PINNED TOPIC Archive & ATTENTION NEWCOMERS -- PLEASE READ

[DCRR1]

First, welcome to TrainSim.com, we know you have alot of questions, we have the answers.
The most common questions are answered below. If you need additional help, please post
your problem giving as much detail as possible.

Please keep in mind that we have members of all ages and both sexes, so please be civil
to one and all.

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Tutorials at the Steam4Me site:

http://steam4me.net/

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Playing with Lighting Colors:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=279519


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Those pesky Brake Sounds Repeating--What the triggers do:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showth...e+brake+sounds

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MSTS and Vista issues and solutions:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=274136

MSTS and Windows 7, 32 and 64 bits OS

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showth...-or-64-bits-OS.

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Too dark for you at night?

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=271068

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What is Trainstore and what does it do?

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showth...ainstore+bryce


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The old "How To..." area:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/content.php?5


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Updating those eng and wag files for more realistic physics:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=213238


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Wow, those clouds are moving fast....how to slow them down:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=268332


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Are your wheels sitting a little low on the rails?:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=268387


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AI engines and sounds with BIN (sms files):

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=268619


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Moving the point of view through a cabview:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=267033


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Daylight/contrast in the sim and working with ENV files:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=267245

Adjusting your night skies?:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showth...682#post952682


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Seriously Advanced MSTS Debugging technique:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=213284


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All about THE YARD VIEW--Using the Yard Cam Modifier program (Tutorial):

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=289184

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showth...nual+yard+view

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=267856


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For a big list of some available routes, click below link:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=266416


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REINSTALLING MSTS: The problems you will run into and how to do it properly, click below:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=277597

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showth...reinstall+MSTS

NEW INSTALL INFO or MOVING MSTS to a new drive: And you have some things you want from a previous install:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=266295


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SEARCHING: Put your key words in " " to create the "and" function so that it will find threads that have all of the words you choose.


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MSTS GRAPHICS PROBLEMS: Click the below link for answers:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showth...aphics+problem


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SPANNED ZIP FILES: How to install them without going crazy, click below:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showth...68891#poststop


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WHEN YOUR ADD ON DOESN'T WORK!! Click below link for help:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showth...ht=new+install


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CRITICIZING OTHERS WORK: How to do it with tact & grace, click below:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showth...AOTHERS%2AWORK


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QUALITY vs QUANITY: What's better? 1 excellent model or 10 mediocre models; click below to find out:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showth...t=bounding+box


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Train derails to easy... bounding boxes the culprit?

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showth...t=bounding+box


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ATI Video cards settings and tweaks

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showth...t=ATI+settings


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SHAPE FILES-LODs AND PERFORMANCE: "Something for the brave (or foolhardy)":

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showth...ighlight=brave


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RAILDRIVER--Trouble getting it to see your HUD?:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=205771


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John

Darby Creek RR
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeqmf3a/index.html


"BNSFLADY"
CYNDI RICHARDS
You will always
be here with us.

[Busdriver]

Several threads added to this list.

Please let me know if you see any threads that should be pinned/added.

Bryce

[Busdriver]

Following is a work-in-progress that was written primarily by fluteman70 (Fred). Other ideas have been entered from others who have suggested items to include:



First and foremost, go to https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/forumdisplay.php?f=64 and read ATTENTION NEWCOMERS---- You will find a lot of answers here.

Get going with MSTS:
1) Start with disk 1 and follow the directions. For some reason, my disks, which I purchased some years ago did not include the US2.…….cars. I went and got mp3kcons.zip to obtain the missing freight cars. These can be found at http://www.otto-wipfel.co.uk/msts-downloads/ along with other useful items you might add.
2) MSTS update to version 1.2 Found several places - here is one http://www.microsoft.com/games/train...downloads.aspx
3) Install bin patch http://mstsbin.uktrainsim.com/eng/download.htm
Read the instructions.
4) Now run MSTS. Try out some routes and get used to what this program is all about. Don’t try too much at one time.
3) Join some forums. Especially https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/. Become a
premium member for the File Library.
4) Adding activities is much easier right now than trying to add a new route.
Check out Utilities - Tsunpack-fix. Here is one several places.
http://www.railserve.com/Computers/MSTS/Utilities. When adding
an activity, read the “read me”. It may require rolling stock you do not
have. This is where www.trainsim.com will help you. They have a file
Download area.
5) Still keep it simple at this point and do a lot of reading. There is a raft of
information out there.
ALWAYS read README files and instructions as you install things.
6) Other items that are useful as you learn more (especially if you start
adding routes. They are: ConBuilder, Trainstore, and Route
Riter. I use Route Control from time to time. There are some things there
that are helpful. Read it.
7) Some routes require Xtracks and Newroads. A lot of information can be
found here:
http://steam4me.railpage.org.au/trai.../newroads.html
8) When you add or change anything, make a backup FIRST of that file or folder.
When you add or change anything, make a backup.
When you add or change anything, make a backup.
9) Some things, when all else fails, concerning MSTS can be found be
going to Google Search and type in msts xxxxxxx (where x stands
for the searched for item.
10) There are more tutorials than you can read. Just do a search.
11) This is just a very basic “tutorial” and when you find yourself
facing a real problem, go to https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/. Where
the experts are found and they will more than willing to help you.
12) DO REGULAR BACKUPS of the entire TrainSimulator Folder. This can be done to a DVD if you have a small installation (not many add-ons). Or, get an external hard drive and back up to that. This way, if something gets corrupted, you have the ability to get the old file back. This is critical if you install lots of add-ons and do custom configurations. All those hours can end up being wasted if you do not have a backup. Be careful having your backup on the same drive as your installation so that if something happens to your installation drive, you will likely still have your data on the other drive. If everything is on the one drive and it crashes, you are starting over. You might even consider having a drive that is kept off-site in case something happens to your entire computer set-up.

