Alan,

The guide that I am following is the one available at fs station. I'll give this another try, but I don't think I am forgetting anything. The low speed ground buttons are pressed down, I turn on the switch for the engine bleed air, move the throttle lever for engine 3 up, and press the starter button for engine 3. I then move the engine generator switch from reset to on.

I've verified that the ATC works when I start with a default aircraft and turn it off. I've even verified that the ATC works if I go through the flight planner to select the c-130, select a starting and destination point, and lastly a parking space. The thing is, going about this way, the engines are on and running, but none of the switches are set in the proper place.

Edit:
I just tried again after posting this, and it STILL does not work. I just don't get why this is not working. Essentially, all I can do is turn the engines on and get the radio tuned to ground control at the starting airport and that's it! Either there is something that I am still not doing right or the manual that I am using is missing a few steps. What other C130 startup manuals are there?