StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113240
11/30/03 11:33 PM
11/30/03 11:33 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 40,644 southeast USA
Jenny100
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OP
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For anyone who has played Black Mirror (and probably other games that use StarForce copy "protection") - The game install installs StarForce drivers on your computer. Uninstalling the game does not remove these drivers and they may conflict with other software. Of special interest is this part Bugs or problems:
Black Mirror uses a copy protection system provided by StarForce. On Windows98SE, I encountered two severe problems, both of them related to some device drivers that were installed by the StarForce copy protection software:
Uninstalling the game does NOT remove the StarForce drivers; this is completely unacceptable behaviour. I have complained to Dreamcatcher and demanded that they provide me with facilities to remove the drivers. Dreamcatcher has since sent me a program called "sfclean.exe" that appears to remove them.
The StarForce device drivers conflicted with the device drivers for my USB memory drive, and caused my machine to crash (BSOD) whenever I plugged in my memory drive. This problem has not yet been resolved by Dreamcatcher.
Contact Dreamcatcher if you have uninstalled your game, and find any of these files remaining on your disk: prosync1.vxd, prosync1.sys, sfhlp01.sys, prohlp02.sys, prodrv06.sys
Last edited by looney4labs; 06/25/07 11:59 AM. Reason: remove broken link
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113241
12/01/03 07:14 AM
12/01/03 07:14 AM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 205 florida
ErnestineZ
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Does anyone know whether Quarterdeck's CleanSweep works on XP? If it did, it might fix this. Symantic also has a "clean sweep" program but I don't know anything about it. Anyone out there know about any software that cleans up on uninstall?
Salty
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113243
12/01/03 07:59 AM
12/01/03 07:59 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 904 Philly
kwbridge
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I just emailed them - the files are on my machine - and asked for a fix to the problem. I also told them that it is unacceptable that an uninstall would leave files behind and that I would not purchase any more of there games until they corrected this problem.
Kim
(Anti) Social Development
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113244
12/01/03 08:43 AM
12/01/03 08:43 AM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,764 Kentwood, Left my heart in New...
JohnBoy
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Kim, I will do the same. The files are also on my computer.
I Baag, Therefore I Am. Update: I Don't Baag Anymore, Therefore I Ain't! Update: I'm baaging again but just a little. JohnBoy ----------------
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113245
12/01/03 09:14 AM
12/01/03 09:14 AM
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 46 mississauga ontario canada
james laurie
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Thanks for the info.
First does this affect xp also? If so,how do I fine these drivers in my pc? I'm running xphome edition. Thx for any help. Jimmy
jim laurie
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113246
12/01/03 09:31 AM
12/01/03 09:31 AM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,764 Kentwood, Left my heart in New...
JohnBoy
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Jimmy, Go to start and click on search for files and folders and type in the file name.
I Baag, Therefore I Am. Update: I Don't Baag Anymore, Therefore I Ain't! Update: I'm baaging again but just a little. JohnBoy ----------------
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113247
12/01/03 10:22 AM
12/01/03 10:22 AM
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 334 the Netherlands
Betje
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Does anybody have an email address for me to email Dreamcatcher? I can only find an on-line form. TIA.
The beaded curtain slams shut behind you. There's no turning back now...
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113250
12/01/03 10:41 AM
12/01/03 10:41 AM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 7,858 North Florida
BillyBob
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I use Win98SE and have those files on my computer, but not the game (anymore). So far, I have not noticed any problems with my computer that might be associated with the Starforce Protection. Still, I don't like having them on here. Do I HAVE to get that "cleanup" file from Dreamcatcher or can I just eliminate those files from my computer that are mentioned in the article?
I didn't do it......and if I did I'm not guilty!
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113251
12/01/03 11:09 AM
12/01/03 11:09 AM
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,947 Land of 10,000 Lakes
MrLipid
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Originally posted by BillyBob: Do I HAVE to get that "cleanup" file from Dreamcatcher or can I just eliminate those files from my computer that are mentioned in the article? Probably depends on whether or not StarForce drops something into the Registry. If it does and the drivers have been removed, there could be a problem. Usenet reports suggest that sfclean.exe appears to restore a system to its pre-StarForce state.
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113252
12/01/03 11:29 AM
12/01/03 11:29 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 904 Philly
kwbridge
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Philly
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If we all email them and tell them we are going to boycott their games until they correct problems with copy protection maybe we can cause a change for the better.
Copy protection irks me - it is causing problems for legitimate owners of the game. Also, I believe that people who pirate games are not going to then buy the game if they can't get a copy of it - they don't plan on EVER purchasing the game. I bought a music cd recently with some sort of copy protection on it and I can't play it on my computer at all - it will only work in my cd player. Since I purchased this cd I should be able to play in wherever I want to.
End of rant ...
Oh - does anyone know if the copy protection on BS3 leaves files behind too? As far as I can tell it isn't Starforce ...
