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Starforce DRM, Another Sony Rootkit?

malebolgia   on 21 March 2006 - 18:12 · 91 comments & 42491 views

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After the Sony rootkit fiasco, you'd think that companies would have learned their lesson involving dangerous copy protection methods. Well according to some rather alarming news from cdfreaks.com, it appears that Starforce is following in the footsteps of the Sony’s now famous rootkit.

According to cdfreaks.com the anti-piracy system that Starforce is using installs a driver that runs at the highest level of access on the system. Meaning that this driver has access to basically all same things the operating system itself enjoys (hardware/drivers/processes). Further more this driver runs all the time, regardless of whether or not you are playing a game that used Starforce's DRM. If that wasn't enough to scare you, if the Starforce driver thinks it has detected suspicious activity relating to disc copying the driver will instantly reboot your computer without any notification.

Aside from restarting your computer whenever the driver thinks it detects suspicious activity, the Starforce driver can also interfere with certain device drivers. In fact it can interfere so bad that the device drivers will run in legacy PIO mode instead of DMA, this not only slows down you computer but also slows down the data transfer to affected hardware. As with the Sony rootkit, this Starforce driver will only install under Administrator privileges.

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#1 xorian on 21 Mar 2006 - 18:23
Something most of us already suspected probably .. Bah, I hope the stupid company goes bankrupt anyway, they're a bunch of rednecks and morons.
(1 reply) #2 ps2rules27 on 21 Mar 2006 - 18:43
I always knew starforce was up to something behind our backs. they are evil!
#2.1 toadeater on 22 Mar 2006 - 01:14
With companies like this, getting into your Desktop is only the beginning. If Starforce were to establish themselves they would soon turn to other strong-arm tactics to extort users.
(4 replies) #3 ahhell on 21 Mar 2006 - 18:43
How is software like this legal???
#3.1 Solarix on 21 Mar 2006 - 18:48
no idea dude seriously, one thing i did notice lately is why the hell do some game demos require starforce????
#3.2 lbmouse on 21 Mar 2006 - 19:36
It should not be legal or at least be against industry standards. Hopefully anti-DRM decisions in France and other countries will prevent this from happening in the future. Unfortunately all this recent attention is not in time to prevent MS from including embedded DRM (with some nasty capabilities for content providers) into Vista.
#3.3 MrCobra on 21 Mar 2006 - 22:42
@Solarix

Demos have protections because some commercial games were "cracked" by replacing the protected executable with the demo one.
#3.4 shao on 23 Mar 2006 - 11:58
and starforce remains when you uninstall the demos. the cheek of it!
#4 factoid on 21 Mar 2006 - 18:44
here we go again...
#5 Roger2 on 21 Mar 2006 - 18:48
The only way SF will be brought down is if people like us tell game makers that we won't buy their games if they use SF.
#6 Beastage on 21 Mar 2006 - 18:56
Whats next? formating? overclocking and changing voltages to cause damage to hardware?
Stealing credit card/bank account/paypal information?
Companis like Ubisoft are risking alot if they keep using starforce
(1 reply) #7 Blindsleeper on 21 Mar 2006 - 19:01
now that is an impressive blunder...
#7.1 Audhumla on 21 Mar 2006 - 21:44
Interesting choice of words.
(3 replies) #8 thenay on 21 Mar 2006 - 19:02
Another reason why I don't buy StarForce games Once a game gets released thats what I check for, if it has StarForce, I'm not buying it no matter how great the game is.
#8.1 mx3 on 21 Mar 2006 - 22:50
Same here.
#8.2 Buttus on 22 Mar 2006 - 01:43
right on! i would love to play trackmania, but with starforce on it, forget it...
#8.3 rm20010 on 22 Mar 2006 - 04:38
I can't believe how Starforce would go as far as REBOOTING computers without notification.

If I lose data because of their dips**t practices, Starforce better fire up their email filters.

