DRM/Copyprotection problem

[Rockhound]

Hey all, I've got a problem over here that I hope somebody has an answer for. We picked up a copy of Sony Vegas Movie Studio and the dvd drive wont recognize the disk. So, first thing I'm thinking is hardware issue. However, all my other dvd's and cd's are recognized just fine. At this point, I sneaker transfered it over to my brother's place and his Mac reads the cd perfectly.

So, the crux of what I'm trying to figure out is if there might be some sort of drm or copy protection scheme that Sony has implemented which is preventing the dvd from being read properly as the software does require online registration and validation.

TIA

[oracle128]

Sounds like a dud disk to me, you should take it back for a replacement. There is no DRM on software, only media. The disc will most definitely have some form of copy protection, but 99% of your other discs will too. And, copy protection only stops you from copying it, it won't prevent the drive from reading the disc completely. The only registration is to register the software itself (and the cd key you would have entered), it isn't physically tied to the disc itself.

[Rockhound]

I thought it was a dud cd as well. However, if that's the case, then why do the files and the directory structure show up fine on Mac and Linux?

But one reason I asked is that I've got some fairly pricey engineering software that must have an internet connection and "phones home" on startup or it won't load. At which point the sofware gets disabled and then you need to call the company, get it reactivated, etc.

[oracle128]

Pro/ENGINEER I presume. It's the same thing, the registration is only for the installation and to verify the license key, nothing to do with the CD itself.

Possibly the CD will read in Unix but not Windows because of the differences in how each reads CDFS.

[smurfy]

Do you have anything unusual running in Windows that Sony copy-protection may be objecting to (iso mounting software for example)?

[Rockhound]

actually yes i do! I've got power iso on my system. I never even considered that something like that might be a problem. lets say i remove it temporarly and the the sony cd works, do you think there might be a problem again after re-installing power iso?

[smurfy]

I would guess yes, the copy protection method used on this title seems to be one that detects copy protection circumvention software so the two would be incompatible.

[Rockhound]

Thanks for the info smurfy. Guess it's time for me to start boycotting anything with the word Sony on it. It's going to be a cold day when a software company tells me what software I can and cannot have on my system! Couple years ago they wound up in court over installing malware on computers via audio cd's so I'm washing my hands of this company lock stock and barrel.

-Rant mode off

[oracle128]

Make sure that is in fact the case before you blame Sony: ie uninstall PowerISO first and see if it still doesn't work. Reason being, all the copy protecion mechanisms I've seen that check for installed software, will actually tell you what their problem is. It's not possible for them to make the disc unreadable, even logically it's a fallacy: if the disk can't be read, how does it read and execute the software which detects the programs it doesn't like?

[smurfy]

Steps I would take 1st:
1) Make sure I am logged in as machine admin
2) Disable PowerISO background services and apps (use msconfig selective start-up)

Oracle, we've had similar questions here before - I can't find them right now but there is a particular copy prevention scheme that does exhibit this behaviour, I don't believe it's unique to Sony and can't even 100% confirm it's the culprit in this case but it would be my bet.

[oracle128]

Are you thinking of XCP?

[Rockhound]

For those that aren't familiar with XCP here's an excerpt from an article appearing in wired magazine.

On Oct. 31, Mark Russinovich broke the story in his blog: Sony BMG Music Entertainment distributed a copy-protection scheme with music CD's that secretly installed a rootkit on computers. This software tool is run without your knowledge or consent -- if it's loaded on your computer with a CD, a hacker can gain and maintain access to your system and you wouldn't know it.
The Sony code modifies Windows so you can't tell it's there, a process called "cloaking" in the hacker world. It acts as spyware, surreptitiously sending information about you to Sony. And it can't be removed; trying to get rid of it damages windows.

You can read the entire article here...
http://www.wired.com/politics/securi.../2005/11/69601

Given that information, along with this new copyright protection method, not only am I NOT going to uninstall PowerISO but I am seriously considering reformatting my drive and reinstalling windows completely. Who knows what's managed to get installed on my system already that I'm unaware of.

[oracle128]

Unfortunately, XCP only applied to Sony BMG audio CDs. Not software discs, and not SCE (I presume that's the division which makes Vegas - not sure, but it definitely wouldn't be BMG). Also, XCP works in a different manner - it renders the disk unreadable, but not in the way that makes it look like a dead disc. It only blocks reading/ripping attempts by software as they operate; it doesn't go looking for them. And, XCP hasn't been used for over 2 years now. It is for these reasons that I'm dead certain it is not copy protection - least of all XCP - causing your problems.

The problems you describe are actually closer to how Starforce or SecuROM operate. Starforce more so, because it is an intrusive little critter, it does install rootkits, and it does actively search for undesirable software. However, as I mentioned previously, Starforce will actually tell you which software it objects to and ask you to remove it.

[Tom]

A few USB drive related issues under 3.0 Known Issues here that may be worth looking at.