MS Flight Sim X - cannot activate -HELP!

[XMG5]

I cannot activate my copy of MSFS X Deluxe version? Despite umpteen attempts to activate online (refuses to connect to Microsoft mainframe) and when I then elect to activate by phone it reverts to error message telling me my installation is incomplete and try re-installing it.

I made a grave error of ringing the Tech Help line only to find it outsourced to India and after half an hour of trying to explain the details and system specs etc., was told that my Product Key was unrecognised on "their system" and suggested I return it to the vendor (HMV in Bristol) for another copy.

I did this and got a replacement only to find a re-run of exactly the same result/errors etc.,

After a second call to same helpline (yes I know...didn't have any choice though) I was finally put through to a Canadian Microsoft Tech Help person who talked me through a Registry Key value variation. 70mins later and I had to conclude the call (phone battery on empty) and I was assured this Registry hack would work..........Guess what? Same result. Despite system resets, numerous reinstalls/attempts to activate by any method possible and two copies of the software from different stores 3 months apart and still cannot activate it.

From reading a review I believe that the software remains in "demo" status and times out after 30mins until activated, it also doesn't aquire its multiplayer/online play abilities unless activated.

Any sensible advice would be helpful, but I'd prefer to get it working properly rather than simply return it and get a refund if at all possible.

Editted to say I have tried the MS own MSX Activation Help page - it's about as useful as a chocolate fire guard.

Edited by XMG5 on Thursday 4th January 09:56

[Rob P]

Can you normally hook up to the internet OK? What about online games/servers etc?

I had a similar problem when activating a add-on aircraft in FS2004 and it was simply due to my connection to my wireless router dropping for a fraction of a second every couple of mins, never normally noticeable or a problem.

Other than that try fs2004.com on the forum there, plenty of experts!

[XMG5]

Thanks Rob P. I am aware that for some reason my WiFi Broadband key does drop the signal from the router from time to time. I am only aware of this when a pop up tell me "now connected to XXXXX"(?) having seemingly disconnected without my knowledge.

I do not play online and therefore do not know if I would have problems with other servers. I have used Steam to play HL2, ie to update my installation and download the necessary game data to run the game, that hasn't presented any problem (yet).

Interestingly I went burrowing into Microsoft's Gaming support pages and eventually found the exact problem, including verbatum error messages on the FSX FAQ page, it detailed a Registry hack which altered the same Reg Key as I'd been told to do, BUT a different part of the key with a totally different value. The helpline suggested changing a 'value'(?) for 'Default' (not Upperfilters) on the right hand side from "Disk Drive" to "PartMgr" whereas its web page suggested...

"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."

I haven't tried this yet so I can't say if it'll work. I'll try it at the weekend and see.

For anyone with the same problem this is the link:- http://support.microsoft.com/kb/92700

Edited by XMG5 on Friday 5th January 08:09

[Rob P]

Interesting. I used Steam too without a problem, I think Gamespy was OK too. It only was an issue when activating the add-on for FS2004.

FS-X is in the post now so I should get it at the weekend, will be interesting to see if I suffer the same problem when I come to install it!