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
    2015-10-23T10:45:08+00:00

    I have a game using Tages which also is being flagged a problematic

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-10-23T07:14:50+00:00

    unfortunately Vista, 7, 8 and 10 all are affected by the same security issue

    It is not a security issue.  Internet Explorer, Java, ASP etc. (a small sampling of a "danger" list), all pose at least as serious security compromises as did SECDRV.SYS.  Yet none of them have been banned outright from all currently supported versions of Windows.

    This is a clear indicator that the REAL ISSUE is some sort of market beef between Microsoft and Rovi (corporate absorber of Macrovision).  A look at Rovi's market (and success in Europe)

    • a platform for internet / network delivery of rich media - and a look at Microsoft's efforts with Silverlight and it's "media delivery platform" (not much favored anywhere, especially in Europe) and you see the real reason Microsoft has singled out SECDRV.  "Hey, Macrovision / Rovi produces insecure software that will put all your corporate assets at risk - their stuff is so bad we had to completely excise it from Windows...."  Microsoft Silverlight and Media Platform to the rescue of all those poor, insecure Rovi customers.

    This is Microsoft playing dirty hardball marketing.  Users like us are meaningless "collateral damage", sacrificial pawns in this battle.  We've know forever that is how Microsoft views its non-top-500-corporate users.  Elimination of the ability to play any games that used Macrovision security is just the latests "f#@k you" to us and Rovi.  Don't be shocked when any Microsoft-based "media platform" refuses to play movie titles released on DVD that used protection / encryption created by a rival who won't bend a knee to Microsoft.  It's just what happens when a company gets away with swinging their oversized 'member' in the market place, and is 'too big to break up' and can defeat / control governments world wide.

    Welcome to the ascendancy of The Corporation and demise of the nation-state.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-10-23T03:39:59+00:00

    Have returned to Windows 7. Set updates per suggestion and will keep on top of them. The game Conquerors expansion is working for now and hopefully for-ever. Nice to back to what is good. Thanks so much, Steven.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-10-23T01:14:57+00:00

    unfortunately Vista, 7, 8 and 10 all are affected by the same security issue

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-10-23T00:19:47+00:00

    Steve go back to Windows 7, set your updates to notification only. When prompted of updates, click on more info in the left panel. Any Windows 10 telemetry or compatability updates, tell updater to ignore. You will have your computer back to a system meant for PC not phone or tablet. Your GPU will be back in full control of display settings, it will launch classic PC games, just set it right. I play the original Diablo full screen on a 32" HDTV, like you it's been with me since it's launch through every new OS. I did the 10 download & couldn't even get full screen on recent Steam games, did get a Xbox app for some reason, or am I being naive there.

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