IBM PC: SecuROM / StarForce protection

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This guide will help you understand, identify and properly dump '''SecuROM''' and '''StarForce''' protected games. '''Work In Progress''' == Information & Features == '''SecuROM''' is a CD/DVD copy protection and digital rights management product developed by Sony DADC. SecuROM aims to resist home media duplication devices, professional duplicators, and attempts at reverse engineering software. It is most often used for commercial computer games running under the Microsoft Windows platform. '''StarForce''' is a software copy protection mechanism developed by Protection Technology. '''Physical Measurements:''' SecuROM and StarForce are called ''Physical Protections'' because they perform measurements, like calculating sector distances, in CDs and DVDs. Both install a rootkit upon installation of the game and can only be removed by using official uninstallers. '''Twin Sectors:''' In SecuROM discs The 4th sector from the end is a twin sector which means it exists twice in the CD. It is usually skiped (corrected by drive) by common software and cannot be burned as it breaks the standard. CDMage will detect the twin sector, as arrorenous, if the CD is dumped correctly. == Detection == For this you need [http://sourceforge.net/projects/burnout/ BurnOut] or [http://protectionid.owns.it/ ProtectionID]. '''Alternate method:''' These tools don't always specify the exact version number. The version number of SecuROM can be found after AddD string in the protected executable using a HEX Editor or Viewer. It always appears at 98% of the file. For StarForce find the protect.dll file in the protected application folder (the file can have another name, but it always has the .dll extension), right-click it and select Properties. Select Version tab then. The protection version number is in the BuildSignature (or BuildInfo) section. == Dumping == The data track of physical protection discs is dumped normally with Isobuster, follow the main CD dumping guide for details. If any errors appear in the process you must abort, clean the disc and try again. To properly save the measurements you will need to use Alcohol 52% or 120%. Dump the disc with Alcohol and select '''Data Position Measurement''', when asked choose '''High''' precision and '''Low''' speed. The .MDS file that will be created is important for your personal backup. Unfortunately the database does not support adding those files. For SecuROM discs you will need to double check. Open the .BIN file with CDmage and scan for errors. If no errors showed during dumping yet your image has 1 error, then it is correct. ==Subs & CCDs (Optional)== Sub-headers and CCD data can be extremely useful in disc replication and emulation. While redump does not presently archive this information, it is generally a good idea to capture this data for personal preservation purposes. * Use [http://www.slysoft.com/en/clonecd.html CloneCD] to generate a valid CCD file (and be sure to create & use this [http://wiki.redump.org/index.php?title=Setting_Up#CloneCD custom profile].) ** CDs: Enable (1) Skip reading errors, (2) Sub-Channel Data from current disc, and (3) Data Position Management ** DVDs: Enable (1) Data Position Management, and set it to "high" precision. * Use Subdump to capture accurate sub-header information from the disc. **NOTE: This is currently an internal tool, so ask one of the Moderators if you're interested in using it. Additional steps may be required for mixed-mode discs. Consult the forums or ask a MOD for help if you get stuck. == Examples == *[http://redump.org/disc/9600/ Unreal Tournament 2003 (Europe) (En,Fr,De,Es,It) (Disc 1)] (SecuROM) *[http://redump.org/disc/10573/ Cold War - On Your Own Behind the Iron Curtain (USA) (Disc 1)] (StarForce) *[http://redump.org/disc/11864/ Still Life (USA) (Disc 2)] (StarForce) [[Category:Dumping Guides]]

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