I’ve been in touch with Will at NLR over the last few weeks, testing various versions of the software they are working on (up to 1.1.4.3). They have all been crashing for me. The only stable one for me is the first 1.1.2.7 so I have gone back to that (it worked yesterday, and now I got this server error).
All the others have been CTD’ing the sim at some point (SimConnect error) or even one time completely rebooted the whole PC after screen went black except for some green pixels outlining where mountains were in my scenery at the time it froze… then 20 seconds later total reboot.
Will wrote me today that they think they finally solved it but will be 2-3 weeks before I / we get a build.
If this server thing really means we can’t run the seat at all if they ever stop the server, that is unacceptable and I shall be telling Will this. They MUST make the list of games local on our drive and let us in, regardless of server state. They can connect and UPDATE the list if Internet is available, but then that update needs to be stored on our machine and we cannot get blocked out of using the hardware we paid for now or in the future if they decide to close shop.
That’s bad. Just bought one and this is not ok.
I’ve been without internet at home since the 1st July, service will be restored on 21st, hopefully, and I would be really mad if I couldn’t use it offline.
Does yours work today? Wondering if it is just, maybe, possibly something with this 1.1.2.7 original version. But it did work yesterday so
I have emailed Will about it - he’s pretty good at replying so will hear back tomorrow I expect.
If he does say it needs to log in (your account thing from first step) I will raise hell. That is totally unacceptable. We already paid for the hardware so they have our money… it’s not like we can pirate it!
I have been following this thread for some time now since I am interested in the product (even though I already have bass shakers) but I have been waiting for the product and its software to mature a bit. The price and the hardware seems okay but it looks to me that the software needs quite a bit of work.
I wasn’t aware though that the software needed the dev’s server to be online to work. Not sure why this is necessary but disappointed in this to be honest and very much a deal breaker for me.
For me to buy this product the software would definitely have to be stand alone without an online requirement.
I agree - I knew you had to log in from the first screen that opens, then you can check “remember me” so it’s only the first time you install it I thought (don’t know why they even need that tbh!). But didn’t know it would not work at all without the connection.
I am going to push them hard to change this for the next version they are working on if that is the case.
Weird why it’s not working for me today and is for others though - must be the same server regardless of version, and as I say it worked with this version the other day. So maybe I have a different problem. Haven’t been able to use it tonight flying though and I miss it! Feels so empty without it now
Hmmmmm. Just closed it all down and rebooted too, but still fires up just fine for me. How’s your internet connection? Isn’t NLR in Australia? (I’m up north across the other pond.)
Internet is fine. I’m playing FS OK, writing here, on Discord, viewing web pages… never have any trouble with my Fibre normally. Yes they are Australian company. I am in UK.
EDIT: I’m wondering if installing / uninstalling / reinstalling all these different test versions for them has messed something up in my registry or something.
I’ve tried about 4 versions they sent me. They asked me to uninstall previous before putting new on. When you do that it fires up a Powershell window which does some stuff. Seems to clean uninstall but it adds some things at a more root level for sure when same window does an install - then you need to reboot the PC.
Have you checked your Windows firewall? Different version may require a new entry in there.
Haven’t used mine this past week but will fit it up tonight or over the weekend. Still on original software but the app did prompt me to download the latest beta which I have done but not installed as of yet. I’ll be able to compare both versions.
I have not checked Firewall but it worked just the day before so it’s very strange.
I have heard back from Will but he didn’t really answer my point - just asked me to try the latest test one again (which I won’t do because it made my PC hard reset) and said they have found the root of “a lot of these problems”.
I wrote back again - this if you are interested:
Email to Will
Hi Will,
This is the same text you sent me last time but I am unsure if that server error is related.
I don’t want to install 1.1.4.3 again as that was giving me big problems with full hard-reset of the PC at some point (not good).
What is that server problem? Other people I spoke to on the forum said they can use the software today (but on 1.1.3.8). And the 1.1.2.7 worked 2 days ago for me so why am I getting this message?
Does it mean the software will not work if there is no server connection to your authentication server?
If so, this is totally unacceptable and I strongly urge you to change this system for the version you are working on now.
It is not acceptable that we should be blocked from using the seat if you have server issues, or for whatever reason in future you need to shut shop (of course I hope that never happens, but nothing is for ever). We have already paid for the seat, so you have our money. Not as if we can pirate the hardware so I don’t see the need for authentication.
I also don’t see the need for the FIRST login (where you can tick to “remember me”) before we are allowed to use the HFS software. Can this be removed?
I understand that you want to populate the list of supported games from online, but that update and current list should be stored locally on our machines, and if there is no Internet connection (eIther from our end or yours) then the software should still work!
I don’t like to wait 3 weeks to use my seat again so any advice to get this working until I can be assured the new version plays OK on my PC would be appreciated.
I am wondering if something messed up in my registry through doing all the tests (uninstall / reinstall) of the various versions for you? Weird that 1.1.2.7 did work OK when I reinstalled it initially though.
Still interested in the product but only if the software is stand alone and gives good tactile feedback (flaps, engine, acceleration, ground roll, stall etc) for MSFS.
I have bass shakers already and SRS (very good for driving games) and/or Simshaker software to drive them. The latter is better for me but far from perfect.
Always on the lookout for something better so let’s hope for the best
Yes, i had this server error a long time ago.
Log out in hf8 (in settings click on the logout icon on the top right) and restart the hf8 software. It ask then to login again, fixed it for me.
Hey there. Just got back to my sim today and tried this, and it did indeed fix it for me also. Thank you so much!
Next problem: the new A2A Comanche doesn’t pick up on the engine FX, I guess as it’s a custom audio engine they use outside of MSFS. I only get the other effects. I am sad!
