The Avolites Discussion Forum

Hi,

I've recently downloaded the Pearl2004 Simulator. I'm running it in Windows XPPro, (which is itself being run through VMWare Fusion on my MacBookPro [although this should make no difference]).

It has never quite been right. Although most features seemed to be working OK, the LCD screen appeared 'too large' in that it 'covered' the soft keys A to G and the graphic below the screen. Thus the soft keys were not available.

Now however, although simulator opens, it is displayed (as shown in the image link below)

http://www.pbase.com/stevekingsplace/image/122415412

As you can see the LCD screen has been replaced by the image shown in it's place. This does seem to reveal the presence of the soft keys however.

Now none of the simulator works. For example, beyond the fact you have no access to the LCD screen menus, if you press any function key, it will illuminate but only very dimly. Furthermore, once selected, you can't switch it off again.

I've uninstalled and reinstalled several times (using 'fresh' downloads of the software each time). I've gone through the PC to make sure there are no hidden files of the original install remaining. I can't find any, but that doesn't mean Microshaft don't have something hidden. All this is to no avail, I continue to see the same problem.

I also need to point out that sometimes (but by no means always), I get the following error (see image link below) alert displayed. In fact I've always seen this from time to time even when the simulator was partially working.

http://www.pbase.com/stevekingsplace/image/122415426

So I guess my questions (apart from my plea for help) are;

Is there a compatibility issue (can't find any)?

Is the current version of the simulator download file OK?

If there is no problem 'at your end'.... Help! any ideas?

My biggest wish..... (apart from helping with this issue), is that you bring out a Mac version of the application.

Hope you can help.

Thanks in advance.

I would say that clearly there is a compatibility issue. Best advice I can give is to run in Bootcamp. That is what I do.

Thanks, I'll give it a try

This is normally an issue with the graphics driver.

Thanks Olie.

We have a mutual friend in Phil Harman. At Phil's suggestion I've abandoned fusion and set up a new virtual partition using Sun's VirtualBox.

I have to say it's way better than parallels or fusion. Windows boots more quickly and runs more quickly. Better still the simulator works now, although the physical appearance of the soft keys A-G are still missing, however they 'work' in that that area of the LCD display is functioning like a 'touch screen' so I'm guessing there is a small issue there, but not of any great importance that I can find.

Cheers

Steve.

There are no softkeys in the simulator, just the LCD. So it sounds like it is working normally.

Great, thanks for clarifying that

We have a mutual friend in Phil Harman.

That explains the mac then

I'm pleased to report that both simulator and visualiser are both working well and communicating with each other. Thanks for everyone's input.

'twas I that initially introduced Phil to Macs many years ago. Obviously he became much more interested, indeed 'converted' when the UNIX based OSX was introduced.

Ollie I'm looking forward to meeting you at NWA, I'm a Tech Team set up volunteer (along with Phil of course).

So your to blame

Alas I now have an iPhone so will not be long now

I can see that you are on Southby team, will be good to meet you. The venue you are working in will be one of the first to use and Expert with the new Touch wing so that should be fun.