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Further down this post I have tried to give some detail about a number of solutions that I have found to be useful in solving GC2 / TGC / FSX connectivity issues:
BACKGROUND
Last summer I built a new simulator setup. Since finishing the build in late summer 2018, I have had a constant battle with a range of freezing / drop-out issues. I implemented fix after fix outlined in the forum, as well as getting very helpful advice from both Protee Support and Par2Pro.
The problems I experienced were varied and occurred with both the sim software programs I use (TGC and FSX, and more recently FSX2018). Sometimes I would not be able to connect at all. Other times the game would start up with no issue and then at some random point it would freeze, and then sometimes start again, and at other times, it would freeze and not reconnect. I had the issue with both TGC and FSX, and with FSX when it was both wired (USB) and wireless (bluetooth) connectivity.
Each time I would implement a new solution, I hoped it would be the fix to all the issues. Sometimes I would see some improvements, and occasionally I could play an entire round without issues, but every time it would eventually fail.
To say I was frustrated would be an understatement. It was impractical to invite any friends over to enjoy the sim, and I found myself making excuses to not use it, which having spent over $30k on the build was not a good feeling.
A couple of weeks ago I implemented two more solutions. These were, I felt, the last two chances to find a fix and otherwise I was going to have to either ship the entire setup to Par2Pro for troubleshooting, or give up on the entire sim setup.
I am delighted to say, that since implementing the final two fixes, I have not had any issues. I have played 4 or 5 times each week (a total of probably 10 sessions, completely trouble free (knock on wood)). I have played rounds on both TGC and FSX2018, as well as practice sessions.
I am hopeful that I can now use my sim without further issues and I am hoping that my experiences can help some of those people who are having similar experiences.
SOLUTION INTRODUCTION
I know there has been a lot of talk on this forum about similar issues. My personal experience is that one single solution is not going to solve all issues. Whilst I am “tech savvy” I defer to the greater knowledge of more technical forum members in terms of the specifics of certain solutions. All I can do is outline what has been successful for me, and hope that it can be of some help to other forum members. My gut feeling is that the issues relate more to Windows10 and related factors than the TGC server (as mentioned, I had the issue with both TGC and FSX). I also know of a couple of experienced users on this forum who are not having issues are using older versions of Windows which leads me to believe that the Windows 10 settings are causing a lot of the issues.
My Setup (for reference):
RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS
Where possible, I recommend that all of the following solutions be implemented to increase the chance of not having further issues. These are not listed in priority order, as I am unsure which solutions are more effective than others. The good news is that all solutions are either free or very cheap, and if you can afford to install a golf sim, then it should be possible to implement all of these quickly and easily:
1) Bluetooth Dongle
3) Bluetooth & USB Configuration
a) Disable Windows 10's 'USB Selective Suspend' Setting
b) Configure Bluetooth Settings
4) Virus Protection
6) Windows User Management
OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL ITEM
I hope people find this useful and that for at least one or two people it can provide you with the solution I have experienced and can allow you to enjoy your Sim!!
BACKGROUND
Last summer I built a new simulator setup. Since finishing the build in late summer 2018, I have had a constant battle with a range of freezing / drop-out issues. I implemented fix after fix outlined in the forum, as well as getting very helpful advice from both Protee Support and Par2Pro.
The problems I experienced were varied and occurred with both the sim software programs I use (TGC and FSX, and more recently FSX2018). Sometimes I would not be able to connect at all. Other times the game would start up with no issue and then at some random point it would freeze, and then sometimes start again, and at other times, it would freeze and not reconnect. I had the issue with both TGC and FSX, and with FSX when it was both wired (USB) and wireless (bluetooth) connectivity.
Each time I would implement a new solution, I hoped it would be the fix to all the issues. Sometimes I would see some improvements, and occasionally I could play an entire round without issues, but every time it would eventually fail.
To say I was frustrated would be an understatement. It was impractical to invite any friends over to enjoy the sim, and I found myself making excuses to not use it, which having spent over $30k on the build was not a good feeling.
A couple of weeks ago I implemented two more solutions. These were, I felt, the last two chances to find a fix and otherwise I was going to have to either ship the entire setup to Par2Pro for troubleshooting, or give up on the entire sim setup.
I am delighted to say, that since implementing the final two fixes, I have not had any issues. I have played 4 or 5 times each week (a total of probably 10 sessions, completely trouble free (knock on wood)). I have played rounds on both TGC and FSX2018, as well as practice sessions.
I am hopeful that I can now use my sim without further issues and I am hoping that my experiences can help some of those people who are having similar experiences.
SOLUTION INTRODUCTION
I know there has been a lot of talk on this forum about similar issues. My personal experience is that one single solution is not going to solve all issues. Whilst I am “tech savvy” I defer to the greater knowledge of more technical forum members in terms of the specifics of certain solutions. All I can do is outline what has been successful for me, and hope that it can be of some help to other forum members. My gut feeling is that the issues relate more to Windows10 and related factors than the TGC server (as mentioned, I had the issue with both TGC and FSX). I also know of a couple of experienced users on this forum who are not having issues are using older versions of Windows which leads me to believe that the Windows 10 settings are causing a lot of the issues.
