Safe Mode Problem

[Xtopher]

I have already consulted these forums, the DGII Docs and the checklists (what is "appart"?) for an answer, but I am flat
stuck. I have a DGIII on the ground, near launch window and Transx all set up for a Jupiter flight. I want to use "Safe Mode"
for the flight. I can enter Safe Mode - it says "crew unloaded, vessel in safe mode", but once that happens the only
button or control in the cockpit which works is "APU Start". I have tried this many times, always with the same result -
buttons which boink at me when pressed, which I guess really is the only "Safe Mode" with me as the pilot

Any help greatly appreciated.

[McBrain]

I want to use "Safe Mode" for the flight.

It seems you mean it's a special mode for a safer flight. This is wrong.
Safe mode is something like put the DGIII to "sleep" (sleep-mode).
In this mode all functions are disabled, crew goes abord and you can't do anything.
With "Start APU", you can leave the safe mode.

Hope this helps

[Xtopher]

McBrain,

Thanks for the reply, that makes sense, I have no need to be able to control the ship on most of the long flight out to Jupiter.

The Checklist for Safe Mode says, and I quote: For long trip when the DG isdocked to a bigger ship or on ground you can
unload the crew and put you vessel in safe-mode. That seems to be a contradiction.

I must be missing something, I honestly cannot see how you can use it in flight if you must engage it while docked or on the
ground.  

When I take off, I lose connection to the EPU, so I don't see how I can re-enter Safe Mode once in flight.

I know I am going to feel like an idiot when this is cleared up for me.

[McBrain]

Xtopher wrote:
For long trip when the DG isdocked to a bigger ship or on ground you can
unload the crew and put you vessel in safe-mode. That seems to be a contradiction.

Safe mode works only when you are on ground or docked to something.
On a long trip with a bigger ship (eg Helios) you can "disable"(-> safe mode) the DG which is docked to it, so you don't have to look after the life support systems. The crew is in the bigger ship then.

I know I am going to feel like an idiot when this is cleared up for me.

Don't worry, I think everyone in here started like this!

[Xtopher]

McBrain, thank you. I just had it in my head that "long trip" must mean a trip the ship itself is making. Doh!

Thanks again.

[MattNW]

Yeah, Dan put that into the DG III because people were docking it to  ship like Vespucci and going off to Venus or
Neptune with DG in tow. While they were cruising for a couple years the crew in the DG III were dying for lack of air.
With this mode you can dock the DG to Vespucci and cruise as far as you want then pop back aboard the DG and
explore the moons of Venus. Essentially it means that the crew has left the DG and it's sitting/docked with nobody
aboard.

I think what you are looking for is the setting in the configuration utility called "Chicken Mode" meaning that the crew
and pilot don't die. You'll still get the warnings and ship damage but nobody dies.