Misc

Wheel Problems Troubleshooting

The black Logitech Momo Racing.

Logitech DFP and Momo

It is not uncommon for mass-produced devices with moving parts to harbour a few gremilins and Logitech controllers are no exception.

There are a few issues which many Logitech users have in common and some may be addressed by applying software patches or using new drivers and software written for just this purpose.

While some problems may be hardware or design issues (therefore can't be fixed by software), others may be rectified by trying the software fixes available. If your controller shows signs of a shifting centre for example, you can try the official Logitech fix for that problem. Before you post your Logitech problems on the Live For Speed Forums please check out the Wingman Team Web Site first to see if others have had the same problems you are having. Try the new drivers and other fixes that relate to your controller and see if you can solve some of the common problems that other people also have with their controller. Other utilities can be found on the Wingman Team site including DX Tweak2 which works for other controllers too, not just Logitech ones.

Please visit the site and try to fix your problems. This may save several similar topics being created here every time someone experiences a typical fault. Many people have reported that their controller issues were solved by patching their software or updating to newer versions. If all else fails then contact Logitech for a replacement controller (if your warranty has not yet expired).

Hardware Problems

The inside of a DFP. Most wheel problems can be fixed without opening it.

There are a few issues that can be identified that may lead to an under-performing controller. If your controller is still covered by the manufacturer's warranty it is wise to enquire about a replacement. Pulling your controller to pieces, or even removing one screw, will void your warranty so consider whether or not repairs are worth doing before becoming Dr Frankenstein. If you have no choices left then try this link. Although the site features a Momo, the information can be easily applied to the DFP as well. Replacement *pots, springs etc are not available seperately. Special lubricant (grease) is used inside the controllers and you should be able to buy some from an electronics or hobby store. Normal lubricants are unsuitable and may corrode the plastic itself.

• Try the software fixes listed above before assuming that you have a hardware problem.
• If you are still covered by warranty, seek a replacement wheel from the manufacterer rather than repairing or modifying your controller.
• If you dismantle or repair your controller you do so at your own risk. Damage to the controller or your person is your reponsibility.

Don't forget to check our hardware section for more discussion on wheels and other controllers.

Pot: Nickname for potentiometer. This is a small device used in analogue wheel/pedal or joystick that measures the movement of the wheel or pedal and sends signals to the PC so that your action can be reflected in the software.

Live for Speed SMS text message system

by Scawen

The system

• can send SMS messages (known as alerts) to your mobile phone when certain events happen.
• allows you to send messages to other LFS users, without needing to exchange phone numbers.

What events can send an alert?

You can set up the following types of alert :

At http://www.lfsworld.net - click : Live Alert... SMS Alert

1. Send an alert when a specified LFS racer has been online for a while.
2. Send an alert when a particular hotlap world record is broken.
3. Send an alert when a new patch is released.

What about message sending?

You can send text messages to other people :

It's a convenient way to send text messages, quicker and easier than typing on a mobile phone.

At http://www.lfsworld.net - click : LFS Messages... Send SMS

• You can send to any LFS racer who has entered their mobile phone number into the system.
• Your own phone number is sent for reply only if you click the box to select that option.
• You can also send to Demo Racers who have entered their mobile phone number.
• You can also send to any mobile phone number that you type in manually.
• Flat rate of £0.10 for all messages - local and international.

Privacy

We will NEVER give your phone number or any other personal information, to anyone unless for some reason we are required by law to give it to an authority. Of course, the exception is if you click the box "send my phone number as reply number" when you type in your message - then your number is included so the recipient can reply to your phone.

Cost

Each MESSAGE you send to someone, and each ALERT that you receive having set up an alert, costs you £0.10. We have given everyone 2 free messages, so you can try it out before deciding to pay for more. To get more than 2 messages, you can pre-pay a minimum of £3 at http://www.lfsworld.net : My LFSW Credit.

Another way to send - from within LFS while online at a S1 / S2 host :

If you are online and want to ask a friend to join, you can send a SMS from within LFS. It will include your user name and the name of the host you are on. To do this, you must type two commands starting with a slash.

/w msg USERNAME (initiates sending an SMS to another LFS racer) /w txt MESSAGE (adds the text and sends it to the racer's mobile phone)

What to do

We recommend you try out the system using your free SMS messages. Feel free to enter your phone number even if you don't want to use the system for your own purposes, so other S2 racers can send you a message if they want to get hold of you when you aren't online.

Improvement suggestions

We are interested to hear about any other types of alert you would like to receive, or any other suggestions you may have for the SMS system: http://www.lfsforum.net/showthread.php?t=8095

Training the AI

The AI (Artificial Intelligence) in LFS is very good considering the AI in other Sims, the AI learn as they drive and compete, however the lines they use are quite weird, It appears at slower speed and corners the lines are not bad, but as levels and speed increase, they bounce off walls and do some stupid things.

To train the AI you select the level of learning and setup, you want to use and set the track and amount of laps, Scawen has told me the AI learn in all modes as long as 1 lap is completed, He suggests it is a good idea to include a faster and a slower car in the pack to randomize the pack and make the AI work to pass slow etc. He has taken onboard some suggestions for future updates to training such as a progressive training mode that will cycle through a set range of tracks cars and learning levels adding faster and slower cars, so you can set and train overnight / weekends etc in unattended mode.

There are five different levels of training availavle from newbie to pro. It appears that there is no cumulative effect or progressive knowledge gained from a previous level, this is based on each .knw file being specific to a track and level, to explain this further, we’ll look into the use of the .knw file, This is found in the knw folder here the stored results of the training for each individual AI is kept. I.E. You train AI 1 at South City Classic in “learner” mode using FXO TURBO car, it saves the completed knowledge file (.knw) as “AI1_FXOTURBO_SthCty_Clssc_LEARNER.knw”, now if we train the same AI1 and car / setup at the higher Pro level it saves a different file “AI1_FXOTURBO_SthCty_Clssc_PRO.knw”. This indicates there is no progressive learning, which is a shame I’d like to see the AI learn from previous levels incrementally, at lower /slower levels the AI have smooth non-wall banging moves, this disappears the moment Quick or Pro levels are introduced. Beware if at a later date you change the AI name from AI x to a proper name like Schumacher or Brock, it will no longer be trained, it depends on the .knw file to be the same name as the AI or that training is not associated with the car, The same doesn’t apply to setups, change the setup with the same AI and it adds that setup to its knowledge base, this is evident when the race starts as there is no “drivers first time” message displayed. The best way to train the AI is to be methodical about it. First determine what level of competence you really are at in LFS in your own driving ability, be honest! Then train the AI at that level to provide you with some good competition and improve your skills.

These are the best ways I find to train at first, select your range of cars, I select 8 of one class, maybe gti and add some faster cars and make one GTi real slow by fooling around with the gearing so it can only do 80 mph top! Set the laps to practice, track to whatever and start racing, record the times of the main cars (GTi class) after first flying lap is completed (end of lap 2) and go to bed or away for the weekend. I have made an Excel worksheet for this purpose (Avail at RSC). When you return, record the last lap times in the worksheet I have provided, giving you the improvement time for that car at this level of training. Then end race.

This saves the .knw files, repeat for all cars all tracks all levels and then race against the AI at the lower levels till you can pass them under brakes avoid the mishaps and beat them every time, then you move up to the next level of AI, when you can race and beat them at Pro level go online, you are now experienced and safe to race against. Scawen suggests the AI learn to a high level of competence in about 60 laps.