Mac6737 Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 A thread I started on 8/22 (my birthday!) described my extreme difficulty in reinstalling FSX, SP1 and Acceleration (plus numerous Orbx DLs and 3P airplanes) on a brand-new highly glitzy PC, bought after my old one died irretrievably. As described in that thread, the MS tech lady in the Philippines spent almost an hour getting me straightened out -- after we both learned that the product key I was asked to enter was NOT the FSX key, but the Acceleration key. (Who would know that?) Happy ending right? No. The very next day, I went back to MS for help in getting my email account to sync with Win10; long story short: this time, (a different) tech rep spent A WHOLE HOUR failing to get things working, at the end of which he rebooted, thereby crashing my entire system, necessitating a trip to Microcenter for repair and replacement of Win 10 and the loss of all my reinstallations. Now, I will try once more to reinstall, concerned that the program will not permit a second reinstall on a second PC. The Steam edition is only $8.74 today, a pittance. Thought I'd buy it and keep it in reserve in case I can't reinstall FSX from my existing disks. Hence my question. Also, is FSX Steam Edition the whole caboodle, or do you still need Acceleration, too? Thanks again, everybody. Mac6737 Windows 10 (boo!) Core i7-8700 GTX GeForce 1070 3.7 GHz video card Z370 AORUS 5 LGA 1151 ATX motherboard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ree_haw Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 Steam manages your purchased games so long as you remain with them: so long as you retain the Steam client on your computer you can install FSX:S whenever you like. What you can't do is save that download and install it without the steam client running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pvarn Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 I believe you can cancel-halt the installation without losing your purchase. The Steam app will remind you the installation needs to complete and you can restart it. -Pv- 2 carrot salad, 10.41 liter bucket, electric doorbell, 17 inch fan, 12X14, 85 Dbm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loki Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 Yes, you can purchase the Steam Edition and download it at your convenience. There is no limit on when or how often you download it. You can also backup the installation files so you don't need to redownload it in the future as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f16jockey_2 Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 Thought I'd buy it and keep it in reserve in case I can't reinstall FSX from my existing disks. Download and installation is one process, but there's no need to install it right after purchasing. It's sitting in my Steam library since 2014, when i bought for €5 or so. Never installed it, I have it for the same reason as you. Also, is FSX Steam Edition the whole caboodle, or do you still need Acceleration, too? It's the whole ... euh... caboodle? Wim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pvarn Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 As hinted, FSX-SE (Steam version of FSX) IS Acceleration/Gold. The only change is some community standard cfg optimizations. -Pv- 2 carrot salad, 10.41 liter bucket, electric doorbell, 17 inch fan, 12X14, 85 Dbm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il88pp Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 If there's a problem activating, it is probably because the server that's contacted 'thinks' your fsx is also installed on the old pc. There is an automated hotline (un-manned, phone menu.). There you can go through the menu, indicate the old pc no longer exists, and then... (not sure, it either resets the data on the server about the old pc, so you can now simply activate. Or, it gives you a new licence code. (computer voice.)) I'm not which one. I never had to do that, I always could uninstall fsx from the old pc before getting a new one. Anyway, you are allowed to install fsx on a new pc if the old one is no more. (or if you uninstall it from the old pc first.) Btw, that's different with the steam edition. That can be installed on more then one pc at the same time. (but can be played only on one at a time.) [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac6737 Posted August 27, 2018 Author Share Posted August 27, 2018 Download and installation is one process, but there's no need to install it right after purchasing. It's sitting in my Steam library since 2014, when i bought for €5 or so. Never installed it, I have it for the same reason as you. It's the whole ... euh... caboodle? Wim Yes, "Kit and caboodle (or "caboodle")" is a common and time-worn US slang expression meaning "the whole thing." These days, we tend to say "the whole nine yards," which you may Google for warring etymologies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac6737 Posted August 27, 2018 Author Share Posted August 27, 2018 Being careful now . . . . Thanks for advice. I have yet to DL Steam Edition. But I have succeeded in reinstalling FSX and actually flying it! I then closed it and installed SP1, apparently successfully. QUESTION: Since most of the problems reflected on this forum (and elsewhere) seem to involve reinstallation of Acceleration, I must ask: What is (was) it, and what will I miss if I never reinstall it? Can I just reinstall my beloved airplane fleet (e.g., Alabeo) and Orbx textures and carry on? One day at a time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PEPPER321 Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 FSX-Steam addresses some of the problems inherent in the original MS FSX, one being stabity. The other, of course, is the hoops you have to jump thru to re-install via discs. So for price of a good burger, why would you NOT install the Steam version? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomTweak Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 So for price of a good burger, why would you NOT install the Steam version? A big +1 on that. I got FSX:SE when it was a mere $5.00, on the day it came out, and never looked back. I used FS9 for a LONG time, and I kept hearing such good things about FSX that when it came out for that price, I figured, what the heck? Even I can afford $5.00, and if I didn't like it, eh, I skip a Big Mac one day. I've not regretted a second of switching to SE though. I've had a total of ONE lock up since I installed it, and I use it almost to the exclusion of FS9. I just love the available features though, especially the military birds. Especially-especially the Navy planes, and the moving carriers, which I really missed in FS9. There's are carriers in FS9, yes, and they're landable/launchable, with the right add-on's yes, but they don't move. You don't have to go looking for them, like the real ones, and they're always parked in the same place, being scenery objects. Add in AICarriers, vLSO, Pitching Deck, and so on, and I was in love. Now, I've gotten TacPack, and I love THAT as well. FSX@War, CCP, Living World, F18MovingTargets, the list goes on. All NOT compatible with FS9. Another thing I like most about the Steam