Community A-4E-C v2.3 (May 2025)

[Rudel_chw]

1 hour ago, stolzy said:

Yes the error is still there.

2022-10-10 10:30:00.022 ERROR   EDCORE: Failed to load C:/Users/johns/Saved Games/DCS/Mods/aircraft/A-4E-C/bin/A-4E-C.dll: (126) The specified module could not be found.

I have a folder exclusion set for C:\Users\johns\Saved Games\DCS

 

A folder exclusion prevents the antivirus from deleting files from now on, but you do need to have the file .. did you re-installed the Mod?

If you look at the folder C:/Users/johns/Saved Games/DCS/Mods/aircraft/A-4E-C/bin/  ... is the A-4E-C.dll file there? (keep in mind that some users have windows set to hide filename extensions, so the .DLL may not be visible)

[stolzy]

53 minutes ago, Rudel_chw said:

 

A folder exclusion prevents the antivirus from deleting files from now on, but you do need to have the file .. did you re-installed the Mod?

If you look at the folder C:/Users/johns/Saved Games/DCS/Mods/aircraft/A-4E-C/bin/  ... is the A-4E-C.dll file there? (keep in mind that some users have windows set to hide filename extensions, so the .DLL may not be visible)

I reinstalled the mod and yes, the .dll file is there

[Rudel_chw]

1 hour ago, stolzy said:

I reinstalled the mod and yes, the .dll file is there

 

So strange, the error message seems clear ... al I can say is that the A-4E Mod works well on my DCS and I have these exclusions on my MS Defender antivirus:

 

 

Unfortunately, you can't get support from ED as this is a community Mod, perhaps you can ask for help at the A.4 discord, here:

https://discord.gg/CWQ36BHy

 

 

[silverdevil]

31 minutes ago, stolzy said:

I reinstalled the mod and yes, the .dll file is there

as a test you can check by disabling defender a supported way

first turn off tamper protection

Quote

1. Access the Taskbar and type defender into the search bar on the Taskbar.
2. Select the Windows Security app from the search results.
3. Select Virus and threat protection.
4. Choose Virus and threat protection settings.
5. Locate the Tamper Protection toggle and choose On or Off as desired.

https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterprisedesktop/tip/What-IT-should-know-about-Tamper-Protection-in-Windows-10

then disable AV with powershell

Quote

Disable antivirus
Although Microsoft Defender offers a command to disable the antivirus, it's guarded by the Tamper Protection feature, which you can only disable through the Virus & threat protection settings available in the Windows Security app.

To disable the antivirus, turn off Tamper Protection, and then use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to temporarily disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus and press Enter:Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $true

Quote

Once you complete the steps, the real-time antivirus protection will be disabled until the next reboot. Or you can run this command:

Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $false

this is a link that it explains other Powershell management of defender.

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-manage-microsoft-defender-antivirus-powershell-windows-10

[Rudel_chw]

1 hour ago, silverdevil said:

then disable AV with powershell

 

First, I mentioned MS Defender only as an example, we dont know which AV @stolzy uses. Second, I do not reccomend turning off the AV completely .. a limited folder exclusion should be enough.

[silverdevil]

30 minutes ago, Rudel_chw said:

 

First, I mentioned MS Defender only as an example, we dont know which AV @stolzy uses. Second, I do not reccomend turning off the AV completely .. a limited folder exclusion should be enough.

agreed. though as long as AV is on at some level it is suspect. lots of software vendors will call out AV and will not accept the work of IT until it is off. just to get DCS installed is a minimal risk. the exclusions in this case is evidently not enough. i spent months troubleshooting a VPN client with an AV vendor and they finally fessed up that no amount of exclusions was going to work. it was a known issue and the AV fix was to upgrade the AV client.

Edited October 10, 2022 by silverdevil

[stolzy]

On 10/10/2022 at 1:40 PM, Rudel_chw said:

 

First, I mentioned MS Defender only as an example, we dont know which AV @stolzy uses. Second, I do not reccomend turning off the AV completely .. a limited folder exclusion should be enough.

 

On 10/10/2022 at 2:10 PM, silverdevil said:

agreed. though as long as AV is on at some level it is suspect. lots of software vendors will call out AV and will not accept the work of IT until it is off. just to get DCS installed is a minimal risk. the exclusions in this case is evidently not enough. i spent months troubleshooting a VPN client with an AV vendor and they finally fessed up that no amount of exclusions was going to work. it was a known issue and the AV fix was to upgrade the AV client.

