Progress, but: AUTO FLT AP OFF

Hi,
Great progress with my (mostly Software) setup.
Seems to help a great deal with gauges running in one instance.

Prior to departure I had the following RED message:
AUTO FLT AP OFF.

I believe I did all my before takeoff checks and did not identify any incorrect settings or missing data in the MCDU. The message blocked for the TO config.
Any ideas? After takeoff the AP and aircraft AP & ATH functioned great.

I am not running the following gauges at present:
FO EFIS
SBY ALTI FT
SBY HORIZ
FO PFD
FO ND
FO MCDU
STBY IAS
STBY ALTI
ISIS

AP module configured correctly?

Make sure FD is on, constraints, left click on the speed select knob, and alt.

I believe so...
strange thing is it happended again on final approach after a perfect climb-cruise-descent incl. ATC instructions to follow.