Hugo Boss

I installed the Steam version 3 times on different machines (the same machines I tested the box version on) to make sure it wasn't just a coincidence hence why the 3 times.

Not necessarily, as a faulty motherboard can cause issues that seem like it's the drive at fault. I've tested the install Boxed version on multiple computers with different operating systems and different drives, including a USB 2TB HDD, all with varied results as in "Install time", "disk read time" and "stall" time, the only consistent variable was the 2 errors I had which were to do with 2 files not being installed and it was the same two files every time no matter the OS or hardware Configuration weather it was installed from USB DVD Drive or USB HDD or weather it was installed from C: drive on different SSD/M.2. All I'm saying is, is that he could be spending time enjoying FSX instead of pulling his hair out trying to figure out a ghost problem which could be anything at this stage, it may not necessarily be his drive at all and that it could be a faulty SATA port on his motherboard causing his problem, I think it has something to do with windows 10 and how it handles the format/install of the FSX DVD's. I turned off all Virus protection when I did the testing also. By random chance one install went as it should but not without taking a long time and that was from the USB drive. I would suggest putting your motherboard back to default and test again, then switch SATA ports and see if that makes a difference. Dovetail did make quite a few changes to the Steam Edition so it runs on the new O.S Systems without problems and I have had zero problems at all running this version. To me it makes logical sense to purchase this version as Dovetail already made the changes necessary for it to run on Windows 10, obviously it still has it's problems but not installation problems. More to do with people not keeping windows up to date so redistributables are not installed hence causing launch problems. As you might also know we will be having to make sure we have the new 1909 Build to be able to run the New MS FS2020. So this is a must anyway if he was to switch to the new FS2020. Just some more info from what I've experienced so far with this problem.

I ended up getting another error after uninstalling due to file corruption, it will no longer work on any system that I have, windows 7 or windows 10. So I bought the Steam Edition and have not had any problems at all. Reinstalled it 3 times over the last week and a half just to test it and every time it installed without errors.

Hi Scott. In the end I could not get FSX +Acceleration (Boxed version) Working with Windows 10 64 bit either. I just ended up biting the bullet and purchased the Steam Edition on sale for $7.49 and installed it onto my New Samsung 860 EVO 500GB SSD storage drive just for FSX and it installed perfectly without error. You might have some success going the same route. The boxed version I think is toast! I'm loving it, I can finally fly again, very happy!

Indeed I did, I have no problems so far.

Just last week I decided to install FSX Delux with Acceleration again (both boxed version) onto Windows 10 64 bit for the first time, last time was in windows 7 and I also had a bit of trouble installing from the Discs. Windows 10, I ended up just copying the files from each disc to my external USB3 HDD and installing them from the setup file within the folder [Disc 1] and then [Disc 2] (when it asked) it then seemed to work without error. NOTE: I was using a ASUS External USB DVD drive which always gave me the same error about 2 files (both my computer and my sons computer both running windows 10 64 bit), It sounded like it was having trouble reading the disc's (both discs are clean but with very light scratching), I do know that CD's/DVD disc's start to deteriorate over time usually around the 12-13 year mark they start to do this (this could be a factor), I bought FSX in 2006. THOUGHT'S: The disc's worked on Windows 7 64 bit with an internal DVD Drive but the Install seemed to take for ever or even stall but still installed with no errors (it took much longer to install than XP did with the same setup) (XP/Win7 dual booted) WD Black HDD (NTFS) With Windows 10 64bit with Samsung 500 GB SSD (brand new also NTFS) . I had nothing but headaches with the install using an External USB DVD Drive. If I can think of anything else I'll edit my post with updated info. Hope this helps somewhat.