Beta version or demo of CFS2?

I REALLY WISH that someone had access to that BetaArchive site. Really drives me NUTZ that you have to jump through numerous hoops and do a bunch of voodoo rituals to simply download a single file from them <aarrgghh>. With all of the TONS of stuff over at archive.org , the guy SHOULD have uploaded it THERE (which is what that *I* would have done). HELL, I'd even PAY him for download link (after all, I WOULD have bought that one from EBay if I would have stumbled on the listing in time).
 
I could be a really long shot but maybe we could ask in the other fourms and ask if some has access to BetaArchive DLs or maybe knows some one that dose?
 
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I actually signed up in their forums and posted the following message:

WOW! I'd LOVE to get my hands on a copy of this!

There has been A LOT of discussion about the beta version of CFS2 over at "Sim Outhouse", starting with some of my own forum posts over there 7-1/2 years ago. Then in 2021 I found an Ebay listing for the beta CFS2 CD, but unfortunately had missed that sale by a few weeks :(

I even went as far to message the original Ebay seller, but he said that he didn't have the contact info for the buyer... just my luck!

Anyhow, WOW... this is something that several of us CFS2 enthusiasts would DIE to get our hands on! I only wish that I had something of value to upload here to the Beta Archive to get access to the downloads.
Click to expand...

Of course, there's an automated message currently tagged to my post:

This post is not visible to other users until it has been approved by a moderator.
Click to expand...

Anyhow, once the message is approved by a moderator (???), hopefully that might spur along someone there willing to help... we shall see.
 
Nothing yet. The moderators FINALLY approved my post, and it appears that the guy with the CD is indeed the one that bought that one off of eBay back in 2021.

Anyhow, I sent him a PM asking if there was anywhere that I could download the ISO from.
 
This just crossed on a Crimson Skies Discord channel I'm a part of. I asked if the person can upload the disc they have. Note this looks like it could be closer to retail as the disc show CD-1 while the eBay listing from 2021 seem to be only one disc.

XhJDZxr.jpeg
 
I think it says "Special Gold Release" as the "C" in special doesn't match the look of the "C" in cold.

No message back yet.

1717115572211.png
 
I got the files sent to me. The only thing that looks different is MFC42.dll is missing from Disc 1 in the "CFS" folder and Disc 1 and Disc 2 have "_" folder with no files in the Special Gold Release beta.

Most of CFS2 core files are held in the CFS2.cab on CD so I put the side by side. They size match.

1717190370483.png

Sad Trombone.mp3

I'm going to ask if the person can sent me the files as ISO (Optical disc image. That can be burned to CDs) Than try uploading them to BetaArchive so I can than get the other beta CD they have at BetaArchive.

Edit:
Converted the file back to ISO my self and burned to CDs. Still nothing looks to be changed over all. The MODULES folder .dlls are 1 hour earlier and are all lowercase. The cfs2.exe and cfs2.icd match. Beta will run with NoCD patch just fine. This beta looks to be just retail with different print on the CDs.
 
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Even with the files I got I can't meet BetaArchive's bull :censored: requirements. We need to find someone that can get us that CFS2 beta file from BetaArchive by hook or by crook.

Also the person the sent me the beta files also dug this up.

"The latest installment takes the action out into the Pacific during World War II, with well over a hundred missions to fly as either the Americans or the Japanese.

Today Microsoft have announced that the game has "gone gold", meaning that it is now complete and a master copy has been sent off for duplication. Microsoft are expecting it to hit shelves in the UK around the end of October, so keep your eyes peeled!"

https://www.eurogamer.net/article-29317

So what the "Special Gold Release" is an limited run of the almost final version for "in house" and promo use.
 
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Ahhh, that explains the Gold part now. Man, that TOTALLY SUCKS about BA's requirements AARRGGHH!

BTW, I had sent that original uploader over at Beta Archive a private message:

I don't suppose that you would have an ISO of that Beta CFS2 CD available anywhere else for download?
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His reply:

Sadly not at the moment. only what's been put on here on the Database. I'll have to think about in the near future.
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My reply to him:

Thanks for the info. Please keep me posted if you do, and THANKS!
Click to expand...

The above last reply was from May 8, I haven't heard anything else though.
 
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Rich,

I am not too sure why you want the beta disc. I just found this link if you need a new copy of CFS2.

I have multiple installs on my PC, so I have not tried to download it.

Andrew

Mod Edit: abandonware links are agains house rules. I've edited your post.
 
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@AcWai Looking for beta is simple. 2 Missing P-47 are shown in the files but not in the retail game.

p47d_thunderbolt.jpgp47n_thunderbolt.jpg
 
Well it is back on eBay.

www.ebay.com

Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2 PC Game Scarce Internal BETA Pre-Release CD | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2 PC Game Scarce Internal BETA Pre-Release CD at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com

Spoiler alert.
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Any one got 1,500 USDs and change just laying around?
 
This guy MUST be STONED! I mean, why waste everyone's time, the seller MUST know that NO one is going to buy it at that price. I have a good mind to send him a message, "Will you take $3.99 for just the CD WITH free shipping? No need to send the bonus new plain CD case." 🤣
 
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