FSX Activation

[Guest allcott]

>>This could be kind of ugly for flight simming in the future.>>>Many people have said they will keep what they have until>>Vista and DX10 comes out and then they plan to buy a new>>machine then. Many of these people probably don't know they>>will have to buy a new copy of FSX as well. At $69 a pop>for>>the deluxe addition I don't think people will be thrilled.>>Where on earth did you get the idea that one would have to buy>a new copy of FSX if one gets a new computer and/or OS?>>...jim>This is precisely why the confusion needs to be cleared up. Like I said, we are not talking about a gamer sharing copies with his mates. We are talking about a single individual who integrates several computers in order to fly ONE flight simulation program at a time. There has NEVER been a question that you cannot move FSX onto a new computer if you wish, same as you can install Windows XP as often as you like. What the software is looking for is coincidental use of the application via interface through WGA or registration. But that is exactly what an advanced network user of FSX will be looking to do. So what happens if you DO register that copy two or three times? Do MS send the stormtroopers round in the middle of the night to cart you off to the work camps. That's what clarification is required on.Frankly, if FSX and MS discourage that kind of use, then they have seriusly misjudged the market. Migration to X-Plane will suddenly become a much bigger threat to the future of the Flight Simulator franchise and MS's platform for rollout of DX10 will start to look a bit hollow.This kind of abject `protection` stupidity is permeating all aspects of consumer purchasing. I have car and a bike, and insure them both, separately. The car is shared by `er indoors` but the bike is mine alone. When renewing the insurance the stupid bint on the phone simply could not grasp the concept of me being the main user of two vehicles at the same time. Actually no, it wasn't her, it was like scene out of Little Britain: "Computer says no"! The computer programmer was too stupid to understand that I can be the main user of two vehicles or even 22, simply because I own them, I use them, and no-one else does.I do hope MSFS protection systems programmers are not that stupid, or else FSX is going to be a short-lived product with the system demands int makes inviting experiments with distributed computing and networking. Interestingly, I have no such problems with the insurance of the club planes. I can be named on as many as I want, or as few. The fact that the broker is an aviation specialist who actually understands the needs of the consumer and who doesn't use a computer for his questions for cover, speaks volumes. Allcott

[Guest JimBrown]

There is quite a difference between an OEM and a Retail version of an OS. The OEM version is heavily discounted, and is intended for use only on the computer that the OEM manufacturer sells.FSX will not be available in an "OEM" version. It will be available as a retail product only. Therefore, there should be no problem transferring it to a new computer, as long as it is removed from the old computer first. It will be the same as transferring a retail version of an OS (XP, Vista) to a new computer. Call MS, explain and request a reset....jim

[Guest Charlie]

Indeed, a good way to drive people away from MS Flight Simulator.My last Microsoft purchase was Fs2004 and I run it on a Windows 98SE machine. With this news I have decided that was, in fact, my last MS purchase. This has gone quite far enough.Since 2001, I have resisted jumping on the XP bandwagon and the product activation was among the reasons. But when developers began to go to 2000/XP only versions for new releases, such as ID

[greggerm 312]

Software tinkerers:If you haven't yet, invest in Acronis True Image or some sort of drive imaging software. Load your PC from scratch (and activate Windows XP), install FSX (and activate FSX), then TAKE AN IMAGE!Anytime you wish to reload back to square one, just plop the image back on and you're ready to roll. Everything activated and ready for you. Hardware tinkerers:Well, you are used to activating XP all the time - you'll be doing the same with FSX, Vista, Office... etc. etc. Not much solice that can be brought for you, I'm afraid. At least MS hasn't been a royal pain about actually activating your copy multiple times - I've had to call in my XP install a few times, but it was activated with no hassles from the phone operator. It's really not all that different from the Flight1 wrapper - reinstall, and you have to reactivate your product.

[DadJokeCinema 145]

>Guess what? I had to call MS every single>time and deal with the operator asking me if I have Ms in more>than one machine every single time. I've done three reactivations due to hardware, and I have never had that question asked. They run the number, ask me why I am reactivating, I say "I just bought a new harddrive/mobo/whatever" and they give me the activation number.I'm not completely sure what people think the problem with that is.

