Starforce: If We Break Your PC, You Get $1,000Copy protection makers offer loophole packed PR stunt ( old news - 03:12PM Thursday Dec 15 2005) tags: Fileswapping · hardware · security · softwareLong before the Sony rootkit DRM there was Starforce copy protection, which installs stealth drivers and is generally despised by most PC gamers because of the headaches it causes. While it doesn't stop piracy, it does slow it down: Starforce protected games frequently show up on Torrent trackers months after publication, or sometimes not at all (at least not as major group releases). Sensing the public backlash against DRM, the makers of Starforce have issued a challenge: if our software breaks your CD/DVD drive, you get $1,000 - maybe. Reading the contest rules however, you'll note that you have to travel to Moscow on your dime and prove to them their software screwed up your CD drive. If you're able to jump through a long list of hoops, you'll get $1,000 and will be reimbursed for your trip. If not, you get posted to their website as a "loser". Of course all of this completely ignores the multitude of other problems this software has caused on user systems since introduction.
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OreoleO
Wanna Settle This Outside??
join:2004-05-22
Feasterville Trevose, PA | got it Ok, so the copy protection pisses you off so badly you take a sledge hammer and break your cd/dvd.
lol | |
|  | donaldk
Premium
join:2000-10-19
Thunder Bay, ON | Re: got it easy... maybe if MS just disabled all auto run all together.. but they never will...
and I tired to disable it a couple of ways but stupid XP still runs it.... SP2 being secure at all... yet this hole they never work on. | |
| | | mlundin
join:2001-03-27
Lawrence, KS | Re: got it To disable autorun, change the registry key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE> SYSTEM> CurrentControlSet> Services> Cdrom> AutoRun
from 1 to 0. Reboot. That's it. | |
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Kompressor
Premium
join:2002-02-12
Huntington Beach, CA | Re: got it You can use Microsoft's TweakUI to disable autorun, too. | |
| | | | | mlundin
join:2001-03-27
Lawrence, KS
 ·Sunflower Broadband
·Comcast
| Re: got it You can use TweakUI to disable AutoPlay, but I am not sure that this will disable AutoRun.
AutoPlay detects types of files on removable disks and asks what you want to do with them. AutoRun executes the autorun.ini file in the root directory of a removable disk, which is the major security risk. | |
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skelet0r
Premium
join:2004-04-26
Florence, AL | Re: got it If you right click on your drive within "My Computer", there is an autorun tab, you have to turn it off for every single instance that is in the menu. Simple | |
| | | | | | | mlundin
join:2001-03-27
Lawrence, KS | Re: got it Unless you're seeing something I don't have on any of my 5 machines, that is an AutoPLAY tab, not an AutoRUN tab. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE, DON'T CONFUSE THEM. | |
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skelet0r
Premium
join:2004-04-26
Florence, AL | Re: got it Yes, I know there is a difference, I meant AutoPlay, not autorun. And, yes Autorun can be disabled with TweakUI, I was replying to the person above me talking about autoplay, sorry. | |
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Hangmn
Don't Fight It...It's Inevitable
Premium
join:2000-04-08
Philadelphia, PA
| said by skelet0r  :If you right click on your drive within "My Computer", there is an autorun tab, you have to turn it off for every single instance that is in the menu. Simple I don't have an autorun tab on any of my optical drives in the path described here.....
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»hangmn.com | |
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Dustyn
Premium
join:2003-02-26
Ontario, CAN
| SHIFT KEY... said by donaldk :easy... maybe if MS just disabled all auto run all together.. but they never will... and I tired to disable it a couple of ways but stupid XP still runs it.... SP2 being secure at all... yet this hole they never work on. ...disabled Auto-Run temporarily for DVD/CDs you are unsure about it. 
--
"You have no idea what I am capable of. People who have tried to cross me, have lived to regret it...~Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) | |
| joshpo
join:2002-09-24
Philadelphia, PA | How about this? Here's another idea. All companies pedaling in "DRM" take a long walk off a short peer, and maybe I'll consider trusting the content industry again someday. | |
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KeepOnRockin
Music Lover Forever
Premium
join:2002-11-08
Beaverton, OR
·Comcast
| No Thanks! quote:
if our software breaks your CD/DVD drive, you get $1,000
Breaking the CD/DVD drive was never the issue with these copy protection/DRM/Rootkit software packages.
The issue was messing up your Windows installation and installing malicious software/backdoors into your system.
Starforce can keep their $1000. I'll continue to use Linux and do as I please with the CDs I purchase and download.
