After all the hype, the DvD came this morning, followed all the install instructions, patched it up, did the configuration thing......
and now spent all day just trying to get the thing organised so I can at least fly something, seems to be a mess, trying to even get my controls mapped is a nightmare, can only access the controls when I'm in game????
Then find the thing locks up everytime I try to input my joystick controls, so have to get the task manager to quit out.. if it's not that it's telling me that there is a 'map' or file that won't load and 'try reinstalling' the game!
Spent the whole day at it and finaly just couldn't be bothered anymore

Just to add.. I keep getting this error, starting; 'error copying frontlines or maps to CFS3 map path etc etc.. ending with, try reinstalling OFF.
I have followed all instructions from the website, but every bit of info that I have applied will still not allow me to fully play this game.
I also have the correct DX9 files as well.. so I'm stumped.

It's actually very simple as all your joystick calibration (programing) is internal to the game itself. Myself I don't bother with joystick program at all because I only fly OFF & FSX both are Microsoft and programable from within the game itself. I now have a Logitech FFB, prior to that a Saitek FFB, and ancient history saw a Microsoft Sidewinder II FFB, all without the manufacturer's program.
I imagine you'd need one if you ran a non-micky$oft game like IL2

Firstly you need to access CONTROLS From the Drop Down Menu on the right side of your screen. Easiest way to access that is make a pilot, then start a CAMPAIGN, eventually you'll see your aircraft on the runway.
At that time PAUSE the game by hitting Esc. And the menu will appear. Select Controls
Your now looking at a carbon copy of the CFS3 Controls

You MUST have the Configuration entered as MINE for the controls of OFF to work
It features a drop down choice of CFS3, Mine, or Flight Simulator

You never played Phase 1 or 2. . . . I see said the Blind Man. . .
Start you're looking at the OFF Control Listing, in it's Stock Form, it's identical to CFS3
When things start coming up, and they come at you quickly. You don't want to mess around with 3 keystrokes
.................................................. .................................................. ......................................
The first 3 are mixture (Auto Mixture in Workshop) . . Takes care of them
Then is . . Mixture Idle Cutoff ( Kills Engine Dead) Problem is it's 3 Keys, and you ain't got any brakes
Soooo Scroll down to . . Mixture Idle Cutoff and Highlite it
Clic on Delete Assignment
The 3 Keystrokes vanish. . Mixture Cutoff Remains. . .It remains Highlited
Clic on ADD assignment
A small Window will appear, asking you to enter command, . . .'B' no need for a capital, just plain old 'b'
Then it'll hand ya some Stuff about B is for brakes..... Just OK it
From Now on . . Mixture Idle Cutoff . . is. . B
.................................................. .................................
Next is . . Aircraft Labels . . . . L . . .that's dashboard lights
TAC screen is 2 strokes. . . give that an 'F'
Virtual Cockpit . . . V . . .it sits you in the cockpit looking foreward ( unassigned at installation )
Float View . . . is 2 strokes . . give a . . G . . . exterior view of your aircraft
.................................................. .....................................
When you're done changing Stuff around, go to the. . . Officers Mess ...that will eventually bring you back to Desktop, and you're done
With the Multi/strokes gone, you have the CHOICE of putting them on the stick, or not
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Suggest you read the STICKY OFF Tips & Links .. . Page 4 Scroll down till you see my Name and start reading..............it goes like 4 pages

One of'em gives all the keys used in OFF

It serves to lessen the amount of questions down the road, as OFF has a rather steep learning curve

Nothing wrong with questions, that's how we learn

But at around 163 the answers become tiresome

Thanks for the info, most of that I have got my head round, but when I try to just set up my flying controls so I can at least fly the plane, it continues to lock up and I can't get the mouse or any key to function.. as explained, I understand that this sometimes happens but I've used the 'tab' key etc from the notes on the website, but I can't get it to bind to the joystick as everything is locked!
Then there is the error message above that tells me to reinstall OFF..
I can't fly the planes as I can't get the flying controls to be assigned to the joystick, and even if I could get that done I keep getting the same error message when I assign a pilot, enlist him and try to go to the field to fly.. re-install OFF.. that done, I go through the same cycle again...
I'm sure I have followed all advice from the website to the letter, but this keeps happening.. been looking forward to getting this thing for ages.... browned off with OFF before I can even play it, thats a first, lol!

Firstly the Maps Have been a source of trouble since day one. Whenever you are told to reinstall, chances are it's uneeded.

Go to Workshop and at 2 Oclock are Reset File Buttons, one is for CFS3, and the other for OFF ( known fact you will lose all your pilots ) small price

I'd try putting your joystick to a different game entirely, then seeing if it locks-up

The maps in OFF "M" are so vague they are a waste of time, the only thing they're good for is showing your direction of travel, and Locking-up-everything
( Forget "M" even Exists) Part of the ( F5 ) HUD is a totally functional Compass.
In CA OFF Knowledge Base are some very good Downloadable, and Printable Maps
With Maps to fly-by, and a working compass . .. . . . . . WHO NEEDS M

Yes mate, thanks, seen the bit about resetting files on the website and have already tried that but still keep getting the error message..
Have already got all the maps downloaded a few days ago.
my logitech system works perfectly with all my other games.. this is just frustrating, I hope WOFF is not going to repeat this or I probably won't buy it!

