I think I have exhausted my search for an answer to my current dilemma.
I am a retired Government IT specialist so that may explain my ignorance as I worked in a mushroom farm at a government facility.
I retired and moved from AZ to GA a couple of years ago. I had my computers shipped by professionals so you can imaging my computers were stolen. 7 cents a pound for the loss.

Anyway, I can only locate the original serialized plastic case and the controller, so I have enough to prove this is not piracy.
I am in the process of building a computer after using a laptop for the last couple of years. Most upgrades require inserting the original licensed product before upgrade is authorized.
What can I expect from G5 to make an upgrade vice a complete buy of a new disc?

You should go to Great Planes for help. You've got the case and controller with it's serial number, which is what they seem to require for validation. I believe they replace discs that won't read, and you're sort of in that situation. Nobody here can supply you the software. And that's what you need.

Thanks for your response. I was hoping to make a clean install of G5(upgrade) without having to install the original G4. I know a lot of Windows you could do that and enter the original license number and not have any legacy windows OS filling up the hard drive.
I guess I'll ask how to close this thread as it appears that I will get good ligitemate answers that will all lead to the conclusion that I will have to get the "original disc"

It's not a simple situation, is it. You want to upgrade something you actually don't have.

They really are the best hope.

Like da Rock has already alluded to I think your best bet would be to contact RealFlight Tech Support. As I understand it the G5 "Upgrade" has no effect on any prior versions of RealFlight that you may (or may not) already have on your computer. Again ... "as I understand it" the upgrade disc, once installed, utilizes the existing interlink controller so I would think that you'd be alright with getting just the G5 Upgrade disc. But, check with RealFlight first.

As long as your Interlink controller is for G3 or higher, then you're good to go[8D].
The G5 upgrade for 79 bucks, does not require any earlier disks, serial numbers, only that you own an Interlink controller from a prior version.
With RF, if you have an earlier version on your machine, the new disk will install the new version in a separate directory, it will not touch the earlier. The supplied disc is a full version.
Good luck,
Pete

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXYET5&P=0

Thanks to all for the information. I have gleaned enough info here to make if confident to go ahead and buy the upgrade without the original G4 disc. Yes I have the controller and yes the original box.
Thanks again. Now, to figure out how to close this thread.