multiple computers and monitors

[farnetti9]

Sorry this is a bit long winded and I wasn't sure whether to put it here or under hardware.

I am a recent convert from MSFS to X-Plane 10.

It's been working fine including Openscenery X and CRJ200 addon aircraft together with Saitek yoke, throttles and rudder pedals.

I have 2 computers and 3 monitors and so wanting experiment expanding X-plane 10 to a full 3 screen wrap around I have bought another copy, installed it on the second computer and have it running on a second monitor.

I have set up static IP addresses, set the master computer and set the IP of the master machine on the second machine. I have set lateral field of view to 45 degrees on each and set the lateral offset on the second computer to -45 degrees (it is on the left). I have checked all of the rendering options, location, date and time are set up the same on both computers.

When starting X-plane 10 in this configuration I sometimes get an error message on the second computer saying it smacks of a corrupted file, I am not sure whether I should open X-plane. 10 on the main computer first and then the second computer or the other way round, maybe it doesn't matter

Even when that doesn't happen the trouble is firstly it doesn't look right (this might be due to offsets and bezel alignments so I am not too worried about this), but more importantly when I start the take off roll the main computer and screen works fine but the second computer and screen stays static.

The main computer (or joystick controls) don't seem to be talking to the second computer.

I am obviously keen to get this resolved before building a third computer for the right hand screen.

Also will the CRJ200 (or any other aircraft or scenery) installed on the main computer work across the 3 computers and screens.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[larjeet]

For the price of what you are trying to do you could have one top end multi core proccessor and an AMD 7970 graphics card and run three or more monitors in Eyefinity . Is what you are trying to do even possible?

Edited May 24, 2012 by larjeet

[farnetti9]

The problem with that is that you the monitors have to stay in a straight line for the horizon to be correct. I like them in a wrap around format and that needs 3 computers and a screen for each computer. The configuration is possible, and is explained in the manual.

[chris k]

... error message on the second computer saying it smacks of a corrupted file

Ensure that the /Aircraft/ Directory contents are *exactly* identical on the second machine.

- CK.

[Keith Smith]

It may help to understand what's going on when you run a multi-machine installation in X-Plane. What you're doing is running multiple, independent installations of X-Plane at the same time, where the master computer is kindly sending a bunch of information about the state of the aircraft to the various slaves (the external visuals). As was eluded to by Chris K in his post, for this to work properly, you're going to have to make sure that the aircraft folders are perfectly in sync, that the versions of X-Plane are the same, and that you have the same scenery available (if you expect to see the same thing across each machine, that is).

[farnetti9]

Many thanks Chris and Keith,

I'll work on your inputs tomorrow and reply tomorrow.

[farnetti9]

I have reloaded XPlane 10 on the slave computer, checked versions again, checked folder and files, checked IP addresses and all is now working fine. I think the problem was to do with firewall on slave computer even though I had originally turned this off.

However I have since been experimenting and found the following-

1. Track IR5 will not work across the extra screen (I am using 3d command view).

2. My only add-on CRJ200 will not work across the extra screen

So it would seem you not only need a separate copy of X-plane for each computer but also a separate copy of any aircraft and scenery add-ons for each computer.

It has just occurred to me while writing this that with Track IR5 maybe I just need to download another copy of the software to the slave computer for it to work, anyone tried this.

I will keep this updated as I learn more - hopefully it will be useful to others.

[chris k]

I have reloaded XPlane 10 on the slave computer, checked versions again, checked folder and files, checked IP addresses and all is now working fine.

....

So it would seem you not only need a separate copy of X-plane for each computer but also a separate copy of any aircraft and scenery add-ons for each computer.

Correct. Both XP10 installs must be absolutely identical for it to work. (Aircraft folders, Custom Scenery Folders, etc...)

Let us know how you fare with TrackIR.

- CK.

[farnetti9]

I am trying all my options here so am also trying the 3 screen 1 computer format using an nVidia 670 card. Will check frame rates on that setup using 2 screens and then the same on 2 computers and 2 screens. I know the results won't be like for like but it will give me an idea if the extra computing power makes much of a difference.

Fortunately, after researching many forums it appears the Rollon CRJ200 license is for the user not the computer so should be able to load it on 2 or 3 computers. Track IR shouldn't be a problem as the software is a free download (it doesn't do anything useful without the hardware).

I will post again on this but my main concern on the whole subject is whether other aircraft and scenery developers will take the enlightened and welcome decision of Rollon to license the user and not the computer. Future addons from the like of Aerosoft and PMDG could get very expensive otherwise.

[farnetti9]

Hi Chris K,

I have installed the software for both the CRJ200 and Track IR on each computer and it work just great although there is a slight lag on the slave computer.

So now I think I will go for the third computer to get the 3 screen set up.

For anybody else watching this, whilst this may seem excessive, my main computer is an Intel 2500k with an nVidia 670 and the slave computer is an Intel 8400 duo with an nVidia 560Ti. All are o/clocked and stress tested but even with all of the settings pretty much maxed out still getting 30fps on main and 21 on slave. I'm I can improve on these over time.

[LambertCFI]

How did you get CRJ200 to work on both computers?  I always get an error on one computer saying the aircraft is not found or not real and loads a default Cessna 172. I am running 2 computers and 4 monitors ( 2 visual) ( 1 for the cockpit view) and one for the Instructor station.