I’ve recently tried running the freeware Flying Model Simulator in order to practice flying RC helicopters. It is supposed to be pretty decent for a free app. But one of the problems with the application is that it is difficult to get it to run on Vista. I took me a while but I finally got it running. Here are some tips if you are having problems getting it to work on Vista:
Problem: You get a message saying “D3DRM.DLL cannot be loaded”. This dll is and old file that was removed from Vista. You can download the file from here: http://www.dlldump.com/download-dll-files_new.php/dllfiles/D/d3drm.dll/5.1.2600.0/download.html. I’m always wary about downloading files from strange websites because of potential viruses, but that file has worked fine for me. Download the file and copy it to the directory where you installed FMS: Vista x64 default: C:\Program Files (x86)\FMS Vista 32bit: C:\Program Files\FMS.
Problem: You get a message saying “fms.exe has stopped working”. This is probably because FMS expects you to have a serial port installed on your computer. Modern computers usually don’t come with serial ports anymore. To work around the problem you can create this registry entry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DEVICEMAP\SERIALCOMM and FMS will start working.
Problem: Your controller won’t work correctly. I have a gamepad plus this RC controller: http://www.xheli.com/e4chflsitrki.html. Somehow FMS has a problem with this and I wasn’t able to correctly configure the controller. To solve it go to the Windows start menu and type “Game Controllers”. Click the game controllers icon at the top of the menu. Now click the Advanced button and select the device you want to use. This will make that controller the default in FMS and it will be able to configure it correctly.
Problem: FMS runs but the screen has horrible flicker that makes FMS unusable. This is probably caused by modern nVidia graphics cards. To fix it in FMS go to the Graphics menu and uncheck Textures. The graphics don’t look very nice when you disable textures but at least it works. I’m not aware of any solution to running with textures in this case.
As you can tell FMS has a lot of problems. If you want a simulator that just works I recommend checking out Clearview which is available here: http://rcflightsim.com/. They have a demo you can try and if you like it you can buy it for $40. It actually works and is a better simulator that FMS anyway.
#1 by Doc on December 3, 2009 - 7:53 pm
Thank you for the FIX! I had the .dll problem on one machine and the exe has stopped working on another so found TWO solutions here! Thanks, again
“Doc”
#2 by dbl8ts on June 6, 2010 - 11:40 pm
I have had an E Sky Lama V4 since last August, but have not flown it yet. Today, I tried using the simulator and got the “FMS.exe has stopped working” message. When I clicked on the URL above, I reached a foreign site and did not understand anything there. The second time I tried I reached the same foreign site with a option to play an adult video game. Unfortunately, I do not know how to make registry entries in my system (Alienware Dual Processor running Win 7 Ultimate). Any chance there is another site with the solution in detained english?
#3 by Patrick on June 11, 2010 - 8:22 am
Thanks for reporting the broken links. I’ve updated the post to remove them.
To create the registry key you could check out this article: http://www.ehow.com/how_4809346_registry-key.html . For Win 7 follow the Vista instructions.
#4 by javier on August 5, 2010 - 7:58 am
HELLO
I AM TRYING TO LOAD THE ESKY SIMULATOR ON MY VISTA 32 BIT AND I AM GETTING THAT FMS.EXE HAS STOPPED WORKING , WERE DO I GO TO create this registry entry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DEVICEMAP\SERIALCOMM
YOU TALKED ABOUT? SO I CAN GET IT UP AND RUNNING.
YOU CAN EMAIL ME BACK AT javier2396@gmail.com
thanks
#5 by karan on June 12, 2011 - 3:35 pm
I AM TRYING TO LOAD THE ESKY SIMULATOR ON MY VISTA 32 BIT AND I AM GETTING THAT FMS.EXE HAS STOPPED WORKING , WERE DO I GO TO create this registry entry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DEVICEMAP\SERIALCOMM
YOU TALKED ABOUT? SO I CAN GET IT UP AND RUNNING.
YOU CAN EMAIL ME BACK AT 8704266@gmail.com thanks
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#7 by Nick on October 19, 2011 - 2:24 am
I loaded the Esky sim provided with the dummy transmitter and it ran no problem on Vista. When you get it working do a google search and you’ll find there are plenty of extra free models you can download from various sites that are much better than those included with the software.
My overall view on FMS though is that it is far too easy. I thought I was doing really well on FMS then I got a copy of Clearview (which can be downloaded for only $39.99 and includes loads of models, especially if you select ‘download latest models from the menu’) and found it so much more difficult…and hence nearer to flying the real thing. For the little it cost I would say it’s well worth it.
#8 by Bill on March 24, 2012 - 10:40 am
just wanted to say thanks .. i’ve used FMS for years on a W2000 machine .. i needed your notes for my new Win7 machine. i loaded the 8.5 version, had to update the registry and add the DLL. This program may not be game quality, but it works great for training and practice.
Thanks again !