Zoandar,I appreciate the things you've said here. At least I don't feel like the Lone Ranger. I'm assuming when you say that you're initial graphics settings were "medium" that you mean there was a setting in Flight that allowed this to be set. Unfortunately I can't get to those settings since nothing works.You also mentioned MS Live. During the installation the installer linked to my Live settings without obvious error so I don't know if that is a problem. As I stated previously, nothing in the install process hinted at a problem with the software or the install process.There is an obvious issue with this software - hitting the space key to get the program to run. That can't be a proper action just to get a visual on the main menu - even if nothing on that menu works.fb

I was hoping that maybe someone who had the same problem had a solution

well, I do have the same problem. and I feel what you feel because honestly I never NEVER had any program installed that caused so many problems. last night at 11pm I started to download the base pack the 12th time. because I never managed to install it. either the installer stopped hinting at a corrupt files in media1.cab or the installer existed but threw 2 errors at me when trying to install the c++ runtimes 2008 and 2010 (confirm that the program installed correctly or reinstall with recommended settings) or everything installed (seemingly) fine but once I loaded the game a message popped up that a corrupt installation was detected and Flight would exit now. Wonderful. So I kept downloading base pack after base pack, de- and reinstalled the c++ runtimes from the official MS server, rebooted the PC every 5 mins, deactivated antivirus software, tried several HDD partitions and so on. Great fun.yesterday I then found a post which referred to a 'direct install' of the base pack, direct meaning you start a setup.exe und not the install option via the marketplace interface. this seemed to help so far. so far because I installed w/o error and loaded the game w/o error and even started a flight w/o error finally this morning. but I had to leave for my office so no idea whether it crashes again once I start the engines.nonetheless, so far it looks promising. you may try also the direct install. Just download the base pack and note where your download is saved, there are settings for that in the marketplace application. once the download is complete DO NOT install. Instead open the folder where the download was saved, the file name will by cryptic and long. but you will hardly miss it since it is 1.4gb :-). Now rename/copy/move that file. This is the file like it comes with a DVD. No need to download it again, save it as a backup. only thing you may do: unzip the file to check its integrity. one reason for my installation issues and the black entry screen COULD have been bad downloads (hence so many now) as winzip gave me an CRC error when working on the media1.cab. so unzip the file and see whether it unzips without errors. if yes then you seem to have a working download.while the file is unzipped, open the CONTENT folder (if I remember correctly) and you will see a setup.exe. run that and off you go, install FLIGHT and see what happens. just a note: you will need your product key to install the game this way. I copied mine from the marketplace application into a txt file for easy access. again, so far this seemed to do the trick (besides possibly corrupt download files), subject to further testing once at home tonight...phil

Edited March 1, 201214 yr by DAD

Regarding the Product Key - I saw that empty field during the installation, but since there was no prior "purchase" of anything, I am not aware of any such Product Key. The Windows Live ID I used to sign in was created back when I used a Windows Mobile PDA in 2002, and had not been used since. At some point they wanted more personal information for my Live ID, and after inputting that the game started. I never saw a Product Key request a second time. Where do I find such a key, if I in fact have one?

This is the recommended installer link to use to install Flight (http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9800616). I'm not sure if it will fix your problems at all, but may be useful for people with installation problems.My recommendation would be to try running Flight without the TH2Go to at least see if that works first. You may want to delete your Flight.cfg from %appdata%MicrosoftFlight first though. Unplugging the joysticks and plugging them back in one at a time may also help determine the source of the problem.

Thanks for all the responses. I used the link provided by stonelance and the same problem was encountered. Flight is running as you can see the clouds go by on the main menu screen. However, if you select any of the options on the menu (I tried them all) the program is minimized and control is returned back to the desktop.The fact that the main menu displays leads me to believe that it is not my graphics setup that is the problem. I wouldn't be able to see the main menu or the clouds going by. In addition, I don't believe that disabling my TripleHead2Go in order to correct a problem with Flight will solve the problem. The Matrox unit is not technically processing the signal coming out of the graphics card. This unit is merely sending, via a driver, the processed graphics information to the monitors.Also, disconnecting my "cockpit" from the PC is a very large task. I have 7 powered USB hubs that are connected to all the various devices that make up the cockpit. That's 49 connections to the PC plus a couple on the side. Disconnecting all of that is a workload I'm not going to undertake.Regarding a product key - I've installed Flight three times now and no key was requested by the installer. I don't know what this issue is.Please believe me when I say that I appreciate all your suggestions; but taking apart my cockpit is not a solution I want to explore. If Flight does not work with my current setup then I think there is something wrong with the software. I can't be using my setup with so many flight programs for this not to be the case. I'm sorry, but tearing apart my system just to get Flight to work properly is not in the cards.Thanks againFrank

I found during the beta that trying to force certain graphics settings, in an attempt to override Flights inbuilt AA caused a black screen at start-up. So having any 'global' overrides through the graphics card control panel may prevent flight from displaying correctly or at all.I did ask repeatedly on the beta forum, but was never graced with a response regarding this.Whether its possible to override the final builds settings I do not know?

fbass, your cockpit setup sounds wonderful. But based upon all my experiences with USB and how miserable it is, I'm going to guess those 29 USB connections are somehow part of the mix. It seems clear Flight is a very basic and simple program for garnering interest in those new to flying. In short, it probably "can't handle" your highly sophosticated hardware environment. BTW, kudos! You are the very first person I have EVER read has even attempted the approach of the fantasy specification of "127 devices allowed on a USB connection". I have enough issues with EACH of my USB devices, and they are less than a dozen. I don't know how in the world you manage to keep 29 connections up and running in Windows. IMHO USB deserves its own "what a joke" topic. :-)

