I'm new here, what's all the fuss over Starforce anyway?

jasondef · 02-01-06, 04:59 AM

Could somebody please explain to me in a layman's nutshell what exactly Starforce is, why its so evil, why should I boycott them, and how does it effect me negatively? I've had no problems so far playing SH3 off of DVD. I've read a ton of posts regarding Starforce and boycotting them, but so far all I can find is postings condemning them and damning them to hell, but nothing that actually explaining what the problem is! I've gathered so far that is has something to do with playing it off of the DVD version, but that's about it. There must be other newb's out there wondering about this, I hope. :hmm: And I know, coming from me the "I'm new here" routine must be getting old to some of you, but hang in there, someday I'll figure it all out! Besides, its the best excuse I have for ignorance, and fools people into thinking that I'm intelligent and just lack experience!

Mike 'Red Ocktober' Hense · 02-01-06, 07:49 AM

try and copy a file or folder to a cd or dvd...

--Mike

jasondef · 02-01-06, 08:20 AM

Well, just earlier today I burned a CD with a bunch of downloaded preview movies of the games "Oblivion" and "HOMMV" for my mom, because my parents just have a slow dial-up connection, and they couldn't download the big files, anyway that's a long story. Well, it worked fine, so what? Why can't someone just tell me what its all about instead of teasing me with encrypted riddles?

Gunner · 02-01-06, 09:03 AM

arrrrrgh! thats why I can't copy anything with my DVD,also me sound went kaput on me media player,can't find the problem.i :hmm:

TDK1044 · 02-01-06, 09:51 AM

Starforce is a protection system that uses a needlessly intrusive set of Drivers to protect the designated game from being copied and distributed illegally. The early SF Drivers impacted a small number of computers by reducing, and in a few cases preventing the CD and DVD burning ability of other applications. The latest SF Drivers are much better at doing the job they were originally designed to do, without intruding beyond the scope of the game they are are there to protect. It's true to say that it's relatively easy to defeat SF if you know what you're doing, but in all honesty, with the latest Drivers there really is no issue, other than the subjective issue of whether such Drivers should ever be installed on a computer.

Mowgli · 02-02-06, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDK1044

Starforce is a protection system that uses a needlessly intrusive set of Drivers to protect the designated game from being copied and distributed illegally. The early SF Drivers impacted a small number of computers by reducing, and in a few cases preventing the CD and DVD burning ability of other applications. The latest SF Drivers are much better at doing the job they were originally designed to do, without intruding beyond the scope of the game they are are there to protect. It's true to say that it's relatively easy to defeat SF if you know what you're doing, but in all honesty, with the latest Drivers there really is no issue, other than the subjective issue of whether such Drivers should ever be installed on a computer.

Of course is you were to read other posts by other people you would have a completley different response than the one quoted.

There are two camps, those who defend it blindly and those who recognize that it is a nasty piece of malware.

Do a search in Google with "Starforce problems" and make your own mind up.

Onkel Neal · 02-02-06, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mowgli

There are two camps, those who defend it blindly and those who recognize that it is a nasty piece of malware.

"Defend it blindly" and blindly accuse it of being "a nasty piece of malware", is putting it fairly, I think. I'm neither for or against SF but I haven't seen any real proof it is spawn of the devil. Before I grab a pitchfork and leap on the bandwagon, I would like to see tests by Cnet or some neutral lab.

Marhkimov · 02-02-06, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mowgli

There are two camps, those who defend it blindly and those who recognize that it is a nasty piece of malware.

Not really... You also have people like me, who don't give a *crap* either way...

On my PC, Starforce neither hurt nor hindered my performance. I can burn/copy CDs and DVDs just fine, but then people started complaining about SF ruining their drives, so I just decided to get rid of that junker...

Perhaps it'll save me some trouble in the future... Who knows...

joea · 02-02-06, 06:05 AM

I wonder if some of these guy who are anti-SF (again I think there are valid reasons to be wary though I've had no problems with it) and have U-boats and such in their sigs have uninstalled SH3.

Or found other arrangements.

Just think it ironic. Bet UBI regrets having put SF in SH3. Hope they drop it.

Marhkimov · 02-02-06, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joea

I wonder if some of these guy who are anti-SF and have U-boats and such in their sigs have uninstalled SH3.

Or found other arrangements.

LOLOLOLOL

Who has a u-boat in his sig? Show me to him!

Sea Demon · 02-02-06, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marhkimov

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mowgli

There are two camps, those who defend it blindly and those who recognize that it is a nasty piece of malware.

Not really... You also have people like me, who don't give a *crap* either way...

On my PC, Starforce neither hurt nor hindered my performance. I can burn/copy CDs and DVDs just fine, but then people started complaining about SF ruining their drives, so I just decided to get rid of that junker...

Perhaps it'll save me some trouble in the future... Who knows...

Yup. That's me in a nutshell. It didn't hurt my system at all, but I do not intend for my system to become a lab rabbit for Starforce drivers. I'm still studying the issue, and trying to determine if the complaining voices out there have some validity to their claims. Hopefully I'll be able to put SH3 back on my hard drive. It is an amazing game, that I'd love to play again.

Sea Demon

Mowgli · 02-02-06, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mowgli

There are two camps, those who defend it blindly and those who recognize that it is a nasty piece of malware.

"Defend it blindly" and blindly accuse it of being "a nasty piece of malware", is putting it fairly, I think. I'm neither for or against SF but I haven't seen any real proof it is spawn of the devil. Before I grab a pitchfork and leap on the bandwagon, I would like to see tests by Cnet or some neutral lab.

