Disable CD and DVD writer while running XP

Play a Van Zant CD from Sony, and then remove the rootkit.

Maybe these games contain the new StarForce protection, from what I've heard this is a pain to overcome, google it.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

#14 on right hand side..

Disable CD Burning
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\ Policies\Explorer Value Name: NoCDBurning Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = Allow CDR, 1 = Disable CDR)
Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'NoCDBurning' and edit the value according to the settings above.

This also might be usefull:

Allow limited users access to CD Burning:

To allow Limited User's to burn CD's, click Start/Run/Regedit and go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Look in the right pane for AllocateDASD and double click the entry. Set the value to 2.

On PRO, this is exposed in Local Security Policy under Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options.

"Devices: Allowed to format and eject removable media"

For XP Pro, you can do this by clicking Start, Run and entering SECPOL.MSC

Go to Local Policies, Security Options, look in the right pane for Devices: Allowed to Format and eject removable media. Set this option to Administrators and Interactive Users

NOTE: I have never tried these specific tweaks.. I have successfully use lots of tweaks from this site.

JSB

Disclaimer: These registry edits and script files are presented "as is". Every effort has been made to ensure the files work as stated. I assume no responsibility for your use of these files.


EDIT: I just re-read the original post... sorry I just glance at it first time arround. I am really not sure if these tewaks will help you for what you are looking for... My search will comtinue.

I think you'll need 3rd party software to to trick your system. VirtualCd copies the files from a cd and creates a fake cd-rom drive. When you run a game you point it to the virtual drive & play should start.

Ok i think I found a solution... not a perfect solution, but better than unplugging your drives

Tweak UI
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx



Just uncheck the drives you want to disappear.

JSB

POP3 is using Starforce:

Advanced anti-piracy solutions for software distributed on CD/DVD-ROM and CD-R, as well as via the Internet; license management and DRM technologies.

so with out: using a patch (hack), unpluging you drives, or using some 3rd party software, you are out of luck.

JSB

http://www.gameburnworld.com/protections_starforce.htm

Detection Of The Protection

You can use one of the many protection detection tools from our Game Copy Protection Identifying Tools page to identify whether the protection is being used on your game.


Burning/Backup Solution

There are several different methods you can use to successfully burn/backup your game, as follows:

StarForce Professional v3.0 has been released recently and there is no known way to successfully backup games protected with this version. Previous versions can be copied with the following methods:

You can use CloneCD to successfully burn the game. Use ClonyXXL to scan the game, it will then tell you what protection is being used on the game (StarForce) and the correct settings to use in CloneCD to successfully backup the game. You can also use Alcoholer protection scanner and Alcohol 120% burning software. Use Alcoholer to scan the game, it will then tell you what protection is being used on the game (StarForce) and the correct settings to use in Alcohol 120% to successfully backup the game. BlindWrite can also successfully burn a game with this protection on it. You can also use Daemon Tools to emulate the game and the protection. *Remember, if you experience problems with burning the game at high speeds, (2 speed +) (both the read and write process), then burn the game at lower speeds such as 2 speed and under (both read and write process). A lot of the time burning the game at slow speeds will solve problems of the install not working, or the burner not bypassing the CD's protection.

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Or you could try:

Uninstall the game and remove the Starforce drivers
....Maybe run some reg cleaner....
Reinstall the game from your mounted image.

I am NOT sure if this will work, just a sugestion.

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one more way...
http://www.daemon-tools.cc/dtcc/showthread.php?t=7026

Hello all,
this is how I defeated StarForce.
As you know, the current StarForce releases check you IDE channels for Optical drives and refuse to launch from SCSI/DT4 if one is detected.
However there is an easy and cheap solution to this problem:

- get an extra IDE controller that is compatible with ATAPI drives
- plug all your optical drives in there
- launch the image via daemon tools v4

The best thing is: you don't need to disable anything! You ONLY need daemon tools, that's it. No channel disabling, no cable disconnecting.

Edit: the more I read this post... YMMV (your mileage may very).

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List of games that use StarForce ... note to self... avoid these games


JSB