Flight Simulator 10 (fsx)

[Eichhörnchen]

I'm posting this here since the Subsim Helo & Flight Simulator forum appears to be u/s:

https://i.imgur.com/4EPkDYm.jpeg
(Can't use the message box)

I've tried everything I can think of (GOG weren't any help) to find out whether Microsoft's FSX can still be activated in some way and used. I invested a lot of cash in software add-ons for this (photoreal scenery & aircraft) and none of it's of any use since they withdrew support for it - the sim cannot be activated now if you install on a new computer. I used to do it by phone as my gaming PC's are both offline

[ET2SN]

Eich, FSX isn't my game- I'm still big into FS2002 and FS2004 (FS9). To be honest, I didn't know FSX had issues on modern systems. :hmmm:

You may want to check out:

https://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/content.php


There's still plenty of FSX traffic on the forums and it would be a great place to find the answers.. :yep:
I hang out in the FS2004/FS2002 forum. :D

Here's a typical thread from some know-it-all in Iowa:

https://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php/134488-Abacus-Carrier-Strike-Force-(another-one-for-zswobbie)

[Red October1984]

Looks like some users are having the same issue with Steam Edition, even.


I'll mess with it this afternoon and see what I can figure out. I more or less skipped FSX on my way from FS2004 to MSFS20, but I remember the sim itself being pretty similar to FS2004

[Eichhörnchen]

There's still plenty of FSX traffic on the forums and it would be a great place to find the answers.. :yep:
I hang out in the FS2004/FS2002 forum

Yes I've visited the SOH forums in the past - I should've thought of going there first, so thanks. Anyway, it's not a problem running fsx - it runs beautifully on my pc, even with the latest photo-real terrain loaded. I just can't activate it now on a new computer since they no longer offer phone activation; I can't activate it online as the computer is never online

https://i.imgur.com/kMRyJ7W.jpeg
Aerosoft's VFR Germany scenery for fsx

I used to get PC Pilot magazine for the odd very good freeware - the F-86 was the best freebie I've ever come across (the sound is fantastic) although of course that was when there was still a CD on the cover. I still have a link to SOH on my desktop so I'll go and ask there

I did always love my fs9 as well, and got all the best photoreal VFR scenery for that too (did they ever get around to doing Scotland?) as well as a huge number of addon aircraft. I also always liked messing around with sound files, especially where Microsoft's were lacking

[Skybird]

That sucks to learn about. I had so many addons for FSX, and it gave me my most intense time in the FS era. Plus the precious PMDG modules, the climax in my cockpit career.

Cant even tell why exactly, but somehow I never use MSFS2020, though. With every update, VR became more instable for me, too.


I had so many major hubs in Europe as Aerosoft addons, annd the German ones of course. And so many very intense memories taxiing and starting from and landing at all these, in night, in heavy weather, and Aerosoft's aerport services and boarding addon and that in the PMDG 737.

Good times. Very good times. Like Falcon 4 with Realism Patches 3-5. Or Steal Beasts Pro. Or Sub Command and Silent Hunter 3. All that felt so intense, and vivid, and alive.

But I dont have the thunder anymore to learn all those manuals and complex theory behidn those many buttons and switches.



Truth is - I slowly transform into a comfortable lazy squirrel wanting nothing more than a warm, soft drey. :)

[Buddahaid]

I know that feeling and spend very little sim time any longer, although, I do want to play "Wolves of the Kaiser:1914-1918 Mod".

[ET2SN]

https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Flight-Simulator-2004-Century-PC/dp/B000096L71/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3L1HCMWRP96M5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MhFJtr6C5_hQMVMYa_qsZfmKH_uTfQ97k C3TxZWJOSLvg4pz1GR-XEyy1lBgdvmEjWSyijo31jSGF--TQPvfPDa8xRM_vxE3WNUBjdUvxhB7-uJLtR4o6_pbhyh32vFXpV1_VaSs7JOLdktsxqN24AMW0aWMVme WLRZPj6YbThlLQfJGbLEVyMhDyFb6kLspEaftfZW0SaduxjnfI qjwn8Fov4SyVO7b3D8iCvy1SRw.Iv1h__Ok3mh_u4EaEJOzaY6 BESETq6xe-QkIEQG4lMg&dib_tag=se&keywords=flight+sim+2004&qid=1708859403&sprefix=flight+sim+2004%2Caps%2C222&sr=8-3

:yep:

With FS2004, make sure you install the FS9.1 and "no CD" patch. FS2004 and even FS2002 look really good on high resolution displays and these games came out when running a 3 GHz CPU was a pipe dream. :D I run both with the frame rate locked at 59 FPS.