Kim
(Anti) Social Development
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113254
12/01/03 01:07 PM
12/01/03 01:07 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,800 Ardsley, New York
Llewton
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I use Windows 98 SE. I have 3 Starforce 3 games currently on my computer in various stages of play (Runaway, Broken Sword 3 and finished Black Mirror) and have not had a single problem since they were installed.
If the world didn't suck would we all fall off Now playing Post Mortem, Midnight Nowhere and Still Life
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113257
12/01/03 01:31 PM
12/01/03 01:31 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 904 Philly
kwbridge
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Philly
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I filled out this form ... http://www.adventurecompanygames.com/tac/forms/tech_support.html It is been my experience that it will be a good 5 days before I hear back from them. I don't think the issue is so much whether the leftover files are affecting our computers in a negative way as it is that an uninstall does not remove all files. My computer is working fine but I don't want extra Starforce files left behind on my system.
(Anti) Social Development
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113258
12/01/03 01:35 PM
12/01/03 01:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,947 Land of 10,000 Lakes
MrLipid
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Originally posted by Salar of Myst: Is the utility Dreamcatcher offered just for 98se or is it good for other OSes? That's not clear. It may only be for Win98SE. I guess I could just copy each file name listed into "search" and delete it manually, yes?
Maybe. Maybe not. It appears that the files are referenced in the Registry as part of the StarForce Protection Environment. Not clear what effect deleting just the file might have.
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113259
12/01/03 01:36 PM
12/01/03 01:36 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,800 Ardsley, New York
Llewton
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If you are currently playing another Starforce 3 game (ex. Runaway, BS 3) do not delete anything yet as it would probably affect those games. Even though Runaway doesn't have the keycode/serial it is still a Starforce 3 game.
If the world didn't suck would we all fall off Now playing Post Mortem, Midnight Nowhere and Still Life
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113262
12/01/03 03:13 PM
12/01/03 03:13 PM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,764 Kentwood, Left my heart in New...
JohnBoy
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I agree with you 100 percent Jenny. Amen!
I Baag, Therefore I Am. Update: I Don't Baag Anymore, Therefore I Ain't! Update: I'm baaging again but just a little. JohnBoy ----------------
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113263
12/01/03 03:29 PM
12/01/03 03:29 PM
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 694 Stockholm, Sweden
Lagavulin
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I am not a 100 % sure that Starforce really does this at least not always. I played and un installed In Memoriam, which also is protected by Starforce. The files mentioned above were never installed, in this case any way. (I Use Win XP) Cheers
ON:Ether One Redux Recent:Stasis,Gabriel Knight3(RP),Gabriel Knight2(RP),Barrow Hill D P,Syberia2(RP),Secret Files P C,Inner World,Eyes Of Ara
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113265
12/01/03 04:10 PM
12/01/03 04:10 PM
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,947 Land of 10,000 Lakes
MrLipid
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The StarForce uninstaller (SFCLEAN.EXE) is available as part of a patch for World War II: Frontline Command. You can find a link to the patch HERE . Look for wwii_fix_2ksp4.zip. I discovered a few of the StarForce files in my system (and in my Registry!), ran SFCLEAN.EXE, the system rebooted and all traces of StarForce were gone. That said, Dreamcatcher should make the uninstaller freely available. It should not be necessary to submit 14 different data points before being supplied with something that should ship with any title using StarForce as its copy protection.
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113266
12/01/03 04:26 PM
12/01/03 04:26 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 40,644 southeast USA
Jenny100
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113267
12/01/03 04:47 PM
12/01/03 04:47 PM
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 46 mississauga ontario canada
james laurie
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johnboy Thanks for the prompt response.I did what you suggested and found 2 files prosync1.sys and prohlpo2.sys which I deleted.Hope I did the right thing! Also I called the Adventure Company.They advised me not to delete anything in my pc but to go into the web and find a program to do it for me.In my opinion, their whole attitude seemed to be " couldn't care less".thx Jimmy
jim laurie
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113268
12/01/03 04:54 PM
12/01/03 04:54 PM
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 10,663 Massachusetts
friedmonky
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We need a smilie icon for "biting my tongue"! You are absolutely right Jim! Rusty
Even monkeys fall from trees sometimes.
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113269
12/01/03 05:34 PM
12/01/03 05:34 PM
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Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 3,669 New York
Mary
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Kim, Your comment about these "copy protection" systems sure pertains to me! I've had Uru in my possession for several weeks now and have yet to be able to install it! The CD is not even recognized in my DVD/CD-RW! If you want to see what I've been going through, check my thread in Glitches.
The answer is....chocolate! Who cares what the question is.....
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113270
12/01/03 05:45 PM
12/01/03 05:45 PM
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 10,663 Massachusetts
friedmonky
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The Adventure Company sure picked a good time (Not!) to have a free shipping promo. It runs until December 24th. Rusty
Even monkeys fall from trees sometimes.