version is the back-up and file checking capabilities of Steam. VERY handy. The military world may not be your bag, and that's fine. But I think SE would be a nice upgrade for you. Btw, that's different with the steam edition. That can be installed on more then one pc at the same time. (but can be played only on one at a time.) Not exactly, il. You can install it on multiple computers, but can only play one ON LINE at any one time. To show my lovely wife why I switched to FSX, I installed it on her computer too. She loved it, and would fly at the same time I do, and we could talk normally to one another, while seeing what the other does. It wasn't until she wanted to fly in a MP situation along with me that we went and blew another $5.00 on a copy of Steam, with her own copy of FSX:SE, for her. We sit beside one another and fly all kinds of planes all over the world together. She seems to be in love with the P-38J more than any other plane, though :D Anywho, you fly FSX on more than one PC at a time with a single copy of Steam, unless they changed things. You just don't have the auto-updates, or Multiplayer, capabilities. All, of course, just my opinion, for whatever it's worth. Have fun, all! Pat☺ [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Had a thought...then there was the smell of something burning, and sparks, and then a big fire, and then the lights went out! I guess I better not do that again! Sgt, USMC, 10 years proud service, Inactive reserve now :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il88pp Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 Thanks Pat.:) [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac6737 Posted August 27, 2018 Author Share Posted August 27, 2018 Good question, but I answer with another: Will my downloads (including a number of the excellent Orbx scenery libraries) be compatible with the SE? Also, I believe Steam requires that you be online to play FSX. Not a big deal, but still . . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmatt569 Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 I have been using SE for a couple of years now. I've installed quite a few add-ons, aircraft, scenery, etc. with no problems. I've taken the attitude of, it can't hurt to try. I have set a partition on my HD, F: and named it Flight. Everything, including FSX-SE is in that partition. Because of this I have to make sure that any installers are directed to that directory. I haven't tried any of the ActiveSky stuff so can't answer to that. My advice, try it. The most you'll have to do is uninstall something. One last thing. Mr. Zippy taught me something a looong time ago. Install one new thing. test it. If it works, great. If it doesn't, you know what caused the problem. Don't install several new things at one time. then have to find the culprit if there's a glitch. Take good care. Bill Mattson [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Airspeed, altitude and ideas, bad to run out of all three at the same time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac6737 Posted August 27, 2018 Author Share Posted August 27, 2018 FSX-Steam addresses some of the problems inherent in the original MS FSX, one being stabity. The other, of course, is the hoops you have to jump thru to re-install via discs. So for price of a good burger, why would you NOT install the Steam version? Good question, answered with yet another: Are my Orbx libraries compatible with the Steam edition? With a disk install, all the FSX files are on your own hard drive, and you can install your add-on scenery and planes there. Can you do the same thing with the Steam Edition? Also, I believe with SE, you have to be online to open FSX. Is that right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac6737 Posted August 27, 2018 Author Share Posted August 27, 2018 I've installed quite a few add-ons, aircraft, scenery, etc. with no problems. OK, I'm confused. When you buy FSX-SE, is it on your own hard drive, and do you install add-ons there, just as in the non-Steam editions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StringBean Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 I believe with SE, you have to be online to open FSX. Is that right? No. OK, I'm confused. When you buy FSX-SE, is it on your own hard drive, and do you install add-ons there, just as in the non-Steam editions? Yes. WWOD---What Would Opa Do? Farewell, my freind (sp) Never argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and beat you with experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomTweak Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 Good question, answered with yet another: Are my Orbx libraries compatible with the Steam edition? With a disk install, all the FSX files are on your own hard drive, and you can install your add-on scenery and planes there. Can you do the same thing with the Steam Edition? Also, I believe with SE, you have to be online to open FSX. Is that right? Last question first: Nope! Once you get it installed on another computer you an use FSX:SE all you like. The only limitation is that you can't be on-line if you're running FSX:SE already on another comp. Whoever starts first get's to be on-line. The other computer(s) can run FSX:SE all they want, but they can't get the auto-updates or Multiplayer. You have to turn a setting in the Steam menu off on the computer(s) that you want to fly on, and it MAY (not must) be on on one single computer to get the updates and multiplayer "stuff". Second, yes the sim is on your local HD. Everything. All the files for FSX, including .cfg files, the EXE and DLL.XML files, Aircraft, scenery, saved off Flights, flight plans, the whole nine yards. AND the entire kit-n-caboodle. :D Yes, OrbX is fully compatible. And, like any scenery, you can put it anywhere on your computer, as long as you can find it with the Scenery Library Menu, just like FSX Boxed. Just exactly the same setup as FSX Boxed. Just further down the Steam folder structure, if you permit it. You can have Steam install FSX:SE anyplace on your HD. It doesn't have to go under the Steam folder structure. The only exception I've found to it's identicality (is that a word?? :confused: ) with FSX Boxed is planes purchased and installed from Steam. There is a special folder created that they must be installed to. You can't install them to the normal Airplanes folder. ALL other aircraft, including helicopters, boats, add-on bombs and objects for various missions and adventures, like a tipped over kyaker, and so on, all go in the same place as FSX:Boxed. Are you noticing a pattern here? Pat☺ [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Had a thought...then there was the smell of something burning, and sparks, and then a big fire, and then the lights went out! I guess I better not do that again! Sgt, USMC, 10 years proud service, Inactive reserve now :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UPHILL3 Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 You have the option of flying On-Line, or Off-Line - it's the user's choice. I do not notice any difference in FSX performance either way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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