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
    2015-09-09T23:43:58+00:00

    Its no where near an acceptable resolution.

    I have to purchase games again.. through another vendor, to play them again?

    Besides that, there is no guarantee even then that they will work in windows 10.

    Sometimes half the fun is getting them to run, but this is just straight up blocking them from being able to be played, not an actual technical puzzle to figure out.

    Even more amazing...

    A Microsoft rep is quoted stating users should get "no cd patches".

    Only a complete moron doesn't realize he is telling you to break the eula (no matter how old the software is)

    As well as circumvent an item put in place to prevent pirating.

    No there is a simple resolution to this, it doesn't require a rocket scientist, or a high level programmer to resolve it.

    I'll setup a dual boot before I spend an extra $100 plus on software I already own just so I can use them, and even then its questionable whether they will work correctly.

    I can deal with that, if its a technical issue, but not flat out blocking them.

    Microsoft does not have the right to flat out block me from installing software I've purchased.

    Sure they can put in security, but I should have the option, the freedom, to choose what software I legally install and use.

    You ever wonder how many shares of stock MS has in other companies.. like Steam-ect?

    I appreciate your words, and while it may be easier and less frustrating, it is not the right way to resolve it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-09-10T00:03:45+00:00

    Freelancer has the same issues and that's a Microsoft game! (an old one true)

    As is MechWarrior: Vengeance

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-09-10T00:59:31+00:00

    I run Windows 7 on my PC, AMD MOBO - CPU & GPU, the gaming is great full screen on a HDTV. I, like so many other fools, downloaded Windows 10 thinking it was an OS upgrade. I binned it within a day, it's junk, it has more bloatware than an unsecure free download trial. I am used to new Windows OS, been with them since the start, one of the army that retreated quickly to XP from Vista :-). 7 was what Vista would have been, if they hadn't rushed it. I've done a fresh download of 10 to another drive, it's OK for web & mail, will hold on to it until they get it right. Until then main boot is Windows 7, a computer that does everything I want, more importantly the way I tell it. You want the real answer to Windows 10 failure, it tries to be everything to everyone. I wouldn't dream of putting Windows 8 or 8.1 on my PC it's for laptops, tablets & phones. Anyone using those could quite rightly say the same about Windows 7, we know it, but Microsoft ( think or demand ) we all share the same. When will they get it right ? well removing that bloody Xbox " app " from my PC will be a start. My advice is keep the OS you've got & trust, pick up a cheap HD / SSD an external if your not sure about installation. Put Windows 10 on one, your favourite OS on the other, if they finally get it right you don't want to be paying for it.

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