Yet another Activity Editor problem

Geoffwright · Post by **Geoffwright** » Tue Sep 03, 2002 3:27 pm

I've got a second copy of MSTS in my 2nd HDD, since the first was getting huge.
I put the S&C1930's in this 2nd drive MSTS folder, & things run fine.
However, although I can edit activities OK in this installation on its default routes, I can't get AE to work on activities in the S&C1930 route. The activities therein show up in the list available to be edited, but when selected result in failure due to loading Activity header - "failed loading Activity header", followed by "Report to MS ?" etc. etc.
This seems to apply to all the activities I've downloaded into this route, although there are only about 5 or 6 so far.
The reason I want to do some editing is because I find the Pines Express activity runs OK but has no apparent timetable timings. Everything just shows 12.00 in all the time boxes starting at Carlisle & going on to Appleby. Now, there isn't much point in running a passenger activity unless you've got a timetable to run to, so I need to sort out this activity header problem.
Any ideas, folks ?

asalmon · Post by **asalmon** » Tue Sep 03, 2002 4:27 pm

I'm not sure the system would cope with two copies of MSTS, the registry entries could only point to one, maybe it is getting confused.

-Alan

Geoffwright · Post by **Geoffwright** » Tue Sep 03, 2002 4:35 pm

Yes, that could be the problem, Alan.
It seems that only editing (or attempting to edit ) on imported activities is the trouble.
In order to find out if it's that, or whether it is a ROUTE problem, I'll go off & download an activity to one of the default routes in this 2nd MSTS installation & see if I can edit THAT.

asalmon · Post by **asalmon** » Tue Sep 03, 2002 4:41 pm

yep, that would be a good test, because editing a default activity on the second installation could be calling up the first!

-Alan

BobLatimer · Post by **BobLatimer** » Tue Sep 03, 2002 9:47 pm

I agree that two copies of MSTS might cause problems.

I have what I think is a better solution. I have "sets" of routes - only two or three in a set for the large and active ones, several more for the smaller and less active ones. I have one installation of MSTS and I swap the "Routes" and "Trains" folders in and out of the Train Simulator folder. I do the swapping by dragging and dropping, which doesn't take too long.

So, for example, if I want to install a new activity on the S&C1930, I drag and drop out whatever is in the Train Simulator folder to its storage location, drag and drop my FavouritesUK Routes and Trains folders into Train Simulator and then proceed with installing the activity.

Using this method I can run Route Control, ConBuilder, RouteRiter and Activity Analysis without having to worry about which installation of MSTS I want them to run on.

The only drawback, I think, is that it does require some duplication of Trainsets if they're used in more than one route set.

Geoffwright · Post by **Geoffwright** » Tue Sep 03, 2002 10:01 pm

Well, did the test on a downloaded route for Europe1 & it ran fine & could be accessed via AE.
So - the problem is confined to the S&C1930 route on this 2nd HDD installation.
Shame. It seemed a good wheeze to have this 2nd MSTS, since it could be MUCH smaller than the primary copy & hence everything loaded up a lot quicker. Other than this AE problem, strangely there don't seem to be any other problems in having the second copy.
As you all say, it seems that registry entries that are the problem.
Do most programs do this sort of thing, or is it just an unhelpful feature of MSTS ?
(Incidentally, I'm running XP Home Edition and this does seem to have occasional difficulties with MSTS ). I've read the thread, & the verdict seems inconclusive.
Anyway, going back to the original problem, just what IS an Activity header ?

asalmon · Post by **asalmon** » Wed Sep 04, 2002 6:32 am

Did the test activity use custom stock - it may be that MSTS can't find that.

I have seen errors in activity header when services can't load, due to bad path or missing stock I think, can't quite remember.

MSTS runs fine on XP pro, I don't see why home would be any different.

I'm sure I've seen somewhere a quick way to temporilly disable routes is to rename the TRK file, then MSTS will not see it - normal warnings apply (backup, I am not responsible if it goes pear-shaped etc.) Or follow Latimers' advice.

