Lost all keybindings just in F-16

[void68]

All controllers are "dark", they lost all keybindings and I can't neither load my profiles nor set new keybindings. They are just "dead". Other models work, it's just the F-16. Did a DCS repair, no change. Did restarts, reboots, the usual stuff.

How to get my devices work in the F-16 again.

[Rudel_chw]

6 minutes ago, void68 said:

How to get my devices work in the F-16 again.

 

Can you show us the content of your F-16C_50 folder, where your bindings are stored ... more data is needed before attempting a suggestion ... on my PC the folder looks like this:

 

 

 

[void68]

I reinstalled the default.lua and at least they respond again. Don't know why, after another edit it still works. Now my default settings like MFDs are empty. They had a default binding before (MFD button #1 on #1 etc) and I didn't save them - as they were installed after joystick / MFD installation. DCS put some default over it, like on the HOTAS switches. They are all gone. How to get the default back?

 

[LeCuvier]

34 minutes ago, void68 said:

I reinstalled the default.lua and at least they respond again. Don't know why, after another edit it still works. Now my default settings like MFDs are empty. They had a default binding before (MFD button #1 on #1 etc) and I didn't save them - as they were installed after joystick / MFD installation. DCS put some default over it, like on the HOTAS switches. They are all gone. How to get the default back?

 

These defaults are normally stored in the files "F16 MFD 1.diff.lua" and "F16 MFD 2.diff.lua" under "DRIVE:\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Mods\aircraft\F-16C\Input\F-16C\joystick". Maybe they are corrupted?
I would delete these files. Also if files with the same names might exist under "Saved Games" I would delete those as well. (if you want to be extra-cautious, re-name them instead of deleting). And then run a repair. This should restore the original default bindings.
I'm saying this based on my understanding of the functionality; I don't have the MFD's.

[void68]

Thanks so far. What helped: After a DCS repair I got my default.lua back and it worked. Before I had copied my individual .lua entries back into the default.lua from the after-update DCS-backuped default.lua like I have to do after each update, these additions enable keybindings for ejection arm lever, pneu/elec elevation and different speed settings for CRS and HDG knobs on the HSI (again thanks to @LeCuvier for helping me with these two years ago).

Perhaps something went wrong with the copy+paste, despite I went on with extreme caution and my experience is over two years... when I tried it 2nd time it worked again.

DCS doing DCS things... or I had a bad moment.

vor 18 Stunden schrieb LeCuvier:

These defaults are normally stored in the files "F16 MFD 1.diff.lua" and "F16 MFD 2.diff.lua" under "DRIVE:\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Mods\aircraft\F-16C\Input\F-16C\joystick".

Ah, damn, right... there they are. Thanks for pointing me to them. They are intact I just hadn't noticed them there. I was in real stress as I lost my config 1h before a big MP game.

Well, 99% is working again.

[Rudel_chw]

12 minutes ago, void68 said:

Before I had copied my individual .lua entries back into the default.lua from the after-update DCS-backuped default.lua like I have to do after each update

 

So, you were actually editing by hand the Bindings configuration file, and didn't mention it on the original post.  You should try this Mod, which stores your custom bindings at /Saved Games/ avoiding the need for touching the default bindings:

 

 

[MAXsenna]

@void68 You really should start looking into using a mod manager when copying files into the core folders, and you won't run into these issues. Or even better when modding the default keybinds. Start using Quaggles, (push the Quaggles file via a mod manager after every update), and Munkwolf's keybind repository. Doesn't even break IC. 

Cheers! 

[LeCuvier]

1 hour ago, Rudel_chw said:

 

So, you were actually editing by hand the Bindings configuration file, and didn't mention it on the original post.  You should try this Mod, which stores your custom bindings at /Saved Games/ avoiding the need for touching the default bindings:

 

 

I agree, I use the the Input Command Injector by @Quaggles too, and it saves me a lot of trouble and work.

[void68]

Thanks, I always planned to use the Command Injector but was too lazy. I didn't mention my editing first because I thought that adding a few lines in the .lua (like I did hundreds of times before - and I still wonder what might have gone wrong) could have broken the commands, but not that the devices were put to sort of offline.

I will walk through Quaggles' Command Injector then. Still I wonder what will happen if DCS adds some required new code to the default.lua that the backup does not have. That's why I went from just replacing to editing / adding lines to it.

[MAXsenna]

Thanks, I always planned to use the Command Injector but was too lazy. I didn't mention my editing first because I thought that adding a few lines in the .lua (like I did hundreds of times before - and I still wonder what might have gone wrong) could have broken the commands, but not that the devices were put to sort of offline.
I will walk through Quaggles' Command Injector then. Still I wonder what will happen if DCS adds some required new code to the default.lua that the backup does not have. That's why I went from just replacing to editing / adding lines to it.

