The great Microsoft FSX swindle!!!!

[EHM-1505 Phil]

As most of you know, I purchased my copy of FSX and had it as soon as it was released.

I tried it on my Computer and as predicted, was not happy with it's performance.

So Installed the Microsoft RC1 of Vista..... Ok, no problem so far, but Vista does still not have good driver support and as such my GFX card was not being supported to it's optimum performance......

So I dig out the old XP drive and plug it back in to tweak around with FSX and see if I could get it running better under XP. I Fire up FSX and to my surprise, my copy was not "Authenticated Properly"! and would only run in a time limited demo mode....

So, I tried to repair the instalation.... No good. Next I uninstalled it and tried a clean install...... I got to the very end of the installation and I got an error and it completely rolled back the install!

So I dig around the documentation, no clues..... Dig around on Mirosoft.com and after 5 hours of trying to install and uninstall and try different things that the support website suggested, I find a document that states..... and I quote from Microsoft!!!!

"Q4: How many times can I activate the product?
A4: You can activate games for Windows two times. Removing and then reinstalling the game will not affect the game activation quota as long as you have not changed any hardware components on the computer."

Of course, I had changed my hard drive for the Vista install..... So now I have 60 quids worth of rubbish sat on my desk that I can not use..... This has left a very sour taste in my mouth as you can gather and I am determined to post this on as many sites as possible as this is a little known fact about Microsofts new anti piracy detection!

I really can't believe this, it's criminal in my opinion! I thought as many of you should know about this as possible so as you do not end up in the same situation aas I have.

(Sorry for the ranting post, but I am uber angry atm!)

[EHM-1465 Dominic]

Sorry to hear that Phil, it strikes me that that this ultra cautious piracy protection is going to cause no end of problems seeing as most users so far seem to be saying that they will need to upgrade their hardware at some point (possibly in stages...) to get the most out of FSX. Kind of sounds like they won't be able to without buying a new copy...

Where did you buy it? Is it possible that the retailer will change it for a new copy if you have the original packaging and receipt etc?

[EHM-1612 Paolo]

I think it is criminal too...don't they say it on the installation guide or on FSX cover??? You can really take them to the court...:!

[EHM-1671 Ben]

Argh, that's infuriating. Is there anything you can do to get your money back?

[EHM-1821 Javier]

Thats daylight robbery...:{  It may mean that if i change to vista from XP (2nd time activation), and my computer gets a virus and after removing everything in it (dont know whats that called), i cant install it again anymore?!

[EHM-1982 Carlos]

Another reason to stay in my FS9 a while longer :s

[EHM-0990 Dick]

Hallo Phil

I also bought the FSX and installed it on my old computer
just to see how it looks. No performence like yours of course.
StillI did managed to get my old FS2002 Dornier to fly .

I already knew your problem,  but according to my suplier, just
like windows XP there is a telephone number to get new access
after chancing the hardware.
That is what he told me when I got the game from him.


good luck  Dick de (fly)Boer

[EHM-1001 Robert]

What I do not understand, how the hell the non-writeable disc detects the number of installation ? OR should you activate via internet ? And what if I do not have a net connection...I cannot play with it ?

[EHM-1651 Christian]

i think this rigid anti piracy on FSX will be reduced as more and more costumers will encounter problems with it. But i remember reading somewhere regarding windows activation that you could call Microsoft and get a new activiation code.
Shame on them....... Well they almost encourage people to use X-plane

[EHM-0005 Maarten]

I think there will be some support line where you can get a new key or where they can change your activation. I had this with the activation of Windows XP many times.'

It's simple, you call the number, most of the time a dumb blonde answers. You start a whole technical story, so they get overwhelmed. They will re-activate your product, because they can't bare you anymore

It's a shame that they take these measures. And as Gonam said, for me it's another reason to wait with the purchase of FSX.

[EHM-1947 Miko]

Originally posted by EHM-1001 Robert
What I do not understand, how the hell the non-writeable disc detects the number of installation ? OR should you activate via internet ? And what if I do not have a net connection...I cannot play with it ?

The Installation software places a hidden code on the microsoft system which contains information about your hardware components in connection with your personal installation key.

(Therefore you have to be connected to the internet or call the hotline to setup FS)

If it is existent and it does not match the hardware environment it assumes that it is a pirate copy you are using.

As others said before the copy can be reinstalled after calling the hotline and getting a new code.

M$ will at least stop this procedure after thousands of angry users will be going to call the hotline.

[EHM-0654 Murray]

I suspect (quite quickly in fact) that a "crack" or some such will appear to allow the re-installation of FSX an unlimited amount of times, but their not going to make any friends with this new "licensing" scheme. Hands up anyone that *hasn't* done an FS re-install, I suspect there aren't many of you out there...

I'm in the "sticking with FS2004" camp for a while yet, I think.

