I thought I read somewhere that Microsoft was no longer supporting the original, non-Steam version of FSX, and I took that to mean that it is no longer possible to activate non-Steam FSX installed from discs.

 

However, I was able to activate my own non-Steam FSX after a reinstallation last week. (It had previously been installed on the same computer, so not sure what to make of that.)

 

So, is Microsoft still activating non-Steam FSX versions or not?

And if they are, have they announced a date after which they no longer will continue to do so?

My understanding is forever.  They have a separate server that does the activations and that will never go away.  I just reactivated after a reinstall too.

 

Best regards,

That's good news, I'm just about to do a reinstall.

Well speaking of activation, I have the FSX Deluxe version and sometime last year I did a PC upgrade hardware of CPU MB, HD etc.  Anyway after the upgrade it was time to reinstalled FSX but my serial code wouldn't work so I had to call MS customer support to get my code working again.   The Microsoft CS person took my information and serial code and he did his magic and all worked fine again.   Later on, I had to reinstalled FSX again for the first time since the upgrade to clean up some bad add-on installs.  When I did the clean reinstall of FSX it never asked for my serial code which I found odd because before I did my PC upgrade and do reinstalls I always had to re type my serial code and let it verified with an online activation connection.  So that was a surprise to me.  Is this something MS is doing new now?

 

I've since done about 2 or 3 reinstalls and still have yet to ask for my serial code or online actiivation.   

Eggzman, something somewhat like what you describe happened to me in the past (it's been over 2 years). It left me wondering exactly how Microsoft decides when to require a re-activation. I wonder whether the agent you spoke with flipped a switch that allowed you a certain number of activations without needing to re-contact customer service.

 

By the way, when you did you PC upgrade and reinstalls, did you use the same Windows as before, or did you acquire and activate a new Windows installation. Could that factor be playing a role in how MS deals with FSX activations?

Here's a past post of mine on a related topic:

http://forum.avsim.net/topic/405057-reinstalling-fsx-perplexing-behavior/

Hi foibles,

 

Wow, that is something you went through, makes me think the system is a little screwy with MS online activation process.  But it's good you got you're FSX back.  Yea, if it happens again, you just talk to someone live and they should take care of it for you.  My experience with them was fine, no problems.  You have a legitimate FSX serial code that's on record that I'm sure your name is tied to it with Microsoft so I wouldn't worry too much if it happens again.

 

Before my upgrade, my operating system was the same Win 7-Ultimate.  It might have been 32 or 64 bit I can't remember.  I have a Windows 7 version that comes with both 32&64bit so at the time before the upgrade I might have had Windows7 32bit .

 

 

Yea, it is strange, I too thought that maybe the MS rep might have giving me more activations or maybe there is some hidden code within the registry that I don't know about.  All I know is that the way I was doing it before is now different.  And this also applies to the expansion pack (Acceleration) as well.  No more serial/activation required with that either!

 

peace!

I'm thinking you likely still had the FSX entries in the registry.

Reinstalled mine and reactivated mine a couple of weeks ago.