Hello all, I'm also a victim of the "activation problem plus reinstallation error".For the record, this is what happened to me:1.- I bought the package, installed and activated FSX Deluxe without any problem.2.- I ran FSX several times, it worked ok. While configuring everything I got errors a couple of times, and I was able to either reboot the pc or restart FSX and it still was ok.3.- Then at some point, while configuring the graphic options, I got a blue screen error. After reboot, when running FSX it showed the 'activation problem' message. FSX would load, but the Deluxe options (multiplayer, additional aircraft) weren't there. The message about the problem with the activation also said that it could be fixed by running FSX setup.4.- FSX setup offered two options: 'repair' and 'uninstall'. When I tried 'repair', Windows Installer aborted at the end of the process with error 1722, just like the screenshots by the first poster.5.- I then tried 'uninstall', followed by a reinstall from scratch (or so I thought). This time, and every time I've tried afterwards, FSX setup would go all the way until it's registering components at the end of 2nd DVD, then a message appears in a FSX dialog window, saying the install couldn't complete, then it does a 'rollback action' and finally Windows Installer shows error 1603 (which is also a fatal error in the installer).I've called MS support (this is in Spain, so it's the Spanish MS branch, also both my Windows XP Pro and FSX are Spanish localised versions) and they've told me they will send me a registry cleaner tool from Microsoft and we'll see after trying that, probably next Monday.From what I've read here and in other forums, this is happening to quite a few users, and I'm thinking that the same pattern of events appears to happen in all cases :1.- Initially, FSX installs and activates normally.2.- At some point FSX terminates abnormally for whatever reason, and cannot close its files, update the registry, or whatever it needs to do properly.3.- After exiting abnormally, something goes wrong with the activation (which was ok up to that point). This may happen after several instances in which previous program errors or pc reboots have not triggered the same problem.4.- After the activation problem appears, setup fails repeatedly to complete the installation, giving error 1722 in the first place, and error 1603 afterwards.Any news will be welcome. Keep fingers crossed, even twisted :)Cheers,S.

Excellent description of the sequence of events leading to a complete inability to install the %$%#% program. I've been checking all the websites I can find at least a few times a day for the last week and there still doesn't seem to be any solution proposed except for reinstalling the operating system and then installing FSX which I'm not willing to do. As far as I can tell, this problem only affects the Deluxe version, only occurs when the program is uninstalled (due to an error that takes away the multiplayer options) and then a reinstall is attempted as suggested when the error message appears. I guess we're being punished for spending the extra $20 for the premium version.You'd think that since the problem is easily repeatable, it wouldn't be impossible to track down the root cause. One of the issues may be that we can't submit an email support request (with complete information regarding the PC configuration) since you need a product ID number which is only available if the program is installed.Obviously, a solution would be best but just some kind of indication from MS that they're aware of and working on this issue would make me feel better.

I have since reinstalled XP & FSX (a pain) but thought I'd chime in again on the cause of my problems in the first place (FSX is still running fine, knock on wood)The initial FSX freeze that ended up causing the reinstall/activation message the next time I ran FSX happened just as I was leaving the game. Anyone noticed how the task bar icon stays there for a few seconds after you exit FSX and go back to desktop? This is usually followed by a brief screen flash, then the FSX icon disappears. Well, the freeze happened when I tried to immediately open a file (MP3) after leaving the game, while the FSX icon was still in the task bar. Required pressing the reset switch. Upon restart, I got the message the original poster provided.So since I've done a reinstall, I now wait a good 10 seconds at the conclusion of a game before I try to open another file or program. Not sure if there's a connection between the events.Anyone else get a freeze when trying to do something "too soon" after leaving FSX?Asus A8N-SLI PremiumAMD X2 3800+ @ 2.55GHzOCZ 2x1GB Platinum @ DDR466MSI 7800GT @ 450/1100

>>>Obviously, a solution would be best but just some kind of>indication from MS that they're aware of and working on this>issue would make me feel better.I phoned yesterday and the lady at Microsoft{ UK?} stated they were aware and the engineers are working on it.

>>>>>Obviously, a solution would be best but just some kind of>>indication from MS that they're aware of and working on this>>issue would make me feel better.>>I phoned yesterday and the lady at Microsoft{ UK?} stated they>were aware and the engineers are working on it.Try this:>1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then OK. 2. Expand the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCURRENTCONTROLSETCONTROLCLASS{4D36E967-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} 3. After you find the folder, double-click Upperfilters on the right side. 4. Change the value from 0 to PartMgr, and then click OK. 5. Close Registry Editor, and then try to use the activation wizard Above quote from Microsoft:Kenny G

>Try this:>>>>>1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then OK. >2. Expand the following registry key: >HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCURRENTCONTROLSETCONTROLCLASS{4D36E967-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}>>3. After you find the folder, double-click Upperfilters on the>right side. >4. Change the value from 0 to PartMgr, and then click OK. >5. Close Registry Editor, and then try to use the activation>wizard >>Above quote from Microsoft:>>Kenny GDoes not work as i have already PartMgr in the regestry.