I'll never install Starforce! | |
| | 
Doctor Four
My other vehicle is a TARDIS
Premium
join:2000-09-05
Dallas, TX | Re: No Thanks! IIRC, one of the complaints with Starforce (other than
the stealth installs) was that it interfered with USB
devices, sometimes even causing data loss. | |
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kywirelessgu
Premium
join:2004-01-25
Nicholasville, KY
clubs:
·Insight Communicat..
| Re: No Thanks! Its still installed on my system, even after uninstalling the game that used it. I know there are removers out there, I just like to see it running in my taskmanager so I can laugh at their attempts to stop me from playing pirated games.
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the answers to all lifes questions... »www.google.com | |
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Inflex
join:2002-09-05 | Re: No Thanks! StarForce doesn't run as a process that you can see in task manager. | |
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kywirelessgu
Premium
join:2004-01-25
Nicholasville, KY
clubs: | I was thinking of securom7 | |
| | JimmySask
join:2004-06-24
Regina, SK
| said by KeepOnRockin :Breaking the CD/DVD drive was never the issue with these copy protection/DRM/Rootkit software packages. The issue was messing up your Windows installation and installing malicious software/backdoors into your system. Exactly what I was thinking. I highly doubt they will pay out anything. My understanding was this is the same sort of issue as was seen with Sony fiasco, in that when one tried to remove the software, the CD/DVD drive was disabled or inaccessible due to blocked or disable drivers etc, NOT completely unusable, regardless of software.
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I do whatever my Rice Krispies tell me too.... | |
| gatzdon
join:2002-10-25
Lake Zurich, IL
| 64bit system? Anyone try their software on a 64bit system yet? That would be the best possibility of finding an error in their drivers.
Also, how could they reasonably expect you to only have one DRM scheme on your computer. Install theirs, install anothers, then uninstall their software and see if it still leaves the CD-ROM drive operable?
Just some suggestions to get started.
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$100 placed at 7 percent interest compounded quarterlyfor 200 years will increase to more than $100,000,000 --by which time it will be worth nothing.- Lazarus Long | |
| | 
GOLFnSUN
Enjoy the sun
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·Comcast
2 edits | What constitutes breaking your PC?? Worthless offer that I am sure when examined with a fine tooth comb will have so many legal loopholes as to be totally worthless. And if they won't pay?? Then what? Go to court and sue and spend years trying to get $1000. The only thing that will get them will be someone like AG Spitzer from NY who will take them to court the 1st time they don't pay someone.
P.S.>
If you can be the first to reproduce this situation in our office, we will be happy to award you with $1000.00 US, cover your trip to Moscow and pay 2 days’ lodging. So lets see:
The money only goes to 1st person to prove it. No one else after that.
You have to go to Moscow to prove it in their office.
If you prove it(fat chance), they will pay for your trip.
Now tell me again why this is listed as a legitimate offer.
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Join Red Room Forum
My Web Page | |
| | red230
join:2003-11-07
Monterey, CA
clubs:
| They'll never have to pay They are claiming that their software does not physically break the drive. This has nothing to do with hosing the OS. This boils down to nothing more than a PR move meant to fool people into thinking that their software is harmless. The problem is that the Starforce software can really screw up an OS. They have failed to address the real issue here. | |
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jonez
Got Anime?
Premium
join:2004-09-24
Stow, MA
 ·Verizon FIOS
1 edit | Good Old Starforce I've heard so many problems that starforce causes, from BSODs and crashing people's computers to not allowing people who buy a legitimate copy of a game to play it. Many people think it's a joke.
The release groups do have trouble with it since starfore protects more files than just the .exe, so a simple mini-image or cd crack won't work anymore.
Take codename: panzers II for instance, which has the latest starforce protection. AFAIK, no group has come up with a way to bypass it so far, except for trying to use sf nightmare and hiding your drives or unplugging your optical drives, but that still seems to fail many. A release group finally just released an italian copy of the game that didn't have the starforce protection.
However, if man created it, man will break it...it'll just take more time.
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when will the madness end? | |
| | 
hopeflicker
Capitalism breeds greed
Premium
join:2003-04-03
Long Beach, CA
| Re: Good Old Starforce They make it sound as if it were a game.
WTF? What do you mean a contest:?
"Here are the terms of the contest:
* All the drives in the system should be properly functioning prior to the installation of a StarForce protected product.