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113271
12/01/03 05:47 PM
12/01/03 05:47 PM
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Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,119 Glennville, Ga., USA
Albert
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Interesting. I've played and uninstalled Black Mirror and haven't had any problems. I even just tried my USB flash drive, no trouble at all. I don't have any objections to copy protection that isn't a major inconvenience, but I have no tolerance for ANY software that hoses up my computer. This has sparked my curiosity though. I run both software and hardware firewalls. Norton Internet Security caught both the Black Mirror and URU demos trying to access www.ctr.microsoft.com (something like that, I should have written it down) each time the demo was played. Anyone else notice this? I didn't see this with the full version of the game. I'm beginning to wonder if there's more to "copy protection" than just copy protection. Albert
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113274
12/02/03 07:41 AM
12/02/03 07:41 AM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 205 florida
ErnestineZ
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Justhow does StarForce work? Does this mean that these games cannot be traded or installed on anyother computer?
Salty
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113275
12/02/03 08:11 AM
12/02/03 08:11 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
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kwbridge
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The games can be traded and installed on another computer as long as you have the code that comes with game. I guess the copy protection is checking that the game cd is valid and is not a copy. Copy protection differs from online activation, which is what Windows XP uses.
Kim
(Anti) Social Development
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113278
12/02/03 04:50 PM
12/02/03 04:50 PM
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 10,663 Massachusetts
friedmonky
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Nope, me either Jenny. Rusty
Even monkeys fall from trees sometimes.
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113279
12/02/03 05:28 PM
12/02/03 05:28 PM
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 618 virginia
KateVa
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Not being a Starforce proponent, I had found that this puts 4 drivers in my machine (XP)...I looked at Device Manager (show hidden devices) and found: Starforce Protection Environment Driver v6 Starforce Protection Helper Driver Starforce Protection Helper Driver v2 Starforce Protection Synchronization Driver v1 Of course, when I disabled them, I couldn't play BS3 anymore...but at least I will know where to go when I am finished with the game. Kate
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113282
12/03/03 09:17 AM
12/03/03 09:17 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,657 Haifa; ISRAEL
LenG
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Of the games mentioned that have potential StarForce problems, the only one I've played so far is Runaway (MANY times!) ... Broken Sword-3 has been ordered & is on it's way! (I've also played demos only of Black Mirror & URU... but it would figure that the *demos* have NO copy protection anyhow --- but who knows???). So far, I haven't had any unusual problems. None of the 5 files mentioned exist on my setup. I looked in my Registry & didn't see any OBVIOUS references to StarForce ... but I'm not sufficiently techie to examine my Registry properly ... so something(s) may be lurking there!? QUESTION & HELP! I'm using Windows'XP ONLY. Most references (maybe all ??) seem to have been by folk using one of the versions of Windows'98. ****** Can anybody say with reasonable certainty that :-(A) You have definitely found these StarForce troubles using Windows'XP. ...... OR ALTERNATIVELY ... (B) You have played at least a couple of these questionable games on Windows'XP, and have had NO TROUBLE WHATSOEVER (re ... post un-installation of the games). ****** ADDENDUM ******A friend (not on the Forum) has just sent me an email. He is quite knowledgeable & reliable on such matters. He says the problem only affects the OS, Windows-98SE. I wonder if he's correct ????
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113284
12/03/03 03:14 PM
12/03/03 03:14 PM
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 644 New York
Ladybug
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I have three of these files on my computer. They don't seem to be interfering with anything. If I highlight them and click on delete, will this cause any major problems or should I just leave them there? I really hate anything left on the computer after I've uninstalled a game. When I highlight these files I get a message saying: These files are used by various programs. Editing them could damage your system.
Ladybug
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113285
12/03/03 03:16 PM
12/03/03 03:16 PM
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 644 New York
Ladybug
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Hi LenG,
I don't know what OS everyone else is using, but I have these files left on my computer and I have Win ME.
Ladybug
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113286
12/03/03 03:50 PM
12/03/03 03:50 PM
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 10,663 Massachusetts
friedmonky
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I had the files and I am using XP. They were left by Black Mirror. Rusty
Even monkeys fall from trees sometimes.
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113289
12/09/03 08:46 AM
12/09/03 08:46 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 559 Antelope Valley, So CA, USA
grandpa68
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I have just finished playing The Black Mirror. My intention is to un-install the game. Should I just leave the StarForce files there for the time being?
Keep smiling and the world will smile with you. -------------------
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Re: StarForce leaves garbage on your system
#113290
12/09/03 09:18 AM
12/09/03 09:18 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,657 Haifa; ISRAEL
LenG
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To Grandpa68 from another gramps! As a matter of interest ............. **** (a) Have you seen ANY (or all) of the following 5 files anywhere on your hard disk(s)? prosync1.vxd, prosync1.sys, sfhlp01.sys, prohlp02.sys, prodrv06.sys **** (b) What Operating System are you using? If the answer to (a) is positive, I think it would be best to apply sfclean.exe AFTER you've uninstalled Black Mirror, otherwise you may (???) get problems with your USB sometime in the future. However before implementing my 'advice', please get confirmation from somebody more competent than I am, e.g. Jenny100 who is a tech whizz (and very helpful)!
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