As for Trackmania Nations, I'll have to run that remover tool each time I play that game. Sucks, but TrackMania Nations is still something fun to play at times.
(1 reply) #9 Napalm Frog on 21 Mar 2006 - 19:04
I'm too afraid to install my Chaos Theory so that I can finish it off... Then again, before I reformatted, everything ran pretty well with it installed...
#9.1 zORYn on 21 Mar 2006 - 19:27
Same here, except not everything ran "pretty well". My laptop's hard drive reverted to PIO mode, you wouldnt believe the time it took the system to boot, and the time it took ME to realize why. Splinter Cell is the best game I ever played, but no more Chaos Theory for me!
#10 Novaoblivion on 21 Mar 2006 - 19:04
I have hated starforce for a long time it is so annoying. Copy protection in general is stupid I buy the games so I get punished? If someone really wants to pirate them it doesnt slow them down at all.
#11 minh17 on 21 Mar 2006 - 19:31
This had better get the same media treatment as the sony bmg rootkit, not just ignored because its for "computer games".
(3 replies) #12 rIaHc3 on 21 Mar 2006 - 19:37
Well there is a very simple solution

Pirate the game. If they lose money, maybe they'll notice. Look; this is finally a valid reason to pirate games.
#12.1 markjensen on 21 Mar 2006 - 20:09
I assume that was a tongue-in-cheek comment?

Suggesting/supporting piracy on Neowin is a no-no.
#12.2 BobMarley on 21 Mar 2006 - 20:16
Well, you don't have to pirate it, but just don't buy it for sure. Boycott Starforce. Apparently Starforce can also cause permenant damage to hardware such as DVD-RW drives by forcing Windows to run them in really slow compatibility modes.
#12.3 P1R4T3 on 21 Mar 2006 - 23:01
YO Bob Marley check this out:
No StarForce No cry...
#13 [sourcequench] on 21 Mar 2006 - 20:00
Yes Sony-BMG was bad in putting this sort of thing on to their music CDs, however, they finally realised their mistake after it was highlighted (fair enough after quite a lot of badgering) and actually offered to compensate those affected (maybe just a small token, but at least they tried!

However, I really don't see Starforce owning up to this or giving any sort of compensation, but instead maybe they will claim it is a necesity to prevent piracy
#14 xMorpheousx416 on 21 Mar 2006 - 20:06
Just spread the word. Tell everyone you know to stay clear of any games that have Starforce software.

As far as pirating the game(s), well, it's gotta be ripped of the Starforce installer first.
(3 replies) #15 __kret on 21 Mar 2006 - 20:09
Uhm... so I buy a legit game and I'm penalized by having this out-of-control software installed without my knowlegde and possibly messing my system...
or I download a pirated, cracked version and enjoy the game without questionable 'features' (not counting being a thief)
...
so what the purpose of this starforce again?

edit: seeing a comment above - 'piracy' thing is supposed to be irony. I do not pirate nor tell other to do so.
#15.1 CheeseFart on 22 Mar 2006 - 07:12
im sure if you read your license agreement like you are supposed to (and AGREE that you have and AGREE to it) then you would know that SF would be installed
#15.2 werejag on 22 Mar 2006 - 13:57
cheesefart

do you work for starforce? becuase you sure seem to be suporting this cruddy company
#15.3 rm20010 on 22 Mar 2006 - 16:17
Go find me the license agreement for TrackMania Nations and please point out where it states "this product contains anti-CD copying software."
(1 reply) #16 Blindsleeper on 21 Mar 2006 - 20:12
im not sure even this falls under the catagory of "valid reason to pirate games" (im not saying support the company, but doing something illegal just to spite them probably isnt going to help matters)
#16.1 toadeater on 22 Mar 2006 - 01:17
Why would someone want to pirate a Starforce game? I don't want to buy any games with it, or download any! I don't want this junk on my OS! Windows is unstable enough by itself already! With half a dozen different copy-protection drivers (games, graphics software, office software, etc) running in the background, it is a ticking timebomb!
(1 reply) #17 neural-shock on 21 Mar 2006 - 20:14
I'm another victim of the stuff. Had to uninstall Trackmania Sunrise Extreme and the damned driver to be able to use my burner without problems.

*sigh* One of my favorite games, and it had to be bundled with this POS protection system.

As long as PC games keep coming with it, I'll stick to buying their XBOX counterparts, if they exist.

edit:

Here's an URL with a list of games that come bundled with starforce:
http://www.glop.org/starforce/list.php
#17.1 BobMarley on 21 Mar 2006 - 20:17
Me too. I had it from Trackmania Nations which is a FREE game! I couldn't believe the bastards had got malware on to my PC by offering me something for free and getting hosted on a (previously) reputable website (nvidia.com).
#18 webeagle12 on 21 Mar 2006 - 20:25
throw a riot
(1 reply) #19 ReAnimation on 21 Mar 2006 - 20:31
Its been confirmed by futuremark that they have not carried out any investigations into starforce themselves, it appears that the information came from members of futuremarks forums.