 

I'm not too familiar with Windows, I use it only for games, but I haven't installed any other anti-virus software.

[silverdevil]

2 minutes ago, stolzy said:

I'm not too familiar with Windows, I use it only for games, but I haven't installed any other anti-virus software.

most likely you have Windows Defender which is installed by default. i suggest as a minimum to add the recommended exclusions. if that does not work, disable completely and then re-enable immediately after tested. or just restart computer.

[stolzy]

On 10/10/2022 at 1:16 PM, Rudel_chw said:

 

So strange, the error message seems clear ... al I can say is that the A-4E Mod works well on my DCS and I have these exclusions on my MS Defender antivirus:

 

 

Unfortunately, you can't get support from ED as this is a community Mod, perhaps you can ask for help at the A.4 discord, here:

https://discord.gg/CWQ36BHy

 

 

I have an exclusion set for C:\Users\johns\Saved Games\DCS, do I nee one for C:\Users\johns\Saved Games\DCS\mods,  C:\Users\johns\Saved Games\DCS\mods\aircraft and  C:\Users\johns\Saved Games\DCS\mods\aircraft\A-4E-C as well or does the exclusion apply to  subordinate directories?

[stolzy]

6 minutes ago, silverdevil said:

most likely you have Windows Defender which is installed by default. i suggest as a minimum to add the recommended exclusions. if that does not work, disable completely and then re-enable immediately after tested. or just restart computer.

I disabled everything under 'Virus and threat protection settings' and restarted. 

Just the same

[stolzy]

Doesn't look like this is going to work.  Pity, I liked the idea of the community mod and the A-4E is an interesting and historic aircraft.

Guess I'll file it under 'Would have been nice to have'

A final question, if this was an issue with the Windows AV, why is it not mtre common?  Search engines reveal nothing similar.

Edited October 11, 2022 by stolzy

[silverdevil]

1 hour ago, stolzy said:

I disabled everything under 'Virus and threat protection settings' and restarted. 

Just the same

i think by your response you misunderstood. you need to disable AV, retry the operation. then restart after you get the mod to work. restarting computer will re-enable all of it again.

58 minutes ago, stolzy said:

A final question, if this was an issue with the Windows AV, why is it not mtre common?  Search engines reveal nothing similar.

your situation is odd. personally speaking, i had no issues. at the time i was using webroot. i now use defender.

[stolzy]

1 hour ago, silverdevil said:

i think by your response you misunderstood. you need to disable AV, retry the operation. then restart after you get the mod to work. restarting computer will re-enable all of it again.

your situation is odd. personally speaking, i had no issues. at the time i was using webroot. i now use defender.

So I turned it off (in Windows Security>Real-time protection>off.  It is 'snoozed' apparently - no change.

Edited October 11, 2022 by stolzy

[Captain Orso]

Have you confirmed that the 'C:/Users/johns/Saved Games/DCS/Mods/aircraft/A-4E-C/bin/A-4E-C.dll' file is actually present?

That should have been the very first step.

If it is present, is it actually the correct file?

It should be 198,280 bytes in size, and be dated 6 Mar 2022, 01:29.

[stolzy]

12 hours ago, Captain Orso said:

Have you confirmed that the 'C:/Users/johns/Saved Games/DCS/Mods/aircraft/A-4E-C/bin/A-4E-C.dll' file is actually present?

That should have been the very first step.

If it is present, is it actually the correct file?

It should be 198,280 bytes in size, and be dated 6 Mar 2022, 01:29.

The file is there and exactly as described.

[stolzy]

So, I've solved it.

Turns out to be nothing to do with AV settings.  The error

2022-10-08 14:58:50.889 ERROR   EDCORE: Failed to load C:/Users/johns/Saved Games/DCS/Mods/aircraft/A-4E-C/bin/A-4E-C.dll: (126) The specified module could not be found.

seems to be entirely spurious in that the file is present and not deleted by the AV.

I hadn't been aware that an additional file was required to be downloaded from Microsoft (Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022).  Link here in case someone else has the same problem.

I installed Visual Studio and everything works now with or without the AV folder exclusions.

 

[MAXsenna]

On 10/12/2022 at 8:52 AM, stolzy said:

So, I've solved it.

Turns out to be nothing to do with AV settings.  The error

2022-10-08 14:58:50.889 ERROR   EDCORE: Failed to load C:/Users/johns/Saved Games/DCS/Mods/aircraft/A-4E-C/bin/A-4E-C.dll: (126) The specified module could not be found.

seems to be entirely spurious in that the file is present and not deleted by the AV.