>Try this:>>>1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then OK. >2. Expand the following registry key: >HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCURRENTCONTROLSETCONTROLCLASS{4D36E967-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}>>3. After you find the folder, double-click Upperfilters on the>right side. >4. Change the value from 0 to PartMgr, and then click OK. >5. Close Registry Editor, and then try to use the activation>wizard >>Above quote from Microsoft:>>Kenny GFrom what I've been reading around in several forums, this fix of setting the 'PartMgr' value in the registry is intended to solve a different problem with FSX that a number of users are having, namely the failure of the Activation Wizard when done initially, so that those users are unable to activate FSX at all to start with. Still, when I first read about this, I checked my registry, and the 'PartMgr' value was there already all the time.The problem being discussed in this thread is a different one, in our case a problem with activation is reported _after_ having succeeded to activate FSX previously and, from then on, the issue apeears to be a failure of re-installation.Cheers,S.

>>I phoned yesterday and the lady at Microsoft{ UK?} stated they>were aware and the engineers are working on it.>That makes me feel a little better but since I'm not sure how accurate the information provided by the MS telephone support personnel is, I'd really like to see something on the MS support website. Even a comment from tdragger or hal9000 would be appreciated. I promise if you tell me how to successfully reinstall the software, I won't complain about the FPS.

Well it looks like we're up the creek until MICROSOFT gets it together.I read the thread and I had taken FS9 off the machine before installing FSX so those that think there was a conflick there wasn'tTony

My initial experience of trying to install FSX - on inserting disc 1:a. First two times received a message about the lack of a "UDF Capable OS". Third time FSX began to install - disc 1 ok. About 3/4 way though disc 2, the installation failed - with similar error messages as in the original post leaving me with only the Fonts folder.b. Tried again - no change. Copied Disc 1 & 2 to hard drive and tried install from hdd - no change.I then tried a new DVD-RW as my original DVD-ROM drive was some 5 years old. FSX then installed immediately with no delays or warnings!As far as I knew my old DVD was perfectly serviceable - it read all previous dvd I had tried and played movies without problems, but it was not happy with FSX.I see that "mokkum" has just had similar problems - this time resolved by removing a dvd software programme. Perhaps a clue here for areas for MS to consider in more detail?John Rooum

I just got the "Product Activation Error" after installing IE7 from automatic updates.This anti-piracy scheme in the software will cost them more in support than pirated software would have.

I have also had this problem, but after reading this thread, I may have some new info.... although unfortunately not a solution :(I had a similar expericene, I was playing FSX for a week or so, then one day, after 30 min, it stopped, saying my 30 min trial time was up (I had successfully activated it when i first installed it).However, a lot of you are linking the problem to FS9. I belive this is not the case, as I have recently built a new system, as in complete new system, new motherboard, RAM, GFX card, and 2 new hard drives (C drive and my "games" drive), so there was absolutely no trace of FS9 left on my computer, registery clean, hard drives clean....So I dont think that FS9 is causing the problem. Doesnt help us solve this, but I dont think you'll have to wipe FS9 off your computer, I know how large my FS9 got with all its mods, and the pain it is to back up, so leave it on, it may not be the cause......

>I have also had this problem, but after reading this thread,>I may have some new info.... although unfortunately not a>solution :(>>I had a similar expericene, I was playing FSX for a week or>so, then one day, after 30 min, it stopped, saying my 30 min>trial time was up (I had successfully activated it when i>first installed it).>>However, a lot of you are linking the problem to FS9. I belive>this is not the case, as I have recently built a new system,>as in complete new system, new motherboard, RAM, GFX card, and>2 new hard drives (C drive and my "games" drive), so there was>absolutely no trace of FS9 left on my computer, registery>clean, hard drives clean....>>So I dont think that FS9 is causing the problem. Doesnt help>us solve this, but I dont think you'll have to wipe FS9 off>your computer, I know how large my FS9 got with all its mods,>and the pain it is to back up, so leave it on, it may not be>the cause...... I am thinking along similar lines but I wonder if it is anything to do with IE7. That is the only thing that I loaded that could alter the system. Any of you others out there put on IE7?

> I am thinking along similar lines but I wonder if it is>anything to do with IE7. That is the only thing that I loaded>that could alter the system. Any of you others out there put>on IE7?Yup! No problems here.VicVisit the Virtual Pilot's Centerwww.flightadventures.comhttp://www.hifisim.com/Active Sky V6 Proud SupporterRadar Contact Supporter: http://www.jdtllc.com/

Hi All, In the same boat but went through two winxp reinstalls and a restore from my Ghost backup and still failed .IMHO Here's what I think it was, I had the FSX Demo installed and when I removed it I don't think I got a clean uninstall. After all was said and done this morning I have a fresh install on windows and FSX and am hoping for the best.by the way I think the limited two installs has been changed as this was my third install and it took without a phone call.Tony