Well, I can't activate the program. I have typed in the Product Key about 20 times - no luck. I finally found a phone number to call, buried in the Phone activation.html file. Unfortunately, I got disconnected every time I phoned this number. Thank goodness it was toll free. Then I called the number in the Insider information manual. They transferred me to the automated activation center. There is no option there for this product! So why did they transfer me there? The next time I phoned I convinced them not to transfer me there again and finally got transferred to the games department. They said there was nothing they could do right now and advised me to return the product and get a replacement. It was the last Deluxe box on the shelf at the Future shop last night. I hope they will give me a refund. I can't fly very far in 30 minutes...A little frustrated,Tony.

i had the same problem here...they told me the product key in my box was bad and that i need to wait until they are able to issue me a new code....if you got past the first screen then you may already have whats called an "installation ID" code which means you CAN activate on the phone...but if you never got to that 2nd screen which gives you that code then youre stuck like me until either the customer service reps receive the key generation tool OR wait till the 17th amd exchange it for a new box where you bought it.Im waiting for a new code because the store where i bought it is too far/inconvenient for me to get to and id rather wait for the code.I bet this turns out to be a huge problem/blunder once its released...i mean if a few bad codes have been bought already before release in 2 different countries than i can just imagine whats going to happen once its truly released and thousands are being sold all at once...its not going to be pretty im sure.Dave

It's probably not in the automated activation center because technically, the game hasn't been released yet.Sorry you're having issues with it. Not to be patronizing, but I haven't seen the key, is it all numbers, or alpha-numeric?

Hi,It is alpha-numeric. It seems pretty clear what the code is supposed to be on the sticker, so I don't think I am reading it incorrectly. That definitely makes sense about the release date and the activation center. It sounds like there must be some dud codes out there. Regards,Tony.

Hi Dave,I am stuck too and can't get past the first screen. I like the idea of just waiting until Oct 17th because it doesn't appear that I may be able to get a replacement copy anytime soon. However, I am nervous about doing this in case there is something faulty with the installation software rather than the code itself. How can one tell? If I wait until next week, it may get more difficult to get my money back from Future Shop? Thanks for replying, I was starting to wonder if I was the only unfortunate soul out there. That is really a pain for you about the distance to your store, I am a little luckier in that respect.Best wishes,Tony.

Hi Tony - i understand how you feel. The way i look at it is this...if the game runs fine in 30 minute trial mode then theres nothing wrong with the dvd you purchased and its most likely just the code thats the problem....by the way...i purchased at BB in NYC which means if MS doesnt get me my new code in time i can always go to my closest BB store on Long Island on the 17th to replace with a new box...i cant do it yet because theyre hiding them in the back and refuse to exchange for me before release date...But im hoping MS will come through with the new codes before the 17th.Dave

Microsoft's phobia about pirate software sure has harmed a lot honest and innocent people hasn't it. I understand the need and responsibility for them to try to curb illegal software but it has really gotten out of hand when people who have paid their money and met all their obligations get stiffed or inconvenienced to the tune of big time "time" and oftentimes,expense.I really hope one of the multitude of law suits being thrown at them does something to force them to quit screwing honest people and if they do so they should be paying some kind of penalty or compensation. I can't help but think that the laws of our land(s) can let this go on forever but that may be just optimistic thinking. I think if we are prevented from using their software because of their error and have to waste hours getting it corrected and spend money to replace the product or have commercial or personal down time that they should have to refund that person or entity for the full value of the product. That would straighten them out.I'm not just referring to FS9 BTW, I mean all the MS Software from operating systems down.

Are you in Europe, by chance? I've heard the European activation servers were configured to block activation attempts until the official street date.

I have exactly the same problem. Is the activation turned off for the US as well? Has anyone activated since this weekend. I know I keep trying and I get the exact same error as well.

I am another person who cannot get past the first screen during the "activation" process. The code is quite clear and none of the characters can be confused for different ones. I bought my copy of the deluxe edition on October 7th from Best Buy in Ottawa, Canada which was the day the sim first appeared on the shelves. I am hoping that when Microsoft finally releases the product in the USA on October 17, the activation process will work. I contacted Microsoft via email and was answered the next day with the advise to phone technical support at additional cost to me. NO Thankyou! I don't wish to pay more money than I already spent for this game. The sim installed fine and runs quite well in the demo mode for 30 minutes.George.

>Are you in Europe, by chance? I've heard the European>activation servers were configured to block activation>attempts until the official street date.HiI recieved my Deluxe copy a week ago and activated it without any problems at all on Saturday 7th. I live in Denmark, Europe so there should be no activation block in Europe until the official release on the 13th.Jakob

>Are you in Europe, by chance? I've heard the European>activation servers were configured to block activation>attempts until the official street date.nope...im in Nassau County on Long Island, New York...i purchased at a Queens County Best Buy which isnt convenient for me to get back to at this time so im waiting for MS to email or phone in a new key to me.I purchased on 10/07Dave

updated news:I just called MS support to check and see if they had the ability yet to generate new keys for fsx...and they have. Got my new key but havent tried it yet as im on my way out back to work again....so i suggest any of you who have bad keys to now call support and request a new key...it is free support of course as long as its a bad key thats causing you the problem.I have 2 numbers you can call:1-800-426-94001-800-537-8324youll need your 2 dvd's and dvd case handy when you call as theyll need some info from those items.good luck allDaveEDIT UPDATE: ok i couldnt resist from trying it before i left for work...it works!...after pressing the "next" key it will hang for a few seconds so dont worry, but then itll go to connection screen and activates automatically...takes all of 15 seconds....ok in a mad rush now to get outta here!!

Hi Dave,Thanks for the new exciting info! Just got home from work and I am getting on the phone right away. Thanks for all your effort, I really appreciate it.Enjoy your flight,Tony. It worked! I now have a valid product key. I had to be a little persistent with them, but eventually they put me through to the people that could make it happen. Now for some serious flying and the end of two evenings of touch and go's...