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
    2015-11-10T20:31:31+00:00

    MICROSOFT HAS NO INTENTION OF EVER FIXING THIS AND EVERY INTENTION OF PREVENTING ANYONE ELSE FROM EVER FIXING THIS!

    Simply put, Microsoft is using this as a corporate cudgel to thrash Rovi (Macrovision's parent company) in the current media platform wars.  Rovi is the current de facto leader in media management / delivery  for cable, Internet and satellite platforms in Europe and the US for the likes of Cox, DishTV, Facebook, AT&T Uverse, Charter, etc.  By "excluding" Macrovision (i.e. Rovi) security software from Windows on "gross insecurity" grounds and creating industry-wide nervousness vis-a-vis Rovi's technical and security competence, Microsoft can march into those mega-users' offices and "provide" the Microsoft Silverlight / X-Box platforms as the "secure alternative".

    Rovi could easily "fix" any identified "security problems" SECDRV - something that Microsoft, as 'custodian' of SECDRV.SYS has done at least two times in the past - but Microsoft would still, contrary to their public statements, prevent any SECDRV fix from installing on any supported Windows system (Vista - WIndows 10) as a corporate / marketing "FU<|< YOU" to Rovi (Macrovision).  Due to Microsoft's monopolistic control of Windows and those drivers it ALLOWS to run on Windows, Rovi can do nothing to alleviate the situation.

    We, as users, are collateral damage that neither Microsoft nor Rovi care about.  In an area where company X is has been granted the sole cable / OTT / satellite / TV franchise, you are most likely stuck with a Rovi platform (a fact Microsoft would LOVE to change).

    Individual / 'family' computer user?  "Well, fu<|< you!" (Microsoft's position).  "Go to another platform - who cares - you are an insignificant piece of sh!+  compared to our Corporate users and avid gamers.  If you want to be a 'cool gamer', go to our X-Box platform. Otherwise, fu<|< you!  No way in HELL are you going to play any legacy disk-based game on a Windows computer even if it is Microsoft branded or 'Windows Certified'!" 

    SO GET THE GOD-DAM^ MESSAGE!  MICROSOFT HAS NO USE FOR YOU, WILL NEVER "FIX" THIS ISSUE AND WANTS YOU TO EITHER GO AWAY PERMANENTLY (HAPPIEST IF YOU DIE) OR SUCCUMB / SUBSCRIBE TO THE X-BOX PLATFORM FOR ALL YOUR GAMING 'NEEDS'!

    If somebody would be so kind as to get me the legal rep for Rovi I might be able to file a legal action

    I need address for delivery, and the name of their lawyer

    I am next in court on the 19th, I can always add another item to my briefcase

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-11-10T20:14:02+00:00

    Hear hear!

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-11-10T03:07:25+00:00

    If you're going to patch something, patch it so the game still works! Hey Microsoft! You listening?

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-11-10T02:53:00+00:00

    If this is Windows 7 or 8.1 you should be able to uninstall the update and hide the update, which would stop it from ever installing again.

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-11-10T02:51:26+00:00

    Well when is Microsoft going to fix this?? Should be a reversal of their metalling hands being in places where it shouldn't belong - randomly updating peoples computers without their consent is getting SUPER annoying.  I am having the same issue with Win10 Craptastic Free Version of a Turd Show not letting me play Sim City 4 from the CD I have.

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