SECDRV.SYS Not Loading in Windows 10; this will break thousands of older games.

Anonymous
2015-08-01T20:13:40+00:00

Hello,

I have discovered an unfortunate problem with Windows 10.

Many games from the early-mid 2000's used Macrovision's SafeDisc (version 2) as a means of copy protection. At game startup, Windows loaded SECDRV.SYS to verify an original game disc was in the drive, after which the game would start.

When you try to run ANY game which uses this SafeDisc form of copy protection in Windows 10, the following happens:

 - You get an error window that tells you to log in with Administrator Privileges and to try again. This happens on any account, even those with Administrator access. The game fails to start.

 - If you then set "Run as Admin" compatibility mode on the game's startup file, the message disappears, but the game doesn't start.

 - Keeping a window open for C:\WINDOWS\SYSWOW64\DRIVERS shows SECDRV.SYS appearing at the moment you try to start the game. Based on its size, it appears to be the file that is present on the game disc (tested across several games), even though I see no disc activity and cannot find the file elsewhere on my system.

 - The Windows event log shows that SECDRV.SYS failed to load.

 - This happens both with an upgraded install (Windows 8.1 > Windows 10) and with a fresh Windows 10 install, with one of the games being installed immediately upon the fresh install completing.

 - On my Windows 64-bit 8.1 system, C:\WINDOWS\WINSXS has a folder called amd64_macrovision-protection-safedisc_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16384_none_4e6b3758913c9240 with a SECDRV.SYS in it, presumably the one that ships with Windows. Windows 10 had such a folder in early builds, but it is missing from the release build. It appears SafeDisc support is missing entirely.

OTHER TESTING I HAVE DONE:

 - I updated one of the games to a version that no longer required the CD check, and it started immediately and ran perfectly once the check was removed. However, this is possible only with a very limited number of games, or resorting to fixes that violate the game's EULA or put the user's system security at risk.

 - I tried disabling driver signature verification and installing one of the games again; same problem.

 - Multiple compatibility modes; same problem. XP (Service Pack 3) mode and / or Run as Administrator mode make the error message go away, but the games still fail to launch.

SIGNIFICANCE:

Unless this is fixed in Windows 10, a massive catalog of older games will cease to function in Windows 10 for the simple reason that they cannot pass the SafeDisc copy protection check. I am accustomed to some games breaking with every new version of Windows as technology progresses (for example, the loss of the ability to run 16-bit programs in 64-bit Windows), but this seems to be an unnecessarily harsh change.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Gaming

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-10-03T20:35:14+00:00

    I hope someone listens to this guy! I second!

    Sadly, I think Microsoft has spoken with:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3086255

    note: I believe updates are cumulative so even if you don't install this update a future update will have this info.

    So, it's no to older games as far as Windows 10/Microsoft is concerned.

    Only other option is a class action lawsuit. Enough people have brought up this issue for them to have taken notice and what did they do, they made it hard to load secdrv.sys in window 7 & 8. ive spoken to Microsoft tech staff and as far as their concerned these games are incompatible with windows 10.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-10-01T15:51:47+00:00

    For most of my titles, Microsoft IS the developer!! So don't give me that ****.

    Now then, I don't know about the rest of you, but truth be told, this "vulnerability" is total cow pucky.

    I paid good money for my software (Titles include: Age of Empires Gold, AOE III series, Empire Earth Gold, Age of Mythology, Sims series, Master of Olympus series, Total War, just to name a few), and I would like to be able to play them on my system whenever I goddamn feel like it so long as my system requirements fit to what's written on the goddamn box. Personal system security or "vulnerabilities" on my computer is my problem, not yours, and I have plenty of software (that I also paid good money for) to ensure that security's in place. Just like when you buy a home or car, it only comes with security features if you request or want them. They are recommended, not forced, unless it's law).

    FYI, none of the workarounds work, tried them all except for dual booting...don't got the time nor the system for that.

    So, this is what's going to happen, Microsoft:

    1. You're going to fix the issue with secdrv.sys (either rewrite it yourselves or get Rivo aka Microvision to do it, and provide it as a either a genuine OS patch or a no-disc crack for titles dating before Windows 8.x release date (seems to be the issue for most peeps on this thread) at no-cost (already paid for the game back in the day, and just like old cars, the dollars value then are usually doubled now).
    2. If that doesn't work (which if it doesn't, would once again attest to Microsoft's lame **** ability to provide "improvements" to existing products), try reverting the update that rendered secdrv.sys disabled with a new one and provide it as an optional update for those that want it. (i.e KB1580085 - This update reenables secdrv.sys. - Optional)
    3. Quit this cloud gaming BS. I'm not gonna buy a game just to have to log in to some Steam or Origin "game hosting" service to play something I already have the freaking software for. It's stupid and pointless. I didn't buy the game for others to tell me how to how or when I can use it. I'll abide by the EULA and unless it's stated in there that you can render my software useless, don't freakin do it.

    I understand from a business perspective, there's no point in supporting software that you have developed back in the day, especially if it's no longer mainstream or up-to-date with today's technology. So fine, don't support it anymore, but don't render it completely useless.

    For example, let's say you have your wedding taped on VHS and that the company that manufactured your VCR comes in and says "Oh, your VCR is SP, we no longer support that. Here's a an LP VCR.", and takes the older one away. Now, even though you still have a VCR, your wedding video has just turned into a memorial paperweight. (This analogy is probably lost on anyone born post 2001).

    Makes you wanna go "Hmm......not buying **** from them any more."

    So, fix it!! or before you know it, Mr. Gates will be filling for Chapter 11, simply because Sony and Nintendo's consoles will end up being more appealing for gamers. (Granted, most newer consoles aren't backwards compatible, but that doesn't mean they nuked existing ones)

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-09-16T12:23:20+00:00

    What do you mean by "UEFI does not support USB sticks" ?

    What is kind the content you want to boot from the USB stick using UEFI?

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-09-15T22:15:56+00:00

    even this thread is not working. all windows products are exasperating.

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-09-15T22:08:15+00:00

    Didn't work for me, Windows 10 user

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