Simviation Forum - ...FSX Product Key checks...

	Search the archive:

Simviation Main Site | Site Search | Upload Images

Simviation Forum › Current Flight Simulator Series › Flight Simulator X › ...FSX Product Key checks...

(Moderators: Mitch., Fly2e, ozzy72, beaky, Clipper, JBaymore, Bob70, BigTruck)

‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›

Pages: 1

Send Topic

Print

...FSX Product Key checks... (Read 2168 times)

Oct 15^th, 2006 at 1:45pm

Fozzer Offline
Colonel
An elderly FS 2004 addict!
Hereford. England. EGBS.

Posts: 24861

Remember our discussion regarding security against pirate copies of FSX...?
2nd DVD left in the drive..?
Phone Uncle Bill for permission to install the program...?
..etc...etc...!

Well, it seems the program can be run without the DVD in the drive....(so no DVD cracks)... Wink

Wink

...!
...but when we type in the product key during the installation process, there is a wait while something happens....
.....are the product key details automatically mailed to Microsoft for approval, which then allows the installation to complete...?
Or are the details just encrypted, and then stored in our hard drive boot block, and then checked again each time we run the program...?

Paul....just curious, as usual...
...(and there's no-one more curious than me!)...... Wink

Wink

...!
LOL... Grin

Grin

...!

Dell Dimension 5000 BTX Tower. Win7 Home Edition, 32 Bit. Intel Pentium 4, dual 2.8 GHz. 2.5GB RAM, nVidia GF 9500GT 1GB. SATA 500GB + 80GB. Philips 17" LCD Monitor. Micronet ADSL Modem only. Saitek Cyborg Evo Force. FS 2004 + FSX. Briggs and Stratton Petrol Lawn Mower...Motor Bikes. Gas Cooker... and lots of musical instruments!.... ...!
Yamaha MO6,MM6,DX7,DX11,DX21,DX100,MK100,EMT10,PSR400,PSS780,Roland GW-8L v2,TR505,Casio MT-205,Korg CX3v2 dual manual,+ Leslie 760,M-Audio Prokeys88,KeyRig,Cubase,Keyfax4,Guitars,Orchestral,Baroque,Renaissance,Medieval Instruments.

IP Logged

Reply #1 - Oct 15^th, 2006 at 2:27pm

Felix/FFDS Offline
Admin
FINALLY an official Granddad!
Orlando, FL

Gender:
Posts: 1000000627

It is my understanding that the product key is transmitted and collected to a central Microsoft server.

Check out the "Privacy Statement.rtf" document installed in you FS-X main folder for details.

Felix/FFDS

IP Logged

Reply #2 - Oct 15^th, 2006 at 3:00pm

wealthysoup Offline
Colonel
Newtownards, Northern Ireland

Gender:
Posts: 825

if it was encrypted and stored on your harddrive then you could install it on as many computers as you like...since uncle bill doesnt like pirates that do that he will make you send it to a central server Wink

Wink

My PC specs:&&AMD Athlon 64 3200 (@ 2.2ghz)&&Asus K8v se deluxe motherboard&&1.5gb pc3200 RAM&&128mb palit geforce 6600gt&&200gb+80gb hard drives&&21 inch CRT&&5.1 creative surround sound speakers

IP Logged

Reply #3 - Oct 15^th, 2006 at 3:11pm

Hagar Offline
Colonel
My Spitfire Girl
Costa Geriatrica

Posts: 33159

Don't blame Uncle Bill. Blame the pirates & file sharers.

Founder & Sole Member - Grumpy's Over the Hill Club for Veteran Virtual Aviators
Member of the Fox Four Group

Need help? Try Grumpy's Lair

My photo gallery

IP Logged

Reply #4 - Oct 15^th, 2006 at 4:12pm

Fozzer Offline
Colonel
An elderly FS 2004 addict!
Hereford. England. EGBS.

Posts: 24861

Quote:

It is my understanding that the product key is transmitted and collected to a central Microsoft server.

Check out the "Privacy Statement.rtf" document installed in you FS-X main folder for details.

What happens in the case of the Folks who bought FSX, and dont have an Internet connection fascility...?
....like ordinary games players..?

I purchased, and played zillions of computer games long before I joined the high-speed Internet Fraternity... Wink

Wink

...!

ie; the days of posting Registration cards...with a postage stamp on.. Grin

Grin

...!

Paul... 8)...!

