyone can provide on these issues. I now expect I will be able to release my next update to HPWDM in about a week or so.

Welcome to the forum, Christine! Expect a note from Olham soon, asking for your permission to post your location on his world-wide map of OFF players. And watch out for that chap, Widowmaker--he has quite the reputation with the ladies!

Thank you very much for the maps, Olham! I have hesitated using printed maps to navigate with, but may try now thanks to your efforts.

Hmmm, that is indeed great news, Winston. Don't know how I missed that. Must be "old-timers disease."

Confirmed? Source? If true, drool! Now for some French two-seaters for both French and American campaigns!

Thanks to Burning Beard, I am using rudder pedals. Thanks, BB! At first, I had trouble adapting to them because they were more sensitive to slight input than the twisty-stick. Once that problem was solved I find them to be much easier than the stick. I do have to remember to depress the pedals at least once before I take off, because if I forget, the first time I use them my elevator goes into the full up position! After that, everything works as it is supposed to. Strange.

Cheers!