I had hoped to get a copy of FSX so I could attempt to port my FS9 California Central Coast scenery over to it. Yesterday I finally received my copy in the mail. Unfortunately it seems the #1 disk is scuffed and pitted and refuses to install (Error message: "Setup.exe is not a valid Win32 Application"). I spent all afternoon, most of the evening and a couple of hours this morning attempting to talk to a MS tech support without any success. My call is transferred to hold and I am reduced to listening to elevator music for hours or until the call is finally dropped.Since I'm not able to even initiate installation I have no access to the "Product ID" that MS requires to access Email or chat support so that's apparently not an option. The various numbers and codes on the disks or box are not accepted as valid product ID's. This makes no sense to me. (and no, this is not a pirated copy)In my opinion Microsoft has dropped the ball miserably in a couple of areas. They have shipped a defective product. They appear to not verify their DVD's integrity. It's obvious to my ancient naked eye that the #1 disk is scuffed and pitted and the #2 disk has at least one pit and probably won't work either. Further, Microsoft's tech support seems to be frustratingly non-functional.Beyond the need to vent my extreme frustration I'm posting this experience to advise those that have asked me if I intend to do an FSX version of my scenery that it may be a long while or never. Also, I've noted in some posts that some have had installtion problems with FSX that seem like possible disk read problems. Could MS be using some substandard DVD blanks in their FSX production?Al Wheeler

>I had hoped to get a copy of FSX so I could attempt to port>my FS9 California Central Coast scenery over to it. Yesterday>I finally received my copy in the mail. Unfortunately it>seems the #1 disk is scuffed and pitted and refuses to install>(Error message: "Setup.exe is not a valid Win32 Application").> I spent all afternoon, most of the evening and a couple of>hours this morning attempting to talk to a MS tech support>without any success. My call is transferred to hold and I am>reduced to listening to elevator music for hours or until the>call is finally dropped.>>Since I'm not able to even initiate installation I have no>access to the "Product ID" that MS requires to access Email or>chat support so that's apparently not an option. The various>numbers and codes on the disks or box are not accepted as>valid product ID's. This makes no sense to me. (and no, this>is not a pirated copy)....>Al Wheeler Product ID is inside the DVD case, under the DVD's. If the yellow label isn't there you have a defective copy. In addition to the #1 DVD. If you have to mail order, you will spend more time to return 'due to defective media'. Supplier should replace for a non defective copy.RAF

Thanks for the reply RAF but that's the Product Key and the yellow sticker is present in the box. That's not the number they're looking for however. Their Web page is looking for the Product ID which is apparently in the form of, and I quote:"The product ID number you entered is not valid or is not in the correct format. Please enter a valid product ID number and try again. Make sure the product ID number is of the form: 12345-XXX-7654321-98765."Apparently from what I gather in my quest for this illusive number it is available from within the program. Not much help since I cannot begin the install the program. If I'm ever lucky enough to get a running copy of FSX I'm going to find that number and write it on my wall over my computer.I will try to get the supplier (PCAviator) to make this good next week when they're available.Al W.> Product ID is inside the DVD case, under the DVD's. If the>yellow label isn't there you have a defective copy. In>addition to the #1 DVD.>> If you have to mail order, you will spend more time to>return 'due to defective media'. Supplier should replace for>a non defective copy.>>>RAF>>>Al Wheeler

The "product Key" is the sticker in the DVD case.During install, Windows uses this (after you enter it) to generate a "product ID". My understanding is that different installs with the same product key can (will?) result in differing product ID. I Assume there is some sort of security benefit in morphing the "key" into an "ID". Probably designed so just passing the "product ID" with disk images won't break the system.During activation, the "product ID" is combined with a hash code representing certain parts of the hardware to create an "Installation ID". This installation ID is passed to MS via internet or phone, and an activation code returned. This code is compared to the local product id and computed hardware hash to "unlock" FSX. I guess MS can use the supplied installation ID to determine the original product key, though no the specific hardware. If you change hardware the hardware portion of the installation ID will change, and the activation code will no longer work. At that point a new installation ID is created (reflecting the new hardware hash) and must be sent back to MS. The MS (remote) system can determine from the installation ID that it changed due to hardware change (but also reflects the same original product key) and can either provide a new activation code, or kick it out requiring human intervention.scott s..

>Thanks for the reply RAF but that's the Product Key and the>yellow sticker is present in the box. That's not the number>they're looking for however. Their Web page is looking for>the Product ID which is apparently in the form of, and I>quote:>>"The product ID number you entered is not valid or is not in>the correct format. Please enter a valid product ID number and>try again. Make sure the product ID number is of the form:>12345-XXX-7654321-98765." Gosh, even I couldn't find a number like that when I ran FSX. Usually 'Help' shows any 'Product Key'. The second thin manual in the box tells how to get support. Including an email address. I don't know what kind of response one might get, the CD equivalent said 'long hold times' on the 800 number. I wouldn't hold for long, I have a cell phone, and it costs me $0.25/min on any call. No free calls for me. Worse things with my FSX Standard Install were the 1 hour it too to transfer all the files, and entering the long 'Product ID'. I hate those long numbers. This doesn't belong here, but in checking 'help' I found this info. It is supposed to reduce load time by reducing texture size (or something). I added the line below in FS9.cfg, '10' was said to be default:[Terrain]......MIN_LAND_CLASS_LEVEL=11Ron

>The "product Key" is the sticker in the DVD case.>>During install, Windows uses this (after you enter it) to>generate a "product ID". My understanding is that different>installs with the same product key can (will?) result in>differing product ID. I Assume there is some sort of security>benefit in morphing the "key" into an "ID". Probably designed>so just passing the "product ID" with disk images won't break>the system.> ....>scott s. I found my "PID". It's in the Registry under "HKEY_LOCAL_MACNINESOFTWAREmicrosoft gamesflight simulator10.0" Of the form 12345-678-1234567-12345 That doesn't help if FSX doesn't install. RAF