Dell Dimension 5000 BTX Tower. Win7 Home Edition, 32 Bit. Intel Pentium 4, dual 2.8 GHz. 2.5GB RAM, nVidia GF 9500GT 1GB. SATA 500GB + 80GB. Philips 17" LCD Monitor. Micronet ADSL Modem only. Saitek Cyborg Evo Force. FS 2004 + FSX. Briggs and Stratton Petrol Lawn Mower...Motor Bikes. Gas Cooker... and lots of musical instruments!.... ...!
Yamaha MO6,MM6,DX7,DX11,DX21,DX100,MK100,EMT10,PSR400,PSS780,Roland GW-8L v2,TR505,Casio MT-205,Korg CX3v2 dual manual,+ Leslie 760,M-Audio Prokeys88,KeyRig,Cubase,Keyfax4,Guitars,Orchestral,Baroque,Renaissance,Medieval Instruments.

IP Logged

Reply #5 - Oct 15^th, 2006 at 4:20pm

The Ruptured Duck Offline
Colonel
Legally sane since yesterday!
Wichita, KS

Gender:
Posts: 2614

Quote:

Don't blame Uncle Bill. Blame the pirates & file sharers.

What happened to the good old days when pirates had eye patches and pillaged towns? Shocked

Shocked

Now they wear thick glasses and steal files. Sad

Sad

Where is the romance?! Wink

Wink

The thing that pirates new and old share is anti-social behavior that is probably the product of a personality disorder Tongue

Tongue

"If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing" -Ben Franklin&&&&"Man must rise above the Earth to the top of the atmosphere and beyond, for only thus will he fully understand the world in which he lives." - Socrates&&&&" Flying is a religion. A religion that asymilates all who get a taste of it." - Me&&&&"Make the most out of yourself, for that is all there is of you"- Ralf Waldo Emerson&&

IP Logged

Reply #6 - Oct 15^th, 2006 at 4:29pm

Hagar Offline
Colonel
My Spitfire Girl
Costa Geriatrica

Posts: 33159

Quote:

What happens in the case of the Folks who bought FSX, and dont have an Internet connection fascility...?
....like ordinary games players..?

That's what the aforementioned phone number is for.

Founder & Sole Member - Grumpy's Over the Hill Club for Veteran Virtual Aviators
Member of the Fox Four Group

Need help? Try Grumpy's Lair

My photo gallery

IP Logged

Reply #7 - Oct 15^th, 2006 at 4:29pm

Scudrunners Offline
Colonel
I love scudrunning...
Central VA, USA

Gender:
Posts: 144

What is pirating about installing software on 2 or more computers in your home that are setting side by side and only used by you? I happen to think that if you buy sofware it should be yours to install on as many computers as you own for your own use. What if you buy a new computer? It is a plain fact that uncle bill is not just happy with his share, he wants it all. If left up to him, the software would self destruct after 1 month and you would have to go buy it again and again and again and again etc, etc, etc. One of these days, MS is going to self destruct on it own greed.

IP Logged

Reply #8 - Oct 15^th, 2006 at 5:19pm

JBaymore Offline
Global Moderator
Under the curse of the
hombuilt cockpit!

Gender:
Posts: 10261

skidmark,

It doesn't matter what YOU think about how the product should be sold. It is up to the seller to determine the terms of how they want to sell the product. It is sold to you under a certain set of restrictions and conditions. If you do not LIKE those .... you have the option of not installing it and returning the package or just not buying it in the first place.

The terms are called the EULA.... and it limits your purchase to one machine in the case of the FS series.

You can not like Microsoft if you want and think that they are not being fair or are greedy .... but the law is the law. Obviously with the FS series being one of the best selling programs there is, a LOT of people are willing to accept the one package / one machine situation. Until people strop buying the products because of the EULA policies.... it is unlikely that situation will change.

best,

....john

Intel i7 960 quad 3.2G LGA 1366, Asus P6X58D Premium, 750W Corsair, 6 gig 1600 DDR3, Spinpoint 1TB 7200 HD, Caviar 500G 7200 HD, GTX275 1280M, Logitec Z640, Win7 Pro 64b, CH Products yoke, pedals + throttle quad, simpit

IP Logged

Reply #9 - Oct 15^th, 2006 at 9:23pm

Felix/FFDS Offline
Admin
FINALLY an official Granddad!
Orlando, FL

Gender:
Posts: 1000000627

Quote:

What is pirating about installing software on 2 or more computers in your home that are setting side by side and only used by you?

Absolutely nothing. For that matter, we purchased Microsoft Office, and guess what, it allows you to install it on not one, not two, but THREE (3) computers in your house.

