[SOLVED]HELP! Virpil T-50 stick and software/firmware issue

[BP_Lizard]

A little help, please, ladies and gents.

So I downloaded the latest software/firmware from Virpil as I have recently received the T-50 throttle. I understand that I have to do this in order to make the stick and throttle work together. 

I fired up the software and had the orange exclamation point on the T-50 stick (I still have not connected the throttle). I cannot remember exactly what it says in the box but I clicked on it and proceeded to updating the firmware. I navigated to the folder where the new firmware was located, selected it, and proceeded with the update. The exclamation point icon remained and the message that says "Reset device profile" on red came out. So I clicked on  the red button that says "Reset Profile."  Now it doesn't show the MongooseT-50 on the box anymore. Instead, it says "VPC Boot Loader." This is all that I'm getting even after so many attempts.

 

I skimmed through the VPC topics but couldn't find any specific amidst  the jumble of replies. I remember that the stick was instantly recognized on the old software even before I loaded the firmware (old) and never encounter any problem. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

Edited December 20, 2018 by BP_Lizard

[czech693]

Bootloader is the firmware update module.    First, make sure you check the firmware path in the field under [Device Firmware Update Page].  Use the drop down menu on the right.  Select the file ending in hexc and it'll load and tell you to close the bootloader (all these files should be in the folder that you unzipped the software to).  Click the bottom of the three middle blue buttons "Close Firmware Updater Mode" (Bootloader).    Firmware should be up-to-date and you'll have the yellow window with the exclamation point.  (So, it's "Open Firmware Update Mode", then "Start Firmware Update",  the "Close Firmware Update Mode").

 

Then down at the bottom click Import Profile From File (same file location).  Select one of the three available based on the grip you're using.  Then click Step 3 Save Device Profile, the click Step 1 Load Device Profile.  Now the window should be green with a check mark and your firmware is updated and you have the generic profile loaded.  Sounds backwards, but that's the steps.  You'll be hitting save profile and then load profile over and over again each time you make a change in the profile like calibration or key assignment.

 

Use Reset Device Profile or Reset Profile (I think they do the same) if you screw up and need to back up.  Otherwise you don't need it.

 

Then run Calibration for each and do the save and load routine.  Then start checking your key assignments.

 

Let me know if you want my input.  The last week has been a hair puller for me learning this program.  The throttle starts out the same but is vastly different when you start looking at all those key assignments. 

[Seb71]

Yeah, you end the firmware update with the "Close firmware update mode" button, not with the "Reset device profile" button, as czech693 wrote.

 

You can download the VPC Configuration tool manual from here.

 

My advice when using VPC Configuration Tool for anything (firmware update, calibration, button assignment, etc.) is to connect only one device at the time. By "connect" I mean plug the USB cable.

[BP_Lizard]

5 hours ago, czech693 said:

*snipped*

 

Thank you very, czech693. Your detailed instructions made it work. Your input is much appreciated.

 

Although one issue remains, I can’t seem to make the stick’s brake lever to work as an axis anymore. I followed Sokol1’s instructions on how to make it into an axis instead of a button and made it work in the old configurator. However, I couldn’t get it to work with the latest version. Any idea?

Thanks.

Edited December 18, 2018 by BP_Lizard

[czech693]

I'll have to look into that as I've only seen it assigned as a push button brake in CloD and IL-2.  A quick check on the Configurator only lets me use a button press for the brake lever.  Same in IL-2.  I have a Warthog grip on my T-50 base.  What do you have?

I tried Sokol1's suggestion of holding the lever and releasing it but it didn't do anything.  In Windows Game Controllers it lights up a button and does not show up as an axis.  Again, I have a Warthog grip, so if you have Virpil grip it may have an axis on the brake lever but I think the Warthog is just a push button.  Some pictures of dismantled Warthogs shows the button inside the grip and it looks like a push button.

Edited December 18, 2018 by czech693

[Seb71]

The brake lever on the Warthog grip is only a button, not also an axis (unlike the MongoosT-50 grip).

[BP_Lizard]

All issues resolved. Thanks, guys.

[1PL-Husar-1Esk]

Guys just small  thread  steal. How to make  break lever analog (mongoose T-50) ? Mine is bind as button , I would like to adjust break pressure. Never upgrade firmware and I'm not using any software.

[BP_Lizard]

1 hour ago, 307_Tomcat said:

Guys just small  thread  steal. How to make  break lever analog (mongoose T-50) ? Mine is bind as button , I would like to adjust break pressure. Never upgrade firmware and I'm not using any software.

 

First, go to Windows Games Controller ( Run > type joy.cpl). Double click on MongoosT-50 and see what Windows named the axis. Mine is Z Axis.

Then go to the IL-2 folder and open data > input folder  and look for the file "current.actions". Open that with Wordpad and look for the line:

 

rpc_wheel_brakes,                                 joy1_b18, (or whatever joy number your stick is)                                           0|

 

It's somewhere in the middle of the text. Edit and save to:

rpc_wheel_brakes,                                 joy1_axis_z,                                         0|

 

Edited December 20, 2018 by BP_Lizard

[1PL-Husar-1Esk]

On 12/20/2018 at 7:54 PM, BP_Lizard said:

 

First, go to Windows Games Controller ( Run > type joy.cpl). Double click on MongoosT-50 and see what Windows named the axis. Mine is Z Axis.

Then go to the IL-2 folder and open data > input folder  and look for the file "current.actions". Open that with Wordpad and look for the line:

 

rpc_wheel_brakes,                                 joy1_b18, (or whatever joy number your stick is)                                           0|

 

It's somewhere in the middle of the text. Edit and save to:

rpc_wheel_brakes,                                 joy1_axis_z,                                         0|

 

Sorry but I can't bind it to the axis, when I press break lever - nr 19 button light up not the Z axis ..

[Sokol1]

This happens because this lever in T50 grip press an button (#19*) too - for keep compatibility when used in Warthog base.

 

Hence by manual editing "current.actions" file - like BP_Lizard suggest, you by-pass the issue of button being recognized together with axis, and button don't cause more "collateral effect".

 

* Probable can change this in VPC Configurator.

 

Edited March 14, 2019 by Sokol1