Troubleshooting DCS BIOS ?

[Extranajero]

I'm getting no joy from my first experiments with DCS BIOS and need to know the easiest way to test what I've done.

It could be any number of things, hardware or software, so I'm seeking advice on the most logical troubleshooting process.

[Hansolo]

What steps you have been following, what hardware are you using and what code are you using? Are you sure DCS-BIOS has been correctly installed?

 

Cheers

Hans

[Extranajero]

OK -first I installed DCS-BIOS into my saved games DCS folder and compiled the example sketch in the documentation - " Master Warning Reset " I think it was. I hooked up the switch and LED - all went perfectly.

 

Then I decided to try a couple of the planes I'm intending to use DCS-BIOS with - the A-4E and the F-14 - and nothing. I was using a rotary switch for the A-4's weapons selector and then a toggle switch for the F-14's autopilot.

 

I'm not sure how to attack the problem - I understand there are so many things which can be an issue. If it was a motorcycle that wouldn't start then everything would be easy for me - but it isn't :D

[Hansolo]

Ok so you had it working with the A-10C, sending a signal from DCS to the Arduino?

 

Do you have the latest version of DCS-BIOS?

How did you wire the toggle switch and rotary switch for A-4 and F-14?

What were the sketches for the two tries?

 

When you are sending informations from the Arduino to DCS then you are able to check whether the communications comes through without running DCS;

 

 

This is actually a bit like fault tracing on a motorcycle that won't start :)

 

Cheers

Hans

[Extranajero]

Thanks Hans, I'll go back to the beginning watch the video and start over :)

[Bullant]

DCSBios needs a library specific to the aircraft you are flying, has anyone even made a library for the A4 or F14?

 

To expand on my point, and because I sounded a bit rude. DCS-Bios communicates with DCS through a series of command codes, which are unique to each aircraft. It also knows which aircraft is currently loaded in DCS and loads the appropriate library for the current aircraft. If no such library exists then you aren't going to be able to communicate with the aircraft.

 

I wrote the F18 library and it is no small task ...

 

edit again, I just had a look and ok it should work for the A4 and F14, someone has been busy :)

 

I second what was said above, once you get dcsbios live preview running it makes things a bit easier.

 

Edited June 25, 2019 by Bullant

[Extranajero]

Live Preview is exactly what I need running. I just reverted the sketch to using the A-10C and that doesn't work now although it did before.

I'll get it figured out...thanks for your help :)

Edited June 25, 2019 by Extranajero

[Extranajero]

Brilliant. Live Preview is working, so my problem is with the Arduino or the sketch. Even I can't mess up a button and an LED :D

 

I'll try another Arduino. The one I'm using was previously flashed with HID firmware several years ago and then left in a drawer. I FLIP-ed it back but there's no telling if I might have done something wrong. I was going to use a Mega anyway.