I all depends on the EULA for the product group....

Felix/FFDS

IP Logged

Reply #10 - Oct 16^th, 2006 at 6:28am

Scudrunners Offline
Colonel
I love scudrunning...
Central VA, USA

Gender:
Posts: 144

(Until people strop buying the products because of the EULA policies.... )

Sounds like a good idea to me. I have already stopped using IE and Outlook Express because they work like crap. Just had a round with MS about IE 6 and 7. It seems they don't like Flash files (probable because they are open coded and MS can't control or make money off them) so they put a thing in IE that makes people using IE to have to click twice on an embedded flash file to activate it. I use Firefox which doesn't do that. I also bought Incredimail for my email program because in Outlook Express, the spell checker is grayed out and won't work.

(It is up to the seller to determine the terms of how they want to sell the product. It is sold to you under a certain set of restrictions and conditions.)

Right again. However, the terms set by the sellers tells you a lot about what type of company or person you are dealing with. Do they see human beings out in the world to deal with or only dollar signs. I believe that MS sees nothing outside their offices but $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Sure, maybe Uncle Bill gives away millions to charity but do you gladly let someone steal from you just because they are going to give 1 penny out of every $100.00 to charity? Like I said earlier, one of these days, MS is going to self-destruct on their own greed.

IP Logged

Reply #11 - Oct 16^th, 2006 at 10:12am

vololiberista Offline
Colonel
Vieni in Italia

Posts: 1042

I have NEVER used IE or Outlook express (except in an office enviroment) They are probably the worst two programmes ever available for the PC.
It seems to me that FSX may encrypt onto the HD as does Win XP. (Note that to upgrade XP onto a new HD or motherboard is a nightmare) Even with broadband one doesn't have to stay on line permanently and if one installed while offline then Zio Guglielmino would ask you to connect if he wanted to have a peek at your system. (to do that BTW is illegal!!!!!! at least here in Europe)
For me personally it will be 12 - 24 months before i go onto FSX as I'm not interested until DX10 is up and running. FS9 with the best addons is still I think as good as FSX if not better in some circumstances!
Vololiberista

Andiamo in Italia&&

IP Logged

Reply #12 - Oct 16^th, 2006 at 10:35am

flymo Ex Member

its more than likely just checks the key against an algarithm table, if it matches up to its orders etc etc then it allows it if not then probably not, it might upload to a central microsoft server but you can probably still install it on as many PC's as you like, jsut wouldnt be able to go online with it as thats probably where the key checks come into play.

john

IP Logged

Reply #13 - Oct 16^th, 2006 at 12:26pm

vololiberista Offline
Colonel
Vieni in Italia

Posts: 1042

Quote:

its more than likely just checks the key against an algarithm table, if it matches up to its orders etc etc then it allows it if not then probably not, it might upload to a central microsoft server but you can probably still install it on as many PC's as you like, jsut wouldnt be able to go online with it as thats probably where the key checks come into play.

john

This is what they tried when XP first came out. But, here in Europe they had to make it volountary!!!!!!!!!!!
I suspect that European copies behave in the same manner as European XP's
Vololiberista

Andiamo in Italia&&

IP Logged

Reply #14 - Oct 16^th, 2006 at 12:49pm

flymo Ex Member

thats how every CD key, product key what ever you want to call it works.

just sometimes the algarithm table is on a server that you have to connect to e.g. windows activation

IP Logged

Reply #15 - Oct 16^th, 2006 at 1:14pm

Katahu Offline
Colonel

Gender:
Posts: 6920

Usually, the main reason many companies are taking such drastic steps is because of the growing use of piracy. Every industry is affected by it. From the music industry to the gaming industry. Why do you think EA Games placed strict rules regarding the activation of Battle Field 2 and why do you think Sierra had to go far with how Half Life 2 is activated?

More and more games nowadays are starting to become more and more accustomed to using 12-14 digit codes that require the game to be connected to a central computer just to validate the code.

I believe that the EU is starting to lose sense on why big-time companies like Microsoft are taking such measures. The EU seems to think that the use of an activation process is just a sign of corporate conquest when in fact it's just a result of piracy that has gone completely out of control to the point hurting the economy.

Heck, even piracy is affecting the FS community to the point where even the freeware developers' works are being pirated and sold on Ebay [like what happened last year] for profit.

Of course, money can be the chief motivation behind the decisions of EVERY corporation including the use of activation processes. It's what ALL companies do so Microsoft is not alone in the matter. But one would have to be a dang fool to think piracy is not the cause or the major contributer of all this whole activation thing.

