"He's Dead, Jim!"

To paraphrase Dr. McCoy, may we assume the Release 4.31 fix for DCS 4.3 is also dead?

You may assume anything you like...

Regardless, I know it's coming and even approximately when!  

On a more serious note, you're really being very silly waiting for it if you haven't already upgraded to DCS 4.30. The 4.30 release is quite an improvement, in spite of a few bugs left to correct. Further, there's only one new feature planned that you can't even use yet.

Just do everyone (or at least me) a favor and find something else about which to complain. I assure you that when the software is available, as a forum member you'll be among the very first to know.

Only wanting to upgrade everything one more time, I'll wait.

Thanks for the sunny comment ....

That's not necessarily true. Depends on the complexity of what's being beta tested. The number of combinations that need to be tested goes up exponentially with the number of added features as you have to test out all of the permutations created by the additions. The Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0 and Windows 95 beta tests ran well over a year -- I was part of both and each product had thousands of beta testers.

My only hesitation with 4.3 has nothing to do with any rumors regarding bugs or 4.31, but is a logistical issue since I'd have to spend the day re-flashing the club layout TIU's (6) plus every member's TIU and remote (getting them all to bring their stuff in is a challenge).

Bottom line: Patience.

Barry and I did lots of testing on 4.31.  MTH will get this to you when they know everyone will be happy with it.  What we have now makes me happy.  I remember back in the pre release days of DCS how many issues we had.  MTH has been faithful in constantly working to make things better for all of us.

Great!!!  I read this post and checked my DCS control that I bought a month and half ago and I am 4.2, I have to upgrade already???   

Barry, I decide to start printing out your book and read 40 pages last night. Thank for writing it. I did read the dedication so I should thank Marty too!!!

rboaterto.  The only reason to upgrade would be if 4.30 has a feature that you don't have and want or need.  If you bought it new and it has 4.2, this means it was manufactured several months ago--that doesn't mean there is anything wrong with it.  I don't believe that there have been any hardware changes in the last year or two.

When we do multiple units, it seems the trailing unit does not return to normal when breaking them up. And a feature reset doesn't get them working. Will 4.31 correct this?

Other than multiple power units returning to individual operation, eliminating the "quickspeed" when guests roll the throttle is another issue. Wish the remote had been designed with a select button rather than depressing the thumbwheel.

Lima,

When we do multiple units, it seems the trailing unit does not return to normal when breaking them up....Will 4.31 correct this?

Actually, I've not seen this issue. Could you be more specific?

eliminating the "quickspeed" when guests roll the throttle is another issue.

You know that you can turn off Quickset Speed, correct?

Barry, I can wait until the bugs are gone. One of my club members does the DCS updates for us back at the club, so this is one less item I would have to take care of at York.

and you guys think you have it bad? i am still stuck with a 3.1 version, works for me.

it costs ya to keep up with the technology doesnt it, mine works fine for me.

Doesn't cost anything to upload the new DCS software via MTH consumer loader.  G

True George, as long as your computer is next to the TIU.  My heavy computer tower and monitor is upstairs while the TIU and ZW is downstairs.  Little far to stretch an RS232 cord....and have spouse holding the power on button while fiddling with the downloader.....

Now if I was close to York, I could take units and get updated.

Yeah, yeah, complain, complain....

rrman.  If the computer shall not go to the TIU, the TIU shall go to the computer.

Unhook the TIU from the layout and bring it to the computer along with all the other cables.  I keep all the stuff in a gallon zip lock bag, and bring it to where I'm doing upgrades or other work, including York.  If you want to change a loco sound file, take along a cable with alligator clips on the end, connecting them to frame & rollers of the loco.  Use a small transformer like a Z500.

If I upgrade then I have to re enter everything into my remotes ?

Clem

If you currently have 4.x on the remotes, I'm pretty sure you won't lose any of the stuff.  I know that the 2.x upgrades needed a clean slate, I'm not sure about the 3.x upgrades.  I seem to recall that didn't wipe the remote.

Thanks John   I'm at 4.2      Wish there was a SD card in the remote with my info on it.

Clem

Keep wishing.

