Windows 10 Problem Reporting Thread

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Many, many years ago an old man named William of Occam provided a philosophical solution to this.   It is called Occam's Razor and goes like this:

If there is more than one solution to a problem take the simplest.

In this case, repurchasing the game from a non-DRM vendor site (e.g. GOG.com, GamersGate.com, Amazon) is the simplest if not necessarily the cheapest.  This version uses the established structure, is fully patched, runs without the safedisk nonsense, and without any optical drive present.  No fuss, or as the American's say "No hits, no runs, no errors, and nobody left on base."

[rsc204 21,805]

I think you've summed it up neatly there, ultimately if you buy with DRM, prepare to possibly buy it yet again when something breaks Steam/Origin or whatever.

I still don't understand the rush to update to Windows 10 at all, what are you getting that Windows 7 can't do? I think when everyone's locked into Win10 you'll start to see just how far MS is planning to use the required-update system to mess with your computer. In theory they can make your hardware suddenly redundant, or perhaps charge you for the new Direct X as DLC... seemingly you have to pay to play solitaire now, at least if you want all the "features", whatever those are.

Bear in mind this whole debacle with CDs was hidden until the very last minute, the SafeDisc / other CD security validation files were in every preview version of Windows 10, they were removed ONLY for the final release. Given this approach, how on earth can anyone trust MS not to use the power they now have to mess with your OS/Computer?

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Microsoft has broken faith with its customers.  They are now becoming an overweening software satrapy taking advantage of general consumer ignorance.  The boogeyman (Linus Torvalds) will get them soon if they don't watch out.  Boo!

Apple seems to be headed down the same primrose path.

The only good solution for both is to publish their entire source code.  This is likely to be embarrassing to them, but at the same time it would quickly put paid to a large number of hackers.

The first really good operating system certified by DOD had published source from the get-go.  Multics is secure, published, and written in Pl/1 for the most part.  This system is the father of UNIX, and the grandpa of Minix, and Linux.  Anyone who wants the source of any of these has only to ask, or even just download it.  Bug free code usually results in crowd programming with a good moderator.  Secrecy is the mother of error.

[rsc204 21,805]

Microsoft has broken faith with its customers.  They are now becoming an overweening software satrapy taking advantage of general consumer ignorance.  The boogeyman (Linus Torvalds) will get them soon if they don't watch out.  Boo!

I believe this to be true, only recently did I stop accepting Windows updates without checking each one carefully before installing, until now I just believed they were for the good of my PC.

That said, look at the activity surrounding the Win10 launch, consumers seem to be taking the bait, I just can't understand why everyone's in such a rush to upgrade?

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

<snip>

That said, look at the activity surrounding the Win10 launch, consumers seem to be taking the bait, I just can't understand why everyone's in such a rush to upgrade?

It seems that the mice have been well trained.  This is an example of the Harvard Law of Animal Behaviour which states that "any well trained laboratory animal will always do what it damned pleases."  You see, after all that conditioning the mice have no options.

[Ganaram Inukshuk 906]

Whether or not Windows whatever users are mindless lemmings or as cautious as any other person is NOT the topic of this thread. What is the topic of this thread is discussing a very specific problem and solution: running SC4 on Windows 10.

Let's get back on topic, please.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Sorry, we do seem to have wandered off.

I think it is clear now that the main problem for CD users is the absence of the old security system.  Whether there is an intention to restore this facility or not remains a question for Microsoft.  The only legal work around appears to be to purchase the digital download.

After that, it becomes a matter of supporting the plethora of hardware configurations on the three operating systems of which this appears to be the most common.  As newer hardware appears and becomes supported on Windows, the problems may increase or not.