IP Logged

Reply #16 - Oct 16^th, 2006 at 1:17pm

Fr. Bill Offline
Colonel
I used to have a life;
now I have GMax!
Hammond, IN

Gender:
Posts: 962

Quote:

Absolutely nothing. For that matter, we purchased Microsoft Office, and guess what, it allows you to install it on not one, not two, but THREE (3) computers in your house.

I all depends on the EULA for the product group....

As it happens, Yesterday I successfully installed and activated my single Product Activation Code on two separate computers without problem...

...so too have a number of other people! What will not be allowed though is an attempt to install FSX using the same Product Activation Code on a third computer... without calling the toll-free number and obtaining a "new" Product Activation Key.

Bill
Gauge Programming - 3d Modeling Eaglesoft Development Group Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600-4GB DDR2 Crucial PC6400-800 GB SATA-ATI Radeon HD2400 Pro 256MB DX10 NOTE: Unless explicitly stated in the post, everything written by my hand is MY opinion. I do NOT speak for any company, real or imagined...

IP Logged

Reply #17 - Oct 16^th, 2006 at 5:54pm

flymo Ex Member

in all fairness if we get millions of pirated FSX users then the next FS wnt be as good because more piracy less cash MS get and the shitter! (sorry for language) the next FS will be which is why i do not pirate games or music anymore. (use to but i leart of the damage it does so i dnt anymore)

john

IP Logged

Reply #18 - Oct 17^th, 2006 at 12:38pm

Joe_D Offline
Colonel
"Takeoffs are optional,
landings are mandatory!"
NY state

Gender:
Posts: 839

Quote:

As it happens, Yesterday I successfully installed and activated my single Product Activation Code on two separate computers without problem...

...so too have a number of other people! What will not be allowed though is an attempt to install FSX using the same Product Activation Code on a third computer... without calling the toll-free number and obtaining a "new" Product Activation Key.

So, activating FSX will be basically the same as activating XP?
I assume that like XP, the number of activations within a given time frame will dictate if you need to call "the toll free number", etc to obtain a new "key."

Home airports are KMGJ and KSWF in Orange County, NY&&Stop by and say hello.

IP Logged

Reply #19 - Oct 19^th, 2006 at 7:15am

TerryUK Offline
Colonel
Onward & Upwards !!
Dorset, UK

Gender:
Posts: 151

Hi. I ask my question just to be ABSOLUTELY clear I've understood things here (after reading lots of posts with jargon I tend to loose the thread) - can I install FSX on my current computer & at a future date install it in a new super-duper rig, without problems...?

I ask because I am a bit surprised to find there might be restrictions about the number of computers one can install it on in a home-setting. Also, I or anybody else for that matter, might need to reinstall after a system crash, god forbid!

Thanks,
TW

IP Logged

Reply #20 - Oct 19^th, 2006 at 7:23am

Hagar Offline
Colonel
My Spitfire Girl
Costa Geriatrica

Posts: 33159

I'm sure the conditions of use are stated in the EULA for the software. Apart from the registration I don't think FSX will be any different from other versions of FS.

Copied from EULA.rtf included with FS9. Quote:

Software PRODUCT LICENSE
The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties. The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is licensed, not sold.

1. GRANT OF LICENSE. This EULA grants you the following rights:

· Applications Software. You may only install, access, and run (“RUN”) one copy of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, or any prior version of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT for the same operating system, on a single personal computer, (“COMPUTER”) for your personal, noncommercial use. If not prevented by copy protection technology, the primary user of the COMPUTER on which the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is installed may make a second copy for his or her exclusive and personal noncommercial use on a portable computer.

· Editors. If the SOFTWARE PRODUCT contains a software Editor, or a software Editor is made available to you by Microsoft for use with the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, you may use the Editor only in conjunction with that content specifically identified in the documentation for use with the Editor. If no content files are identified, you may not use content or other files from the SOFTWARE PRODUCT with the Editor. You may reproduce and share files or scripts created with the Editor with friends or family on a non-commercial basis only. Microsoft does not grant you the right to sell or otherwise distribute files from the SOFTWARE PRODUCT in exchange for value.

· Storage/Network Use. If not prevented by copy protection technology, you may also store or install a copy of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT on a storage device, such as a network server, used only to RUN the SOFTWARE PRODUCT on your other COMPUTERS over an internal network; however, you must acquire and dedicate a license for each separate COMPUTER on which the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is RUN from the storage device. A license for the SOFTWARE PRODUCT may not be shared or used concurrently on different COMPUTERS.