That's what Quaggles does. It injects custom commands "into" the default.lua, so if it changes those new ones should appear. But, in my experience one needs to start from scratch anyway.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[LeCuvier]

Quaggles "injects" added lines from a new "default.lua" under "Saved Games". This added file includes your additions only. Therefore, additions to the core "default.lua" by ED cause no conflict. When you set up the Command Injector you will create these new "default.lua" files under Saved games, and move your additions from the core files to the new files under Saved Games.

Edited March 15 by LeCuvier

[Hammer1-1]

You know, there are a couple of things Id like to see being stored in our ED user profiles. Key bindings, pilot logbook...You know how frustrating it is to keep losing them when you reinstall?  These files arent that big, so not sure why we cant have these uploaded to an online source associated with the aircraft. Literally have lost thousands of hours in the logbook from just reinstalling Windows once a year...Im not even sure how many hours I have in each module anymore.

Edited March 15 by Hammer1-1

[MAXsenna]

10 minutes ago, Hammer1-1 said:

You know, there are a couple of things Id like to see being stored in our ED user profiles. Key bindings, pilot logbook...

But, but? They are already! Just backup/copy your DCS folder from Saved Games. The logbook file is in the Mission Editor folder. No settings whatsoever are stored anywhere else. No settings are stored in the core installation folders. None!

They keybinds, diff files, are stored under config\input or something. You will need to rename or import all of them, which can be tedious. While apps like PowerRenamer can do it for every module in a couple of easy steps, once you have the new GUID Windows assign to each of your peripherals. And those are the only ones you need to mess with. All other settings can be used on your new Windows installation.

You actually do this every year? Why? I really hope you just push an image, and have a copy of DCS, so you don't waste your time. Only reason to do a re-installation of Windows is if you install a lot of unnecessary apps you use once. And actually, a refresh of Windows instead of a re-installation will save you a lot of time. And bring it back to plain vanilla with user settings intact.

19 minutes ago, Hammer1-1 said:

You know how frustrating it is to keep losing them when you reinstall?

This only happens if you actually wipe your disk without a backup. 

20 minutes ago, Hammer1-1 said:

These files arent that big, so not sure why we cant have these uploaded to an online source associated with the aircraft. Literally have lost thousands of hours in the logbook from just reinstalling Windows once a year...Im not even sure how many hours I have in each module anymore.

You can relocate Saved Games to anywhere Windows sees as a disk. Even Onedrive. 

Cheers! 

[Hammer1-1]

Every time Ive tried to use an old backup of a logbook, it never works. The keybinds are one thing, yes I keep them on an external disk. But how nice would it be to have the load up when reinstalling DCS on a fresh copy of windows and just logging on in DCS? Thats what I really want. The pain in the ass is from ALL of the modules you own. ALL. OF. THEM. Imagine having 15 sets of peripherals, all bound the way you like it to every single module you own. Like myself, theres my joystick, base, MIPS, TEDAC, collective, keyboard, 3 throttles....and try to map them all to EVERY SINGLE MODULE IN THE STORE. Never mind you have to find the correct one since theres also the default loading on every single peripheral, now you have to sort them out too. You have no idea how tedious that is......you know how many modules there are in the store? How many aircraft?

Edited March 15 by Hammer1-1

[void68]

thanks guys, lots of help to prevent future issues

[Slippa]

I've just had to reinstall Windows. I never manage backups or images of Windows so when it all goes tits up I usually have to bite the bullet and redo the lot.

I've a few DCS bits backed up, inputs, views and options etc. but they're never straightforward to redo. I've barely just got all my aircraft and maps all installed after two days messing about with it. Now for the inputs and all that... I should have a look at Quaggles myself, cheers .

[MAXsenna]

2 hours ago, Hammer1-1 said:

Every time Ive tried to use an old backup of a logbook, it never works.

Okay, I believe you, but that should not happen. I've done it several times between different physical computers and different installations. Can't possibly be diffent names of the Saved Games folders due to the dcs_variant.txt? 

2 hours ago, Hammer1-1 said:

But how nice would it be to have the load up when reinstalling DCS on a fresh copy of windows and just logging on in DCS?

Yeah, I get it. Could be solved with a "export settings tool" perhaps.

2 hours ago, Hammer1-1 said:

Imagine having 15 sets of peripherals, all bound the way you like it to every single module you own.

It will take me about 15 minutes, (likely less), with my 11 or so peripherals, and I have every single module, with PowerRenamer. I recently had an issue with my collective. It changed Windows ID after a firmware upgrade. Fixed in less than two minutes for every helicopter in DCS, including the free ones. I had to "learn" PowerRenamer first, that was the hold up. I completely see your frustration though. 

 

2 hours ago, Hammer1-1 said:

Never mind you have to find the correct one since theres also the default loading on every single peripheral, now you have to sort them out too.