[jlt122 46]

Well I've researched and been to the Microsoft forums, facebook etc.. and found that Microsoft took out the secdrv.sys driver before launch. According to some beta testers it was there before the final build of Win 10. This came from the Microsoft forums in their support section. So after reading from different sites and here, I went ahead and downloaded SC4 deluxe from Amazon it is DRM free and even though I made backup copies of my plugins & such. I found that it wasn't necessary to do so. Why? Because, when you delete your old sc4 off your drive it will ask if you want to save your cities. After I downloaded and installed the online version it ran like a charm, no problems, I didn't have to re-install NAM or anything. Also their version of sc4 deluxe is the newest so you don't have to patch it either, incase anyone ask. However I did try to open my sc4 traffic simulator that came with the NAM and found that it is giving me the same problem I had with windows 7. I remember where the link is to override the Admin line and cannot remember at the moment if it was here or on sc4devotion that a gentleman gave out the line to enter in. I think I might have saved it on my pc in my notes but anyways, the point is you will need to get the game online to use it in Windows 10 sad to say. I've had on disc since it came out and on 3 different computers. I'm still keeping them though no matter what.

 

[HTrader 29]

http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5470-driver-verifier-enable-disable-windows-10-a.html

Did anyone try this? I was able to find a version of secdrv.sys online and have it show, but I've had no luck and I'm probably going to roll back to 8.1 for the time being, since my password screen is very slow to appear when I start up my computer and Ive heard something about AMD drivers and 10.

[Trabman21 6]

http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5470-driver-verifier-enable-disable-windows-10-a.html

Did anyone try this? I was able to find a version of secdrv.sys online and have it show, but I've had no luck and I'm probably going to roll back to 8.1 for the time being, since my password screen is very slow to appear when I start up my computer and Ive heard something about AMD drivers and 10.

I would recommend not to use versions of system files that you find off the internet, as they usually may contain hidden "features" within them that might give you a virus or malware. Also, crashing your own PC in order to disable driver verification is not really a good idea as 1) why would you do that, and 2) seriously, why? You are just opening up your computer to a boatload of new problems if you don't know exactly what you are doing. Drivers were not the issue that we have with SC4, its the lack of the SafeDisc verification program on the final build of Windows 10. Never mess with your drivers, if you do, it is for a purpose other than what is being discussed here . I personally would not recommend anyone to do this, unless they are absolutely sure of what they are doing, and are a computer wizard of the highest grade .

Also, Windows 10 does come with a version of secdrv.sys, but it is unable to preform the tasks of the old safe verification files for whatever reason. 

Also II, that post was for a technical preview of Windows 10 from April, so there is a chance that that procedure is not up-to-date (Microsoft changed some things in the final build, though most of the changes were minor tweaks to the UI and system files, as we not know, and most of that tweaking was changing what was written in the settings menus in order to trick people into not understanding what all the buttons in the privacy menus on Windows and Edge were talking about in relation to tracking your every move ). 

Also III, Did you password screen begin to appear slowly after you downloaded that secdrv.sys file from the internet by any chance?

Also IV, adding in secdrv.sys files into their respective places won't do anything as Microsoft does not have those files registered on their servers , so those files will not be verified or able to load when rebooted (from what I understand of the new update system, I might be completely wrong). I've already tried doing that but to know avail, using old secdrv.sys files from my version of Windows 8.1 which I still have a copy of on my computer. 

Also V, yes, older AMD drivers may not work properly with DirectX 12. 

Also VI, do you think I put in too many "also's"? 

  Edited August 10, 2015 by Trabman21  

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

I think going to the digital version from a non-DRM vendor is the best solution.  If you can't afford it, remember Christmas is not too far away for an early present, eh Dad?

Sometimes a little valuta provides the best result.

  Edited August 10, 2015 by A Nonny Moose  

[HTrader 29]

The password screen issue was entirely related to microsoft and AMD which has fixed itself; As for the securom nothing bad happened even though I know of the inherent risk of downloading files from the web. I had planed for a while now to get the digital version of sc4 from amazon but I never got around to it, and I might have to wait until next month as I have to finance for my college classes first. I still don't know if I want to rollback to 8.1, I can tolerate it but I've had issues right and left with it, but it works.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Well, I am on Linux, but from all reports Windows 10 is the final solution to the 8.1 question.  Having to purchase a program to get rid of an old, hoary security item after 13 years on the market, is maybe not such a bad idea, eh?  Watch for a sale, and you may get it for the price of a couple of cups of coffee.