Wish there was a SD card in the remote with my info on it.

 

You have the equivalent.  The current loader program lets you save all the contents of the remote to your computer, from which you can clone other remotes or reinstall the data on the same remote.

Data only had to be re-entered when going from Ver 2 to 3.

Reminds me of the how to change a light bulb joke.  One to hold the bulb, and 5 to rotate the ladder!  G

RJR does that work on Apple also?

Clem

I'm not familiar with Macs.  I'll yield to someone else, like Barry.

Clem,

RJR does that work on Apple also?

No, it does not unless you install a copy of Windows using additional software.

My wife's laptop run s window 8.1, will the loader and programs run on it?  I know I will have to buy a usb to RS232 adapter as my TIU is non usb ported.  Or I drag the TIU upstairs to my tower.

But since 4.3 does not gain me any benefits outside of my basic startup/shutdown, whistle/bell, speed, run a train functions, (never ventured to press other buttons or dig into menus, such as multiple engine consist (when I do, thing usually go to * quickly), so I will "let sleeping TIUs/remote lie".

I just ran the loader on Win 8.1 with a serial<->USB adapter, so the answer is yes.

Fast beta testing! Ha, the gov takes as much as a few years to beta test something. and if we cannot fix it, we launch it anyway!!!

Thanks John.

Ain't that the truth!  Were I used to work, the company had the "build it. test it fix it if possible. but get as much out the door so we can show it on the books year-end and let field repair worry about issues" hardware/software philosophy.  They have since gone extinct, wonder why??

Not wanting to derail this topic, but John this is so true.

Barry,

After breaking up a lashup, some sound and light functions must be manually turned back on in the trailing units.  I think this is the issue Lima is referring to.

Dave

Dave,

After breaking up a lashup, some sound and light functions must be manually turned back on in the trailing units.  I think this is the issue Lima is referring to.

The only lighting issues that came up in beta test were:

• Some engines had their marker lights flashing in lashups. This is corrected in the current DCS 4.31 beta
• Some member engines, in lashups of more than 2 engines, have lights that were on or off by default when they should have been the other way around. This is awaiting correction. Regardless, it's a very minor issue and easily worked-around.

Sound levels are affected differently.

What happens is that if one changes the sound levels of a lashup member, while in an active lashup, it also changes the sound levels of the engine when it's operated normally outside of the lashup. Conversely, when one changes the sound level of any engine, it also retains that sound level when it's used in a lashup.

The member engine isn't affected by changes that DCS makes when it builds or breaks down the lashup, only by changes made by the operator.

This most likely will become the way it works in the final 4.31 release, as well.

That's pretty much all we've seen during beta test regarding lashup lighting and sound levels..

That is it Dave, when lashed together as a unit the sounds worked and the lights changed based on the units direction of travel. After breaking them up, the trailing unit had no sounds and neither the headlights nor ditch lights worked. Had to go in and redo them manually. (P3 units if that matters.)

Ran them lashed back together again yesterday, will break them apart later and see if it reoccurs. Not the end of the world issue but a bit annoying.

Had guests "Quicksetting" again, hopefully that is getting fixed.

Lima,

Had guests "Quicksetting" again, hopefully that is getting fixed.

Quickset Speed works fine. I use it all  the time. There is no bug and it doesn't need to be "fixed".

If you don't like it, just turn it off.

Golly no, don't "fix" the Quickset feature, I use it a lot! 

Lima;

Sounds like your guests are too heavy on the wheel of the remote.

It can take a bit of getting used to.

Push Menu / SYSTEM / Remote Setup.

Scroll to Quickset Speed, Press Thumbwheel.

S1 is ON, S2 is OFF, Press S2 and exit the menu.

This will stop them from entering Quickset.

Hi

I am sorry but I could not help myself.

https://youtu.be/r0yXqU-w9U0

https://youtu.be/r0yXqU-w9U0

What5 they really said...

Mc Coy: :"He's dead, Jim."

Kirk: "I'll get his wallet, you get his Tricorder."

Hi Barry

Are you original from NYC?

NYC? No way!

I'm from Brooklyn!  

Barry,

   That is still great stuff!

PCRR/Dave