Trooper, hang in there, it's not a mess but yes sometimes people have trouble with PC land..

See http://www.overflandersfields.com/FAQ.htm#A44 So you followed that ?

Have you installed all the patches correctly etc?

Maybe best to email support with your details so we can help.

Also not sure you have "Hat In the Ring!" too? But that frontlines error usually means you didn't patch BH&H before installing it.

Hi mate.. yes, followed all the instructions ref setting up joystick, and definately installed and patched in the correct sequence..
Don't own hat in the ring..

Ok probably best to start at the beginning, too many things there. Best to email support - if you had other errors or problems initially we'd need to understand those first. No sure what the "map" error is (or what Uncleal means by trouble with maps, or what "maps" you downloaded

Do you have Windows7 did you set OFFManager and CFS3.exe to run as per the website tips?

BTW if you keep getting; 'error copying frontlines or maps to CFS3 map path etc et Maybe CFS3 is still in memory when you are trying to run OFF or CFS3 again. Check the taskmanager and make sure it's dead before continuing.

Also many tips in there re rudder pedals etc, do you have some? try configuring that first and removing any axis not in use as per the examples on the web.

BTW that link specifically is not about joystick, it's about configuring keys, but it may help re the apparent "freeze" you saw - it is possible it has not frozen just seems so, but if you read that there's a step to follow carefully that may get your mouse working again.

also DirectX 9 on Windows 7 needs to be the full SKD install not the little web install method.

I'm in great hurry for WOFF myself, I'll probably pick it-up, just to try out Gotha Hunting, but that's about it

As I enjoy playing with Spawns in CFS3 QC, and I've gathered from the developers that WOFF won't feature Spawns

Did you ever consider removing the joystick USB, then seeing if the joystick itself is causing the lockups

If you're able to then reach controls, directly below were it says configuration MINE
is a slot that names your Joystick, which should be blank in your case....Now in with the USB . . Seeing if the game recognizes the joystick

I have to select between 2 sources there, ... Logitech Joystick .... and Saitek Throttle Quadrant ...and the button assignments change respectively

Other than that I can't think of anything it might be

GOOD LUCK

As to maps, they are the printable ones.. I haven't downloaded any mod or map to install into the game..
My G940 system works perfectly with all my other games.
I hadn't set the OFF exe to administrator so will have to try that.

edit.. Setting OFF exe to administrator seems to have done it.. what a rigmarole!

My main problem now is getting trackir to work with it.. had it running ok, then when I fired up the game again it won't play.. something else to spend another day sorting out!

Hi Trooper ok great, that's in the FAQ though it's simple thing to do would have saved you some work. There's some buttons at the top of the FAQ one leads you to some tips about Vista and Win7. You didn't mention what OS at the top but that's the first thing to do.
When you said "I have followed all instructions from the website" I thought that would be one of them but hey got there now so hopefully you are on your way.

Set trackir to run as administrator too -it's right under that same Vista Win7 info I mentioned ...

http://www.overflandersfields.com/FAQ.htm#Vista_Specific

PC's are fun eh Even many other games even 2012 releases can require these settings for Windows 7 and Vista. Heck even had to do it for "Origin" application to play Battlefield 3 so yes Windows 7 / Vista is such fun on PCs.

For anyone else with similar issues simply go to the FAQ and click on "Installation and settings" button at the top, and it will step you through configuring OFF, and also mentions the simple setting for Vista and Windows 7 - all step by step so best to follow that advice initially.

http://www.overflandersfields.com/FAQ.htm#Installation_and_settings

The fact of administrator is being thrown around with seemingly wild abandon. But one fact is a constant, until the computer ifself is put in Administrator Mode you'll get NO Trackir in OFF

The whole user/administrator thing, might indeed prove useful if there's crumb-crunchers or rug-rats about, in that they can use DAD's computer for their homework without messing anything up MUCH

However in my case, I'm the only person who uses this keyboard. So my internet protection suite is kept up to date ( run Live Update Daily ) and I'm always in Administrator

Made many notes from those links before I even got the game, but my god, there is so much info on just getting the game to run it's untrue.
I sincerely hope WOFF doesn't mean all this again?
I'm hoping on a much smoother trouble free and more modern version

All you have to do is ignore the notes, go to FAQ read the first two or three sections job done takes about 10 minutes. I posted a sticky here for next time.

Any sim or game out there you have to setup and configure sometimes and more often than not there are hoops to go through, even if you personally have no problem many others sometimes can have issues and will have to do some tweaking on ANY game out there on PC. It is hard work (even huge titles that have several $ million budgets) and other great games have issues for some people or some PC setups - yes even with their many 100's of coders and huge teams behind them they still have huge problems sometimes. Often other sims or games need to have other utils installed (Direct X, runtimes, Origin, whatever).

PC's unfortunately have a trillion combinations of software and hardware differences between users which is logistically a nightmare for developers. So it has to cope with an awful lot. Not everyone will find it easy or simple, but the rewards for PC gaming are huge so it is what it is. We have a very very small team so not bad really...

Nothing is easy for sure, but the FAQ is pretty damn straight forward if you just start at the stop and follow the pics and advice. Would have save you hours anyway.
The vast majority of users install and configure with no problem.

The fact we have a very detailed FAQ is a GOOD thing, most companies don't even bother to help.