Buying a “Starforce” friendly DVD drive…

H

heelix

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
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With more and more IDE drivers getting horked up by the latest starforce copy protection, I was wondering what is the best bet out there for DVD drive in a gaming rig these days. Is it worth trying to make the box IDE free – only using SATA or SCSI? Does SATA==IDE anyhow?
 
I have two cheapo dvd drives and 2 nice burners and never had any problems.
 
Sad thing is no drivers ever get borked. That IDE thing that some random person wrote about hasn't happened. If it happens regularly and people are so 100% sure about it why don't they take up Starforce's contest? This whole Starforce thing is rediculous.
 
Really? Might want to search our forums right here for some insight into why Starcrap is nothing more than malware, at best. Just because you don't know what you're talking about, don't assume everyone else doesn't either. Nuff said, use the search function.
 
Easy now fellas. ;)

Not only is our community pissed with Starforce, most of the gaming community is as well.

In my honest interpretation I do agree its no better than the Sony rootkit or the WoW judge.

I didn't have a problem with Judge, because it really didn't affect my machine otherwise, however reading up a bit on Starforce you will see that is not the case and MANY people have had inverse affects after it gets on their machine.
 
Banko said:
Sad thing is no drivers ever get borked. That IDE thing that some random person wrote about hasn't happened. If it happens regularly and people are so 100% sure about it why don't they take up Starforce's contest? This whole Starforce thing is rediculous.
Click to expand...

It's a real problem, I hate to burst your bubble. My DVD/CD drive was useless after installing LO-MAC: Flaming Cliffs. After I used the useless StarForce driver removal tool (created by StarForce BTW), it was still busted. Here's a link to a thread I made that finally got rid of the problem. I now have a functioning DVD/CD drive now that StarForce is gone.

My StarForce Experience

I've had friends that have had issues with StarForce, and one of my buddies works for Symantec, and he wants to classify StarForce as a virus. It's invasive software that causes issues with people's PC's...period.
 
I think we'll add that information to the sticky since we constantly run into this problem. Thank you for the link. :)
 
i use a IDE > SATA adapter on my NEC dvd-rw to avoid starforce difficulties and so that i can use (legit) images of my games. Works great, you could take that route or you could get a native Plextor SATA dvd burner.
 
Banko said:
If it happens regularly and people are so 100% sure about it why don't they take up Starforce's contest?
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Because that challenge is severly weighted against the plaintiff. The round-trip alone would cost more than the prize.
 
Put the data and the credit in the sticky, if you guys want something else along with it, let me know. :)
 
Banko said:
Sad thing is no drivers ever get borked. That IDE thing that some random person wrote about hasn't happened. If it happens regularly and people are so 100% sure about it why don't they take up Starforce's contest? This whole Starforce thing is rediculous.
Click to expand...


Thanks for your input Banko. I now feel dumber for having read that... :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
 
My computer works fine with Starforce. NEC DVD-RW and a AOpen CD-RW work perfectly in UDMA mode and everything.
 
jbrukardt said:
i use a IDE > SATA adapter on my NEC dvd-rw to avoid starforce difficulties and so that i can use (legit) images of my games. Works great, you could take that route or you could get a native Plextor SATA dvd burner.
Click to expand...

That was the $20 question. I've got a Plextor SATA dvd burner in my rig now - but the PX-712A is really nothing more than an IDE with internal SATA converter on it. Not native. Also has to run in PIO mode on a NForce4 mainboard, so would be more than happy to shuffle it off to my wife's box. She has a SCSI Yamaha CDRW burner that is dying, I've got some options. Looks like all the normal SCSI DVD-ROM's are gone too.

I was thinking about just getting an IDE to SATA converter just for cable clutter. The converter enough to 'not' be an IDE drive from StarForce's perspective? Cool.
 
Rich Tate said:
Put the data and the credit in the sticky, if you guys want something else along with it, let me know. :)
Click to expand...

A [H] editorial would be a great addition. :D
 
Dew said:
A [H] editorial would be a great addition. :D
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Absolutely! If anything can get a nice stir going it would be a front page [H]ard rant about Starforce and the crap they are pulling...
 
I hate starforce!

I can't play my legit copy of Brothers in Arms because of it, but a friend of mine had no problem DL'ing a copy of the game - starforce free.

None of the freakin copy protection schemes work, but they keep on getting worse for people that actually buy their games :mad:
 
Bingo. The people that copy protection software is supposed to deter from copying the games, could care less about it, since it doesn't stop them. The people that actually buy the damn games are the ones that have to suffer.
 
Copy prevention only hurts paying customers. I understand CDkeys for online games, and that's the only protection they should have.
 