* After the installation and start-up of StarForce protected product the problem with (CD/DVD read-write malfunction) must exist and be reproduced in any other configuration." | |
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cdru
Go Colts
Premium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
| Re: Good Old Starforce said by hopeflicker : * All the drives in the system should be properly functioning prior to the installation of a StarForce protected product. * After the installation and start-up of StarForce protected product the problem with (CD/DVD read-write malfunction) must exist and be reproduced in any other configuration." And here you have your loophole. You can't prove that your drive was working correctly before installing the program easily. Even if you could and it breaks the drive, you can not repeat it because the first condition is now false. It no longer is reproducable and therefor not elegible.
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"What gives them the right to come in and do this?" she said. - Lady complaining that she was getting FIOS in her backyard. | |
| | DVOOR8
join:2001-12-24
USA | If it breaks your CD drive? What the heck is that? | |
| 
JPuppy
Java Heathen
Premium
join:2002-11-24
Honesdale, PA
clubs:
| I'll Give you a BILLION DOLLARS... ...if using Starforce causes your computer to go into wretched convulsions, spit out blood, and starts yelling out 'Fred' when in reality your name is Tom.
Any takers? Oh, and you have to prove it by recording it on 8mm film, and then over night it (FedEx First Overnight only), to my hidden location in Reykjavik. You must guess the address as well.
In all, I think most people have a better chance of getting a billion dollars from me than a thousand from Starforce.
--
Official BBR Grouch | |
| | | 
Matt
Gone playing Dragon Age Origins
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
 ·North State Commun..
| Re: Oh yes... said by Karl Bode :This guy's going to Moscow! In Russia, you don't break cd-drive, CD-DRIVE BREAK YOU! | |
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Dustyn
Premium
join:2003-02-26
Ontario, CAN
1 edit | Re: Oh yes... said by Matt :said by Karl Bode :This guy's going to Moscow! In Russia, you don't break cd-drive, CD-DRIVE BREAK YOU! hahaha! 
"In Soviet Russia... car drive you!"
--
"You have no idea what I am capable of. People who have tried to cross me, have lived to regret it...~Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) | |
| 
insomniac84
join:2002-01-03
Schererville, IN
| Why punish paying customers? Why would any company guarantee they won't damage a customer's computer physically? It first of suggests that it could actually happen. Second, it just punishes your paying customers. If you buy it from us you get a bunch of drm, crappy spyware, possibly a broken cd drive, etc. If you download it for free, you just get the product, without any of the horrible extras.
You can do things to try to validate the disc when the game runs, but you shouldn't be installing drivers or checking to see if you have a program like daemon tools installed. My friend bought a game that wouldn't run without uninstalling daemon tools, it was ridiculous. Where does a game company get off telling the end user what programs they are allowed to have on their own computer. | |
| |
See 8 replies to this post | |
Goobstat
@o1.com | "If our software impregnates your wife..." If our software impregnates your wife, we'll buy you a steak! Guaranteed. | |
| jebba2005
join:2005-01-13
Portland, ME | dont buy starf@#$ games zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
huh, dont buy starforce games and itll disappear | |
| | | | | | downeastboi
join:2005-07-28
Beaufort, NC
| Just a thought... Would it be possible to create a program that searches a CD/DVD for known DRM/rootkits/etc...? If so, someone PLEASE create it, I couldn't program my way out of a wet paper bag. This way when you pop in a CD/DVD it searches it for this "stuff" and will let you know before the software gets installed. Just a thought... | |
| Evil Crouton
join:2004-12-13
New York Mills, NY
| Ubisoft is the main problem. Why should Starforce or Ubisoft care if they destroy your OS? By the time you realize that Starforce was included on the CD, they already have your money. And now that you've opened the software you have no recourse to get your money back. The only way to know beforehand is to do extensive research prior to buying any games or you risk getting infected with Starforce. While this has done me a favor by eliminating my impulse buys at EBGames, I feel they should be required by law to disclose hidden software such as Starforce on the exterior of the packaging.
Unfortunately the only real solution I see is to boycott Ubisoft games as they are the biggest offender. | |
| 
G_Poobah
join:2004-01-17
Schenectady, NY
| The issue is ownership Bottom line is ownership. If you purchase something, does a company have ANY right to force you to install something you do not wish to in order to use their product.
If you say no, then starforce is illegal, plain and simple. The fact that you paid for a game, then they cannot unilaterally force you to install something on your PC. NOTE: The fact that you choose NOT to install starforce, does NOT mean that you can't play the game. You PAID for the game, you didn't pay for DRM crap to be installed. (Hint for the corporate apologists: SONY tried that, and look what it got them).
If you say 'yes', then you, as the customer, need to have the absolute right to return your item from WHERE YOU PURCHASED IT for a full refund. That's non-negotiable, as you bought a product that is crippled, and thus you have every right to return it if you disagree with what it's trying to do to your pc.
