rec.autos.simulators

by **HockeyTownUS** » Tue, 07 Feb 2006 05:36:10

Oh CRAP!

I just bought GT Legends from Best Buy and open it up and what do I find,
but a StarForce code.

WTF? Why do these smaller publisher's go with StarForce? Dammit, now I'm
considering not installing it at all.

I used to think that I never had a problem with StarForce. But after reading
a bunch about StarForce, and having two CD-RW/DVD-ROM drives fail, I realize
it is highly likely StarForce with Silent Hunter III. Ever since I got my
THIRD CD-RW/DVD-ROM replaced by the online store I ordered it from, I
haven't had any issues, and haven't installed SH3 yet either.

Maybe just coincidence but smells fishy to me!

I don't mean to complain, but is there any way to remove that copy
protection?

Thanks!

by **John Smit** » Tue, 07 Feb 2006 07:27:29

yep, on the starforce web page they have an uninstaller iirc. Google it..

by **PlowBo** » Wed, 08 Feb 2006 01:54:13

But if you unstall the SF the game wont run either.
John Smith enlightened us with:

>> Oh CRAP!

>> I just bought GT Legends from Best Buy and open it up and what do I
>> find, but a StarForce code.

>> WTF? Why do these smaller publisher's go with StarForce? Dammit, now
>> I'm considering not installing it at all.

>> I used to think that I never had a problem with StarForce. But after
>> reading a bunch about StarForce, and having two CD-RW/DVD-ROM drives
>> fail, I realize it is highly likely StarForce with Silent Hunter
>> III. Ever since I got my THIRD CD-RW/DVD-ROM replaced by the online
>> store I ordered it from, I haven't had any issues, and haven't
>> installed SH3 yet either. Maybe just coincidence but smells fishy to me!

>> I don't mean to complain, but is there any way to remove that copy
>> protection?

>> Thanks!

> yep, on the starforce web page they have an uninstaller iirc. Google
> it..

by **Chang Li** » Wed, 08 Feb 2006 02:07:58

SafeDisc 4

> But if you unstall the SF the game wont run either.
> John Smith enlightened us with:

>>> Oh CRAP!

>>> I just bought GT Legends from Best Buy and open it up and what do I
>>> find, but a StarForce code.

>>> WTF? Why do these smaller publisher's go with StarForce? Dammit, now
>>> I'm considering not installing it at all.

>>> I used to think that I never had a problem with StarForce. But after
>>> reading a bunch about StarForce, and having two CD-RW/DVD-ROM drives
>>> fail, I realize it is highly likely StarForce with Silent Hunter
>>> III. Ever since I got my THIRD CD-RW/DVD-ROM replaced by the online
>>> store I ordered it from, I haven't had any issues, and haven't
>>> installed SH3 yet either. Maybe just coincidence but smells fishy to me!

>>> I don't mean to complain, but is there any way to remove that copy
>>> protection?

>>> Thanks!

>> yep, on the starforce web page they have an uninstaller iirc. Google
>> it..

by **Andrew MacPhers** » Wed, 08 Feb 2006 20:57:00

I think we simply have to get used to developers protecting their work
like this. I don't like it, but I love GTL, so I'm living with it and
haven't -- so far -- noticed any problems associated with it.

The Starforce on LOMAC 1.1 is worse, because you only get a limited number
of installations. Ok, it's 15 these days, with more if you ask nicely, I
believe. But that bothers me *far* more than the protection on GTL.

Andrew McP

by **Larr** » Wed, 08 Feb 2006 22:57:14

So, with these phone-home protection systems...

What happens if the developer goes under and the servers aren't home any
more.

Anyone thought of that?

That is my primary problem with "Activation" systems, be it software or
digital music.

-Larry

>> Oh CRAP!

> I think we simply have to get used to developers protecting their work
> like this. I don't like it, but I love GTL, so I'm living with it and
> haven't -- so far -- noticed any problems associated with it.

> The Starforce on LOMAC 1.1 is worse, because you only get a limited number
> of installations. Ok, it's 15 these days, with more if you ask nicely, I
> believe. But that bothers me *far* more than the protection on GTL.

> Andrew McP

by **Andi Col** » Thu, 09 Feb 2006 03:10:36

I'm sure Microsoft will come running to our aid with a relatively cheap fix
if any company goes under.

Andi.

> So, with these phone-home protection systems...

> What happens if the developer goes under and the servers aren't home any
> more.

> Anyone thought of that?

> That is my primary problem with "Activation" systems, be it software or
> digital music.

> -Larry

>>> Oh CRAP!

>> I think we simply have to get used to developers protecting their work
>> like this. I don't like it, but I love GTL, so I'm living with it and
>> haven't -- so far -- noticed any problems associated with it.

>> The Starforce on LOMAC 1.1 is worse, because you only get a limited
>> number
>> of installations. Ok, it's 15 these days, with more if you ask nicely, I
>> believe. But that bothers me *far* more than the protection on GTL.

