Im just looking for some direction towards removing FS2004 off my XP setup. I wish to remove all root registrys of FS2004 and have a fresh install of everything, this would include AES credits i have entered. If i was to install FS9 again and not remove all root directorys prior to doing so, my credits would not work plus i wish to apply them to new airports hence another reason to fresh install the whole FS9 setup. I have uninstalled EVERY trace of FS2004 and addons from my PC but i know everything i have every installed with key codes etc will still exist so this would futhermore support my reason to ask for some help in being able to do this cleanly.Helpers welcome.....

i wish to apply them to new airports hence another reason to fresh install the whole FS9 setup

The way Oliver Pabst makes his money on AES is offering credit packs to buy after you run out of one.This is why AES data is hidden deep in the registry. Otherwise people would just clean the reg instead of buying AES credits.So, unless you reinstall your Windows, you have AES credits assigned for chosen airports permanently.In case you reinstall your FS9, you will have the credits automatically assigned when you run AESHelp - you just need to activate them.It is perfectly safe and does not influence FS9 reinstal in any way.What is more, trying to find ways around it here in public would be breaking copyright laws.

Mmmm not really, i really dont get whats breaking the law here...i have paid for 3 credits packs over time....i havent used my FS2004 for about 14 months now...i will be starting to recompile the whole thing tomorrow as im finally trying to get back into simulation, i think its completely fair that the registry be deleted in order for me to freshly put my credit packs back in and apply them to a new selection of airports of my choosing.....im in no way trying to find loop holes....if i dont delete the AES registry i wont be able to use the credits i paid for in the first place because theyll still be in the registry and registered to addons i no longer own from 14 months ago!!

if i dont delete the AES registry i wont be able to use the credits i paid for in the first place because theyll still be in the registry

Yes and that is exactly how the credit system works and protects itself. I think I already explained that above.This is what it is like because AES is not a one-time install type software. Everyone needs to accept it if he or she wants to be an AES user.It does not matter if or how often you use your assigned airports or how long breaks you have in simming. AES credits are assigned irreversibly.This is reminded automatically each time you want to assign a new airport via AESHelp.In case of any other doubts it will be best for you to contact Oliver Pabst directly at the AES support forum:http://forum.aerosof...ement-services/

Are you sure about this? I thought all AES data was stored in the AES folder, so all you have to do is make a backup of that folder (AersoftAES). Those were the instructions I had for moving FS9 to a new computer - nothing about the registry at all.

I thought all AES data was stored in the AES folder, so all you have to do is make a backup of that folder (AersoftAES)

Yes, if you want to have you already assigned credits still/again working.The OP wants to clean his registry to free his credits to be able to assign them to new airports without the need of buying a new credit pack.At least that's how I understand his posts.

Ah yes - I see that he wants to re-assign credits. That is a No No!

What I don't understand is if you wipe your FS9 hard drive and reinstall everything from scratch in theory you should be able to use your supplied AES codes to assign them to any airports you want. These may be the same as originally or they may be different.I have no views on the rights or wrongs of this. But if everything is held on the user's PC and not elsewhere why wouldn't this work? There would be no record of what was originally assigned. I suspect this would work but how many people would go to that amount of trouble simply to switch AES airport assignments?

If credits are sold only for specific airports then it would be dishonest to chenge the registry to use them on other airports.

If credits are sold only for specific airports then it would be dishonest to chenge the registry to use them on other airports.

HelloCredits are sold per pack, each pack=10 creditsSome airports need more credits than others but the choice is yours as far as which of the supported airports you apply your credits to

HelloCredits are sold per pack, each pack=10 creditsSome airports need more credits than others but the choice is yours as far as which of the supported airports you apply your credits to

OK. But once you've applied them then you've used them and can't reapply them to another airport?

OK. But once you've applied them then you've used them and can't reapply them to another airport?

Imagine a situation where your FS9 disk crashed and you hadn't backed it up. Manually installation of everything is then required and it would be either a very organised person or one with a good memory who knew all their original assignments. So you have a way of reassigning your credits to whatever airport you want.I'm not saying I approve of that but there has to be a way of getting things back as you had them. Without an external database controlling how you originally assigned your credits you are free to choose.

So if Windows crashes hard and you have to do a full reinstall, your take is that all your credits are lost and you must repurchase them? I thought the credits were the buyers option to spread around as he saw fit.

So if Windows crashes hard and you have to do a full reinstall, your take is that all your credits are lost and you must repurchase them? I thought the credits were the buyers option to spread around as he saw fit.

No, you wouldn't lose your credits if you still have the email with the codes. Of course if someone is so disorganised they don't have those then Aerosoft can probably help. But it's simpler to print those emails and keep them safe!

Guys, I believe the way AES system works is fairly clear. It was planned not as a one-time payment but rather as a longtime credit option.Something similar to what you do with Navigraph credits for example. I am not saying it is a cheap option, especially if you plan to cover a lot of airports. It is not.But there is always choice - to invest in the credits or not. Plus there are both freeware airports with AES support (around 100 now!) and a nice bonus system.However some folks realised that if they find the hidden reg data there will be no more need for them to support Oliver. They will just clean the registry and reassign the credits they have.That would be not only copyright violation but also a very unfair practice. I don't see how someone could explain a crack techinique, which it is, in a public forum like this.Of course if you format your HD and reinstall your system, you will be able to reassign credits.But this is something people will not often do, so that loss is most probably calculated in the AES product.

if someone is so disorganised they don't have those then Aerosoft can probably help

You can always log into your Aerosoft account and you will see all the purchases you ever made (same with SimMarket) including your key codes. You can use them any time you wish.