Nice pick up. However I would like to think that you are not the kind of person who jumps aboard any bandwagon. I for one am not.

If you or your moderators are unable to determine the truth about Starforce by now, then you never will OR you are privy to information to which I and the other members of this forum are not.

For you to step down from your Ivory Tower must mean something.

turnerg · 02-02-06, 01:55 PM

one thing, it appears that starforce will not allow me to use Simbin's FIA GTR game in my plextor dvd r/w. this said, my SH3, and my soon-to-arrive GT Legends, which both use starforce(I suspect GTL does, as its predacessor did).

does this mean that I'll have to go get ANOTHER drive, a plain dvdrom, just to use them?

and what ever happened to the legal right to make your one personal backup of any cd you buy?

Gizzmoe · 02-02-06, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turnerg

does this mean that I'll have to go get ANOTHER drive, a plain dvdrom, just to use them?

I donÂ´t know. You should try the SF driver update:
http://www.star-force.com/support/sfdrvup.zip

Takeda Shingen · 02-02-06, 05:17 PM

Let us be honest. There are six types of people that post about Starforce:

1. People who refuse to acknowledge that there may be anything damaging regarding the program.

2. People who concede that some people may experience difficulties with the program.

3. People who believe that Starforce is intrusive software that will damage most systems on which it is installed.

4. People who believe that Starforce, if given enough time, will kill off all of mankind and end civilization as we know it. They regard any person who disagrees with them as ignorant or on the payroll of UbiSoft.

5. People who just don't care.

6. People who really don't care, but think that the people from number four are really, really funny. (That's me).

02-01-06, 04:59 AM	#1
jasondef Weps Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 358 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'm new here, what's all the fuss over Starforce anyway? Could somebody please explain to me in a layman's nutshell what exactly Starforce is, why its so evil, why should I boycott them, and how does it effect me negatively? I've had no problems so far playing SH3 off of DVD. I've read a ton of posts regarding Starforce and boycotting them, but so far all I can find is postings condemning them and damning them to hell, but nothing that actually explaining what the problem is! I've gathered so far that is has something to do with playing it off of the DVD version, but that's about it. There must be other newb's out there wondering about this, I hope. :hmm: And I know, coming from me the "I'm new here" routine must be getting old to some of you, but hang in there, someday I'll figure it all out! Besides, its the best excuse I have for ignorance, and fools people into thinking that I'm intelligent and just lack experience!

02-01-06, 09:03 AM	#4
Gunner Navy Dude Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 177 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	arrrrrgh! thats why I can't copy anything with my DVD,also me sound went kaput on me media player,can't find the problem.i :hmm: __________________

02-02-06, 01:55 PM	#13
turnerg Bosun Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Georgetown, TX Posts: 67 Downloads: 37 Uploads: 0	one thing, it appears that starforce will not allow me to use Simbin's FIA GTR game in my plextor dvd r/w. this said, my SH3, and my soon-to-arrive GT Legends, which both use starforce(I suspect GTL does, as its predacessor did). does this mean that I'll have to go get ANOTHER drive, a plain dvdrom, just to use them? and what ever happened to the legal right to make your one personal backup of any cd you buy? __________________ Back in the SH2 and DC days, we were happy if the game even booted!!!

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02-01-06, 07:49 AM	#2
Mike 'Red Ocktober' Hense Commander Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 445 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	try and copy a file or folder to a cd or dvd... --Mike

02-01-06, 08:20 AM	#3
jasondef Weps Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 358 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Well, just earlier today I burned a CD with a bunch of downloaded preview movies of the games "Oblivion" and "HOMMV" for my mom, because my parents just have a slow dial-up connection, and they couldn't download the big files, anyway that's a long story. Well, it worked fine, so what? Why can't someone just tell me what its all about instead of teasing me with encrypted riddles?

02-01-06, 09:51 AM	#5
TDK1044 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 2,674 Downloads: 25 Uploads: 0	Starforce is a protection system that uses a needlessly intrusive set of Drivers to protect the designated game from being copied and distributed illegally. The early SF Drivers impacted a small number of computers by reducing, and in a few cases preventing the CD and DVD burning ability of other applications. The latest SF Drivers are much better at doing the job they were originally designed to do, without intruding beyond the scope of the game they are are there to protect. It's true to say that it's relatively easy to defeat SF if you know what you're doing, but in all honesty, with the latest Drivers there really is no issue, other than the subjective issue of whether such Drivers should ever be installed on a computer.

02-02-06, 06:05 AM	#9
joea Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: At periscope depth in Lake Geneva Posts: 3,512 Downloads: 25 Uploads: 0	I wonder if some of these guy who are anti-SF (again I think there are valid reasons to be wary though I've had no problems with it) and have U-boats and such in their sigs have uninstalled SH3. Or found other arrangements. Just think it ironic. Bet UBI regrets having put SF in SH3. Hope they drop it.

02-02-06, 05:17 PM	#15
Takeda Shingen Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 8,643 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	Let us be honest. There are six types of people that post about Starforce: 1. People who refuse to acknowledge that there may be anything damaging regarding the program. 2. People who concede that some people may experience difficulties with the program. 3. People who believe that Starforce is intrusive software that will damage most systems on which it is installed. 4. People who believe that Starforce, if given enough time, will kill off all of mankind and end civilization as we know it. They regard any person who disagrees with them as ignorant or on the payroll of UbiSoft. 5. People who just don't care. 6. People who really don't care, but think that the people from number four are really, really funny. (That's me).