Zoander,That's 49+ connections. The key to USB is powered hubs. I use IOGEAR 7-port powered hubs and the whole configuration works very well. Another key is to plug joysticks (variable inputs vs things like switches) into separate hubs. Things seem to work better. Also, if possible, only plug USB cables (PC side) into ports implemented on the MOBO. Sometimes this is not possible with many PCs. I have found that remote-connected USB ports (like on a separate board) are not as reliable as MOBO connections.I received a notice from IOGEAR today that their USB 3.0 hubs are now available. If your PC has a 3.0 port then you can greatly speed things up. My computer has two so I will probably replace two of my 2.0 hubs with 3s.Regarding Flight handling USB - I can't get to the Flight configuration setup so I don't know about how that software handles the input. However, USB connections are established at OS bootup so you don't get interaction with software until you actually execute something like Flight and configure it to use the USB-connected equipment.Redline,That's interesting. I can easily change my graphics card settings for AA to see if that works. However, since the main menu displays on my system I doubt that is the problem.Again, thanks so much for your input.Frank

Edited March 1, 201214 yr by fbass

Be careful what you ask for. It just might start running then you will really be disappointed. captmac

Once more for clarity - I have absolutely no axe to grind towards the Flight Beta Test Team. I'm quite sure they did a fantastic job. But, having been a FSX tester there were configurations that caused problems with the software. Also, there were software issues that caused improper operation of the software.Regarding the OS - Yes, I'm running Windows 7 64-bit. However, I'm running an ORIGINAL install of the OS. After chasing Windows updates and having FSX crash every other update, I decided to install Windows one time and turn off all updates. That may raise some eyebrows but I have not had to uninstall and re-install FSX since I made that decision.My computer system is very large and complicated. I have MANY USB controllers. I have two graphics cards supporting 6 monitors of various sizes. One of my monitors is a large touch screen.I have FSX, DCS-A-10C, Black Shark 1 and 2, two versions of IL-2 Sturmovik, Falcon BMS, two versions of Lock-On, Wings of Prey and Luftwaffe, Rise of Flight, and Battle of Britain. I also have X-Plane. I do not have a single problem with any of those software packages. Now comes along Flight and right away there is a display issue.I am prepared to conceed that there may be an issue between my hardware-software configurations and Flight. I am not prepared to believe that my focus should be on Flight instead of my "stuff." Not to be combative but I have no intension of changing my system just to run Flight. After all, this is a new software package just coming out of Beta testing. If this package is similar to FSX, there WILL be updates to fix all sorts of "bugs." As most of you can imagine, I have worked very hard to get my software to be stable and I have tweaked until I'm blue in the face.fb

again .. thousand upon thousands are running without your problems ... please wrap your mind around this!

I have not seen anything in this product that would cause me to buy it. This game is and was designed for a new client. The word simulation is not even in the title, that says it all. It is what it is, a game,the aerial version of Mario cars. ha

Tierborn,What exactly is your point and how does it advance the flow of information in this discussion. If you read all the posts here I think there is room for people who also had problems with this software. Perhaps they don't have the exact same issue but no software is perfect. I was just trying to get to the bottom of my issue - THAT IS ALL.UPDATE:I looked at the AA settings in my NVidia control panel. AA was set to be controlled by the application. AA Gama Correction was on so I tried to turn it off. That did not change the situation.fb

I'm quite sure there was a Beta testing phase to this development. However, I have no idea what kind of machines they tested this "thing" on. I'm running Windows 7 64-bit.I can tell you that the program crashed right out of the box. I downloaded the software and the installer executed. When asked, I clicked the box to run it now, and guess what - the screen turned black and that is ALL I got.Man, what a joke.fb

Hi there !Your problem was mentioned very recently in the beta forum.[Q] " I just downloading the new game, before that I verified that all the old files and folders for flight were deleted. When it finished downloading I clicked play and I just got a black screen when I clicked it took me to the main menu.... Weird...."[A] " We ran into this during final testing. It seems to be a timing issue, and seemed to happen most often if you had a slow computer andor many screens. "Fred.

Beta worked on my system without any issue, so not too fair to complain about it if your computer has issues.We cant possibly test millions of systems.

I have not seen anything in this product that would cause me to buy it. This game is and was designed for a new client. The word simulation is not even in the title, that says it all. It is what it is, a game,the aerial version of Mario cars. ha

Well said. :) Flying the A5 feels very much like flying a car.

USB connections are established at OS bootup

I know, and there's the rub. On pretty much every PC I have used since USB became popular, I have at best a 50% chance that all my USB devices will actually get detected. It doesn't seem to matter much what brand of hubs or cables I use. When one of them goes hinky, the only solution is usually to cut the power and USB connection to the device, then restore those connections. I even ran a program for awhile on my older Windows XP system that delayed the detection of USB devices for 45 seconds during the boot cycle. That seemed to help a lot. I think it is simply lousy technology that Windows (in many versions now) doesn't properly initialize all the time. I've seen this clear back thru Win98.In order to reap any performance increase using USB3 hubs, would your cockpit devices not also need to be upgraded to USB3 variants? And the cables too I presume.

Beta worked on my system without any issue, so not too fair to complain about it if your computer has issues.We cant possibly test millions of systems.

If there is one constant in the Windows OS, it is that nothing is constant. :) Each PC is unique (unless built precisely the same), and has its own issues. What runs for one may not run for all.

Edited March 2, 201214 yr by Zoandar