A check shows the rollback put me into the default driver that came with Vista (Home Premium 64 bit) replacing the SoundMax driver that came with the motherboard/integrated sound. I didn't try to update the driver this time, I rolled it back - my sound works perfectly (thank the gods of flight simming - I was getting violently frustrated).
I finally (on a whim!!!)(for the millionth time) went back to the device manager in Control Panel. Other than that I havent found any issues with FSX or Windows 7. Tried DX9 and DX10, and the kneeboard is still blacked out.
WHY SP1 IS NOT WORKING ON FSX DELUXE INSTALL
I followed every bit of advice and every lead to a solution. And Ive tried FSX clean install without SP1, with SP1, and acceleration expansion.
I have been working with Microsoft Technical Support every since the first deactivation only to finally today getting the following response. Installed the program & have experienced continual deactivation since that date. Yes, yes, I tried updating drivers and every setting change in the universe. I purchased & received FSX on Oct 20, 2006.
No recommendations seemed to cure my problem: Everythinmg worked perfectly, BUT NO SOUND of any kind. If you're also interested in digital tools for Windows 10, our Software Hub is the place to look for them. Got Core2 Quad machine expressly for FSX (which I got when it came out, but I stayed with FS2004 because my machine was too slow for FSX). Microsoft Flight Simulator X was the most popular flight simulator until the new 2020 version However, the game has a few problems on Windows 10 systems, particularly with the actual installation or launching of the game. To make a painfully long story more manageable: old computer finally died.