Not sure if this helps, but I decided to dig out FS 2004 and give that a go. It installed fine and I had no problems loading up a flight - if it were a DirectX issue, wouldn't it still occur with FS9?

 

If not, what drivers would you recommend I update? I haven't done anything with the mobo or CPU drivers as I've run FSX on this system before without any updates like that. The only drivers I've updated are the GPU ones to AMD's latest drivers.

FS2004 is a good test for sure. Look for anything that changed, latest GPU drivers sounds unlikely, so does a hardware problem. Look at making sure you have all the c++ redistributables up to date, can quickly check in control panel uninstall for those installed.

For the C++ Redistributables, it looks like I have 2005 Redistributable 8.0.61001 (which I believe is the only one necessary for 'stock' FSX). I think the 2010 and 2012 Redistributables were installed by some other software as they are the x64 versions.

 

Regarding the .NET frameworks, only 4.5 appears in the programs list, however as directed by the CTD guide, looking under Windows/Microsoft.net/Framework/ shows I have v1.0.3705, v1.1.4322, v2.050727, v3.0, v3.5 and v.40.30319 installed which I believe again is all I need.

 

Are there any others you think I need, or different versions? The CTD suggests that the 2008 and 2010 versions are only needed for commercial addons, of which I have none so far. 

 

Thanks for your suggestions so far by the way!

For the C++ Redistributables, it looks like I have 2005 Redistributable 8.0.61001 (which I believe is the only one necessary for 'stock' FSX). I think the 2010 and 2012 Redistributables were installed by some other software as they are the x64 versions.

You must NOT install the 64 bit versions of the C+++ Redistributables!! Same goes with Microsoft.net versions. FSX is a 32 bit program and only the x86 version will work with FSX. There's no reason to have a 64 bit version of the Microsoft Visual C++2005 installed as FSX is the only program that uses it. So, if you have no addons, just make sure Microsoft Visual C++2005 w/SP1 is installed. It should have been installed when you installed FSX and Acceleration or SP2 but you will still need 2005 w/SP1 as that was suppose to be in the Acceleration/SP2 packages but Microsoft forgot to add it. The AVSIM CTD Guide has the link to the versions you need. Look at the image in the CTD Guide and that will give you the versions required. You can look at the versions you have by opening your Add/Remove Programs.

 

It appears you are cool with the Microsoft.net versions.

 

Best regards,

I have uninstalled the 64 bit Redistributables as you have suggested, leaving just two 2005 Redistributables - 8.0.61001 and 8.050727.42. I cannot find where to download version 8.0.56336 which appears in the CTD Guide on the Microsoft website, any ideas?

 

I do not have FSX Acceleration - I only have the Deluxe Edition. Should I download SP1 and SP2 from FSInsider and install them?

Yes you should download the SPs for FSX.

I cannot find where to download version 8.0.56336 which appears in the CTD Guide on the Microsoft website

I suspect the 56336 version is the original version that comes with FSX (without SP1). It's okay if you do not have it.

 

As trucker17 says, you should definitely install SP1 and SP2, but, if you ever get Acceleration, make sure you uninstall SP2 before installing Acceleration. They are not compatible.

 

Best regards,

 Also check your install location......

 My system would not run FSX while installed into the PROGRAM files.....

 Once I installed it into PROGRAM(86) it worked fine.....

Ok, so I just installed SP1, and as I'm following PMDG's uninstall/reinstall guide, I started up FSX before moving onto SP2. However, FSX is still crashing at exactly the same point, however now I am actually getting 'A fatal error occurred'. Looking in the Event Viewer, it's saying it's caused by fsui.dll. There isn't any mention of this in the CTD Guide, although there are plenty of reports of it occurring on google. Should I proceed anyway and install SP2 and see if that fixes the issue?

 

Trucker, I have it installed to C:\FSX, the folder is shared and I am running fsx.exe as an administrator, not that any of that seems to be helping sadly!

We know of no solution for the fsui.dll. We do not know what this utility does in FSX but I believe it is somehow connected to the FSX activation process. When you installed FSX, did you disable UAC and any anti-virus program? Anti-virus programs have been known to quarantine fsx files thinking, falsely, they are viruses. Your issue is very frustrating to me and I know you are totally frustrated too. Thousands of individuals have successfully installed FSX, SP1, and SP2 on their computers w/o any problems. There are few who have had problems like you and that is frustrating. It seems to me that when Microsoft provides a product (FSX) and you install it on your computer, it should work immediately w/o any problems whatsoever. Why you and some others have problems is way beyond my comprehension. Of course you should try to install SP2 and see if that fixes the problem. If not, you have only one choice left, reinstallation of your Windows and then installation of FSX (ugh!).

 

Best regards,

Installed SP2 this morning and still getting the FSUI.dll error. I think I'll follow your advice and do another reinstall of Windows either later today or tomorrow, it shouldn't be too bad as I already have everything backed up and good to go.

 

Do you think it would be wise to follow what this member did here? He seems to describe a similar issue to what I have (closing after splash screen with stock FSX, then FSUI.dll error with FSX SP1). After reinstalling Windows, I'll install FSX before I install any antivirus or Windows Updates, although I imagine I'll need to install the AMD Drivers for my GPU so I'll have them ready on a memory stick.

Doing a system restore prior to the time you started having issues may work and worth a try before doing a complete reinstall of Windows/FSX. After you install Windows, make sure you also disable User Access Controls (UAC)(goto the Start Button and type UAC in the search box and then look up and click on Change UAC Settings; move the slider to disable). Then install FSX.

 

Best regards,

Good news! 

 

I did a system restore to when I first reinstalled Windows. I disabled UAC and installed FSX to C:\FSX. Once I'd installed my GPU drivers, it installed and loaded up just fine! Weirdly though, it didn't ask for my activation key - I think this was either because I wasn't connected to the internet, or perhaps the system restore left the validation registry key still intact (either way I'm just glad it works!).

 

Following PMDG's guide, I installed the service packs separately, loading up a flight each time to check everything was ok. I then installed my antivirus (Avast) and Chrome, and re-enabled UAC. I made a restore point at each step, and checked to see FSX was still working, and thankfull everything seems to be normal.

 

Over the next few days I'm sure I'll be slowly reinstalling my usual programs and carrying out all the Windows Updates (I'd disabled updates and also installed FSX without having the drivers for my wireless dongle installed so there was no way it could get online). Fingers crossed the issue does not reappear, indicating there must of been something wrong with the install process or first time set-up (perhaps it was UAC or my Antivirus or a Windows Update interfering). At least if the issue does occur again, hopefully I'll be able to know what caused it as I'll take everything step by step and will have plenty of restore points I can revert back to where I know FSX is working.

 

I'll post back here soon once I've got everything set up, and if I find the culprit, then hopefully the info will help other users too.

 

Lastly, thanks for all your suggestions Jim (and others), I was close to giving up on FSX and making the switch to P3D!

Glad you have it fixed GAZ.......

 See you in the Skies.....

Just a quick one to say that everything is still running ok, even after installing all my usual programs. I've had a few freezes and crashes mid-flight, but I guess that FSX wouldn't be FSX without some random CTD's!

 

I think it must have been something to do with installing it with my antivirus installed, or perhaps with UAC enabled. Either way, it works fine now and hopefully this may help others who are having similar problems.