IMO, the sky and cloud textures look better in FS2002 than in FS2004, but FS2002 was Micro$oft's red headed step child in the FS family.

[mapuc]

There were a time when I felt like going back to good old fighter jet flying. While searching for joysticks and other equipment I found this page

https://eu.winwingsim.com/view/shopping.html

But I'm going to spend my money on something else-as mentioned in another thread.

Markus

[ET2SN]

Again, just IMO, but those high-end controllers are great until they start to wear out or break. :yep:

I run a Logi(tech) 3d Extream Pro. Its cheap, you can find them everywhere, and once you learn some simple tricks they are VERY easy to rebuild. The build quality on the Logi controller isn't in the same league as the high-end stuff, but it's "the devil I know" and I've kept a pair of them running (in 2-3 year shifts) for the last 10+ years. This controller also needs a minimal (8" X 8") footprint on your PC desk. So, no worries about building an entire gaming seat in your living room. :yeah:

[Eichhörnchen]

I run a Logi(tech) 3d Extream Pro. Its cheap, you can find them everywhere, and once you learn some simple tricks they are VERY easy to rebuild

I use the exact same - had it for years now - bought for pennies in a thrift shop :yeah:

And I'm always pleased to see folks saying good things about FS2 - the environment is indeed so much better than FS9, and I would often switch over to it to enjoy some guaranteed un-buggy sim flying with everything turned up to the max

[ET2SN]

I use the exact same - had it for years now - bought for pennies in a thrift shop :yeah:

And I'm always pleased to see folks saying good things about FS2 - the environment is indeed so much better than FS9, and I would often switch over to it to enjoy some guaranteed un-buggy sim flying with everything turned up to the max

The biggest trick to tearing down the hand controller is to put some cello (3M) tape over the thumb switch so it stays in place. :smug:
Once you have the hand controller rebuilt, just pull off the tape. :up:

With FS2002, I still play it now and then but most of my time is in FS2004. FS2002 looks the best, IMO, at dawn, dusk, and night. I basically burned out in FS2002. I did a full "career mode" thing flying the Alphasim B-52's (back converted from FS9 to FS2002) out of Fairchild AFB and Andersen (Guam). The flight timing was a bear. I needed to get the wheels off the ground within 15 seconds of the planned time and I couldn't miss any waypoints by more than 1 minute or miss the "time on target" by more than 15 seconds. :doh:

I'm glad I did it, I learned a ton about what it was really like, but now I'm glad its over. :yep:

Now-a-days, I like finding oddball stuff for FS9. I was searching for several years to find an F-35C (carrier based variant) and finally found it several weeks ago in some old Abacus payware. :yeah:
Otherwise, doing carrier landings (day and night) in FS9 is a blast. :rock:

[Eichhörnchen]

[QUOTE=ET2SN; IMO, the sky and cloud textures look better in FS2002 than in FS2004, but FS2002 was Micro$oft's red headed step child in the FS family.[/QUOTE]


I must've bought ALL the environment upgrades for these, aside from all the aircraft. However, the enhanced terrain I'd installed soon gave way to the photo real scenery and this, together with the superb cloud upgrades (I think it was called "Flight Environment" - I have the discs upstairs somewhere) gave what seemed to be the ultimate in realism. That was until I got a monster pc which would run FSX. It looks as though I may have to go back to the old school experience now though, unless there's some kind of crack to get it to run. Hell, I paid for the bloody thing

https://i.imgur.com/vo4zsYb.jpeg

Here's that Sabre in FS9 with Flight Environment clouds

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/WfUeJYi.jpeg

And here's some of the photoreal VFR terrain in FS9 with a DH-80 from PC Pilot I believe. I suppose the money I spent on some of the early stuff like terrain meshes was wasted once this came along - but I'd never get rid of the discs: I feel they're kind of nice to hang on to just in case I want to play around with them again some day

[Skybird]

But I'm going to spend my money on something else-as mentioned in another thread.

MarkusI have no clue what you are talking about! :D

[ET2SN]

https://i.imgur.com/WfUeJYi.jpeg

And here's some of the photoreal VFR terrain in FS9 with a DH-80 from PC Pilot I believe. I suppose the money I spent on some of the early stuff like terrain meshes was wasted once this came along - but I'd never get rid of the discs: I feel they're kind of nice to hang on to just in case I want to play around with them again some day

Huub Vink (someone I learned to trust a long time ago even when we don't agree) over at SOH swears by a freeware cloud set for FS9 called HDE clouds by Pablo Diaz. Here's a cool thread you may like:

https://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php/118230-How-to-get-FS9-nearly-perfect

