"With the IRS switches, turn them directly to NAV - DO NOT switch them to ALIGN, then NAV because it doesn't work. "

Tried that, doesn't work either. Align lights still blinking. I switched them straight to NAV as you suggested. They appear to perform the alignment, then start blinking.
Engines running. All lights off on panel. Confirm plane not moving. Parking brake on.
I can make them turn off by switching to the ATT position, but i have no idea what that does as it is not mentioned in the manual.

With respect to the imported flightplan I find this:
"The FLTSIM FPLS on the bottom of SELECT CO RTE page opens IMPORT FS FPL page. This page lists all flight
plans (.FPL files) created and saved by the Flight Simulator built-in flight planner. Selecting any entry
imports the corresponding flight plan waypoints into the FMC."

Correct me if I am wrong but it appears that I can load a simple flightplan that was created within FSX. Correct?