Banko said:
Sad thing is no drivers ever get borked. That IDE thing that some random person wrote about hasn't happened. If it happens regularly and people are so 100% sure about it why don't they take up Starforce's contest? This whole Starforce thing is rediculous.
Click to expand...

... :rolleyes:

Have you even read the rules regarding the Starforce "contest"? It's easily one of the most asinine "contests" ever proposed to the public. You have to fly to Russia on your own cash, use their hardware, and they have the final say in whether or not they think Starforce caused the problem, even if it's obvious. It's set up in a way that guarantees that nobody will ever do it.

Sorry, but there are too many cases of borked drives for anyone with a sound mind to even begin to imply that all these stories are fabricated.
 
I've got 2 computers with lite-on DVD/CD burners. I have no trouble with starforce on either computer. With that said I DO NOT like it though, I like to play without the CD/DVDs in the drives as I also have 4 kids and CD's get scratched and even lost at times.

Mongoose
 
On the other hand though, starforce does help gamers save money. Esp. when there are many good games out at the same time, can't decide? get the one that doesn't have starfarce on it... ;)

It is really sad that paying customers have to suffer... Taking the more recent example that I can think of UFO: Aftershock. If you look on the forum, you will find that even if your hardware is spared by starfarce, the game load time is GREATLY increased because of the protection scheme, tis very sad indeed...

OT: anyone know for sure if the new Battle of The Middle Earth 2 game will use starfarce? thanks
 
i guess i must have been lucky in the past couple of years or so using StarForce. evey cd/dvd drive ive used has had no problems. and im probabbly one of the few that have never had any problems with it.
 
Banko said:
Sad thing is no drivers ever get borked. That IDE thing that some random person wrote about hasn't happened. If it happens regularly and people are so 100% sure about it why don't they take up Starforce's contest? This whole Starforce thing is rediculous.
Click to expand...

My drives didn't get borked, but now my burner won't burn discs the way it used to. Not a huge deal, but surely something I shouldn't experience after installing a game. That is enough to convince me to never buy another SF protected game, and recommend others do the same.
 
Just another reason I play all the games I can on consoles. 90% less problems. The only games I play on PC nowdays are the ones that need a mouse. RTS and a few FPS are the only ones I play on PC.

And I have had no trouble with copy protection of PC games. I suspect that a lot of people who do probably have tons of pirated software on their computer. If so, why are you complaining? Starforce is doing what it is supposed to. I have none. Problems I have are driver issues, video card overheating, crashes and the like.
 
K600 said:
... :rolleyes:

Have you even read the rules regarding the Starforce "contest"? It's easily one of the most asinine "contests" ever proposed to the public. You have to fly to Russia on your own cash, use their hardware, and they have the final say in whether or not they think Starforce caused the problem, even if it's obvious. It's set up in a way that guarantees that nobody will ever do it.

Sorry, but there are too many cases of borked drives for anyone with a sound mind to even begin to imply that all these stories are fabricated.
Click to expand...

got to ask this question....are we (U.S.A or Europe, canada whatever) the only ones with starforce? Are there no russian computer users?
 
Raxor said:
i guess i must have been lucky in the past couple of years or so using StarForce. evey cd/dvd drive ive used has had no problems. and im probabbly one of the few that have never had any problems with it.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily one of the few, but the percentage of people who have had problems is too high when it comes to to StarForce. It's certainly not a good idea to have the consumer going, "I wonder if this will F-up my system..." None of your games should make you think the aforementioned line :)
 
I simply bought an DVD enclosure. I turned my internal drive to an external FireWire drive. Works great.
 
Staples said:
Just another reason I play all the games I can on consoles. 90% less problems. The only games I play on PC nowdays are the ones that need a mouse. RTS and a few FPS are the only ones I play on PC.
Click to expand...

And I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I truly think I wouldn't care if a game has starforce or not anymore. I don't have problems with my computer starforce. I understand the protest. But at the same time I think a protest would only hurt pc gaming more that is already is.

I think the real way of stopping starforce is two ways. One: complain to TECH SUPPORT not bitch on a forum. I know I had one game not work (Cold Fear) due to starforce. The game was recalled and ubisoft sent me a no-cd patch (Ubisoft did) I think that simple act alone would send the message loud and clear that starforce has problems. Especially if it keeps happening. Starforce also stopped Alice from playing after installing a newer game, and since the game is unsupported the only way I could play it is with a no-cd patch. Unfortunate yes, but I support the developers. The people who pirate (Your friend Pooky) should be ashamed of them selves no matter what. You don't buy a game on PC that is on consoles, and I think that only says to the companies "PC gaming is dying" I don't really think they would associate it to Starforce.

The other way to stop it is for it to truly be exploited like how everyone reporting it as a security issue. Well...starforce has been out for how long now? where's the exploit? Where's the "hero" hacker to show the companies, you might have a serious lawsuit if you continue this?