For me, clouds are a bit of a *meh* kind of thing. I set up this PC to run with a fanless, low power GPU so there are some limits I have to watch if I want to keep things going at 60 FPS. I also run a Real Weather program to keep things interesting. With "photo scenery", I'm just not a big fan. It looks great in screen shots but it really doesn't help me navigate. I'm also trying to keep my FS9 install from turning into a junk yard of files and folders. :O: My FS2002 install is at the point where it feels like I'm one file away from a CTD so I mostly leave it alone. Its more like a souvenir of what's possible. :D

[Eichhörnchen]

^ I'll go and take a look at that

Re carrier ops I just found this up in my mancave. For FS2002, I haven't ever tried it out. I too spent a lot of time (and money) gathering up add-ons for the early sims; it was a time when the thrift shops were full of them as people began to download everything and got rid of their discs


https://i.imgur.com/27qVzLp.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/rO05oxg.jpeg

I have a different take on the visual stuff, as you might expect. I love to look out the window and see as near to the real thing as possible - unless it's in a combat sim like CFS3, when you're too busy to admire the view. That's why my favourite is still IL-2, where those beautiful evening skies and densely forested landscapes can be had without a hit on performance

[ET2SN]

Small world :D

This is the title with the only F-35C (USN carrier deck) I've ever been able to find for FS9:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51UZ1iX4mkL.jpg

Abacus payware was always just a little odd. :O:

Most of their stuff, you always felt like you saw it somewhere else (like at Flightsim.com or Avsim.com) as freeware. :haha:

Still, their carrier scenery was pretty good. It worked as soon as you installed it and their ship placement was very believable. I have a pet peeve about installing CVN's within spitting distance of a large coastal airport. :hmph:

Edit- OK, I "think" that title of yours was sold in the US as "Flight Deck 2 or 3". I also have a stack of old payware in boxes. :yeah: Which carrier was it and what were some of the locations?

[ET2SN]

Oh, I may as well post this link in this thread:

https://www.virtavia.com/Freeware/

This is Virtavia's FREEWARE page. :yeah:
If the addy looks familiar, check it again. Virtavia released some more titles as freeware in the last four months. For those who don't know, this is the old Alphasim download site. :yep:

[Eichhörnchen]

Which carrier was it and what were some of the locations?

I haven't so far installed or played this but there but according to the box there are nineteen additional carriers included along with the USS George Washington.

There's a photo in the game booklet showing how to select using the "Go to Airport" panel and I can see CVN-73 in Bay of Biscay; Persian Gulf; Sea of Japan then off Pensacola. After this I can see Cwian Field Sheridan and Clark Fork Idaho airfields.

Ah - just seen that the extra carriers will be found in the "Add-on Scenery" on this panel after installation. There's the HMNZS carrier Waikato in there. I don't know what the others are as they're all on zip files on the CD. As a bonus I see there's a shed-load of Abacus planes for CFS2 and FS2002 on there too

[ET2SN]

:har:

Just for S&G, I fired up FS2002 last night and... I have that package installed. :yeah:

I'm pretty sure it sold in the US as Flight Deck 3.

For FS2004, check your stack for something labeled like "Viet Nam Carrier Ops". I'm pretty sure this was for both FS2002 and FS2004. You get a single "older school" CV carrier (I'm pretty sure its the Constellation in late 1960's trim) located correctly at Yankee Station. :up: The aircraft are, um, well, Abacus BUT you get some neat features including an ai TU-95 Bear making an ### of itself and some early on-deck ai. :up:

If you have a program for FS2004 called Afcad2, I can show you how to add a tower position where the LSO's would stand on the flight deck.

:Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:

[Eichhörnchen]

^ :haha:

No I never got that sim, nor Afcad2. That must make a really cool vantage point for watching landings; have you ever used the video recorder in FS2004?

Oh and I just posted a request for help on the SOH FSX forum re activation

[ET2SN]

I'll make sure to let everyone know that you're really a viscous X-Plane troll.

:Kaleun_Wink:



:D

[Eichhörnchen]

:har:

"Flight Deck" - I thought that sounded familiar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4vmsRIhn1E

Wow - how many hours of fun was that back in the day? Edit: not many

[Eichhörnchen]

Hey I found them - I stick with the Flight Environment because its skies are so much better than Microsoft's AND it does water too - you have a panel of controls for all the different effects. The Ground Environment was superseded (for me at any rate) by Just Fight's VFR scenery. The thing about these 2 is there's absolutely no hit on your fps as I recall


https://i.imgur.com/aDh14F7.jpeg

[ET2SN]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXU-9aIIUw8


Not just a choking hazard, but a garroting hazard!!! :yeah::arrgh!:

[Jimbuna]

I remember my kid brother had that.

[Eichhörnchen]

We used to rig up a zip line from the bedroom window using Mum's wool and fly the buggers right across the garden. She never said anything