Should I be worried about installing a StarForce protected game?

[Snoop]

I've been reading about alot of people complaining that StarForce protection really messes with their PC's. I've read that long after you un-install the game, the protection is left dormant on your machine.

I've got an original copy of Splinter Cell Chaos Theory and have been hesitant to install it, because of the StarForce stuff I have read.

Have any users here had any problems with StarForce protection, or am I just being silly.

Cheers!

[RangerRick]

I have not had any problems that I can blame on Starforce.

That's not to say that it could cause a problem, but if you do updates regularly, patches, update drivers, etc, you should not see any issues.

Do I like having it on my system? A resounding NO!

[Jagndeke]

There's an interesting read about SF over here. (http://www.star-force.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=765)

I may just pick up the issue of CGW they're talking about but the thread also references a website where similar info is posted. Worth a read anyway. The info about exactly how SF can cause damage to drives makes some good sense.

[0x64657200 0x6A61636B616C00]

aaaaaaaaaaaagggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

"It can, however cause Windows to step down to programmed input/output [PIO] mode, which could possibly damage some optical drives if they are run in that mode for an extended period of time."

That is a problem with Windows.

http://www.michna.com/kb/WxDMA.htm

[DuCa1991]

If its a original game then go ahead and install it its only if u get a burnt copy with starforce in it. Like i got a burnt copy of splinter cell chaos theory and what
ever you do you cant get past it because of the cd key you used......so if its an original install it :thumbup:

[Jagndeke]

That is a problem with Windows.

http://www.michna.com/kb/WxDMA.htm

I checked out your link GenX:

Directly underneath that setting is a grey field that shows the actual working mode of your IDE channel. You want the highest possible DMA or Ultra DMA mode there, and you definitely don't want PIO mode.

And what I see when I check my status is "Ultra DMA Mode 6". Is that the highest setting I should expect to see? Or should I see something higher?

I've got an ASUS P4P800E Delux MB with an 80GB HD and secondary 40GB HD.

[Torsion]

Most users will be fine but the program will mess up a lot of cd burning progams and virtual drives. Starforce is useless and invasive but mostly beneign except for what gen x pointed out. He is a professional so he would know.

[Rafal Dudek]

Here is how it works hehe :):

The process to launch my Cossacks 2 game :):


Step 1: Click shortcut
http://home.comcast.net/~rafal12468/sf1.JPG

Step 2: Disc Verification
http://home.comcast.net/~rafal12468/sf2.JPG

Step 3: Play the game!
http://home.comcast.net/~rafal12468/sf3.jpg


Generally speaking, you shouldnt have a problem with SF. Just play what you enjoy and not worry about copy protection much. I wont have a single copy protection scheme prevent me from playing games I want to play because of fear it will break my system :):

[Roland]

I never had an issue with Starforce.. The thing that pisses me off more than anything else is that it forces me to dig out and put in a CD to play the game. Game Jackal works on EVERYTHING except Starforce.

When you have kids that can and do accidentally damage CD's, it is pretty critical to have a way for them to NOT have to use them in games. Most importantly, games that don't require a CD get played more around here.

So my only bitch about Starforce, I can't Game Jackal it.

[Kalbrecht]

Starforce killed my family, burnt my village and took over my life to become the Chosen One.




what?

[Snoop]

lol :D

Lucky I didn't install it then Kalbrecht. I knew it was evil!

Off to install Splinter Cell. Hopefully my village will be safe :D

[Mara]

Starforce killed my family, burnt my village and took over my life to become the Chosen One.




what?

:lol: :lol:

[Anelysium]

Starforce killed my family, burnt my village and took over my life to become the Chosen One.




what?

Don't forget it raped your land and poisoned your people with fire water!

[Kalbrecht]

Don't forget it raped your land and poisoned your people with fire water!

And gave me blankets filled with cooties.

:scared:

[0x64657200 0x6A61636B616C00]

And gave me blankets filled with cooties.

:scared:

But the Herpes you got all on your own big fella.

[Shoboy]

You will be fine, in most cases. The whole issue with it making windows drop into PIO mode is real. It happens to me EVERY TIME I install a SF protected game. Yes this is a WINDOWS problem. But before any Windows haters or pro-SF fanboys start yelling, STARFORCE is what makes windows do this. It is not a windows error based on just windows, it is an error that is made to happen because of how starforce acts. THis is fact, this is proven, this is the way it is.

You can either manually dump SF or get the SF removal tool. Play the game you want, then after your done playing it and wont be messing with it anymore, uninstall the game and then SF. You dont need SF on your system if your not playing a SF protected game.

I get pissed because it does screw with the PIO/DMA mode stuff, and it acts like a punk to alot of copy programs and virtual drives. I use both copy and virtual proggies, but not when I am buying/playing a SF protected game.

BTW, there is a way to bypass SF. It is crackable, every version. But that's not something to talk about. Just saying that to let you know that SF is not an unstopable giant, just a big pain in the butt giant!!!!!!!

[Rafal Dudek]

BTW, there is a way to bypass SF. It is crackable, every version. But that's not something to talk about. Just saying that to let you know that SF is not an unstopable giant, just a big pain in the butt giant!!!!!!!

indeed, but the whole process is quite annoying :):

[Reggie Pee]

I bought a game that appealed to me greatly (Psi-Ops: Mindgate Conspiracy) and when i tried to play it after id installed it, it just stuttered along like an annoying piece of crap!!!! :mad:

Having discovered thru this forum a long time ago that it would do that if i had CD/DVD writing software installed.

The only way to get by that was to installed it on another OS (i got XP home & pro) and then i managed to play it.

The game had a good concept but was another sh*tty port over from a console giving me 10hrs max of gameplay. :mad:

So i left the crap n played Deus Ex (AGAIN!) for 45hrs n felt more satisfied.

Burn you at the stake PooForce