>> Andrew McP

by **Mitch_** » Thu, 09 Feb 2006 03:10:26

Lomac FC (DL version) has (on their site iirc) a registry backup utility.
Makes re-install a breeze and unlimited. In fact I used it recently without
hiccups.

Mitch

"Andrew MacPherson"

by **Ped Xin** » Thu, 09 Feb 2006 04:05:01

That still doesn't sound ideal to me. A big reason for re-installing
Windows periodically is to clear out all the garbage in the registry.

--
Ped Xing

by **Mitch_** » Thu, 09 Feb 2006 04:21:38

All it adds are the relevant to Lomac reg entries, not all ;)

>> Lomac FC (DL version) has (on their site iirc) a registry backup
>> utility. Makes re-install a breeze and unlimited. In fact I used it
>> recently without hiccups.

>> Mitch

> That still doesn't sound ideal to me. A big reason for re-installing
> Windows periodically is to clear out all the garbage in the registry.

> --
> Ped Xing

by **Larr** » Thu, 09 Feb 2006 05:55:54

It's not their software to fix.

This has already happened once to users of a certain DVD copy program. One
day, their paid-for product ceased to install if I remember correctly
because the company shut down.

When you think about it, this is REALLY serious with people spending
thousands on downloaded music.

If it ever happened, even ONCE, the ripple through the music download
industry would be tidal-wave in effect.

I think we will see it happen eventually.

And Microsoft still hasn't officially stated what they are going to do with
XP activations when it goes off support.

-Larry

> I'm sure Microsoft will come running to our aid with a relatively cheap
> fix if any company goes under.

> Andi.

>> So, with these phone-home protection systems...

>> What happens if the developer goes under and the servers aren't home any
>> more.

>> Anyone thought of that?

>> That is my primary problem with "Activation" systems, be it software or
>> digital music.

>> -Larry

>>>> Oh CRAP!

>>> I think we simply have to get used to developers protecting their work
>>> like this. I don't like it, but I love GTL, so I'm living with it and
>>> haven't -- so far -- noticed any problems associated with it.

>>> The Starforce on LOMAC 1.1 is worse, because you only get a limited
>>> number
>>> of installations. Ok, it's 15 these days, with more if you ask nicely, I
>>> believe. But that bothers me *far* more than the protection on GTL.

>>> Andrew McP

by **Andrew MacPhers** » Thu, 09 Feb 2006 05:56:00

> What happens if the developer goes under and the servers aren't home
> any more.

I absolutely agree it's a *** system. But what's the choice here and
now? We either don't buy the software and miss the fun, or we swallow the
bitter pill.

I'm too old to sit and wait for an ideal world. :-)

Andrew McP

by **Andrew MacPhers** » Thu, 09 Feb 2006 05:56:00

> Makes re-install a breeze and unlimited.

Not strictly true. The registry backup only works if your hardware stays
the same. Any changes and Starforce has to re-authenticate.

Andrew McP

by **Larr** » Thu, 09 Feb 2006 06:33:33

Ditto for the rFactor trick. I had to re-activate after my computer
upgrade.

-Larry

>> Makes re-install a breeze and unlimited.

> Not strictly true. The registry backup only works if your hardware stays
> the same. Any changes and Starforce has to re-authenticate.

> Andrew McP

by **Larr** » Thu, 09 Feb 2006 06:39:16

It will be fine until it hits something popular. Then the proverbial shit
is gonna hit the fan for everyone that uses it.

It will happen, and I think it will be good for consumers when it does.
Congress will meet. Senators will discuss over beer. Laws will be written
protecting the consumer.

It will all finally be out in the open.

Just think what would happen if you woke up to a news story tomorrow morning
that stated "Apple closes iTunes. Purchased music can no longer
authenticate".

It won't happen to iTunes, but I hear that some of the music 'stores' ain't
doing so hot right now.

This is also why I think, eventually, it's gonna be a subscription thing,
plain and simple. For better or worse.

I know if iTunes were to start a subscription service I would drop
YahooMusic and their pathetic music software in a heartbeat.

-Larry

>> What happens if the developer goes under and the servers aren't home
>> any more.

> I absolutely agree it's a *** system. But what's the choice here and
> now? We either don't buy the software and miss the fun, or we swallow the
> bitter pill.

> I'm too old to sit and wait for an ideal world. :-)

> Andrew McP

rec.autos.simulators

GTL USES STARFARCE????

GTL USES STARFARCE????

GTL USES STARFARCE????

GTL USES STARFARCE????

GTL USES STARFARCE????

GTL USES STARFARCE????

GTL USES STARFARCE????

GTL USES STARFARCE????

GTL USES STARFARCE????

GTL USES STARFARCE????

GTL USES STARFARCE????

GTL USES STARFARCE????

GTL USES STARFARCE????

GTL USES STARFARCE????

GTL USES STARFARCE????

GTL USES STARFARCE????