Hi, I am new at MSFS (and the forum) and although I am finding my way around, I have decided to build a new gaming PC. Currently I use DVD version of MSFS 2020.
My new build will not have a DVD drive so I was wondering-
Ho do I de-activate my current MSFS2020 so that I can install it on a new system, and how would I reinstall my flight sim on my new machine without the optical drive?
Would I have to purchase a download version?
Thanks for any help.
Or you could just pull the dvd drive out of the old machine and put it in the new machine. NO?
Thank you for your comments. Can’t remember the last time (other than for MSFS ) that I used my DVD drive. My new case will not have a bay for the internal drive, so I will get a USB drive, and then mount disk 1 after installation.
Will my installation still be recognised even though all components will be different?
Keep the DVD Version, downloading this mess is a trial in frustrations for hundreds of folks. You can actually back up the whole thing to a separate place and if it crashes then reload and the installer will find and repair most of the bad stuff. However, I did that yesterday, and the clouds look different, and my spawn location (PMDY) looked completely different from previous attempts (portable tents which were not there before). But flying a freeware C-17 from Destroyer, and he may have added scenery to that location. It’s different for sure.
I wish I had the DVDs, because if I have to start from scratch, it’s 6 days to download the whole thing again. Pioneer, makes a portable USB BR-DVD-CD-16x burner which will load the game for you, once done, unplug and put back in the box. That is what I use for my gamer laptop. Amazon has it but assume price has gone through roof.
If it was me, and I used to build computers, client support the whole bit, I would just buy one already built. I can recommend ASUS, my Scar Strix III Intel I-7-9750/Nvidia RTX-2070 laptop runs this game, FSX and X-Plane 11 just fine. MSFS seems to have the most GPU stress, with temps in the 84C range, all the others are less. I have no issues with any of them.
Later this year (if you can wait) ASUS will release a desktop monster based on the new Intel I-9@12000? something, the Nvidia RTX-3090 or rumored 4000 series cards, 64 MBs system ram, and a bunch of other stuff. Something like that is where I’m going. Watch review of the Intel I-9 machine laptop on Techtesters on YouTube, it’s impressive, if I was going to get new laptop. Hope this helps.
Thank you for that advice. I will keep the DVD version, and get myself an external drive.
You might be able to find a ‘kit’ that will let you use your current internal dvd drive to an external usb one. I have a setup like that for harddrives, and I know Ive seem them for dvd drives as well. They work well, just not as fast as if they were an internal drive.
In fact now that I think about it I have a cheap one it was like $9.00, you plug the clip of the device into your drive ports and then plug in with usb…I forgot I had that and its sitting right next to me…god getting old sucks ;p
Here you go here are a whole page of them:
Amazon.com: Pioneer BDR-XD07S 6x Slim Portable USB 3.0 BD/DVD/CD Burner : Electronics
Two examples, DO NOT PURCHASE OFF Brand, as one day it will fail, LG is horrible quality. My Pioneer drive is 4 years old and as good as the day I purchased. The best is always cheapest.
Thanks, Yes - I suppose I can add my internal optical drive to an ‘enclosure’ converting it to an external drive but it may be a bit bulky - may as well treat my self to a new sleek USB 3 drive.