[dfnva 34]

Where does one put in the CD key in Origin to get the free copy of SC4? 

I tried the "Redeem Product Code" and neither the CD codes from my copies of SC4 or SC4 Rush Hour worked (with or without hyphens). I also attempted to see if there was a place to put the CD key as an option for purchasing SC4, but there wasn't.

Am I inputting the CD keys in the wrong place or am I using the wrong codes? I used the codes on the back on my jewel cases.

Help would be appreciated!,

-Dan

  Edited August 14, 2015 by dfnva  

[rsc204 21,805]

You could e-mail Origin support, if you explain the reason for wanting the digital copy is because the disks are no longer supported on Win10 then I think you should find a sympathetic ear there.

[Dani_NL 0]

rsc204 wrote:

For now, unless MS decide to retroactively support it, your only option appears to be a digital version of the game which will not have such copy protection. If you put your CD-Key into Origin they will provide you with a free digital copy of the game, so it needn’t cost you any money to resolve.

I just visited the Origin site, and they say the digital copies are only provided for games from 2009 or later. Too bad for SC4...

 

[frdrcklim 139]

Good thing I have a lot of drives installed on my PC. I'll just install Windows 7 on my secondary drive while I upgrade my main one to Windows 10.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

rsc204 wrote:

For now, unless MS decide to retroactively support it, your only option appears to be a digital version of the game which will not have such copy protection. If you put your CD-Key into Origin they will provide you with a free digital copy of the game, so it needn’t cost you any money to resolve.

I just visited the Origin site, and they say the digital copies are only provided for games from 2009 or later. Too bad for SC4...

 

Origin, as usual, is refractory.  Keep an eye on the usual vendor sites (Amazon, GOG, GamersGate) for a sale on SC4 Deluxe.  You may pick up the digital download version for $5 or less

[KiethMarkus2014 14]

rsc204 wrote:

For now, unless MS decide to retroactively support it, your only option appears to be a digital version of the game which will not have such copy protection. If you put your CD-Key into Origin they will provide you with a free digital copy of the game, so it needn’t cost you any money to resolve.

I just visited the Origin site, and they say the digital copies are only provided for games from 2009 or later. Too bad for SC4...

 

I would contact customer service I got a free copy on Origin with no problems.

[rsc204 21,805]

I just visited the Origin site, and they say the digital copies are only provided for games from 2009 or later. Too bad for SC4...

I would contact customer service I got a free copy on Origin with no problems.

I've heard many people state much the same, whilst I personally wouldn't buy an Origin version or install Origin for that matter, I know plenty of people don't care or have it, so if there is a chance of getting a replacement free, it has to be better than paying.

[Dani_NL 0]

I just visited the Origin site, and they say the digital copies are only provided for games from 2009 or later. Too bad for SC4...

I would contact customer service I got a free copy on Origin with no problems.

I've heard many people state much the same, whilst I personally wouldn't buy an Origin version or install Origin for that matter, I know plenty of people don't care or have it, so if there is a chance of getting a replacement free, it has to be better than paying.

I dont have origin installed, hadn't heard of it before. I'll ask for a free download. And in the meantime roll back to win7 on my secondary drive - don't throw away old shows too zoon. Thanks to all for your advice!

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Remember that what you get free is worth what you paid for it.

[Msprintz 25]

Well I've researched and been to the Microsoft forums, facebook etc.. and found that Microsoft took out the secdrv.sys driver before launch. According to some beta testers it was there before the final build of Win 10. This came from the Microsoft forums in their support section. So after reading from different sites and here, I went ahead and downloaded SC4 deluxe from Amazon it is DRM free and even though I made backup copies of my plugins & such.

 

Somehow I'm not to surprised that they took out secdrv.sys,  as the CD and even DVD are dying media in todays computer driven society.  It's almost sad to see it come to this, but just about everything available for the PC can be downloaded from a variety of legitimate sources.  Most new laptops and even new computers are now starting to ditch the optical CD/DVD/Blu-ray drive, so obviously change is afoot.  Online downloading is even a requirement to get the new Windows 10 that's out, which to my knowledge isn't even available on traditional CD/DVD media.  Hopefully they'll come around and put in secdrv.sys with a future patch, as it seems the outcry continues from those with optical drives and older software.   