Lastly, don’t get frustrated. Take time and learn about the program. Many people have started out and had to learn this stuff. Then, oddly, many find themselves enjoying all of the tinkering more than running the trains.



Bonus Information/ideas:

Suggestion:
1) Buy a smart uninstaller like "Your Uninstaller". It not only uninstalls the program but cleans the registry of all the junk left behind. It will also clean up an installation that says the uninstaller is corrupt. Just "deleting" a route doesn't get rid of it.
2) It has been my experience that even the so called "best uninstallers" leave junk.
3) Then get something like Uniblue and finish getting rid of whatever junk the other programs missed. Each program is different and will find things others miss.
4) I don't recommend this step unless you know what you are doing. After running all "uninstall-dejunk" programs. I use regedit and still clean out material that was left behind. You will see a speed up in your computer overall and a more stable MSTS.


Thanks for listening.

Regards,

Fred

[Busdriver]

Above is the edited version of the getting started thread that used to be the "Suggestions from a Novice" thread.

If you know some info that would be helpful, put it in a paragraph below, and I'll insert it in the post.

Bryce

[Buda]

Above is the edited version of the getting started thread that used to be the "Suggestions from a Novice" thread.

If you know some info that would be helpful, put it in a paragraph below, and I'll insert it in the post.

Bryce

Fred

I'm NEW at this so I'm following your "START-UP check list and found out that when I went to (3) Install bin patch http://mstsbin.uktrainsim.com/eng/download.htm
Read the instructions.) I did not fined this file in there list of down loads?

Cheers
Buda

[crstagg]

Fred

I'm NEW at this so I'm following your "START-UP check list and found out that when I went to (3) Install bin patch http://mstsbin.uktrainsim.com/eng/download.htm
Read the instructions.) I did not fined this file in there list of down loads?

Cheers
Buda

At the bottom of the page http://mstsbin.uktrainsim.com/eng/download.htm you will find 3 boxes across the page. The download he is refering to is the "Stable Release" on the left side.

[anthonie]

HI FRED
hOW DOES ONE USE REGEDIT AND WHERE DOES ONE OBTAIN THAT. HAVE UN-INSTALLED MSTS ABOUT 10 TIMES AND STILL GET ERROR MESSAGES WHEN USING TOOL EDITOR. PLEASE HELP OUT THANKS CORRIE

[jonpd]

Check out this thread concerning reinstalling:

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=279734

Also this may be useful:

http://steam4me.railpage.org.au/trai.../new_msts.html

regedit is part of the standard Windows install and can be run by selecting start->run and entering "regedit" into the dialog.

Be aware: regedit is a powerful tool and mistakes can easily disable your computer and require a complete reinstall of Windows! You can back up the keys you are planning to change by selecting file->export. Also a system restore point would be advisable.

Also, a point of forum etiquette: Unless your I/O device is a Model 33 Teletype, there should be no reason to type in all UPPER CASE.


Jon

[anthonie]

Jonpd
Thanks a million for your guidance. Will not touch regedit!!! How does one reinstall the Tools Editor , cause mine seems to bombout everytime I start you use it. Dont want to re install the complete MSTS package only the Editor !!! please advise what to do

[jonpd]

The tools editor gets reinstalled as part of the MSTS install. Perhaps if you posted more detail as to what error you are getting we could trouble shoot your installation. We should probably do this as a new thread rather than cluttering up the sticky with it.

Jon