More info here:

http://www.futuremark.com/news/?newsarticl...0603/2006032104
#19.1 dw2003 on 21 Mar 2006 - 21:01
mmm yeah any StarForce news needs the source checked - everyone is out to get them these days - Not that they don't deserve it.
(1 reply) #20 b0m8er on 21 Mar 2006 - 21:14
Is there some kind of removal tool awailable? Or official responce from SF??
#20.1 Jugalator on 21 Mar 2006 - 21:34
I recall could remove it with Add/Remove Programs, but maybe I had a weird version or something.

Anyway, there are removal tools from the source itself:
http://www.star-force.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=278
#21 whizbt77 on 21 Mar 2006 - 21:16
ha rootkit my a--
(8 replies) #22 Jugalator on 21 Mar 2006 - 21:27
"Starforce DRM Another Sony Rootkit?"

Why is the "Sony" in there? No, it's not a rootkit made by Sony, and it has many differences from the "Sony rootkit".

"Starforce DRM Another Rootkit?"

OK, this is better, it's just that it's not really a rootkit. Because it doesn't try to hide from detection and removal, which is basically what a rootkit does. To remove Starforce, you simply run the uninstaller from Add/Remove Programs. Sure, it'll likely reinstall when you start the game again, but that's a different matter (that's to make the game start, and Starforce is a prerequisite). It's quite simple to remove, and official tools are provided if it still wasn't enough.

An evil low-level software doesn't a rootkit make.
#22.1 vetmalebolgia on 21 Mar 2006 - 21:29
It's just a title.
#22.2 Jugalator on 21 Mar 2006 - 21:31
Yes, it's just a (poor) title, which the first sentence in my post was about.

The rest is about the wrongful accusation of it being a rootkit. It's just a driver.
#22.3 vetmalebolgia on 21 Mar 2006 - 21:34
Opinion noted.
#22.4 shockz on 21 Mar 2006 - 21:44
Yawn.....
#22.5 greenreaper on 21 Mar 2006 - 21:50
I agree that accuracy in titles is important. Consider "Company WANTS its game pirated!", which we've seen recently. :-)
#22.6 Treefrog on 21 Mar 2006 - 21:51
"To remove Starforce, you simply run the uninstaller from Add/Remove Programs."

Except that usually that won't remove the software. You'd be better served reading this page for uninstallation instructions.

And no, in itself it's not a rootkit (to the best of our knowledge, anyway), but it could very well open your system up to being rooted due to possible exploits in those very drivers.
#22.7 bradford108 on 21 Mar 2006 - 22:24
"Where unprofessional journalism looks better"?

Somebody needs to relax.
#22.8 Hofbrau on 23 Mar 2006 - 20:10
"Because it doesn't try to hide from detection and removal, which is basically what a rootkit does."

In fact, it utterly "tries to hide from detection and removal".

I have played many StarForce-protected games and game demos, and not a single one of them has explicitly stated or announced in any form that StarForce was being installed at any point in the install process, either via (non-extant) StarForce installation dialog boxes or (hidden) within the licensing agreement of the game.

Nor has StarForce ever been uninstalled by a single one of those games or game demos upon uninstallation of the game/game demo, with or without other StarForce protected software installed on the system at uninstall time.

(Now, you can make the argument this isnt StarForce's (or Protection Technologies) issue, but, in fact, they sign the licensing agreements they make with these game developers/publishers, and could easily require as a condition of licensing that the user be presented with information at game install/uninstall time about StarForce, etc etc, but clearly, this doesnt exist as a licensing requirement)

Additionally, not a single instance or version of StarForce has ever appeared in any form in the "Add/Remove Programs" applet listing, ever, from any of the many games or game demos I've installed that include it.

Furthermore, the Ring 0 Level driver package that it installs, is HIDDEN - as, in fact, it is enumerated and listed within the HIDDEN "Non Plug and Play Drivers" Device Manager listing (viewable only when you select "Show Hidden Devices" in the Device Manager View options).

In fact, its such poorly coded copy protection software that multiple versions of StarForce can and will be installed and co-resident, without regard to removal of earlier versions or upgrading of earlier versions upon install of newer versions, nor must they have much compatibility between newer and older versions of the package, hence the multiple version installs.

"To remove Starforce, you simply run the uninstaller from Add/Remove Programs."

Except that not a single version or install of StarForce has ever appeared in Add/Remove Programs for the many games and game demos ive installed that use it.