 

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

<snip>

Somehow I'm not to surprised that they took out secdrv.sys,  as the CD and even DVD are dying media in todays computer driven society.  It's almost sad to see it come to this, but just about everything available for the PC can be downloaded from a variety of legitimate sources.  Most new laptops and even new computers are now starting to ditch the optical CD/DVD/Blu-ray drive, so obviously change is afoot.  Online downloading is even a requirement to get the new Windows 10 that's out, which to my knowledge isn't even available on traditional CD/DVD media.  Hopefully they'll come around and put in secdrv.sys with a future patch, as it seems the outcry continues from those with optical drives and older software.   

 

Make sure that when you get a new machine you have a fair number of USB ports.  They have a number of uses.  Thumb drives, SSDs, HDDs, optical drives are all currently available with USB interfaces along with most paper peripherals such as all-in-one scanner/printer/fax systems.  These channels only look slow compared to memory bus speeds, but they are quite sufficient.  The storage devices are surely much faster and clearly more secure than some cloud run by whoever.

Looking at my rig right now, I have two HDDs, a printer/scanner, a web cam all connected over USB ports.  I also have a camera system and a spare optical (blu-ray) with USB connectors and two spares on the front of my tower.

[Dani_NL 0]

Bugger, I'm too late for the rollback to win7. Weird, because I installed less than a month ago. Probably something to do with having win10 on two drives. So, now my only hope, short of installing origin, is to pray for the return of secdrv.sys.

[Msprintz 25]

Make sure that when you get a new machine you have a fair number of USB ports.  They have a number of uses.  Thumb drives, SSDs, HDDs, optical drives are all currently available with USB interfaces along with most paper peripherals such as all-in-one scanner/printer/fax systems.  These channels only look slow compared to memory bus speeds, but they are quite sufficient.  The storage devices are surely much faster and clearly more secure than some cloud run by whoever.

Looking at my rig right now, I have two HDDs, a printer/scanner, a web cam all connected over USB ports.  I also have a camera system and a spare optical (blu-ray) with USB connectors and two spares on the front of my tower.

Would worry about that, except for the fact I build my own systems.  The peace of mind gained can't be beaten, and you know exactly what went into the machine.    

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Bugger, I'm too late for the rollback to win7. Weird, because I installed less than a month ago. Probably something to do with having win10 on two drives. So, now my only hope, short of installing origin, is to pray for the return of secdrv.sys.

I wouldn't hold your breath on that.  Your best bet is to watch the downloading vendors (Amazon, GOG, GamersGate) for a sale.  Purchase a new copy of the game (make sure it is 1,1,641) and your problems are solved until MS screws something else up.

[magninioh 0]

Update 05 Aug It seems that CD versions of SC4 will not run under Windows 10 - The necessary OS support files for validating SafeDisc2 copy protection simply isn't part of Windows 10. This issue is not unique to SC4 either, SafeDisc and associated technologies were widely used by game discs for such validation.  For now, unless MS decide to retroactively support it, your only option appears to be a digital version of the game which will not have such copy protection. If you put your CD-Key into Origin they will provide you with a free digital copy of the game, so it needn’t cost you any money to resolve.

 

How can I get my free digital copy?

  Edited August 27, 2015 by magninioh  

[rsc204 21,805]

How can I get my free digital copy?

The provided information is based on what I've heard from others.

As mentioned, you should be able to validate a CD copy using your CD Key which will unlock a digital version on Origin. If this does not work, contact Origin support explaining your problems with proof you have a genuine copy of the CD version.

They are not giving away free copies, this service to my knowledge is only for existing CD owners who want a digital version.

[mrsmartman 200]

SC4 installed by GOG Galaxy

-r1920x1080x32 but the screen looks flat

Cannot change language to TChinese with language file and reg key