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Running MS Flight Simulator 2004 on Windows 10 PC.

Anonymous
2016-02-18T20:57:12+00:00

It seems well known that MS Flight Sim 2004 (FS2004) is incompatible with Windows 10 and after a Security Update it will not work with Windows 7 either.

I would still like to use FS2004 and it seems that the best way to achieve this is to use the original OS specified for it, ie, Vista or XP. I have a XP disk and Product Key and I wonder if it's possible to install XP to a portable Hard Disk and run FS2004 from there on my Windows 10 PC. Alternatively may I consider a dual boot of Windows 10 with XP. Can anybody give me advice on the best/ simplest way of running FS2004 please ?.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Gaming

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-02-18T22:59:55+00:00

    Hi Alan,

    Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community. I understand the issue that you are facing currently, and we in Community will try to resolve your issue the best way we can.

    I would suggest you to install the MS Flight Simulator in a compatibility mode and check if it helps. Compatibility mode runs the program using settings from a previous version of Windows.

    Follow these steps to install the game in compatibility mode and check if that helps.

    a. Download the game from the website.

    b. Right-click on the setup file and click on ‘properties’.

    c. Click on the ‘compatibility’ tab and check the box ‘Run this program in compatibility mode for’ and select Windows 8/8.1 operating system from the drop down menu and proceed with the installation.

    d. Once this is done, restart the computer and check if the issue persists.

    Kindly let us know if you need any further assistance with Windows. We are glad to assist you.

    Thank you.

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-03-12T10:32:40+00:00

    Assuming that you have been able to install from your 4 disks but are having problems in launching FS9 then first check here:  when you get an error message when launching FS9, close FS9 and then go to your Event Viewer (right click on the Windows icon on Desktop and select Event Viewer.  Then go to Custom Views and then Admin. Events). Give it time to populate the window and find the error message pertaining to the stalled launch of FS9.  

    Double click on the Error and is there any error code, faulting module, etc. noted?   Does the word 'secdrv' appear there?

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-03-15T05:40:16+00:00

    Hi Chris,

    Yours is similar to the other poster, Alan, who had SecDrv showing up as the obstruction to launching FS9.   The only fix available for this type of problem is to do the following (however, if this doesn't work, then I'm afraid that you will need to look at other replacement options for FS9).   The fix is:

    1.   Update FS9 to FS9.1 (if you haven't done so already), and you can get the update from:  

         https://flyawaysimulation.com/downloads/files/2795/flight-simulator-2004-update-v91/

          If you prefer to not update your FS9 to FS9.1, I believe there is also a download option for that in the link below (entitled Original No-CD Patch), but it hasn't been proven.

    1.   Then download the FS9 No CD patch which allows FS9 to start without disk #4  being inserted into the drive.   You can get this patch from:      https://flyawaysimulation.com/downloads/files/15244/microsoft-flight-simulator-2004-v91-no-cd-patch/

    Once installed, load and attempt to launch the Sim from the instructions given.   Hope this fix will help you.

    Also, depending on your Graphics Card/driver version, FS9 (as with FSX) may give some problems running in full screen mode (i.e. it will run but not all features can be used).  You may need to Alt + Enter to switch to windowed mode and back again, if required.   And also do an update of your Card's driver as hopefully by now, Card manufacturers have incorporated the necessary changes for Win10.

    Let us know how you get on.

    Chris

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-03-15T07:44:24+00:00

    I followed all your instructions & now have FS9.1 running. Thank you so much for all your help. Wishing you tail winds & smooth air.

    Chris

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-03-12T08:26:18+00:00

    I tried this and it didn't work. I tried compatibility with other older versions of windows and had no luck there either. Do you have any other suggestions?

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