StarForce leaves garbage on your system

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

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?

Forever Worlds is the only upcoming title from Dreamcatcher that I was really looking forward to. I emphasize was.

Since I am using Win98SE and StarForce seems to have problems with Win98SE, I may skip Forever Worlds and avoid the grief.

Copy protection that breaks other apps while failing to gracefully and completely unistall itself is simply unacceptable.

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

Kim, I will do the same. The files are also on my computer.

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

Jimmy, Go to start and click on search for files and folders and type in the file name.

Does anybody have an email address for me to email Dreamcatcher? I can only find an on-line form. TIA.

The only non-order-form address I've found is this:

info@dreamcatchergames.com

I found one of the files on my computer . Since I had no other games installed yet I did a system restore to a day before I started Black Mirror.The file is now gone and I didn't lose any information in other programs.
Susan

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?

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.

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

MrLipid...........

I rather suspected that might be the case. Besides, it wouldn't hurt if they get an EMail from all of us about this. Might get their attention.

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.

Could someone simply include here on GB the EMail address to make a complaint about this "Starforce" garbage. As usual, when I go to a site for someone like this and click on support I get run around in circles and lose my patience with them.

Well if it was on Runaway too then I definitely have it on my WinXp computer. Havent seen any problems since I finished it but I'd just as soon not take chances.

Is the utility Dreamcatcher offered just for 98se or is it good for other OSes?

I guess I could just copy each file name listed into "search" and delete it manually, yes?

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.

That's not clear. It may only be for Win98SE.

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.

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.

I just received Conspiracies and Mysterious Journey 2. I have not yet opened the boxes. Does anyone know if they have Starforce proection?
Thanks,
Susan

Conspiracies does not use StarForce. It's Dreamcatcher that is using StarForce on their games and Conspiracies is published by GotGame.

The big issue to me is that games with StarForce are leaving behind garbage that is known to conflict with certain computer devices. And the game's uninstall does not get rid of it. Suppose you got something, like a new printer or new videocam, and it wouldn't work because you played this game that had StarForce on it. Why should copy "protection" be leaving behind any "drivers" at all? It's getting entirely too invasive.

I agree with you 100 percent Jenny. Amen!

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

According to what I've read on the Internet, there are three different varieties of StarForce. In Memoriam may be using a different one from the one Dreamcatcher is using. Or the uninstaller for In Memoriam may be better at removing whatever was added by StarForce. In any case, using a "system restore" seems to get rid of the problem, if your version of Windows supports it.

But Dreamcatcher should make the StarForce uninstaller available for download on their website. And they shouldn't be using such invasive forms of copy "protection" in the first place. Every time I started up "Black Mirror" I had to wait while the game did a "copy check" with this accusatory "StarForce" icon sticking up in my face, checking to see if I'm a thief or not. It's stuff like this that makes me want to quit buying new games.

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.

Thanks, Mr. Lipid.

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

We need a smilie icon for "biting my tongue"! You are absolutely right Jim!
Rusty

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 Adventure Company sure picked a good time (Not!) to have a free shipping promo. It runs until December 24th.
Rusty

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

AHuber.........

Norton didn't mention anything to me about this. Who's to say what "extras" are included in so-called "Protection" programs.

NIS only saw a problem with the demo games. I just got URU today and haven't tried it yet. The settings you have on Norton may be a factor here. Mine flags any program that attempts to access the internet that it hasn't been told to allow.

Albert

Justhow does StarForce work? Does this mean that these games cannot be traded or installed on anyother computer?

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

Read the White Papers, if you are interested and have time:

http://www.star-force.com/products/prof30/index.htm

I scanned them. I didn't see anything there about potential problems for the end user.

Nope, me either Jenny.
Rusty

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

Just FYI...Someone from StarForce has posted at the TAC forums. Interesting read.
Rusty

Whenever I install a game, I usually go find a crack for it. I've had a few issues with copy protection not recognizing my CD drives and stuff, and it's much less hassle having to hunt down and insert the CD for each game (not to mention avoiding scratches on valuable originals, which more often than not belong to friends <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" /> )

Of course this wont avoid issues with the copy protection messing around with the system in the cases of starforce and other stuff thats active even when not loading games.

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 ????

Did all versions of Runaway use StarForce?
I remember someone in Australia required a key code. But the US version did not.

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.

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.

I had the files and I am using XP. They were left by Black Mirror.
Rusty

I found the patch at filefron.com. While it is slightly off topic I recently read a posting about hidden files being placed in temp internet files. We probably all clean the visible ones up regularly but if you go to the folder and do a wild card search (where file name is *.*) you may turn up a whole bunch of stuff you didn't know was there. I found 14,000 files. It took five minutes to delete them. Don't send them to the recycle bin or they will be hidden again and you will have to go to unhide files to delete them. Of course maybe everybody but me knew this, but, oh well. All other factors aside I am really enjoying Black Mirror.
Bob

Just a quick PS on removing the Starforce garbage. After I used the sfclean I looked at device manager, and the four "devices" were still listed. I had to manually uninstall each one. Probably makes no difference to my machine, but it made me feel better. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" />

Kate

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?

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)!

If you're going to be playing another game that uses StarForce right away, then you might as well leave them there. Otherwise, run sfclean.exe to get rid of them.

No I'm not a tech whiz.
You're confusing me with my brother, which is not advisable.

OK ... how about a compromise?

WHIZ-ESS !