PC Gamer April Ed.

[ironkross]

Cover header:
"YOUR STARFORCE PROBLEMS.....SOLVED"
"COPY PROTECTION SOFTWARE DEMYSTIFIED!"
On page 18 there is a two page article on copy protection progs. It does show how to find SF drivers and remove them if it's causing problems. It ends the section by giving the link for SF's driver remover tool. So I don't know if this article is help or hype.
However there is an interesting sidebar on Operation Flashpoint's copy protection called FADE. It makes the game a little more unplayable as you increase in levels, until you just can't play anymore (if you are using an illegal copy that is.) Otherwise it causes no damage to your PC.
That's a new angle I wish more software companies would explore.
<EDIT> Sorry I should have posted to Gen. Topics in the first place.

[CWorth]

The thing is if you have a game that uses Starforce and you remove the drivers...they will be reinstalled again when you go to run the game.So whats the point of even removing them.If you dont want Starforce remove the game itself....and presto problem solved.

Though I have to admit the one used by Operation Flashpoint was a good deal on how it worked.

[TteFAboB]

Is it any difficult to remove SF drivers?!

Why can't you install the SF infected game, play the game, and when you're done you remove the SF drivers, repeating the last procedure everytime you quit the game?

If problems with SF arise because the driver is allowed to run 24/7 while you use pirate programs and what not, how can SF cause any problem if it's only allowed to run at 1, 3, 8 hour sessions at a time, when you're not running anything else in the background?

[CWorth]

Removing the SF drivers is actually pretty easy..

Just run the .exe that you can download and thats it.

[CCIP]

Fade had some problems with both cracks working and legit version of the game being blocked on occasion, but in general I think it would be a good direction to explore.

Otherwise, I'll agree to copy protection that's inconvenient, with grumbles; but I'd rather it not be damaging at least :hmm:

[Godalmighty83]

keeping them off is the problem as they slip back on again if you run any of the original source programmes.

its why i no longer play sh3.

[Wim Libaers]

Is it any difficult to remove SF drivers?!

Why can't you install the SF infected game, play the game, and when you're done you remove the SF drivers, repeating the last procedure everytime you quit the game?

If problems with SF arise because the driver is allowed to run 24/7 while you use pirate programs and what not, how can SF cause any problem if it's only allowed to run at 1, 3, 8 hour sessions at a time, when you're not running anything else in the background?

That can be done. However, some people report the standard uninstaller doesn't work for them. Some of the problems may remain after uninstalling.

Also, it's annoying, because there are components running in ring 0, and you need to reboot to remove them, and reboot again to install them when you want to play again.

[winters]

Removing the SF drivers is actually pretty easy..

Just run the .exe that you can download and thats it.

Not true, i did that myself on several occasions and shortly after i always notice 2 of the drivers are back again.

[kiwi_2005]

A few games have that FADE, one that came to mind was the rpg called Sacred, but this fade has been around for yrs.

[SUBMAN1]

Cover header:
"YOUR STARFORCE PROBLEMS.....SOLVED"
"COPY PROTECTION SOFTWARE DEMYSTIFIED!"
On page 18 there is a two page article on copy protection progs. It does show how to find SF drivers and remove them if it's causing problems. It ends the section by giving the link for SF's driver remover tool. So I don't know if this article is help or hype.
However there is an interesting sidebar on Operation Flashpoint's copy protection called FADE. It makes the game a little more unplayable as you increase in levels, until you just can't play anymore (if you are using an illegal copy that is.) Otherwise it causes no damage to your PC.
That's a new angle I wish more software companies would explore.

Fade is part of SecureROM and Safedisc. they both boost about that type of technology on their sites, and I think Op Flashpoint using one of the two. I'll go look.

It is easy to copy however, and I made a copy that never 'faded' since they state about the fade tech when you first boot it up, so of course I had to check it out!!! Never worked with a decent copy though.

-S

[CB..]

this is going to start getting mad---if every game company uses a different copy right protection routine pretty soon we'll all have more copy right protection software than any other type of software--same thing with some of the DVD films ---lots of them require you to install a program to allow you to access some of the advanced DVD featurs on the disc...sooner or later you have dozens of these damn programs littering up the place---but at least with the films you can cancel the installation and watch the film anyway---thats after you plow thru the anti piracy trailer and several minutes of trailers for other products--hey i thought the point of actually buying the film was that i wouldn't have to sit thru 15 minutes of adverts every time i want to watch it...lol????

any one else getting to the point with games where in you pick them up in the shop read the warning on the box stating

"this product contains software designed to prevent copyright infrigement that may conflict with some DVD drives etc etc"

and put the game back on the shelf and walk out....?

whats this..trick or treat? :damn:

i mean the over whelming majority of games are next to useless anyway--if i have to run even the tinyiest of risks when installing them then blam goes any desire to buy them out of curiousity--given the price of brand new games it's saving me a small fortune!!--suppose i should be gratefull!! :rotfl:

[STEED]

Welcome to the world of Red Tape Not :down: