FSX - Activation warning (only 2 allowed)

Wondering if this shouldn't be sticky'd??

Looks more like scaremongering than Sticky material to me. If this re-activation rigmarole is indeed a fact, I'm sure the pertinent info is printed either on the box or inside, somewhere in the documentation, just as is the case with Windows XP OS.

If the procedure is the same as with the OS, then it's not a big deal. What most simmers would be more interested in is whether re-activation or re-registration is required after each reformatting of the hard drive and / or each time the sim has been reinstalled.

hey, lets put off legit users, whilst illegal users can just bypass this crap. yay!

mikecurrie wrote:

hey, lets put off legit users, whilst illegal users can just bypass this crap. yay!

It isn't a problem. Getting a new key is not a big deal.

There are 3 reasons to reinstall. Hardware failure which is rare. Getting a new computer, which doesn't happen that frequently. Last, but certainly not least, user error. The last one is the problem. Windows users seem to be in the mind set of reinstalling rather than fixing the problem. The reason for this is that most Windows users are clueless as to how their OS, software and hardware actually work.

Blaming MS for putting controls on software installations is like blaming the tow truck operator because you don't know where to look for a loose spark plug wire.

Hey Tailhook... perhaps your correct in that this is not sticky material BUT it is also no scaremongering... I was only trying to inform people of a potential(ly frustrating) situation they could find themselves in. After all, people sure seem geared to get this.

With respect to the activation process, I too agree that the process in and of itself isn't overly onerous however the fact that I have to call MS when I get a new machine just doesn't sit right. I also agree that reformatting shouldn't require a call as the hardward hasn't changed...... Why don't you try it 2 or three times and let us know how it goes... 😉

Okay, I was only trying to inform users of a potential issue with overzelous installs...

I've been accused (by the same person) of being a software pirate and now an idiot....

BitWit (MCSE) out

BitWit wrote:

With respect to the activation process, I too agree that the process in and of itself isn't overly onerous however the fact that I have to call MS when I get a new machine just doesn't sit right. I also agree that reformatting shouldn't require a call as the hardward hasn't changed...... Why don't you try it 2 or three times and let us know how it goes... 😉

My next install will be when I replace my current computer. since that will be my second installation. I won't have to call MS.

The last time I had any need to reformat a hard drive was 1999, I guess I won't have to call MS too often. 😂

BitWit wrote:

...however the fact that I have to call MS when I get a new machine just doesn't sit right. I also agree that reformatting shouldn't require a call as the hardward hasn't changed...... Why don't you try it 2 or three times and let us know how it goes... 😉

I too resent having to re-activate my OS when I make more than a certain number of changes to my system, but in the end we have ourselves to blame for this.

As to your last point, you bet I'll try it 2 or 3 times once I get my pining hands on FSX.
As a Gamer who enjoys building the sim and who is forever installing and uninstalling add-ons I really have no other choice.
😀

BitWit wrote:

Wondering if this shouldn't be sticky'd??

There is a "crack" out there now which will solve the problem, but it
will ONLY work with the DeLuxe edition. Therefore, if you have
not purchsed yet, I strongly recommend you spend the extra money
for the DeLuxe edition, so you can use the crack on it, that is out there
now, and not have to deal with Product Activation.

DownWithActivation wrote:

BitWit wrote:

Wondering if this shouldn't be sticky'd??

There is a "crack" out there now which will solve the problem, but it
will ONLY work with the DeLuxe edition. Therefore, if you have
not purchsed yet, I strongly recommend you spend the extra money
for the DeLuxe edition, so you can use the crack on it, that is out there
now, and not have to deal with Product Activation.

I looked for it 2 days ago, where can I find it please.

Ditto DownWithActivation... where is it??

beware: the microsoft website says in no uncertain terms that after 2 activations you will have to buy the product again!!!!!

barfbag wrote:

beware: the microsoft website says in no uncertain terms that after 2 activations you will have to buy the product again!!!!!

Not true, unlsss you provide a direct link.

RadarMan wrote:

Not true, unlsss you provide a direct link.

I wasn't going to get back into this but can't resist. For the record, I was able to solve my problem without calling MS because FS here in Canada exchanged the product for me. In my defense, I was given this an an option from Microsoft Tech Support so I don't feel too bad about it.

At any rate, I decided to pursue the open incident I had with Microsoft so that I could get definative info re activation and what it means and what to do when the '2 activation limit' is reached. During the course of this discussion and before I closed the incident (an SRX for those who have experience with MS tech support) I was told emphatically by the tech support person that given I had reached the limit of 2, the only solution was to purchase another copy of the product.

I was also told that activation was required under the following circumstances

1. When the product is installed (including after a deinstall) (I assume that if you re-install on the same machine the Hardware hash remains the same and thus doesn't count as an additional activation towards the limit of 2)
2. when you update hardware (including adding a new graphics card). I dispute this as a friend did just this and didn't have to reactivate. I DO believe that, like XP, you have a certain amount of leeway with respect to hardware changes before the hardware hash changes enough to warrent a reactivation

I was reading someone said it relys on your current machine. I think it allows 3 hardware changes. But i bought a new HDD to place vista onto now it says i have exceeded my key usage. Im a anoyed now i have to suffer one of microsofts call centers. And if anyone from microsoft is listening can you change it so that when you uninstall it from one machine it de-registers that hardware list from there server, so that is will no longer work on that pc but you can install it on a new computer!

Dear friends why such a complication over activation. Try read this at this site
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927007

BitWit wrote:

RadarMan wrote:

Not true, unlsss you provide a direct link.

I wasn't going to get back into this but can't resist. For the record, I was able to solve my problem without calling MS because FS here in Canada exchanged the product for me. In my defense, I was given this an an option from Microsoft Tech Support so I don't feel too bad about it.

At any rate, I decided to pursue the open incident I had with Microsoft so that I could get definative info re activation and what it means and what to do when the '2 activation limit' is reached. During the course of this discussion and before I closed the incident (an SRX for those who have experience with MS tech support) I was told emphatically by the tech support person that given I had reached the limit of 2, the only solution was to purchase another copy of the product.

I was also told that activation was required under the following circumstances

1. When the product is installed (including after a deinstall) (I assume that if you re-install on the same machine the Hardware hash remains the same and thus doesn't count as an additional activation towards the limit of 2)
2. when you update hardware (including adding a new graphics card). I dispute this as a friend did just this and didn't have to reactivate. I DO believe that, like XP, you have a certain amount of leeway with respect to hardware changes before the hardware hash changes enough to warrent a reactivation (interesting article on MS Product activation here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/30287😎

I just upgraded my laptop ram to 1gig but didn't get anykind of reactivate notice. The progam still opens fine.

That happened to meso I called Microsoft. I sat on the phone for 2 hours talking to a guy half way arond the world. Then they gave me a long code of like 50 charaters. Now I can play with out the CD on multiple computers.

Hello,I have a Samsung laptop that operates fsx golden edition,that is 20 years old and crashed twice and which l upgraded to Vista windows.i then bought a Dell,that  needed to be reset of issues.after upgrading to windows 11  l was informed it was a pirate copy.my brother in law send me a a brand new laptop from aussie,without the battery,and to wait 2hours for login.after installing my fsx I'm informed about exceeding activation and can try again in 3 months time.mike