But i guess that just some "weird coincidence" and "cant be attributed to StarForce" somehow, right?

Again, if Protection Technologies (the developers of StarForce) werent trying to hide it on systems, wouldnt they require, as per their licensing agreements, that all installs of StarForce be specifically agreed to by the user, and that a listing in Add/Remove Programs be required for knowledge/uninstallation?

"It's quite simple to remove, and official tools are provided if it still wasn't enough."

Its simple to remove if you have located and downloaded a separate uninstaller for it, or if you manually remove the Device Manager listings.

But since it doesnt have a listing in Add/Remove Programs (that I've ever seen), im going to disagree with the "quite simple" assertion. Simple? Maybe, if you know where to locate and download the official uninstaller from. (Of course, that presumes the user even knows about it in the first place, and since its clearly a hidden install, that is unlikely in most cases). Quite simple? Never, since it lacks the installation listing in Add/Remove Programs.

So, yeah, it clearly attempts to and succeeds at hiding by and large, as well as attempts to avoid removal due to lack of an install listing and its utterly hidden nature.

It may not be an intended "malware rootkit" by design, but, then again, neither was Sonys. Its the lack of disclosure at installation time, lack of an install listing, lack of uninstallation at the games uninstallation time, coupled with system stability issues and compatibility issues with other hardware/drivers, that makes this a concern.

They could make almost all of this go away, if they

1) Required as a condition for licensing their copy protection software that distributers of protected content fully disclose at installation time the requirement and installation of the StarForce driver package (as described as follows).

2) Allowed the user to cancel out of the software installation during the point at which they are informed StarForce is about to be installed.

3) Provided simple information about the purpose of StarForce, who makes it, and how it generally works, as well as describes generally describes the fact that it installs a driver package in order to operate.

4) Provided a discrete viewable/readable EULA to the end user for StarForce at install time.

5) Provided a discrete installation listing for StarForce in Add/Remove Programs.

7) Installed an uninstallation utility and "products currently installed that are using StarForce" listing into say, c:program filesStarForce.

Created a Program group called "StarForce" which had links to FAQs/Readme's about StarForce as well as a shortcuts to the uninstallation utility and the "Installed StarForce Titles" utility.

There is nothing wrong with a publisher copy protecting their game, or even with using StarForce specifically, as long as they disclose the existence and necessity of the StarForce (or copy protection software) installation, and stop engaging in such practices such as hiding the existence of the the StarForce (or other) copy protection scheme/software.

Full disclosure and transparency is the key and solution here.
#23 Chanser on 21 Mar 2006 - 22:19
Maybe Starforce is the Russian Mafia. :p
#24 war on 21 Mar 2006 - 22:27
Oh god here we go again.

Yes its a rootkit and its spyware!!!!!

It's installed without user permission and just because you can uninsall it from add/remove programs does not change that fact!!!!!!!!!!!

And yes its a rootkit because its a driver and yes it does hide itself.

I guote:

"Some versions of StarForce Copy Protection will install dedicated drivers on your PC. Those drivers are necessary for the StarForce specific CD/DVD checking procedure, only. They do not include any hidden functionality. The drivers are active only at execution of the protected application."

Bull ****, it runs 24/7 and without permission. And yes its hidden functionality as we all know.

"The purpose of StarForce copy protection is to resist emulation, cracking and reverse engineering. These matters are usually salved by means of disc binding. Also to face these tasks StarForce installs four drivers that remain inactive until the protected product is run."

Again bull!!!!

"To conclude, we must say that StarForce does not use rootkits, StarForce does not cause security issues and StarForce is not the only software developer that installs ring 0 drivers. We appreciate all the feedback from our clients and users and that is why StarForce drivers will be automatically uninstalled in the latest version of our copy protection system FrontLine 4.0. The official release with many other significant improvements will follow within days."

Um so they admit it um? And then they try and exsure thier actions by saying others do it too so why not us. haha yeah!

Um automatically uninstalled um? Really? Then why does everyone still have them install until the remove this **** manually?
#25 Redfox Mcbeth on 21 Mar 2006 - 22:42
Am I the only one that can see where StarForce ripped off the old Sim<Fillinlater> logo?

http://www.gamingmoz.org/edimg/undeadphil/simcity2000.jpg Case in point. They mirrored it basically, but it looks EXACTLY like the older title's art. Nice work, guys.
#26 Enrickey on 21 Mar 2006 - 22:46
I don't know what anyone is complaining about. I have several StarForce protected games, and I'm not experiencing any problems.