My Setup (for reference):
- Dell XPS 8930
- 16 GB RAM
- GTX 1070
- Windows 10
- GC2 (Refurbished)
- FSX and now upgraded to FSX2018
- TGC (not using v2019)
RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS
Where possible, I recommend that all of the following solutions be implemented to increase the chance of not having further issues. These are not listed in priority order, as I am unsure which solutions are more effective than others. The good news is that all solutions are either free or very cheap, and if you can afford to install a golf sim, then it should be possible to implement all of these quickly and easily:
1) Bluetooth Dongle
- As TGC will not work over USB connection to GC2 it is necessary to figure out the best bluetooth solution.
- My experience was the the internal bluetooth function in my PC did not work reliably.
- I also tried a cheap Bluetooth dongle (connected via USB extension) and continued to have issues
- I strongly recommend that you purchase an ASUS USB-BT400 bluetooth dongle
- This seems to be the best regarded dongle and is recommended by several people on this forum and on other forums
- When you start to use it, ensure you install the latest driver for the dongle: https://www.asus.com/us/Networking/U...Desk_Download/
- Place the dongle as close to the GC2 as possible
- I started with the dongle a few inches away from the GC2, but to avoid it being stepped on, or knocked by balls, it is now in a more protected area, about 5’ away from the GC2 but with a clear line of sight and it works fine
- These cables are not expensive, but I believe it is a critical part of having a successful setup
- Don’t plug the dongle directly into the PC unless your PC is very close to the GC2
- To connect the dongle to the PC, also do NOT use a regular USB extension
- Ensure that you use an “Active” USB Extension Cable
- For those in Canada, this is the one I got:
- https://www.primecables.ca/p-312739-...h%23active+USB
3) Bluetooth & USB Configuration
a) Disable Windows 10's 'USB Selective Suspend' Setting
- Windows 10 (and maybe earlier versions) has a default setting where it will put USB devices in a low power state when they are not in use. Whilst this is effective for laptops where a user wants to maintain battery life, it is unnecessary on a desktop PC and seems to cause havoc with keeping a GC2 connected
- Follow the steps in this link to prevent the OS from suspending USB devices by changing the power options in the Control Panel:
- https://www.windowscentral.com/how-p...ng-usb-devices
b) Configure Bluetooth Settings
- In simple terms, you do not want multiple bluetooth devices trying to connect to your GC2
- If your PC shipped with an internal bluetooth device, you need to disable this, so that it does not connect to the GC2
- Note: I also have a second bluetooth dongle in my PC which is used for my keyboard mouse combo. Be sure to not disable any bluetooth devices that are in use,
- Only disable a device if your PC has an internal bluetooth device which is now not being used
- To turn off your internal bluetooth device (to only use the external dongle)
- In Search, type: "Device"
- Open Device Manager
- Open the Bluetooth section
- Right click your internal Bluetooth device
- Disable device
- Go to this link:
- https://www.howtogeek.com/189856/ask...use-connected/
- Scroll down to the section called: Enable Automatic Bluetooth Services
- Change the startup type to Automatic as per the instructions
- Go to the same link:
- https://www.howtogeek.com/189856/ask...use-connected/
- Scroll down to the section for Disable Bluetooth Power Management
- I found this section to be key, and it takes a bit of time to check all entries
- Expand and check through every section and look for any reference to Bluetooth devices (you have to open the section to see the sub items) and then for any mention of a Bluetooth device, uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”
- Take your time and make sure you review every entry
4) Virus Protection
- I am slightly loathe to recommend this because of the potential implications, but I have had this advice from multiple techs who have significantly more knowledge and experience than me
- Their recommendation is to removed McAfee anti virus (often shipped with Windows 10) and only use Windows Defender for protection against security threats
- Install the free version of Proton VPN from this site
- https://protonvpn.com/
- I know there is an entire thread dedicated to this subject and there are some mixed views on it
- This was recommended by Protee Support
- Personally, like many others, alongside the other items in this post, I have found this solution to work
- It is free to install and simple to use
- It is easy to only use it for golf simulation and turn it off for other use if you so choose
6) Windows User Management
- Check that there are no conflicts between multiple Windows Users
- Personally I ensured that I only have a single user account
OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL ITEM
- In addition to the above items, as part of my process, I also completed a full Windows 10 re-install and removal of unused programs
- When the PC I bought was shipped to me, with Windows 10 installed, it was littered with programs that I do not need and will not use
- It is always a good idea to remove any unused programs to ensure that they are not causing issues
I hope people find this useful and that for at least one or two people it can provide you with the solution I have experienced and can allow you to enjoy your Sim!!
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