It’s another week and unfortunately another news story about some issues with RAZBAM modules as the ongoing dispute continues to simmer. News is emerging today that the F-15E’s radar is no longer working and has become inoperative. There’s also been some ongoing issues with anti-virus software and the M2000C saw some fixes. Let’s have a look.
Radar inop
Reports started coming in late yesterday that the F-15E’s radar was stuck in standby mode. This was a problem that came up on January 1st of this year and was swiftly dealt with. This time around, however, the dispute between RAZBAM and Eagle Dynamics is making the problem more complicated.
Multiple users (and I myself) have confirmed that the radar will not sweep and does not appear to function correctly. The workaround appears to be setting the date to June 13 or earlier which then causes it to work again. This is obviously not a long term solution as so much software is reliant on having an accurate date clock.
The conspiracy theories are running rampant now that this is a “deadman’s switch” in the code though the issue coming up previously seems to indicate some sort of date signing related issue. Why it affects the F-15E and not other modules is unclear. If it is an intentional act then it further hurts consumers in the ongoing dispute which makes nobody look good so I tend to shy away from that sort of thinking. Still, I’m sure it has crossed many people’s minds.
A solution may be possible with BIGNEWY, ED community manager reporting that they are aware of the issue and looking for a resolution.
Hi all we are aware of the problem and we will look for a resolution.
It remains to be seen what the ED team can do to resolve this.
Antivirus software going after DCS modules
There’s been a recent uptick in reports from community members about modules not working correctly or showing as having the license revoked. That, coupled with the ongoing issues with the F-15E and other modules, is causing additional anxiety. Fortunately, this seems to be a slightly more mundane issue according to Eagle Dynamics.
DCS modules and critically their DLL files which contain a lot of the logic of the module itself are encrypted and have been increasingly protected over the years. No doubt this helps reduce cheating in multiplayer and unlicensed usage among other things. It seems like whatever method is being used right now is increasingly tripping up the heuristics systems in anti-virus software.
A topic on the DCS forums related to the item suggested that Malware Bytes was responsible for quarantining some DCS module files and that then caused problems with them including authorization warnings.
This has happened with the F-15E as well, bringing us full circle, though it is reportedly not the F-15E alone that has experienced it.
It is not related to AV, some AV just do not like the protection being used.
Frustrating but seemingly not related to the other issues going on. It certainly doesn’t help the psyche these days either.
M2000C issue resolved
You may recall I reported on an issue last week with the DCS: M2000C, another RAZBAM module (their first in the sim actually), which was having trouble with moving between fly-by-wire modes and then limiting the aircraft to air-to-ground 6G mode only. Obviously an issue for a 9G capable fighter in air-to-air mode. That issue is reportedly fixed although there are no change logs to report it.
Community members have mentioned that the solution is in and the system works properly.
How it got fixed is unclear but there’s speculation here.
Still, it is good to hear that this module is, temporarily at least, working again at full capability.
Stormbirds 
The busted radar is a real let down. I can be happy/enjoy the plane staying as it is, but no actually losing features.
My guess is ED will fix this up somehow, It’s too big a hit to let go. If it’s actually the case that the plane has no radar from now on, it has to be removed from the store. No choice.
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yet it is still available for sale.
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Getting into some pretty sketchy territory selling a broken plane and no clear notice to the customer about the status of the product. I don’t want to say they’re ripping people off, but… clarity is required.
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I called this out on Reddit (about bug creep) and features failing with newer DCS updates and got attacked by 80% of readers.
Seems everyone in the community is “tired” of this dispute and reading about it every week – but it really is a huge blow to all of us.
Not only are we not getting a Mig 23, we are also not getting a finished F15E we already paid for (it’s still for sale!! meaning RAZBAM is still making money from it). Also bad news for Mirage and Harrier – great modules that might suffer over time with future DCS updates.
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There’s definitely fatigue and the concern is deepening. Its definitely not a good situation for anyone looking forward to the MiG-23 for sure but I think even worse for F-15E owners or even the other modules that are out there.
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Disappointing to hear for sure, and I would hate to give credence to the doom-sayers from last week or so, but now kind of wonder if they were maybe told some things the rest of us are finding out now. All speculation of course, and the situation is very unclear for the moment, so will wait and see I guess.
Haven’t had issues with AV at least, but maybe it’s just time to put hours in x-plane instead until we get an update/patch from ED – or at least some better news. I suppose if anything the ride of all positive strides in the last couple of years may be over in turn for some hiccups along the way, yet that still doesn’t mean it’s all over and done with.
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this is bad areas for ED. Regardless of who is at fault. I feel ED is on the precipice here. There is a lot of building anger about not just this but the constant stream of announcements with no follow through.
there’s a word for this in other industries.
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With so many awesome modules by Razbam ED will surely find a solution to all of these issues as well as Razbam situation overall.
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I hope so! My fingers are crossed.
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RAZBAM pretty much doesn’t exist now. Their programmers left and now work for other companies.
So even if ED and RAZBAM reconcile – this still doesn’t resolve the issue, unfortunately.
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That’s why I got a credit for now. I used it to get the Full Afghanistan map along with part of my Chinook payment. I used ED miles as well so for a small added amount I got 2 new modules. I will repurchase the F15 if things ever get resolved. No sense stewing over it for now. If my other Razbam modules break though…..
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