FS2002 Boeing 747-400 Advanced Panel Version 2
by Jorge 'eko' Salas


SOME NOTES FROM JORGE
---------------------
Thank you for downloading this panel.  I think you will not
be able to find a better freeware 747-400 panel than this one.
This is a sorely needed "upgrade" to the default offering which
Microsoft has given us, and I hope you reap as much enjoyment
from it as I have.

It has a fully functional working overhead,
complete pedestal, TCAS radar, central pillar, ATC control, 
customized FS2002 GPS, APU, new PFD and HSI,
and much more. It will work with any 747: POSKY, Meljet, or default.

Version 2 adds sounds to all the
overhead switches, adds some light indicators, and a brand
new VFR panel.  Other little fixes since V1 are also included.

The panel is pre-configured with the virtual cockpit for the default
747, so you need to do nothing to use it with the default 747's.
POSKY and Meljet planes will simply ignore that section of the panel,
as they have no virtual cockpits.  Again, you don't need to do anything.


INSTALL NOTES
-------------
There is no automated install for this panel, as you will choose where you want to install it.
However, there are some components which NEED to be installed for the panel to function properly.

After unzipping to a TEMP directory, you will have five folders.  The "b747_400" folder contains
the panel itself.  More on this in just a second.  

The "Panel Docs" folder contains the complete
operating manual for the panel, with many images explaining all the different aspects of the
panel.  Please read this document if you are not an experienced FS2002 user.  I suggest moving this folder
to your FS2002/Help folder, or place it inside the actual aircraft folder itself for reference.

The documentation can also be found online at:  http://www.lovett.org/jsp/pub/fs/b747doc/index.html

The three remaining folders ("Sound" "Modules" "Gauges") contain items you must move by hand into your FS2002 installation.

Open up the "Gauges" folder and move the contents to your FS2002/Gauges folder.  Do not unzip, or open any of the
files inside the "Gauges" folder.  Simply move the contents to your FS2002/Gauges folder.  You may already have 
some of these gauges, but you need to replace all my CPT gauges, as they have been updated for this release.  They still
contain all of the functions from before, they just have sound added.

Next, open up the "Sound" folder and move the contents to your FS2002/Sound folder.  You may already have some of these
sounds and may want to backup the "whm-sound3.WAV" sound, as I have included one that is modified from the original.  If
you already have any of the other sounds with newer modification dates, you can keep those instead of replacing.

Finally, open up the "Modules" folder and move the contents to your FS2002/Modules folder.  These two modules are
essential for the operation of the panel.  FSSound.dll and FSUIPC.dll.  If the Modules folder is empty,
you must turn on "Show Hidden/System Files" in your Windows preferences before you can see the DLL files in order
to move them.  They are both the latest versions available as of 11/11/2002, so it is safe to replace any older
versions you may have in the FS2002/Modules folder.  You may want to make a backup of the existing files if you wish,
and/or check to see if there are newer versions available.  The latest version of FSUIPC can always be found at
Pete Dowsons site:  http://www.schiratti.com/dowson.html

The panel itself is located in the "panel" folder inside the "b747_400" folder.  Backup the panel you currently
use in your 747 of choice by renaming the panel folder in there, and move my "panel" folder into the 747 aircraft folder
you wish to use it in.  The new 747 panel should be available next time you select that aircraft.

All gauges for the panel to operate correctly are included in the download.



PANEL NOTES
-----------
There is a separate manual for the panel which I have created which explains its
operation.  It is located inside the "Panel Docs" folder.
PLEASE read this document, as it includes important information, and
screen shots detailing all the panel functions.

The documentation can also be found online at:  http://www.lovett.org/jsp/pub/fs/b747doc/index.html


ALTERNATE VERSION INCLUDED
For those of you that have no interest in having a VFR panel, or did not like the VFR changes, I have
included an alternate version of the panel without the VFR setup.  In essence, it is identical to
Version 1 of the panel, but has the updated switches with sounds, etc.

To use the NO VFR panel:

Open up the panel folder.

Rename the panel.cfg file to panel_BACKUP.cfg

Rename the panel_NOVFR.cfg file to panel.cfg.



WINDOWS XP USERS IMPORTANT NOTE!!
If the panel seems to be crashing your sim (this happens to a very small number of XP users), it is probably the
fault of the fuel status gauge located on the pedestal.  I have included an alternate panel.cfg file which removes
the fuel status gauge if the panel makes your system crash.  
The gauge won't be available anymore, but it is just a "goodie" and not essential for the operation of the panel or any plane.

To change to the alternate XP panel:

Open up the panel folder.

Rename the panel.cfg file to panel_BACKUP.cfg

Rename the panel_XP.cfg file to panel.cfg.
(Or if you want the non-VFR version, rename the panel_NOVFR_XP.cfg file to panel.cfg)

That is it!

Aside from that little glitch, there are no known other issues or bugs in the panel.




CREDITS
-------
This package would not have been possible without the talents of these folks.

Nikolay Poriazov, whose overhead, pillar, and pedestal bitmaps have been modified for
this panel.  These bitmaps are from his excellent FS2000 747 panel, which IMHO,
was the best you could get in FS2000.  Some of the gauges and layout of these
two panels are completely indebted to him, and I would have to honestly say
that I consider him to be the unofficial co-creator of this panel.

Eric Marciano for his truly excellent TCAS radar gauge.

Peter Dowson for FSUIPC, which makes the TCAS possible.

Bill Morad for his fantastic ATC Control gauge and XMLSound gauge.

Dragonflight designs for some of the great gauges used in this panel.

HGHB for some additional custom gauges used in this panel.

Peter Beddig for the excellent PFD gauge.

Tony D'Ambrosio for the wonderful freeware HSI gauge.  If you like this gauge,
you should try out his shareware CRT gauges.  Tony provides PDF, EICAS
and HSI vectoral gauges all linked together as a FMC
with support for overlaid navaids on the gauge and much more.  
You can visit Tony's site here:  http://perso.wanadoo.fr/tony.dambrosio/

Robert Guy for the gauge I can't live without.  The fuel status gauge.


Any unnamed gauge authors/repainters which I have not mentioned.  Please accept
my apologies for not knowing who you are... but I appreciate your work and recognize
it here.

Many, MANY thanks to the beta testers who made sure that the panel was even better
than I could have imagined it, and for keeping me on my toes.  Especially Andrew Tucker, who
is personally responsible for making me add the central pillar and who provided
the files to add the GPS window modification.

This panel is the work of Jorge 'eko' Salas, and all questions regarding it
should be addressed to me.  [email protected]

This panel is freeware!  Please contact me before making any changes AND re-distributing.
You DO NOT have to contact me if you make changes for your own personal use.  Tweak it
as much as you want.  If you don't use the default 747, you might want to add interior views.  :-)