[DadJokeCinema 145]

>Oh great!!>>I am having a new computer built and it will be ready on>Tuesday. I had them transfer my 2nd drive over to the new>machines 2nd drive. My 2nd drive has the FSX beta client on>it. I have a feeling it will not let me register FSX when I>try but I will find out. Oh well its only another 3 weeks>until release. I upgraded my computer over the course of the beta and it worked fine.

[Guest BOPrey]

After reading all these posts. I think my solution (I use it in my software too) is the best one. Simple allow the user install FSX on as many machines as he/she wants. Every time FSX is run, the user has to enter an user name and a password to activate. MS keeps it in a database so that user/password pair is only allowed to used one instance at a time. If that user gives out his login to someone else, it is upto him and still one use at a time. If you have no internet access, too bad.

[Guest B Bjorkman]

I have a question. My dad lives out in the sticks and just bought a new computer. He had to activate windows at the store as he doesn't have internet service. He has his computer all setup at home and is looking forward to FSX based on what I've told him about it. This is the first I've heard about FSX needing to be activated. How is he going to be able to use a product that he has paid for? Is MS going to pay for internet that he doesn't want for one month just so he can activate it? I promise you he won't take his computer apart and all the way into town just for that. Thanks for any input.B Bjorkman

[W2DR 1,860]

He will be able to activate FSX using a telephone. No problem at all. The contact telephone numbers are included with the DVD's.Doug

[Manny 1,293]

I had installed FS9 on 5 laptops (Cause I went through 5 laptops at work during the 3 years).I installed in my two dekstop computers probably 4-5 times each... (plus the one I am building now.... I would probably do atleast 1 install)No one but me used the flight sim.I did buy another copy of FS9 for a friends kid.. who never used it.Manny

[Guest BOPrey]

If your dad's computer has a modem (which I think almost all newly purchased computers have), MS can even include the authorization in FSX (with 800 number ofcouse).

[ahuimanu 50]

>So, god forbid that we should want to format our drive or>even upgrade our P.C,s eh?>>I have already ordered 'FSX' but wish now I hadn't.>>This 'activation' is a step back, IMO. Good way to drive>people away from flightsim though!Dave,Microsoft (or any other company) doesn't "owe" you anything except the product you pay for. They will sell you FSX for $$ on certain terms and you will or will not use it under those terms. So, you will reactivate each time you undergo a majonr configuration change.I understand your regrets and you can certainly act on them, but I think you probably won't. FSX has value and the company wants to preserve that value as much as possible - you would do the same if the situation were reversed. I'd rather activate than do some starforce scheme or use a no-cd crack.Can you think of a better means by which Microsoft can protect their IP?

[ahuimanu 50]

>Indeed, a good way to drive people away from MS Flight>Simulator.>>My last Microsoft purchase was Fs2004 and I run it on a>Windows 98SE machine. With this news I have decided that was,>in fact, my last MS purchase. This has gone quite far enough.>>Since 2001, I have resisted jumping on the XP bandwagon and>the product activation was among the reasons. But when>developers began to go to 2000/XP only versions for new>releases, such as ID

[ahuimanu 50]

>>But MS are after bigger fish, not the 2 or 3 installations,>>the pirate software that sees thousands of activations. >>>>That is not what MS say on the Product Activation Myths page>www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_myths.mspx>"It is this form of piracy, casual copying, that Microsoft is>primarily looking to reduce with Product Activation.">>Looks like having the same copy of FSX on your desk machine>and your laptop or new build test machine is ruled out.>>And don't even think of a 6 screen Wideview installation :(>>-->Bryn>>licensing in "big game" software is usually per processor/per seat. However, wouln't it be cool if it were just per IP? That would really limit the use of multiple installs of FSX to one household, sort of...If you are behind a broadband router/firewall, as many of us are, then your multiple activations will be seen as coming from the same address by microsoft. Of course, I am certain that each request is examining your machine, but it may be the case that you are granted the activation each time you ask for it, if you are coming from the same IP. Hard to say as I don't know how their activation really works. In any case, again, per seat/per processor is norm.

[GHD 21]

My second installation of FSX will be very expensive. Not only will it cost me