Flight Sim X will not work on Windows 8.1

I wanted to report back after what I have found, and what works for me.  I have many many hours of research into why FSX was crashing or not even starting for me. I have been successful in getting FSX to work with out too many residual problems.

The things that correct it for me are listed below:

1. Make SURE that DX 10 Preview is enabled (it will crash every time if it is not)
2. Make sure to set your frame rate to unlimited.

Those two items are what made my install work 90% of the time.  At least now I can run the sim, and get some FSX satisfaction!  I do still have the occasional crash, but that is normal since the day of install in 2006 (for me).

Thanks all that replied.  I hope that you can get your sim working as well.

I will be looking into Prepar3d for SURE though. At least there is continued development.

BG

It looks like I finally got it working (so far...)

The problem was with the ATI driver - dated 9/2013 caused a crash (atiumdag.dll) when exiting or choosing certain menu items. I am currently running the Microsoft AMD driver dated 12/6/2103(driver version 13.251.0.0) and all seems well.

The old uiautomationcore.dll file fix in the FSX root directory is still required to prevent crashes from using menus. 

I am also using Vista compatibility.

I have read some people using the atiumdag.dll from build 13.4 or 13.5 and placing it in the FSX root directory.

This morning with the old driver from 9/2013 the game crashed on exit. Uninstalled the driver and let Windows install the one from Windows Update. The game exits just fine now, no crashes using DX9!

Other games also run a lot smoother, including Oblivion and Skyrim...

THANK YOU!  These settings within FSX appear to have stabilized the app for me.  I still got an error, but far less frequent than what I was getting.

THANK YOU!  These settings within FSX appear to have stabilized the app for me.  I still got an error, but far less frequent than what I was getting. 

do you seriously accept that having crashes less frequently than before is acceptable? I think it's a pathetic situation. Similarly, I don't think it's at all realistic to expect end users to spend hours sorting out problems? Would you accept that with a new car? or a TV or any other item? I don't think so.

If the two products were from different companies - they could blame each other for the incompatibility but not this time.

THANK YOU!  These settings within FSX appear to have stabilized the app for me.  I still got an error, but far less frequent than what I was getting. 

Excellent, kifr !! I am glad it worked for you as well.

I also skyrocketed my frame rate and stopped ALL crashing including when using the menu while in fullscreen (normally would crach after a few uses, like on a long flight, or an aircraft change).

To do so, I am using an alternate UIAutomationCore.dll.  FSX has never been a better experience. It now runs flawlessly.

If you want to try, download the file from my OneDrive ( http://1drv.ms/1ci0HOJ ) and place it in your main FSX directory. It is a proper working UIAutomationCore.dll that will improve frame rate, as well as allow you to change any menu variables while in a full screen flight. No more crashing after a few uses of the menu. That menu crash problem plagued me since install. It is no more :-)

You will be amazed, It is like a new game afterwards.  Runs better for me than it ever has.

GAME ON!

BullGod