This is a mystery to me, so I hope some of you FSX and computer experts can help me understand it and possibly solve it.

I have been running the Windows 10 Technical Preview on my Dell XPS desktop for many months, with no effect on FSX. I have a Radeon graphics card.

Two days ago, two things happened: there was a Windows Update (I am on the Fast Ring) and also an update to the Catalyst Manager. Subsequently, FSX will only display a black screen in Free Flight mode. The sound works, but there is no display except for a distorted still image of the selected aircraft.

I then uninstalled and re-installed FSX from DVD, but the same problem persists. I rolled back the Radeon driver to no avail.

Desperate, I then installed Steam and purchased FSX Steam Edition. No difference.

Finally I decided to re-install Prepar3D v2.5. It works perfectly.

So, where is the incompatibility? Can I test to see if DX9 or DX10 is installed and working? Could it be the C++ runtime libraries that need updating? You would think the FSX Installer would detect such problems.

Any ideas? Has anybody experienced anything similar?