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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.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Okay people. Has anyone else had this problem while still on Windows 8.1? I believe it was installed in an update on Windows 8.1 for me and ever since then, i couldn't launch need for speed underground (2003. pretty obvious it uses safedisc) so i tried upgrading to Windows 10, and obviously that did absolutely nothing
Steam fits the definition of malware to a "T". Third party software should not be necessary to run already purchased programs just because Microsoft has chosen to make these old disks unusable. Nobody should be railroaded into having to go the Steam route. GOG would be a better way to go, buy who wants to pay again to use a piece of software just because Microsoft has chosen to make one's original copy unusable?
I hope someone listens to this guy! I second!
You sum it up in an excellent way !
I am no expert user I just want the software I paid for to work with out paying out again it can not be that hard for Microsoft to solve this issue but I guess the lack of a credible solution from them is based purely on a financial stand point
Very disappointing poor attitude to customer service
P S I see they now are giving the big push to office 2016 subscriptions does this mean they will torpedo older versions, or non Microsoft office suites and stop them from working as well ?
Cant wait to find if open office suddenly becomes a major threat and will be broken to save us all from the hackers ?
I wonder how many hacks are sponsored by major software houses and antivirus software firms?
Perhaps I am be unrealistic in todays world to hope some thing I paid good money for would be usable with upgraded o/s or hardware its all about grabbing the cash
I wonder if anyone has had problems with crackling popping noises on audio since windows 10 upgrade its really bad on my asus n55 sl lap top tried some on line solutions inc lowering audio quality etc
I am having the same problem with the secdrv.sys errors on my computer, which is still trying to get me to update to Windows 10 (still at 8.1)
Have there been any updates for this problem? I have looked online extensively and haven't had any luck finding a fix so far, I play a plenty of older games and would like to be able to use them again.
Thanks for any updates. I will continue to look online.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3086255
read the above link to bulletin to see how to get secdrv.sys to work on windows 8.1
This won't work on Windows 10, so if you want to use your old games you can't go to Windows 10/.
The only solution seems to be having a dual boot system.
