Beware starf**k (Possible dodgy software installed with your game)

Arthur Krupp · 12-07-2004 11:12PM #1

Err, Starforce....
http://www.gonegold.com/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=007806
http://www.gonegold.com/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=017575

Basically, malware, but given to you from games...
Here's the lowdown:
* Starforce is an extremely aggressive method of copy protection that actually works at the hardware level of your PC.

* It installs device drivers WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE or CONSENT.

* these device drivers are HIDDEN from normal view. They can be displayed by opening Device Manager, and clicking on "View" and then on "Show Hidden Devices"

* Even DEMOS install Starforce! as if there could be ANY possible reason for copy protecting a DEMO.

* Removal of the full game or demo that installed the drivers DOES NOT REMOVE THE STARFORCE DEVICE DRIVERS.

* important: manual removal of the device drivers can result in severe system problems.
* as far as I know, there is NO MENTION of the Starforce drivers in the EULA's of games that use it. If anyone knows different, please let us know.

So we've gone from sopy protection that doesn't allow you to play your games to stuff that f**ks up your computer....joy....

jesus_thats_gre · 12-07-2004 11:57PM

Dirty filthy bastards!

Boro · 13-07-2004 12:00AM

Absolutely disgusting

http://www.boycottstarforce.org/

that site is still under construction atm - think they are reviewing legal implications before they post all their info.

Squall · 13-07-2004 12:21AM

Crap too late. Installed with the chaos league demo. This is taking it too far. :mad:

Deadwing · 13-07-2004 08:27AM

What do they do to your system? Bork it up if you use pirate version or something?

Mr E · 13-07-2004 09:17AM

Seems to bork up your system if you try and remove it.

List of starforced games here: http://home.insightbb.com/~gime/modules.htm

Deadwing · 13-07-2004 10:11AM

Theyve some cheek, intalling potentially dangerous software in your system without forewarning you. It'd be like installing a time bomb in a car, so if it gets stolen, it blows up and kills the thief. Now i know youd want justice on someone who nicked your car, but blowing them up would be a tad over the line. And in alot of cases its be like the timebomb blowing up the owner of the vehicle just for trying to remove the damn thing!

Down with this sort of thing!

Stephen · 13-07-2004 10:22AM

****, I have broken sword 3 installed, apparently that uses this ****ty system.

shinzon · 13-07-2004 10:29AM

Bloody hell i have X2 here and had it installed for ages, wonder was that what was fooking up my machine

If its is then theres legal implications involved

This really is not on

Shin

[CrimsonGhost] · 13-07-2004 10:39AM

UFO: AFtermath had/has it. Totally borked my system when I uninstalled the game a few months back. I had been wondering just what had caused that.

LoBo · 13-07-2004 12:16PM

any actual info on this?

http://www.star-force.com/ appears to be the official site for the product, but can't find much info about it...

Töpher · 13-07-2004 02:04PM

IS that list frequently updated? Because frankly I'm going to outright refuse to purchase any game that uses this system. [Even HL2/Doom3 if thats the route they choose...]

bizmark · 13-07-2004 02:19PM

Originally posted by shinzon
Bloody hell i have X2 here and had it installed for ages, wonder was that what was fooking up my machine

If its is then theres legal implications involved

This really is not on

Shin

Me too

Boro · 13-07-2004 02:28PM

Apparently jsut having Starf***up installed can seriously compromise your system leading to instability and system crashed. Lots of people have reported issues with CDRWs and DVDRoms - in both reading and burning cd's. Some drives refuse to read any discs at all. Some of the software refuses to install if you have any disc copying software such as Nero installed also.

If you want to remove the software (not automatic with the game removal) you can b0rk your system completely. I think the removal tool on that boycottstarforce page will get rid of it without the complications.

Squall · 13-07-2004 02:34PM

I think the removal tool on that boycottstarforce page will get rid of it without the complications.

Ya. Tryed it last night. Seems to have removed the drivers alright. Ill wait and see if theres any instability.

Sleipnir · 13-07-2004 02:37PM

Fcuk me!

