X-plane 10 start-up without DVD 2

Question

I have X-Plane 10.5x, I installed it in 2016 but for some reason, it requires me to have DVD number 2 inserted to start the simulator. If I take the DVD out, it'll prompt me for the product key, which I don't have anywhere on the DVD package I purchased. Is there a way to get around this, perhaps obtain a product key so that it doesn't require having the DVD in the drive? I only see one number on the side of the package and it's 72099. If needed, I'm running the simulator on Windows 7 Ultimate, 64-bit, i7 8 core processor, with 32 GB of memory and an NVidia GE Force 650 TI 2 GB graphics card.

You can contact me on my email, [email protected].

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Michael S.

Answer 1

Hi Michael,

Like you, I have the DVD version of X-Plane 10.

To maintain the integrity of the DVDs I purchased the home version USB dongle direct from Laminar Research.  The unit can be purchased direct from Laminar Research at a cost of $29.99 (US).  The relevant page is at  http://www.x-plane.com/shop/?s=x-plane%2010%20usb  You will need to scroll down the page to locate the item.  The unit permanently resides/sits in one of the USB2 slots on the front of my PC.  In addition you will also need to download supplementary software (HASP Drivers) that allows the unit to work.  The software can be found at http://www.x-plane.com/kb/hasp-drivers-x-plane-usb-keys/  It definately overcomes the problem of having to insert the DVD each time.I run X-Plane 10.

In addition as a side issue, although you have more than enough "grunt" for the CPU and VRAM you may need to "watch or be aware of" the capacity of the graphics card.

Hope this all helps

Glenn

 

Comments

Hi Glenn

Thanks for your response and the information you provided. So when I purchase the USB2 device, will that require a reinstall of X-Plane 10 or will it work with the current installation that's already on my computer?

On the same topic, it's odd that I have to pay a software provider another fee besides the purchase price in order to get around the DVD requirement.

Michael.

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Hi Michael,

If you have correctly installed X-Plane 10 then plug the USB dongle into an external USB2 slot, preferably on the front of your PC for easy access and then turn the PC on and start X-Plane, provided you have downloaded and installed the supplementary software first.  It worked for me the first time.  The USB lives in the USB slot.  I don't take it out.

The supplementary software is a freeby through Laminar but you have to use it in conjunction with the dongle.

If you think you are having trouble with X-Plane 10 you don't have to delete and reinstall X-Plane 10.  Have a look at the youtube video from Wycliffe Barrett.  He is a long term X-Plane user.  I follow his videos regularly.  The link can be found at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9wubukUlxI

Good luck.

Glenn