Why is this such a big issue? Cause if you are the corporation, and you say you have a RIGHT to require the installation of your DRM software, then you've opened up pandoras box. You, the megacorp, are taking away the rights of the consumer, and trying to enforce it by requiring the consumer agree to the EULA (which requires the install of starforce). When the courts rule (and they will, this is no different than the lemon law on cars), that the consumer can thus RETURN the product, because they do not agree with the EULA, you've really screwed up mr. greedy corporate executive.
Do you REALLY think that best buy is going to want to take all those returns of opened software? I know they won't, but you got greedy mr. publisher. In fact, you've destroyed the entire concept of 'first sale' of software, because I, the consumer, now have the right to return ANY opened software, if I disagree with ANY part of the EULA. Guess what, piracy will increase even MORE, because I'm MORE than happy to buy the product, copy it, and then return it. And the amount of time it takes me to download a crack is a LOT less than the time it takes to find/download the entire product.
Easy solution: Sell a GOOD product at a GOOD price, and customers will pay for it.
--
Sure the internet has lots of porn and piracy, but I'm sure there's a downside to it. | |
| 
viperpa33s
Why Me?
Premium
join:2002-12-20
Bradenton, FL
·Bright House
| If it wasn't so bad......... If it wasn't so bad it would be laughable. This is not about breaking your CD drive, it is about making your computer unusable. Under the Terms and Conditions it says you can't run any third party software. Name one person who don't run third party software. So what StarForce is saying, we haven't tested our program in real time. I am sure this product calls home as well which would constitute spyware.
As for the game publishers, they only hurt themselves. Would I ever buy a game using this StarForce crap, not hardly. I just bought the new game F.E.A.R. and nowhere on the the box does it say it comes with any copy protection. I looked on Google and it comes with SecuRom. So far I have to say that my computer is not yet become unstable and that is a BIG yet. Slaps myself for not doing my homework.
Looks like I will be going back to console games cause my computer is to important to have a company destroy it cause they want to. | |
| 
christos
join:2002-01-09
Bridgewater, MA
·Comcast Formerly ..
| Hehehe - the above is almost funny .... when you read this story from 2004:
»Irritation-Ware
"Users report that the software gobbles up computing cycles, slows CD drive read-times, creates CD-R read errors even after removal, and is responsible for a number of device conflicts - particularly with external USB drives. Users who have tried to remove the product manually have often damaged their systems to the point of needing a fresh OS install." | |
| 
ctceo
Premium
join:2001-04-26
South Bend, IN
clubs: | One Way Trip Yeah.
I wonder what the chances are of just being snubbed in the first night there.
(sarcasm) "You challenge Russian software giant, we decide that you loose" click, bang. | |
| | 
Dominokat
"Hi"
Premium
join:2002-08-06
Boothbay, ME
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable
| Re: One Way Trip If it breaks your CD/DVD drive, you "might" get the money. But if it breaks the software running your computer (like Sony) then your f***ed.
The odds of software breaking a piece or hardware is not high. Software? That is (sometimes) easy to break. But don't expect money for it.
--
"There is no element of genius without some form of madness." | |
| | | Joe123456789
join:2003-11-24
Des Plaines, IL
| Re: One Way Trip said by Dominokat :If it breaks your CD/DVD drive, you "might" get the money. But if it breaks the software running your computer (like Sony) then your f***ed. The odds of software breaking a piece or hardware is not high. Software? That is (sometimes) easy to break. But don't expect money for it. software can f*** up firmware and that breaks hardware. | |
| | | | ritteam
join:2003-10-24
Eatonville, WA
| Re: One Way Trip Keep in mind prior to this deb-ogle my DVD writer worked just fine. I installed Blitzekreig 2 (legal copy). I couldn't get it to even work on xp 64. I uninstalled it only to find out my DVD writer wouldn't write to DVD's anymore, only CDR's (I tried many diff programs to make sure it wasn't just nero). I used the Starforce uninstall tool thinking that would fix the problem....no go. It just made it worse. After running the uninstall tool my DVD drive wouldn't work all together...I trouble shooted the hell out of it only to just break down and do a total reformat and reinstall of XP. Thanks Starforce for making a paying customer have to not only not get to play the game I bought due to poor support (ie starforce and xp64 = bad news) but have to spend at least six hours of my time troubleshooting and reinstalling my OS your the best! I'm sure if I had found a pirated copy with a fixed exe file I could have played the game just fine but nooo I had to do the honest thing and buy a legit copy. I will never buy a Starforce equipped game again PERIOD! Btw after the reinstall the DVD drive works fine. | |
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