Don't really understand what you mean by this. I just keep the same structure in the input folder as always. And use PowerRenamer to replace the old GUID in the filename with the new one. 

2 hours ago, Hammer1-1 said:

is......you know how many modules there are in the store? How many aircraft?

Given up counting. Like I wrote. I have them all.

And I repeat. I completely understand your frustration, and I support your case. While I don't see a solution coming anytime soon, so let me help you making the process easier. 

Cheers! 

[Rudel_chw]

27 minutes ago, Slippa said:

I've barely just got all my aircraft and maps all installed after two days messing about with it.

 

but why redo all? 

I would just  redo the aircraft I'm currently flying/studying ... why redo those aircraft I'm not flying anymore? 

I doubt anyone uses more than 2-3 aircraft at a time.

[Slippa]

Because I'm a certifiable Lunatic Rudey   

Cheers for giving me a well needed chuckle though. You're right, I don't need all the maps or all my modules installed, especially all at once  ... But I need to make sure they all work properly don't I.

You don't wanna know how itchy I get trying to set up a puter how I like it. This install's already driving me mad, Trojans and god knows what just from Win10 and DCS so far, it's madness.

Thankfully, little 'help threads like yours are lifesavers to go back to so cheers.

 

[Hammer1-1]

3 hours ago, MAXsenna said:

Don't really understand what you mean by this. I just keep the same structure in the input folder as always. And use PowerRenamer to replace the old GUID in the filename with the new one.

There are 2 sets of key binds if you had previously bound keys: the modded one, and the default where there are 5 axes and 30 keys assigned to views for some reason on a keyboard...that need to be deleted before you start assigning keys. Never heard of power renamer though..I just click the device I want to load in with a previous profile and I have to search for it in the saved games folder, and then I have to find the correct one. There have been a bunch of times when I would find like 5, 6 profiles for the same peripheral...where they come from I dont know, but they're there. Probably from unplugging, cleaning my devices history from windows, then reloading DCS. No idea...the struggle is real.

Edited March 16 by Hammer1-1

[Hammer1-1]

3 hours ago, Rudel_chw said:

 

but why redo all? 

I would just  redo the aircraft I'm currently flying/studying ... why redo those aircraft I'm not flying anymore? 

I doubt anyone uses more than 2-3 aircraft at a time.

yeah there are some aircraft I dont fly anymore, but I do fly a bunch of them frequently. Just this past 3 weeks Ive flown 30 hours in the AH64, 4 hours in the Mi24, an hour in the OH6, tried the Ka50 for about an hour as well....bunch more since I just got a VPforce base and I want to know what its like. Its a whole different world with it.

[MAXsenna]

12 hours ago, Hammer1-1 said:

There are 2 sets of key binds if you had previously bound keys: the modded one, and the default where there are 5 axes and 30 keys assigned to views for some reason on a keyboard...that need to be deleted before you start assigning keys.

I'm sorry. I don't follow. This doesn't resemble my setup at all. Or are you talking about how DCS unfortunately prebind every peripheral you have? With my method I resolve that in the exact same way.

From the top of my head. Basically, I copy my old input folder, (Whole Save Games folder actually), then I change one single button on every peripheral, doesn't matter which, but usually change a keybind that has no binding for any of the peripherals, in one single module. For my pedals, I just change one axis for obvious reasons. Now I go into that modules input folder, and move out the newly crated files to a temp folder, that have the new ID in the file name. Easily found by changed date. I also take note of the old file names and copy those temporarily into Notepad or similar. Now I can replace ALL old filenames with the new filename in PowerRenamer in one go for each of the peripherals for each of the modules. PowerRenamer is free, made by Microsoft, and comes with Windows PowerTools. I have to repeat this step for all my peripherals, but it's so simple and quick, and beats manually importing the diff files for each peripheral in every module, or binding everything from scratch. 

12 hours ago, Hammer1-1 said:

.I just click the device I want to load in with a previous profile and I have to search for it in the saved games folder, and then I have to find the correct one.

Yes, that's tedious... And unnecessary. 

12 hours ago, Hammer1-1 said:

There have been a bunch of times when I would find like 5, 6 profiles for the same peripheral...where they come from I dont know, but they're there.

That would be for each time you reinstalled Windows, and didn't delete the old files. With my method, this won't happen.

12 hours ago, Hammer1-1 said:

Probably from unplugging

Nope, but it can happen after firmware upgrades. 

13 hours ago, Hammer1-1 said:

cleaning my devices history from windows,

Like uninstalling from Windows Device Manager? Yeah, I guess then it will happen, but then you'd know it had changed, because it would be messed up in DCS. 

13 hours ago, Hammer1-1 said:

idea...the struggle is real.

Yes, but don't let it be. Work smarter. It's possible. My method, is less tedious and not a struggle at all.  

Cheers!