· Reservation of Rights. All rights not expressly granted are reserved by Microsoft

Founder & Sole Member - Grumpy's Over the Hill Club for Veteran Virtual Aviators
Member of the Fox Four Group

Need help? Try Grumpy's Lair

My photo gallery

IP Logged

Reply #21 - Oct 19^th, 2006 at 7:52am

Politically Incorrect Offline
Colonel
Personal opinion given
free of charge!
Williamsport, PA

Gender:
Posts: 3915

FSX EULA

Quote:

a. Licensed Device. The licensed device is the device on which you use the software. You
may install and use one copy of the software on the licensed device.
6. BACKUP COPY. You may make one backup copy of the software. You may use it only to
reinstall the software.

8. TRANSFER TO ANOTHER DEVICE. You may uninstall the software and install it on another device for your use. You may not do so to share this license between devices.

IP Logged

Reply #22 - Oct 19^th, 2006 at 11:05am

vololiberista Offline
Colonel
Vieni in Italia

Posts: 1042

Quote: You are free to run any kind of programme on a computer as long as it is a programme written by "Microsoft" and then only if Microsoft has been given access to your system and checked that it contains only microsoft approved components and no other third party programmes.
Vololiberista

Andiamo in Italia&&

IP Logged

Reply #23 - Oct 19^th, 2006 at 1:20pm

Katahu Offline
Colonel

Gender:
Posts: 6920

Quote:

Quote: You are free to run any kind of programme on a computer as long as it is a programme written by "Microsoft" and then only if Microsoft has been given access to your system and checked that it contains only microsoft approved components and no other third party programmes.
Vololiberista

That's gonna be a little difficult to achieve as most computers these days have American companies with Chinese manufacturers and Indian tech support while the computer is bought in Mexico. Grin

Grin

IP Logged

Reply #24 - Oct 19^th, 2006 at 4:54pm

KDSM Offline
Colonel
SimV Forum Flyer

Gender:
Posts: 1340

Quote:

That's gonna be a little difficult to achieve as most computers these days have American companies with Chinese manufacturers and Indian tech support while the computer is bought in Mexico. Grin

Grin

errr....dont ya mean It's gonna be a little difficult to achieve as most computers these days are bought from American companies with Chinese manufactured parts and Indian tech support while the computer is built in Mexico.?

IP Logged

Reply #25 - Oct 19^th, 2006 at 5:09pm

TerryUK Offline
Colonel
Onward & Upwards !!
Dorset, UK

Gender:
Posts: 151

Ummmm......I was going to have a bash at building my own computer (I've just bought a How To book Grin

Grin

) running XP, so I guess I & it will qualify Roll Eyes

Roll Eyes

IP Logged

Reply #26 - Oct 19^th, 2006 at 7:21pm

Katahu Offline
Colonel

Gender:
Posts: 6920

Quote:

errr....dont ya mean It's gonna be a little difficult to achieve as most computers these days are bought from American companies with Chinese manufactured parts and Indian tech support while the computer is built in Mexico.?

What's the difference? Grin

Grin

IP Logged

Reply #27 - Oct 19^th, 2006 at 7:27pm

Hagar Offline
Colonel
My Spitfire Girl
Costa Geriatrica

Posts: 33159

Quote:

What's the difference? Grin

Grin

Quite a lot actually but I don't see the relevance to this topic. Roll Eyes

Roll Eyes

Tongue

Founder & Sole Member - Grumpy's Over the Hill Club for Veteran Virtual Aviators
Member of the Fox Four Group

Need help? Try Grumpy's Lair

My photo gallery

IP Logged

Reply #28 - Oct 19^th, 2006 at 9:26pm

KDSM Offline
Colonel
SimV Forum Flyer

Gender:
Posts: 1340

It's relevent...we just cant see how yet Grin

Grin

IP Logged

Reply #29 - Oct 20^th, 2006 at 2:13am

vololiberista Offline
Colonel
Vieni in Italia

Posts: 1042

Quote:

It's relevent...we just cant see how yet Grin

Grin

Just wait until Vista hits town! Then you'll see!!!! Grin

Grin

Vololiberista

Andiamo in Italia&&

IP Logged

Pages: 1

Send Topic

Print

‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›

Top of this page

Simviation Forum » Powered by YaBB 2.5 AE!
YaBB Forum Software © 2000-2010. All Rights Reserved.

Valid XHTML

Valid CSS

Powered by Perl

Source Forge