Fix the FSX installer not recognising Disc 2 by keeping the drive letter, checking the DVD, merging a local source and diagnosing read errors.
The boxed FSX installer usually rejects Disc 2 because it appears under a different drive letter, the wrong edition’s disc was inserted, or Windows cannot read a cabinet file. Keep the installer open, swap discs in the same drive, wait for Disc 2 to mount, then continue. If that fails, install from a local copy.
How do I make the FSX installer recognise Disc 2?
FSX must see Disc 2 from the same boxed set at the same source location used for Disc 1.
- Leave the installer open: when FSX requests Disc 2, do not cancel or close the original setup window.
- Check the disc: insert the base FSX Disc 2 belonging to that exact Standard or Deluxe set. An Acceleration DVD, a disc from another edition or an incomplete backup will not satisfy the prompt.
- Use the same drive: if setup started from drive
E:, remove Disc 1 and place Disc 2 in that same drive. Do not insert it into a second optical drive with another letter. - Wait for Windows: allow the disc to spin up, then confirm in File Explorer that its folders and cabinet files are visible. Close any AutoPlay window; do not start a second copy of setup.
- Continue the original installer: return to the existing prompt and select its retry or continue option. If it provides a browse control, select the root of Disc 2 rather than an individual file or subfolder.
A mistake we see constantly is launching Disc 2’s AutoPlay process while the original installer is still waiting. That can open another setup window without giving the first process the source it expects.
Why does the drive letter matter during the disc swap?
The legacy FSX installer records the source path used for Disc 1 and may continue looking only at that drive letter.
This commonly affects USB optical drives and mounted ISO images. If Disc 1 was mounted as D: but Disc 2 appears as E:, the files can be perfectly readable and still be rejected. Eject or unmount the first image before mounting the second through the same virtual drive slot, or avoid the swap entirely by creating a combined local installation source.
Do not disconnect an external DVD drive while setup is running. Windows may assign it a new letter when reconnected, leaving the installer pointed at the old path.
How can I tell whether FSX Disc 2 is damaged?
Copying the complete contents of Disc 2 to a temporary folder is the quickest practical read test.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| File Explorer cannot open the disc | Dirty disc, damaged media or an optical-drive problem | Clean the DVD from the centre outwards and try another compatible drive. |
| The full disc copies successfully, but the prompt repeats | Wrong drive letter, mismatched disc set or incorrect source layout | Use the original drive or build a combined local source. |
| Error 1305 appears while reading a file | The installer cannot read the named source file | Follow our Disc 2 and optical-drive checks for Error 1305. |
| Error 1335 names a cabinet file | A cabinet is unreadable, incomplete or corrupt | Use the cabinet-file diagnosis for FSX Error 1335. |
If copying stops with a cyclic-redundancy or read error, changing installer settings will not repair the source. A different optical drive may read a marginal DVD, but physically damaged media must be replaced with matching legitimate installation media.
Can I install FSX from copied DVDs or ISO images?
Yes, provided both sources are complete and come from the same FSX edition and boxed set.
- Close the failed installer and create an empty local folder with a short path, such as
C:\FSX_Install. - Copy all of Disc 1 into that folder.
- Copy all of Disc 2 into the same folder, allowing matching directories to merge. Do not place it inside a separate
Disc 2subfolder. - Run the installer from the combined root, using administrator privileges if Windows blocks the legacy setup process.
If Windows reports unexpected conflicting files while merging, stop and verify that the discs belong together rather than blindly replacing files. A partial earlier copy or mixed Standard and Deluxe media can produce a source that starts correctly but fails later.
Our guide to installing FSX without an optical drive covers disc copying, ISO swaps and the same-drive-letter requirement in more detail.
Does FSX: Steam Edition require Disc 2?
No. FSX: Steam Edition does not use the boxed Microsoft Disc 1 and Disc 2 installation process.
If a Disc 2 prompt appears, you are running a boxed FSX installer or a separate add-on installer. Do not point it at Steam Edition files or insert the Acceleration DVD as a substitute. Our boxed-edition and incorrect-media checks explain how to identify which installer is requesting the disc.