It is in no way a rootkit, it lets people know that it is being installed, it doesn't try to stop people from uninstalling it and it doesn't have any security holes that will allow some hacker to gain control of your system. In StarForce's history, it has had only one security hole, and it has since been patched fairly quickly.

I have backed up games with StarForce installed, and I'm fairly sure that my computer hasn't restarted. Did you know that most software is capable of deleting your Documents and Settings folder? Doesn't mean it will. Saying that software "may restart your computer" is just like saying "George Bush may launch a nuke at Canada" sure it's completely possible, but will it happen? No.

Now the fact that it runs all the time means nothing, it doesn't occupy CPU cycles, and the memory it takes up is negligible. When most people have an anti-virus, firewall, video and sound drivers, instant messenger, explorer, and many other processes running at all times, what does a measly little copy protection matter? It isn't slowing much down.

Videogame companies have the right to protect their software, I believe that Epic has the best idea though. They release a patch removing the protection about four months into the life of their game. Since most games makes the majority of sales at the beginning of their lives, it is necessary to have some sort of protection scheme (CD-Key is not enough), but after those few months, the protection serves hardly anything short of annoying the end user with having to find their disc, so they developer might as well just remove the need for it.
#27 P1R4T3 on 21 Mar 2006 - 23:15
While thinking about it, StarForce has been on the news too often lately. It can cause damage to your computer and cause data loss but still it will do what it was supposed to be doing; i.e, stop emulation or CD/DVD copy. Meaning that this copy protection somehow works for the average Joe. While seeing all this, game publishers will say "Wow, this copy protection sh*t really works, we should use it". In fact, looking at the current trends for big publishers, they are more concerned about selling games. Thats all. They don't care what happens to your pc after installing the game. Don't you peeps think that more and more publishers will use StarForce?

Secondly; StarForce is a company developing a tool to prevent CD/DVD copy. They don't install it on your computer and they don't tell you to install it on your computer. It comes with the game. Its the game publishers who have decided to use StarForce. So why do peeps keep on registering on StarForce forum and start their crusade? If you don't want StarForce, I guess the only thing to do is to let game publishers know that we don't like this kind of garbage on our beloved computers. The StarForce company can't do nothing about it really.

Well thats my 2cents.

Last edited by P1R4T3 on 21 Mar 2006 - 23:21
(6 replies) #28 Cameron Guy on 21 Mar 2006 - 23:20
Another company being bashed for a WINDOWS SUCK FLAWLESS system.

Switch Linux and you never will see rootkits.
#28.1 P1R4T3 on 21 Mar 2006 - 23:24
I'll definitely make the switch if you "teach" me how to play Splinter Cell 3: Chaos Theory and Prince Of Persia: The Two Thrones on linux.
#28.2 devn00b on 21 Mar 2006 - 23:29
and nor will you ever see 1/2 of the new games that come out...

I'll take my chances with SF thanks.
#28.3 Ravensworth on 22 Mar 2006 - 01:17
Oh look, a Linux fanboy. Did you ever stop to think that there aren't things like Starforce for Linux because game publishers don't give a rat's behind about Linux? Sure you won't see any rootkits, but you won't see very many games either.
#28.4 Cameron Guy on 22 Mar 2006 - 01:54
Games? Videogame.

Serious Work? Linux.

Multimedia Videos? Linux.
#28.5 Ravensworth on 22 Mar 2006 - 06:20
So you admit Linux is not for gaming, which is what this article is about. We're talking about Starforce here, not which OS is better for doing work. Just shut up and quit trolling about Linux.

Last edited by Ravensworth on 22 Mar 2006 - 06:25
#28.6 HawkMan on 22 Mar 2006 - 06:33
With the current audoi systems available for Linux I wouldn't class it as very much of a multimedia OS..

oh what was that.... oh you wanted sound from TWO!!! apps at once... oh wow... no I can't do that... (well it's somewhat app dependant but any of the media players will pretty much take exclusive control).