-Alan

rdawes · Post by **rdawes** » Wed Sep 04, 2002 7:57 pm

I agree with Alan. It's probably a registry issue. To overcome this, create a bootable partition on the second drive and install windows to this with the second copy of MSTS (unless you're using XP and then MS will want to know in which case I would format it as FAT32 and use Windows 98SE on the new partition). Use a Boot Manager to select the partition you want when starting. This way you have two registries. I'm debating doing the same and splitting my Routes, Activities and Stock into North American and European. The only downside is I will have to reboot to switch sides of the ocean.

Bob

BobLatimer · Post by **BobLatimer** » Wed Sep 04, 2002 9:46 pm

Bob,

See my suggestion above - it's a lot easier than dual booting!! And it works.

Besides, what do you do when you want three sets of routes - triple boot??

Bob.

rdawes · Post by **rdawes** » Wed Sep 04, 2002 11:21 pm

The multiple boot can work on a large hard-drive except for the drive letters that it consumes (you have to make sure that you've poked your CD-ROM up to M or something) and the unnecessary bloat for windows in each partition. Here again we have to duplicate any of the trainset files necessary for all the routes. Since I'm breaking it up by continent that doesn't seem to be a problem.

Your procedure has merit and could be automated with a batch file to swap the route folders in and out leaving the trainset folder as is. I have been pushing the margin on my consist folder and keep approaching 800 files so I've decided to only keep routes I'm using and dump the others. I would love to get rid of some of the MSTS default routes but they are needed to build new routes. This still leaves me with a bloated trainset folder since I can't identify the files that are associated with only the routes I'm deleting.

That's why a file management utility is high on my wish list for MSTS2.

Maybe a second PC would help??

Bob

BobLatimer · Post by **BobLatimer** » Thu Sep 05, 2002 12:40 am

A file management utility would be wonderful!!

I split mine up the hard way. I moved all of the routes, consists and trainsets out. I then moved back the first "set" of routes. I ran Route Control and it told me what consists I needed, which I then moved back in. Then I ran RC again and it told me what rolling stock I needed and I moved that back in. That was one set done. I then moved out the Routes and Trains folders. moved the next set of routes in and so on.

I have one set that is only the default routes. If I want to install a new route, I install it in that set so it can copy the default files. I then run RouteRiter on it to get rid of the extras and then move it into the approriate set of routes.

I also have a "test" set which has only the Modern England route in it (so I can test run steam, diesel and electric locos). If I download a new piece of rolling stock, I install it in my test set, create a consist and test it out.

BobLatimer · Post by **BobLatimer** » Thu Sep 05, 2002 12:46 am

P.S. If you want to get rid of unused consists, services, etc. etc. RouteRiter from Mike Simpson does a fantastic job.

asalmon · Post by **asalmon** » Thu Sep 05, 2002 6:28 am

Is there a way of getting rid of all unused stuff at once? I tried the other day, and had to delete my unused services one by one, I could highligt a whole block but delete only worked on the one file where the mouse pointer was.

-Alan

rdawes · Post by **rdawes** » Thu Sep 05, 2002 2:37 pm

That's a great tip. Using Route Control to re-build your consists and rolling stock. I've only used Route-Riter to remove the bloat so I'll have to try it's other features. I really appreciate the activity authors who demark their consist, service, path and traffic files with some prefix which makes them easy to find and eradicate.

Another thing. I have started a text file in Notepad called MSTS Wish List and everytime I run into something like this or get an idea I add the item to the list. I have it divided into major categories like:
Program Fixes for things that don't work like TSUNPACK, front coupling etc.

Enhancements for additions to the next version like a File Manager.

Suggestions for new routes, rolling stock, etc.

I am trying to do more than "Blue Sky" with this and explain how each fix or new feature would benefit the simulation and improve the product (must be my marketing background at work). When I have a comprehensive list I am going to post it on the boards as well as send it to Microsoft and Kuju. If enough of us did this maybe......

Bob

BobLatimer · Post by **BobLatimer** » Thu Sep 05, 2002 9:32 pm

Alan,

I've never used the "Delete" in RR. I use "Move" (I think that's what it is). It stores the unused files in a "Spare......." folder. It works on blocks okay.

If you find something that doesn't work quite right in RR, e-mail Mike Simpson. He's very helpful.

Regards,

Bob.