[EHM-1612 Paolo]

And Murray I think I'll be with you for the next one/two years...I reckon in the last year I un-installed FS9 something like 6 or 7 times...:s

[EHM-1980 Brian]

after hearing quite a lot of bad things regarding FSX i've definitely decided to stick with FS2004 for now

[EHM-1883 Matt]

I think it's criminal in the first place that the deluxe version costs £60!!! I spent a hell of a lot of money on that game, and I've already found bugs! My situation is nowhere near Phils, and I'm very sad to hear this phil, but alot of missions have bugs, the Multiplayer section has bugs in it too! Me and Javier did a "share the aircraft" flight, and it was almost hell. Javier did a short circuit, and after he did his, I would. Well, here is what got on my nerves:

1: Microsoft "promised" more inernational airports changed. We went to Changi, and it was exactly the same!
2: my side kept saying Javier was paused when it wasn't
3: On finals, it got down to 2 frame rates per minute!
4: When it was my go to have a circuit, it randomly "lost connection"

[EHM-1505 Phil]

Don't get me wrong, I love FSX. It's great in my opinion..... I have sorted out my performance issues and the Glider is just amazing!

As for the activation issue.... Yes, I can call MS at Premium Rates, so they still make money.... The more that call, the more they make, I am sure they wont get bored of that! (I am hanging on the phone line as we speak)

By the way, after trawling many forums and reading about this, I have found that MOST new Microsoft software will use this type of activation system. (Including Vista)

[EHM-1328 Willem]

In Mei 2006, in one day the stock value from microsoft going down with 11%, that’s 31,6 milliard dollars, the good times are even for microfost over, and I stated it before with clever marketing they trying to sell FSX and other software , (witch isn’t so good as they claimed) to gain a lot off money. (Think global like Microsoft does).

FSX,  you must run it on fast PC  , an even then its load times are long, graphics look good, but the fps will drop you down, and most users adjusting the graphics to get resemble fps.
Basically all the menus are the same structure as in FS9 so nothing new, new is ATC and game online.

If you will go for nice graphics and low fps buy it, but I think most off us will go for performance.
And if you have  add-ons for FS9 you must buy everything new, because nothing will work in FSX.  I.e.:  FCUIPC 4.0 with WideSF € 36,=  later on FSnav, with similar prices, and than I don’t talk about all the plains.
Even Propilot must be rewritten,  for the programmers this will not be a big problem I assume)  

So think before you buy.

On my system:
Intel Core-2 Dual 6700, and 1Gb-ddr2-6400 Ram  (over clocked to 3,06)
X1800 with 256Mb,
2 hard drives 200/250 GB (1e WinXP the 2e FS9 and   LINUX with X-PLANE).

Even on this system with al lot off the known FSX tweaks it’s a disaster, and not worth the money. also on Vista but I don’t see any difference., I removed Vista because its to depending to much on hardware and its for home user totally useless. (Only the look is good and startup goes faster).

The prices for FSX are after 10 days decreasing   (today a see it for € 55,-).

And about the activation policy from Microsoft, if you need a key don’t say you have a new motherboard because you don’t get a new key.  There are a lot off ways to overcome this key activation.

Phil I  agree with you:

it's criminal in my opinion!

Regards EHM-1328  Willem.

[EHM-1505 Phil]

Well just to update you. After 1 hour on the phone at my expense, they seem to think there is an error in my registry but they can not confirm this yet. (as I am getting the wrong error!) I am expecting a call back from someone in Gaming Technical Support in the next 72 hours!!!! Good job I am not in rush!!!!

[EHM-1980 Brian]

thats what all these large corporations are about phil - once you buy their product they dont want to know anything else after that! ...... 72 hours is a ridiculous time to make a phonecall to someone regarding a problem with a product they have provided which is inadequate to you ( the consumer ) - i myself would not accept this whatsoever and would take it much further! Whats the bets that you wont get a phonecall and it will be you making another call to them.....again at your expense!!!! :!

[EHM-1821 Javier]

Originally posted by EHM-1883
3: On finals, it got down to 2 frame rates per minute!

With autogen off and traffic low, Airport terminal with tower and jetways only...:!

[EHM-1947 Miko]

Originally posted by EHM-1703 Philip
Well just to update you. After 1 hour on the phone at my expense, they seem to think there is an error in my registry but they can not confirm this yet. (as I am getting the wrong error!) I am expecting a call back from someone in Gaming Technical Support in the next 72 hours!!!! Good job I am not in rush!!!!

I know two other guys with your problem who where told by the hotline that there is a fault in the registry and after one day they were called back and advised to reinstall whole windows!

Good luck :]

[EHM-0005 Maarten]

...so, anyone thinking of buying X-plane?

[EHM-0654 Murray]

Yes... I am giving it very careful consideration now. It'd just be a question of integrating all my hardware (Project Magenta) at this point...

[EHM-1507 Manuel]

If you really have to activate FSX after every installation it´ll be absolute useless for me. I´m formatting my PC about every six months to keep the system "tidy" and I´m changing my components in about the same period.... so, do I really have to buy an new copy of FSX every year..... or if your two activations are done, do you have to pay for any further??? yeah, these things are really criminal. I hope, they would stop that soon.

[EHM-1703 Philip]

Well apparently nobody is having trouble getting reactivated, it just takes a phone call and an explanation that you have cleaned your machine. On the other hand many people are having problems after installing FSX then Uninstalling due to problems..... When you try reinstalling you get an error 1722 and Microsoft currently have no clue how to fix it with the exception of completely reformatting your system!!!!