I hadn't been aware that an additional file was required to be downloaded from Microsoft (Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022).  Link here in case someone else has the same problem.

I installed Visual Studio and everything works now with or without the AV folder exclusions.

 

Aaaah! Can't believe I forgot about that. Long time since anyone with the same issue.

Lots of posts about this earlier in the thread.

[JNelson]

On 10/12/2022 at 7:52 AM, stolzy said:

So, I've solved it.

Turns out to be nothing to do with AV settings.  The error

2022-10-08 14:58:50.889 ERROR   EDCORE: Failed to load C:/Users/johns/Saved Games/DCS/Mods/aircraft/A-4E-C/bin/A-4E-C.dll: (126) The specified module could not be found.

seems to be entirely spurious in that the file is present and not deleted by the AV.

I hadn't been aware that an additional file was required to be downloaded from Microsoft (Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022).  Link here in case someone else has the same problem.

I installed Visual Studio and everything works now with or without the AV folder exclusions.

 

Yea that error happens when the dll is missing or the dll couldn't load because it relies on some dependencies that are missing, in this case the latter, the VC++ redistributables being missing.  

[Montykoro]

14 hours ago, Arisugary said:

Thanks for the helpful video, learned a lot from it. but I got same problem.

It seems they have different behavior after they launch, I am not sure if this is corret. In most of time when I using CBU2 I hit myself.

CBU1:                                                             CBU2:

                     

Anyway, it's a fun little bird to fly, impressive work.

Know bug, next release will be patched

[plusnine]

Hello, A-4E-C pilots! We hope you are well. We'd like to highlight a few important items about this update, and salute the newest group of contributors to the A-4E-C project, whose names appear in the changelog below:

• This update, A-4E-C 2.1.0, and all subsequent updates will not be compatible with DCS versions before 2.8.0.32066. Our last update, A-4E-C 2.0.1, is not compatible with DCS versions after 2.7.18.30765. The most common effects of these incompatibilities are client-side crashes. Always ensure servers, clients, and DCS versions employed are the most compatible options available!
• If you enjoy suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD) in the A-4E-C, we've provided new functionality and depth to the audio environment of the AN/APR-25 Radar Homing and Warning System. New sounds specific to radar types and individual units in the DCS World theatre make getting locked up a whole new ballgame. Additionally, ECM is modelled when the AN/APR-25 function selector is in the RPT position. Additional documentation is provided in the changelog below and in the kneeboard manual.
• We've added new audio feedback for braking. This feedback is extremely useful for understanding ground handling response: If you hear a tire skidding, you are locking up the nosewheel by over-braking, and you should take this as a cue to release the brake, before tapping the brake toward your desired turn (and add a little throttle if you need to).
• This update also includes efforts to make piloting more accessible. Dozens of new input bindings for keyboard, mouse, and joystick inputs offer a wealth of opportunities for custom controller builders. Users with extensive input bindings might need to do a bit of housekeeping, but we hope the new additions make up any efforts you have to undertake! If you are interested in adding to the module's accessibility options, please reach out on Discord!

Thank you for flying the A-4E-C!

