MarsFlight Frequently Asked Questions (Last Updated August 26, 2009)

Q1. When I try to install MarsFlight, I get an error at the end of the install sequence. The message is "Error 1721 - A program required for installation could not be found.". I am running Vista Home on a dual core 1.8 GHZ per channel Intel Celeron with 2 GB of ram and 300 GB hard drive. Any suggestions ?

A1. Several users have received this error and have been able to resolve it by disabling their anti-virus software and (if you're a Windows Vista user), by disabling UAC for the duration of the Installation process. Additional information on this error and instructions for disabling UAC are included here ... http://www.java.com/en/download/help/6000070400.xml.

Q2. MarsFlight will not run on my computer. What can I do ?

A2. MarsFlight is a highly graphic, immersive and interactive simulation. We have done our best to develop MarsFlight to run on lower-end computers but there was only so low we could go before the visual display quality would look really bad. Be sure your computer meets our minimum specs. before downloading and running it. Your computer must have a dedicated graphics board/subsystem. Many lower-end desktop and laptop systems have integrated graphics with graphics memory shared with the main system RAM - These do not work well with MarsFlight. Be sure that the computer you plan to run MarsFlight on is dedicated (Not integrated on the motherboard) with a minimum of 128 MB of dedicated (Not shared) graphics memory. MarsFlight will run even better with dedicated graphics memory above 128 MB. You also want to be sure you have a fairly fast processor of atleast 2 GHZ (Dual Core perferred) and atleast 2 GB of RAM. MarsFlight will run under Windows XP, Vista, and Mac OSX. Be sure to install the latest updates for your operating system and graphics before installing MarsFlight.

Note: To help MarsFlight run better on lower-end computers right after download and installation, we have set the "Rendering Performance vs. Terrain Visibility" on the "setup" screen to default to "Low Visibility, High Performance". This adds some fog to the environment to reduce the workload of the graphics system. If you have a system with higher-end graphics and a faster processor, you can enter the setup screen, and slide this slider all of the way to the right to "High Visibility, Low Performance" to remove this fog. If the button to enter the "Setup Screen" is grayed out, you'll need to press Ctrl-A first. Did you know that some fog can really appear on the Martian surface?

Q3. Does Quicktime need to be installed before installing MarsFlight ?

A3. No. However, Quicktime is required if you wish to see any of the MarsFlight movies (Which are awesome). If MarsFlight can't find quicktime to play the movies, you will be given the option to skip them. We highly suggest you install quicktime at the same time you install Marsflight for the best simulation experience.

Q4. Does MarsFlight run under Windows Vista ?

A4. Yes. We have verified that MarsFlight runs under Vista just fine. We have received early reports that MarsFlight didn't run under Vista just after the Vista operating system was released but we suspect this may have been due to a bug in the operating system that was later corrected. It is very important that you install the latest Windows Vista updates and service pak's before trying to run MarsFlight.

Q5. MarsFlight still doesn't run after I am sure my computer meets the minimum specifications. What Can I do ?

A5. We have seen this happen with Mac's, but PCs may be affected too. MarsFlight uses sockets to communicate internally between the three MarsFlight applications - Main Window, Topography Window, and PPC Window. All communications are local to your computer. When marsflight is Initialized, some security applications may recognize this and ask for permission or not allow the program to continue. If you are asked for permission, you can select "Keep Blocking" or similar and the program should still work fine. If MarsFlight just doesn't run, your firewall may be the problem and there are two things you can do.

1. You can simply disable communications between the two windows- The Topography and PPC windows won't be displayed but you'll still be able to fly the simulation in the Main FlightSim window. Here's how you do it. From the main menu, left-click the "Configuration" button. If this button is grayed out, first press Ctrl - A ,, then Left-Click the "Configuration" button. Then, select the "Simulation Screens" tab and uncheck the two auxiliary displays - Surface Topology Display, and Power, Propulsion, and Communications Display.

2. Contact your Firewall's manufacturer to see if there is a way to configure your Firewall to allow MarsFlight to function properly.

Q6. Most graphics boards support atleast two displays and many home users are taking advantage of this to increase the area of their workspace by adding multiple monitors. Can MarsFlight take advantage of multiple monitors ?

A6. Yes. We have only tested this with Nvidia Graphics boards where the displays are configured for Vertical or Horizintal SPAN. Graphics boards utilizing ATI chipsets should be similar. When you initially install Marsflight, the program defaults to all three windows positioned and centered perfectly on whatever desktop workspace it detects. However, you can drag and resize each of the three Marsflight Windows (Main FlightSim Window, Topography Window, and Power Propulsion, and Communications (PPC) Window) to any of your screens that you have on your system in the same way you drag and resize any other Window on the PC or Mac. You may need to play with your computer's multiple monitor configuration to make things look exactly as you want. Be sure to exit MarsFlight to save your final window size and position information so it is automatically loaded whenever you run MarsFlight again. Refer to the Marsflight Quickstart manual (Installed with the software) for more detailed information on configuring Marsflight for multiple monitors.