Lets talk Vista x64/x86 and Starforce drivers.

[Mem]

I downloaded the US demo of Spellforce 2 and to my surprise it couldn't play(installed game demo ok ,I also set my Spellforce 2 game to run as admin and XP compatibility mode) due to some files missing,ie Starforce signed/compatible drivers for Vista x64 in my case.

So simple solution is don't reboot or try to force an install of Starforce drivers from the game files or game CD once the game is installed,you just need to download sfdrvup.exe ,run this program after and it will install latest Starforce drivers and ask for a reboot after.It's just over 1mb so not big.

More info on Vista and Starforce drivers/installation can be found here .

64-bit OS support (Windows XP x64, Windows Server 2003 x64, Windows Vista x64).

Protection versions
Older than 3.05 These versions will never be able to work with 64-bit OS.

3.05 and later These versions support working with 64-bit OS with the corresponding restrictions in case of Windows Vista x64 (described above).

Driver update for Windows Vista x64 (64-bit)

Windows Vista x64 requires that all the drivers have the digital signature. If any driver does not have a digital signature, Windows Vista x64 is not loaded until the driver is removed.

Of course, the old protection driver versions without Windows Vista support did not have the digital signature. Therefore, launching the old protection versions for Windows Vista x64 should be performed as follows.

1. Launch the protected application with the rights of administrator.
2. Allow driver installation
3. Reject reboot (otherwise the OS will not load in Normal mode)
4. Update drivers
5. Reboot the OS.

I recommend you keep System Restore on Vista etc.. (and make a new restore point just before your install of Starforce drivers or Starforce copy protected games if you are that worried).

So far no problems to report,hopefully this'll help gamers that need to install Starforce based games.

Remember you can also get the Starforce removal program from above link too,uninstalling guide below.

How to remove all the protection components from the system?


To make sure all the protection components including drivers and system registry records are removed, the following should be performed:

* Download the zip-archive of the SFREMOVE utility.

* Unpack the archive and save the sfdrvrem.exe file to some folder on a hard disk.

* Run sfdrvrem.exe.

* Follow the displayed instructions

FYI I have tested Starforce,TAG,secuROM copy protection based games in my Vista x64 with no problems(I can only speak for myself).

 

[apoppin]

May the Force be with you ... good luck!

just remember ... despite the removal tools ... "starfarce is forever"


i had issues with SF2 and uninstalled it
-i am playing the Witcher now [so who cares, i might get back to it ... someday]


thanks for the tips ...

 

[PepperBreath]

Ugh...I just avoid Starforce games like the plague. Thankfully not too many I like have Starforce so I've been lucky.

IMO, Starforce being incompatible with Vista x64 is a huge blessing. I don't have to restore a previous HDD image like the last time I accidentally installed a demo with starforce on my previous XP machine.

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: PepperBreath
Ugh...I just avoid Starforce games like the plague. Thankfully not too many I like have Starforce so I've been lucky.

IMO, Starforce being incompatible with Vista x64 is a huge blessing. I don't have to restore a previous HDD image like the last time I accidentally installed a demo with starforce on my previous XP machine.

Technically its only incompatible if you use older Starforce drivers before 3.05(in Vista x64 case).

Unfortunately there are still some good games that use Starforce copy protection and the only way I know of playing them (unless there is a hack available ) for legit games you own etc..

It's always the same, the gamer that goes and buys legit games is the one that suffers the most ,not the pirate gamer .
I'm no fan of any copy protection(SecuROM,Starforce,TAG etc..) ,unfortunately it comes with the job or should I say game in the gamers case .


Side note:Microsoft have imposed stricter standards with Starforce on Vista.However as we know any software/drivers can cause problems for some people ,I once had a Logitech driver that messed up some of my software in XP years ago.

 

[Modelworks]

I refuse to install any game that uses starforce.
If the publisher chooses starforce, then they have lost a sale.

I like gaming. But I will not compromise my pc just to play a game.

 

[Martimus]

Originally posted by: Modelworks
I refuse to install any game that uses starforce.
If the publisher chooses starforce, then they have lost a sale.

I like gaming. But I will not compromise my pc just to play a game.

Same here. Luckily we managed to convince Ubisoft not to use it on HOMM5, although the game was nothing special.

 

[BFG10K]

A far better alternative to Starforce is a no-CD crack.

 

[Jodiuh]

^big old bump

So sad, but true. I read Sins of Solar Empire did great, no copy protection?

 

[Canai]

Originally posted by: BFG10K
A far better alternative to Starforce is a no-CD crack.

The games still require Starforce to be installed, even with a no CD crack.

I patched DiRT recently, and I had to reinstall Starforce for some reason after playing for a couple hours with the patch. After a restart, DiRT had all these weird clipping and sound issues. GG Starforce.

Originally posted by: Jodiuh
^big old bump

So sad, but true. I read Sins of Solar Empire did great, no copy protection?

Yup. Great gameplay, no system breaking DRM, and a dev team who actually listened to what the fans had to say.

 

[skace]

Whats x68? Is that supposed to be x86?

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: skace
Whats x68? Is that supposed to be x86?

Typo error,corrected .

 

[BFG10K]

The games still require Starforce to be installed, even with a no CD crack.

Not any of mine. All of mine ask for Starforce to be installed after the game's installed which of course ever happens as I then apply the no-CD crack and start playing the game without the disk thereafter.