From the starforce website.

The StarForce Protection Shell generates a hash encrypted and condensed "Hardware Code", (amongst other parameters a very unique signature to identify the end users unique PC hardware, system, and software-configuration and its changes).

The end user forwards the Serial Number and Hardware Code to the StarForce ProActive Server by either a fully automated and secure Internet connection, or manually via email, phone or fax.

Boro · 13-07-2004 03:08PM

From the GoneGold website linked in the first post:

"I looked at the error report from Starforce 3 and it contained a list over all running programmes, a list of every application/game/whatever I have installed on my computer including ALL items from the "start/programs" menu, and some other details I did'nt want to send off - and which would'nt be of interest for troubleshooting anyway." -- Alexander B.

CombatCow · 13-07-2004 03:35PM

Yeah i noticed that codename panzers installed SCSI drivers after the game installed and i had to reboot, like WTF....:mad:

CC

RobertFoster · 13-07-2004 04:26PM

Originally posted by Stephen
****, I have broken sword 3 installed, apparently that uses this ****ty system.

It says it's Region: US

Run this and let me know if it turns anything up for the European version.

SantaHoe · 13-07-2004 05:40PM

Originally posted by Arthur Krupp
* these device drivers are HIDDEN from normal view. They can be displayed by opening Device Manager, and clicking on "View" and then on "Show Hidden Devices"

Any idea what they're called?
Just incase it's not something obvious like "Starforce malware device"

Down with starforce the cheeky bastagers.

Töpher · 13-07-2004 06:13PM

Its StarForce <Something>, I think the name will dpeend on the version being used by the publisher, but it should always begin with Starforce...

jonski · 13-07-2004 06:48PM

for XP pro , roughly the same for other os's

right click "my computer"
click "properties"
click "hardware"
click "device manager"
click "view"
click "show hidden devices"
click "non plug and play drivers "
check under "s"

bingo! 3 of them .

balkieb2002 · 13-07-2004 07:48PM

Any idea what they're called? Just incase it's not something obvious like "Starforce malware device" Down with starforce the cheeky bastagers.

got this off that gone gold page. Should be all the names ya looking for.

Jetpilot · 13-07-2004 08:52PM

3 of em here, and I dont even have any of the games on that list!

flogen · 13-07-2004 09:01PM

thats pretty fúcked up tbh...

thanks jonski, btw, couldnt figure out where my device manager was!!
thankfully theres no sign of the drivers on my PC.... will be vigilant in future too

flogen

Töpher · 14-07-2004 12:15AM

Jetpilot, that list isn't up to date and comprehensive. There's lots more that aren't know about/have come out since. :mad:

Champ · 14-07-2004 01:00AM

If you want to remove the software (not automatic with the game removal) you can b0rk your system completely. I think the removal tool on that boycottstarforce page will get rid of it without the complications.

Ah damn; i went through the manual way of getting rid of it both in the registry and system files. Didn't know there was a tool:rolleyes:

Well no problems here after that little operation; and i think its gone i've no reason to believe otherwise.

That starforce crap left stuff littered all over the place; especially in the registry.. :mad:

Talk about blatantly modifying a system without permission :mad:

ArphaRima · 14-07-2004 04:51AM

I'm really pissed off about this.

I have two of those games. One of them was a DEMO. bastards.

amp · 14-07-2004 09:51AM

I'm going to sticky this for a while.

RobertFoster · 14-07-2004 03:27PM

Originally posted by Stephen
****, I have broken sword 3 installed, apparently that uses this ****ty system.

contacted a few friends with the PC version (one english guy and a new zealander) and neither found starforce drivers, so it seems to be the US version of BS3 only.

neXus9 · 16-07-2004 12:09AM

Originally posted by LoBo
any actual info on this?

http://www.star-force.com/ appears to be the official site for the product, but can't find much info about it...

I just imagined, when seeing the picture on the right in the site, the guy in the middle going "starforce f*cked up my computer!!!" and the other guys laughing their asses off.

Beware starf**k (Possible dodgy software installed with your game)

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