Download A-4E-C Version 2.1.0 - 30 Oct 2022

Added

• Systems:
  • AN/APR-25 RHWS (ECM)
    • With the AN/APR-25 Function Selector Switch set to REC and the APR-25 Switch in the ON position, a baseline system hum and response audio from a wide variety of radar-equipped units is produced at a volume determined by the the (inner) AN/APR-25 PRF Volume knob.
    • When the APR-27 Switch is in the ON position, detected missile launches from SA-2 S-75 "Fan Song" will produce an oscillating alert tone at a volume determined by the (outer) AN/APR-25 Missile Alert Volume knob.
    • The system's bit test is available to perform. With the AN/APR-25 Function Selector Switch set to REC, press the APR-27 Test button to initiate the bit test.
    • With the system in AN/APR-25 Function Selector Switch set to RPT, ECM will attempt to jam incoming radar signals. The green RPT light will enable when the system transmits.
• Liveries:
  • Community A-4E V: Blue Team, 2022 (Fictional)
  • Community A-4E V: Red Team, 2022 (Fictional)
  • USN VX-5 Vampires, 1986 (Fictional)
  • USMC Naval Weapons Evaluation Facility, 1974
  • Operational-era USN and USMC liveries now have a customized, well-worn LAU-10 launcher.
• Quality of Life:
  • Input accessibility options:
    • Added two UI Override inputs, which allow joysticks, gamepads, and other input devices to utilize mouse functions, or to use as modifiers in input layouts.
    • Input options previously available only on keyboards or joystick devices can now be bound to mouse button inputs.
    • Throttle - Slew axis.
    • Dual-axis rudder inputs (Rudder Left and Rudder Right).
    • Zoom axis inputs for fine zoom control across devices: Zoom View In, Zoom View Out, Zoom View - Slew, Zoom View In - Slew, and Zoom Out - Slew.
    • Throttle Increment slider in the special menu is available to adjust throttle rate for Throttle Increment/Decrement inputs.
    • A Custom Throttle Rate slider in the special menu allows you to adjust the acceleration rate for the new Custom Throttle Rate inputs. The keyboard defaults for these are RCTRL+PageUp and RCTRL+PageDown, respectively.
    • A Wheelbrake Differential axis is useful for mapping a single axis to the opposing left and right wheelbrakes.
    • Trim Speeds in the special menu are now adjustable by individually for elevator (pitch), aileron (roll), and rudder (yaw), with percentage sliders. These settings also affect the Trim Reset (Hold) speed. (thanks Drofseh)
    • A pair of comprehensive gamepad input presets for Xbox and PS4 controllers are included, which utilize many of the above functions. Once you are up and running in the pit, you can enjoy flying the A-4E-C with nothing but a humble gamepad and no additional software needed. (Thanks, Tuuvas)
  • Single inputs for the Canopy Lever. You can close the canopy with LSHIFT+C, and open it LSHIFT+LCTRL+C. (thanks Tanuki44)
  • Single and else inputs for Throttle Position Lock.
  • Input option for cycling the Bomb Arm Switch between the OFF, NOSE & TAIL and TAIL positions. The keyboard default for this input is 6.
  • Single inputs for the AWRS Quantity Selector Switch, AWRS Drop Interval Knob, and AWRS Mode Selector Switch.
  • Single inputs for AN/ARN-52 TACAN Mode switch.
  • Absolute and slew axis inputs for AN/APR-53A Radar Indicator Brilliance, Detail, Gain, Reticule, and Storage knobs.
  • Radar Antenna Tilt Continuous CW and Radar Antenna Tilt Continuous CCW have been assigned a keyboard default (- and =, respectively).
  • Inputs for APR-27 Test, APR-27 Light buttons.
  • Absolute and slew axis inputs for AN/APR-25 Missile Alert Volume, AWRS Drop Interval Knob, Gunsight Elevation Control, Gunsight Light Control, Instrument Lights Control, Shrike/Sidewinder Volume Knob, TACAN Volume Knob, and White Floodlights Control. Some non-axis inputs associated with these have been renamed. Users with extensive control schemes should adjust their controls to resolve any conflicts. (thanks gcask)
  • Input for Chaff Dispenser Select - Toggle 1/2.
  • Inputs for common communications, including A/A refuelling - "Ready for precontact" radio call, and Ask AWACS available tanker. (thanks gcask)
  • When the aircraft has power, the Seat Adjustment Switch can be used to move the baseline pilot head position up and down in the cockpit. (thanks nima3333)
  • Kneeboard Manual:
    • A a chart of weapon stations and their associated loadout options (page 3-7) in the kneeboard manual.
    • An overview of the included Xbox1 and PS4 gamepad layouts are available at the end of the kneeboard manual (pages 6-6 and 6-7).
• Sounds:
  • AN/APR-25 RHWS (ECM):
    • AAA: New sounds are produced in response to the Fire Can SON-9 fire director radar.
    • Aircraft: New sounds are produced in response to aircraft search and tracking radars.
    • EWRs and Ships: Unique sound sets are produced in response to ground and ship EWRs. A new sound is also produced in response to ship tracking radars.
    • SAMs: New sounds are produced in response to the P19 "Flat Face" and S-200 ST-68U "Tin Shield" and SA-2 S-75 "Fan Song" sarch and tracking radars. Some Fan Song units will sound different, simulating the sound of different radar bands used in the field. New sounds are also produced in response to the SA-3 S-125 "Low Blow", SA-5 S-200 "Square Pair", and SA-6 Kub "Straight Flush" units. The number of different sounds a each radar produces varies by unit, so pilots will need to learn what their ears are telling them about what type SAM is targeting them, and how much launch warning that SAM provides from its PRF audio.
    • SPAAA Vehicles: New sounds are produced in response to the Gepard, Vulcan M163, and ZSU-23-4 Shilka "Gun Dish" radars.
  • Sounds are produced if the left or right wheels are skidding. Use this feedback to help you learn to taxi (as a sound you don't generally want to hear), and to avoid damaging the wheels or locking up the brakes by keeping them depressed for too long.
  • Seat adjustment hydraulic motor.