As for serius work... well not if that serius work includes using an office app. since there's no alternative for linux for MS OFfice yet (no OO is nowhere near good enough for work places who seriusly use OFfice, it's good enough for home users and that's it), sure you can use crossower, but then why not just use windows, it's just better that way.
#29 Croquant on 22 Mar 2006 - 02:17
Please, somebody shut down Starforce.
Sue them into the poorhouse.
Seriously.
#30 war on 22 Mar 2006 - 02:56
I would if I owned a single pos game from them. Going out and buying one now and then sueing would be unethical.
(1 reply) #31 jivemastert on 22 Mar 2006 - 03:08
Starforce is so aweseome... weren't they the people that put that torrent up in their forums for a game that wasn't protected?
#31.1 theyarecomingforyou on 22 Mar 2006 - 03:16
Yes, but that was just a "mistake" because they're "only human". I despise them for the way they operate and avoid any games that use Starforce for protection.
(4 replies) #32 yukycg on 22 Mar 2006 - 03:43
thank for the news, I just removed SF from my computer.
#32.1 Enrickey on 22 Mar 2006 - 03:55
Any good reason? Was StarForce doing something bad? Was it slowing down your computer? Was it causing anonymous reboots? Don't uninstall it just because of something you read, at least have a decent reason behind it.
#32.2 rm20010 on 22 Mar 2006 - 04:47
Here's one reason: get rid of it before Starforce can try something smart with his CD/DVD burners.

Hey, at least it'll save him $50 from not replacing his messed up burner because of some smartasses who stick in invasive game protection into people's computers.
#32.3 yukycg on 22 Mar 2006 - 05:25
SF was installed because I had a SF game installed, since I uninstalled the game, am I entitle to remove the Sf that came with it?

One time I install a software that bypass SF protection, and it caused my harddrive turn into PIO mode, and everytime I try to access the drive, computer crashes. Now I already removed the game, I just don't want SF hanging around my computer anymore.
#32.4 rm20010 on 22 Mar 2006 - 09:31
Of course you are. Get the removal tool here.
#33 goatsniffer on 22 Mar 2006 - 03:55
http://www.glop.org/starforce/

Games list, information, removal.
#34 ambiance on 22 Mar 2006 - 05:02
Yeah I uninstalled Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory and used their uninstaller only to find it was still remaining. Thanks glop.org! Never buying anything with Starforce in it.
#35 Xerxes on 22 Mar 2006 - 07:06
This is getting really stupid now...companies are creating these anti-piracy systems to protect thier "assets", to encourage people to buy it legally..yet ironically it is these same anti-piracy systems that are driving many people to piracy in the first place! I've got no problem with companies wanting to protect thier software and make sure they get paid for thier hard work..but I don't wish to shell out for a game (or some other software) and then have some anti-piracy system in that software prevent me for using it (or using my system) cause it thinks I'm a pirate...there should be a line drawn for what is considered "protecting ones assets" and "invading ones privacy"...cause at the moment these systems are leaning towards the latter..well that is what I think, take with a grain of salt!
#36 Joni_78 on 22 Mar 2006 - 08:17
I havent bought any games that have used Starforce, It's better to DL and use crack so there wont be any s*** installed. Starforce only increases piracy.
#37 jlebrech on 22 Mar 2006 - 12:14
im gonna buy GalCiv2 teach starforce a lesson
(1 reply) #38 Beastage on 22 Mar 2006 - 12:35
THIS IS OUTRAGOUS! I just discovered I have starforce installed on my computer even though I never used starforce protected games! It must be true that they attack that protection to demos and maybe even betas now.

Not only starforce installs unwanted software it gives no option of removing it
I am seriously mad right now
#38.1 jivemastert on 22 Mar 2006 - 13:57
Actually, this explains a lot...

On my older desktop, shortly after I installed XIII, I was getting blue screens and all sorts of stuff. After I reinstalled windows I put XIII back on and the machine started blue screening.... I figured it was a hardware issue at that point and just got new hardware. Damn you starforce.
#39 iobilly on 22 Mar 2006 - 15:11
I think this has gone too far now. Copy protection is supposed to protect the buyers of the game (so that they do not "loose" to those who pirate the game) , not make thier computers into zombies. Im sure there are alot of gamers out there who aren't technically savvy and dont know what a PIO or DMA is, and thus will have to get a technician to check it out. Then again, this technician might not expect to find this sort of thing (or look for it for that matter). and waste people's time and money.

besides, isnt this technically MALWARE? doing things we dont know are being processed.. i think that categorizes into MALWARE (bec they can "harm" your computer = reboot and loose valuable data)
#40 miniM3 on 22 Mar 2006 - 18:30
Starforce must die, sold, bankrupt or....have an accident and die....
#41 TwoTailedFox on 22 Mar 2006 - 18:53
This would explain why my system nearly died on me

I had my system constantly