Real Flight 6 "Interlink Controller not found/valid" fix

[foetwinny]

I've just recently reintroduced myself to RF after selling my 3.5 a few years back. Brought it home, installed and I instantly got the Interlink Controller not found error. Quick research of the web, i've noticed quite a few people with this same problem. Most of which sent back their controller to be replaced with new. More specifically, Interlink's with "I3" identifier in the middle of the serial key. Mine has this very I3.

Now in a room of patient people, i'd be dead last. Sending back a controller/software/flightsim I just spend 199.99 on, seemed impractical to me. 200 bucks deserves answers faster than a fedex package.

So, to remedy this I tried my own fix:

Installed software. (Windows 7 x64. Plenty of RAM. Plenty of Vid Card Power).
Immediately got Interlink error once install was done. Serials typed in fine. Re-entered, and re-entered again still with same error.
Went to desktop RF6 icon, and right clicked, went to properties.
Under compatibility, Check "Run this program under windows compatibility mode" then just leave the default "Windows XP w/service pack 3" alone.
Go to the bottom of this same page, and put a checkmark in "Run as Administrator"

Bingo, DYNO DNA! RF6 fired right up, with ZERO interlink error messages. I'm hoping this fix helps the masses vs sending knife edge your controller, and waiting for a new one to arrive.

Happy Virtual Flying!

[Boof69]

More than likely the problem was your USB driver chain and setting compatibility may have been a work around. Try to reset compatibly and see if it's still working. Dime to a doughnut says it will. :) I3 is on every G4-G5.5 controller. I don't know if it's different for RF6.

[Harvey Birdman]

foetwinny - When you initially installed the sim, did you right-click on the installation package and specify 'Run as Administrator'? I'm not talking about the icon once the program is installed, but the installation package itself when installing. If you are running Vista or Weven and didn't do this, the installer may not have had sufficient privileges to modify a user registry key with the Interlink serial number. I could be wrong, but the actual contents of the key string (I3) is probably irrelevant - I suspect you're seeing a causal relationship where there is none. My Interlink has an i3 in the middle and I had no problems whatsoever installing or running, on a Win7 Ultimate x64 box.

[opjose]

I have to agree, the first post is not a "valid fix", but more co-incidental.

A USB driver chain "reset" or update tends to cure this problem without fail... That is assuming there is no true hardware problem with the Interlink or the host computer's own USB ports.

I'm also running RF5 & 6 under Windows 7 x64 w/o any problems.

[foetwinny]

My apologies if this issue was addressed already. I figured as many posts as I had seen about Interlink issues, I was attempting a remedial help post :) Sorry about that.

I can understand the USB issue. This is a newly build computer only of which my 2 USB ports are a bit moody with my asus board which are my modular case fronts.

Thanks everyone, and I appreciate the advice

Happy Flying