Fixed

• Systems:
  • Setting the AN/ARN-52 TACAN mode to REC no longer crashes the client. Addressing this issue means that A-4E-C 2.0.1 is not compatible with DCS versions after 2.7.18.30765, and A-4E-C 2.1.0 and later is not be compatible with DCS versions before 2.8.0.32066.
  • AN/APG-53A Radar Terrain Clearance - PROFILE/PLAN switch input binding functions properly.
  • Input from non-axis throttle inputs now cause the APC system to disengage properly.
• Liveries:
  • Community A-4E III: Forever Free livery displays two digits on the flaps, matching the nose and tail.
• Weapons and Loadouts:
  • CBU-2B/A pod weights are calculated correctly. Weapon release and spread cause fewer collision-based self-destructs when the weapon is released.
• Quality of Life:
  • Throttle Increment and Throttle Decrement inputs function properly.
  • The trim reset input now properly adjusts the position of the Rudder Trim Switch.
  • Kneeboard Manual:
    • Waypoints on the navigation page enumerate 11 waypoints, and can't overrun the instructions on the page.
    • Placing a 300 gallon tank on the centre pylon enumerates properly on the kneeboard loadout page.
    • Corrected erroneously listed procedures for ground radar.
    • Corrected erroneous procedures for air refuelling.
  • VR hand positions: Users are encouraged to enable Use Hand Controllers, Hand controllers use Cockpit Stick, and Hand Controllers use Cockpit Throttle, and Hand Interaction Only When Palm Grip is Obtained. Be aware that it is easy to accidently power down the engine if you touch it with your virtual index finger while holding the grip button. Always approach the throttle with your finger above it.

Changed

• Missions:
  • Changed a few liveries in the included mission sets to better reflect available livery sets.
• Liveries:
  • Unmarked and Community liveries are now available to a wider selection of countries.
  • Updated USN VC-1 Challengers.
  • Updated a few knob textures.
• Weapons and Loadouts:
  • In multiplayer, the serve, and any connected clients must all use this version of the module (or later) in order to prevent weapon conflicts arising from custom weapons.
• Quality of Life:
  • Default inputs for Throttle Position Lock are set to RCTRL+HOME (Step Up) and RCTRL+END (Step Down).
  • Emergency Stores Release Handle default input changed to LCTRL+J. (think J for jettison!)
  • Differential wheelbrake inputs default inputs are changed to LCTRL+W (left) and LALT+W (right).
  • The controls indicator's nosewheel caster indicator now displays logarithmically, making it easier to see those early changes in castering and better reflect nosewheel sensitivity to turn rate. (thanks, Drofseh).
  • Refactored the special menu for easier editing in the future.
  • Kneeboard Manual:
    • Added additional guidance and notes on AN/APR-25 RHWS (ECM) operation.
• Sounds:
  • Improved input response and dynamic range of AN/APR-25 PRF Volume, AN/APR-25 Missile Alert Volume, Shrike/Sidewinder Volume, and TACAN Volume knobs.
  • Reduced the relative volume of the AN/APR-25 operational "hum".

[Gianky]

Thank you very much, @plusnine, I especially appreciate the EW updates! Can't wait to try them.

[Calabrone]

Thank you very much plusnine for your efforts and those of the other developers. I will download it today and try it right away.

Edited October 30, 2022 by Calabrone

[One Eyed Ross]

For everything you guys have done with this aircraft, THANK YOU!  I have over 400 hours in the A-4, and LOVE flying it.  It really is my go to module to fly. 

[One Eyed Ross]

ok, took the girl out for a spin today in OpenBeta.  Had to reconfigure my HOTAS a bit, and bind some keys & stuff (which was expected).  She flies a bit differently now than before, but that might just be me and 2.8 learning to get along.  Will take me a few days to get used to things.  Again, thanks for the hard work!

[JNelson]

On 10/31/2022 at 3:39 PM, One Eyed Ross said:

ok, took the girl out for a spin today in OpenBeta.  Had to reconfigure my HOTAS a bit, and bind some keys & stuff (which was expected).  She flies a bit differently now than before, but that might just be me and 2.8 learning to get along.  Will take me a few days to get used to things.  Again, thanks for the hard work!

There shouldn't be any flight model changes in this version!