Hi guys,sorry for that harsh words but the support by Microsoft it totaly ashaming! I just wanted to get in touch with one of the support technican cause my FSX installation doen´s register after some reinstalls. I know that there is an limit for installations with one particular serial key. They have some ways how to resolve it but I tried every way and it doesn´t work either. So i wanted to caontact the german FSX support to aks them whether they could resolve it.There this whole story developes: First I needed approximately 5 minutes to click through the various websites till I got to the form which will be send to the support. The next thing was that I wasn´t able to register the FSX serial key there in order to get the correct support from them. It told me that this key is unavailavle for my country. Very strange. Then I went on via the ability not to incorporate the key and got to an page where I could decide whick support I want. So far all right. BUT then I saw that both suppoort ways (e-mail and phone) were not free, I´ll be forced to pay 72€ or arround 98$ to get normal support via e-mail which is commonly free in the entire FS world. (The form is down below, maybe you can read it. ) I´m really shocked about this practice. Is that the way to support your customers? Let them pay for problems they´re mostly not responsible for?? Btw. I´ve got a littly bit of money and I think I´ll have to rebuy FSX gold in order to get a new key.

If you paid for their support I doubt they would help you. You're far better off buying a new key, but for what it's worth, I have re installed FSX from the same disks (FSX + the expansion) more than a dozen times and it never gave me issues.

And they are questioning why piracy is growing. Seriously!?

If you paid for their support I doubt they would help you. You're far better off buying a new key, but for what it's worth, I have re installed FSX from the same disks (FSX + the expansion) more than a dozen times and it never gave me issues.

Yeah, this issue is very strange. Every time I try to register it says that there´s an technical problem an I should try later. after not trying it for at least 2 months, this issue is still there. Will I get an ew serial key if I just get the acceleration pack? Does its installation prerequisite an working FSX installation (Registered?) If not, I´ll just get accalereation.

And they are questioning why piracy is growing. Seriously!?

They treat loyal customers as thiefs. I never cracked or downloaded illegaly an product.

And they are questioning why piracy is growing. Seriously!?

The really annoying part is that because of the way the pirated version functions, the pirates can install FSX without limitations. Meanwhile the legitimate user is left high and dry by Microsoft and often has to repurchase the product (which brings in more money for Microsoft), nothing like having repeat sales!

You've paid for the use of the software, got a receipt and the payment was accepted and processed, therefore the purchase of those rights was confirmed by Microsoft. You are allowed to use the software for your personal and non-commercial use since then.The legally important fact is the one of being a legal owner of the right to use it, not the circumstances of the activation process or any EULA wishes, which, by the way, are often presented after the purchase was processed, which renders them irrelevant in any given legal way, especially in your country, Steffen. To be clear. All pirate stuff lacks of the legally owned right to use the software, therefore any activation attempt used is rendered illegal and, in case of FSX, also the "ownership" of the installer (DVDs) since you can't download them for free, unlike on some other distribution models.So besides the strange attitude on the MS support side, your right is to demand a usable (means activating) product for your money. Now if you can rule out any error on your side which may prevent the activation from working, your errors in this game are nil. But you may have to use the address of their business location or have to pay in advance to contact them via the support portal, while later requesting a money back for example. The consumer protection aspect of this very special case is an interesting one. But I doubt that any customer has brought that anywhere near a lawyer so far, which, sadly, is a thing to happen in most of those touchy cases.As a matter of fact, that's what often enough renders strange business models to become "commonly accepted" and later even regarded as a role-model.If there's no claimant, there's no judge, although MS already felt some proactive engagement from the European Union of course on some more basic things.

Repurchasing would for me, personally, be a big no-go. In this rare case, I would rather tend to the "dark side" than give MS more money. Not supporting paying customers is like the worst thing you can do in business.

while later requesting a money back for example.

You seriously think MS would give the money back? They would find a backdoor, 99,9999%...

The vexing part of all this is that you are not dealing with a company that has taken the money and ran. Microsoft is not a small time operator, but at times it really acts the part.

Repurchasing would for me, personally, be a big no-go. In this rare case, I would rather tend to the "dark side" than give MS more money. Not supporting paying customers is like the worst thing you can do in business. You seriously think MS would give the money back? They would find a backdoor, 99,9999%...

I thought about the "dark side" as you called it some time back then but it won't work. There are only ways which work with SP 1 but not with the important SP2. Maybe I'll just get FSX Gold for arround 26€ and hope I can register it. BTW could W7 SP1 be a problem?

I thought about the "dark side" as you called it some time back then but it won't work. There are only ways which work with SP 1 but not with the important SP2. Maybe I'll just get FSX Gold for arround 26€ and hope I can register it.BTW could W7 SP1 be a problem?

I hardly doubt it that W7 SP1 is a problem. I am using it without a hitch. Say, did you try telephone activation, or can't you even come that far?

Do the telephone activation. If my memory serves me correctly, it's automated, so you don't even talk to anyone.

Do the telephone activation. If my memory serves me correctly, it's automated, so you don't even talk to anyone.

+1Also the morons at M$ won't activate FSX on a W7 64 platform as it is not supported. Do the automated, as Mike said. Tell M$ nothing.

I must admit that I've read his report as if no given method currently works.

I found 428 possible solutions to fsx activation problems - http://support.microsoft.com/search/default.aspx?mode=r&qid=1309187&query=fsx+activation+problems&spid=global&catalog=LCID%3D1033&1033comm=1&ast=25&ast=28&ast=30&ast=31&res=10 . Perhaps one will help you Steffan. Good luck. Best regards,Jim

Do the telephone activation. If my memory serves me correctly, it's automated, so you don't even talk to anyone.

That's what I have been doing works fine so far.