Once again, I'm not going to say I'm a fan of starforce because I'm not. I am a fan of pc gaming and will support the developers. Pirating a game because I'm "stickin it to the man" isn't the right mentality either.

Edit: I think a protest would work only if someone didnt buy a game on both pc and console, and we all know that wont happen.
 
Netrat33 said:
got to ask this question....are we (U.S.A or Europe, canada whatever) the only ones with starforce? Are there no russian computer users?
Click to expand...

Can't answer that for sure...I've never seen reports of Russian gamers having this sort of problem. Then again, I can't read Russian.

I think it's assume to say that it's a problem everywhere...if publishers are going to have developers implement it into games of one region, it seems like they would go ahead and put it into all the regions that they're releasing their titles to.
 
Dew said:
I will not purchase or install any games using starforce(they even include starforce with some demos, WTF?).

Starforce games list: http://www.glop.org/starforce/#games
Click to expand...


Starforce = No Sale.. I'm with you... I could understand the use of starforce, (a little), if it actually prevented piracy.. But games protected by it are hacked/craked/ worked around near as quick as those protected buy other anti piracy software.. So I can't think of any value in it.. Unless it is just cheaper than the others anti piracy software out there..
 
Man, am I the only one that doesn't have problems with "Starforce"?

I have Starforce installed on my computer(Because of Splinter Cell 3: Chaos Theory, Brothers in Arms, and probably some other games), and I use Alcohol 120% and virtual drive works all the time, every time.

To be honest, I wouldn't even know it was installed unless someone told me it was. Although I don't quite agree with something installing third-party software without me knowing, if it doesn't affect me, I don't really care. Microsoft does it all the time, does everyone complain about it?
 
My company did some research into Starforce prices, and it's about $3.90 to use it per CD.

I was also interviewed by an Australian radio show about Starforce, along with the Starforce PR and a few other individuals. It's a big problem in the gaming community, and both I and my company are boycotting every Starforce game and publisher.
 
Banko said:
Sad thing is no drivers ever get borked. That IDE thing that some random person wrote about hasn't happened. If it happens regularly and people are so 100% sure about it why don't they take up Starforce's contest? This whole Starforce thing is rediculous.
Click to expand...

Would YOU pay to go to Russia in the hopes they would reimburse you and not make an excuse? Its a shady company as it is...
 
Netrat33 said:
And I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I truly think I wouldn't care if a game has starforce or not anymore. I don't have problems with my computer starforce. I understand the protest. But at the same time I think a protest would only hurt pc gaming more that is already is.

I think the real way of stopping starforce is two ways. One: complain to TECH SUPPORT not bitch on a forum. I know I had one game not work (Cold Fear) due to starforce. The game was recalled and ubisoft sent me a no-cd patch (Ubisoft did) I think that simple act alone would send the message loud and clear that starforce has problems. Especially if it keeps happening. Starforce also stopped Alice from playing after installing a newer game, and since the game is unsupported the only way I could play it is with a no-cd patch. Unfortunate yes, but I support the developers. The people who pirate (Your friend Pooky) should be ashamed of them selves no matter what. You don't buy a game on PC that is on consoles, and I think that only says to the companies "PC gaming is dying" I don't really think they would associate it to Starforce.

The other way to stop it is for it to truly be exploited like how everyone reporting it as a security issue. Well...starforce has been out for how long now? where's the exploit? Where's the "hero" hacker to show the companies, you might have a serious lawsuit if you continue this?

Once again, I'm not going to say I'm a fan of starforce because I'm not. I am a fan of pc gaming and will support the developers. Pirating a game because I'm "stickin it to the man" isn't the right mentality either.

Edit: I think a protest would work only if someone didnt buy a game on both pc and console, and we all know that wont happen.
Click to expand...

I respect your opinion but I am going to have to disagree with it. Starforce is no different than the Sony rootkit. It has some of the same problems, such as enabling code to run with permissions it SHOULDN'T have. There are many other reasons why Starforce is a problem and the DVD drive problem is the SMALLEST of the bunch. The same was true and still is true for the Sony rootkit. In all, it didn't cause many problems, if any, however it opened the door for many other problems. If we all just stuck our head in the sand since nothing was "wrong" with our systems that we could see, we would be fine. But this is not the case anymore when DRM is being taken to levels that are unacceptable and dangerous. Just my .02
 
Nasty_Savage said:
Would YOU pay to go to Russia in the hopes they would reimburse you and not make an excuse? Its a shady company as it is...
Click to expand...
Well I myself am Russian and go back there every few years or so... Hell I can probably do that contest the next time I am there. Though the thing is I've never had problems with Starforce either and I also use Alcohol 120% all the time.
 
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