Securom causing major problems again!

[SUBMAN1]

I can't seem to win. I was affected by system screw ups with StarForce, and now Securom is causing me headache!

Look what started happening the day Mass Effect was installed (installed on the 15th by the way):







Nice. The last one in case anyone cares, scares me the most. It is my RAID device. That could screw up my entire system, and I must be careful to reinstall it properly or risk losing everything!

-S

[FIREWALL]

I have full confidence you will prevail.

Btw Thx for the help yesterday.

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

I have full confidence you will prevail.

Btw Thx for the help yesterday.

It worked?

-S

PS. i see it didn't. You need that IDE driver to make it see the disks. What kind of controller is it hooked up to? Find it and then DL the driver from the board manufacturer or from the controller maker itself. Your clue will come from whomever makes the Southbridge. Tell me what motherboard you have and I can tell you what driver you need if you need help.

[Blacklight]

Securom is nothing more than spyware that some of the game companies have stupedly embraced.
Seriously, there are so many reasons to ban Securom. I'm suprised the industry doesn't boot that piece of crap. It causes problems, is intrusive, and ultimately limits the playability of the game/software.

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by Blacklight

Securom is nothing more than spyware that some of the game companies have stupedly embraced.
Seriously, there are so many reasons to ban Securom. I'm suprised the industry doesn't boot that piece of crap. It causes problems, is intrusive, and ultimately limits the playability of the game/software.

I agree. I had my first complete black screen to reboot on this thing since i owned it (almost 2 yrs old now) since Mass Effect was installed! Crazy. For the most part ME is stable - rock stable, but once in a blue moon it crashes out to desktop or worse with my one time full reboot. It could have theoretically been my ATI drivers that caused the crash since i haven't seen anything similar since 8.6 was installed, but more likely a Securom thing since I haven't had anything similar happen, not even on Crysis.

-S

[stabiz]

This latest version of Securom is the worst, appearantly. Games like Mass Effect and Bioshock has it. I beat Bioshock without any problems, though. But I have done a complete reinstall of Windows recently, and no way in hell I`m reinstalling Bioshock after reading this and some other scary stuff at other sites.

[FIREWALL]

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

It worked?

-S

PS. i see it didn't. You need that IDE driver to make it see the disks. What kind of controller is it hooked up to? Find it and then DL the driver from the board manufacturer or from the controller maker itself. Your clue will come from whomever makes the Southbridge. Tell me what motherboard you have and I can tell you what driver you need if you need help.

Hi SUBMAN1

I can only get into the bios and it says "SYSTEM BOARD ID 30A6"

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

Hi SUBMAN1

I can only get into the bios and it says "SYSTEM BOARD ID 30A6"

Well seems your board is dead - probably your BIOS even. RMA it if you can.

-S

[peterloo]

That's why I say using these complicated, trouble causing protection system isn't the way to go

If someone don't want to buy the original disc, they won't. They have got crackers who release cracks on the day of release, they have got hamachi network which allows them to play multiplayer without using the official server and they also got everything that a genuine player will get, like updates or addon or mods

The best way to solve the piracy problem, is NOT by these troublesome methods, but by using nice contents and innovative designs.

I've heard that Mass Effect sold in Russia don't have Securom embedded. Don't know whether you can buy a Russian version and then patch it back to English, through

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Securom...ct_controversy

[Reece]

What sucks with all this is that once you purchase a game the first thing you have to do is look for a crack! (Who said that word!), It is most annoying, why should those who have paid for a legit version have to then fix it! Any of these stinking protection apps that run in the background should be banned! Plenty of other ways to protect their investment, without loading a "virus" on our systems!
I installed SH4 a couple of times before Securom was removed by a later patch, the damn thing would error every 3rd start of the game or so, does anyone know if a footprint is left in the background, if so is there a way to remove it?
Thanks.

[peterloo]

After searching google, I found this removal method, but the length won't allow me to copy it here without creating lengthy posts, so I give you the hyperlink instead

http://www.simprograms.com/?p=658

Another one (this one is official but much less detailed)
http://www.securom.com/support_faq.asp --- Q36

Please note that I have NOT personally tried out any securom removal tool before, since my securom protected game works fine for me so far. You may try this out through. You are also adviced to backup any important information before doing so - I don't know whether any problem will emerge as you remove Securom! Take this as a discriminar!

P.S. The Securom will be reinstalled again once you play a securom embedded game which is not yet cracked / patched to remove protection, like SH4 v1.4

[SUBMAN1]

In case anyone cares:

36. How do I remove SecuROM™ from my machine?
To remove all SecuROM™ related files (except the DRM information) please follow the instructions below. Before you start the deinstallation, close all programs which are running in the background, especially be sure that no instance of the Windows Explorer is running.

• Open the Windows command box by pressing and selecting the option. Now type 'cmd' (without 's) and press on the keyboard.
• Please type enter the path to the protected executable, e.g. "C:\Program Files\My Game\game.exe"
• Add the following parameter and hit : /uninstall
• A dialog box will appear. To start the SecuROM™ deinstallation, press the button.

Note: These instructions will work only for applications protected with SecuROM™ version 7.24 or higher.

[Reece]

So since I have uninstalled Silent Hunter IV I should be free of any problems, it is not like Starforce where the "virus" is installed for all time unless removed?
Thanks.

Edit: Thanks Peter, the first link was very good & the step #36 that Subman1 mentioned needs the downloaded exe to work for a full removal including removal from registry!

[Blacklight]

Wasn't SecuROM™ the source of a successful lawsuit brought against it by a huge group of software users ? I remember some copy protection company that got sued because their copy protection was deemed "Spyware" and they lost the suit.

At least with Starforce, it doesn't require an internet connection and just requires the original installation CD. If the guys who make SecuROM™ go out of business, there will be no way to install the software as the program won't be able to contact it's assigned server to get the "All clear". SecuROM™ is the worst and most intrusive piece of garbage copy protection out there.

There's really no fool proof copy protection that can't potentially hamper the consumer unfortunately. This is unfortunately the case of.. the few pirates make the masses suffer.

Starforce: What if my CD gets scratched or damaged or I lose it ? Legally I am supposed to be able to make a single backup copy of any software I legally purchased. I am unable to do this with Starforce.
SecureRom: What if I decide to end my internet subcription ? What if they go out of business and the program has nothing to contact ? God.. this program is intrusive !
USB Dongle: My USB Dongle broke or fried somehow or I lost it !
Password Challenge: I lost my password list, or manual or whatever the passwords are in.

[peterloo]

I've personally once used virtual drives to backup some legally purchased games

However, I'm not sure whether it's legal to mention the method here, so...

I recommend all game companies to replace all broken / scratched discs for free (1 scratched disc --> 1 new working disc), or release some way to remove the protection mechanism once the product reaches its end of life

Finally, I must stress that all protection mechanisms, like Starforce, Securom, Tages, or Safedisk failed to meet their original goal (that is, prevent pirvacy and boost sales), that's why they should be abolished instead of strictly enforced.