Firstly, thanks to xash for making some alternations on my OP and approving this thread.
I’m using Win98 on a AMD system with a BTC CD-RW drive
The problem I face is that any game that uses SafeDisc v2 copy-protection won’t detect my legitimate CD. Other games like Diablo2 (which uses SecuRom v2) works fine. I’ve tried
downloading the latest ASPI drivers, and am reluctant to re-install Windows.
I’m guessing that some drivers from previous installations of software have lodged into by system and are interfering, but I can’t remember which things I installed over the years and can’t remember which bit of software caused it. Any Dopers care to help track down the bugger?
Please note that I am not asking how to circumvent SafeDisc v2 copy protection, I’m just asking how to make my legitimate SafeDisc v2 discs work correctly on my system.
If it’s been years since you’ve cleaned out your system you might want to think seriously about doing a format + re-install. I realize this is something you’d like to avoid, but in addition to solving the problem it would probably help overall system performance substantially.
You don’t say whether you were able to run Safedisc2 games before. If they did used to run, well I can’t offer much other than to try this patch from Macrovision (which is for NT based systems, but hey, it can’t get any worse, right?).
If you’ve never gotten this type of copy-protected game to work, I’ve heard that some types of copy protection do not work or work well when the cd is read in a CD-RW drive. I’ve had this happen myself and tested it in my system where I have a regular CD drive and a burner. Try using a different CD reader if possible.
Last step would be to make an image using CloneCD using Fast Error Skip On option, then use a CD emulator like Daemon Tools (which can emulate Safedisc2 protection) to load the image and play it from your hard drive. It’s not exactly illegal to do this since you presumably own a legit copy of the game, but it would also be bypassing the copy protection on the CD which you say you don’t want to do. It also sucks up 650-700MB of space.
Rabid_Squirrel: I’m fairly sure this is a problem with the drive itself. If the problem just recently developed, try using one of those CD-ROM drive cleaning discs you can buy at office supply stores. If this doesn’t help, or the problem has existed for awhile, try getting a firmware upgrade from BTC for your drive. If this doesn’t fix it, or no firmware upgrades are available, then you’ll need to buy a new drive. I suggest Lite-Ons, as they are very high quality, as well as being rather inexpensive.
Horseflesh: Circumventing copy protection is a violation of the DMCA, thus a federal crime. Copying an unprotected disc for backup purposes is of arguable legality, copying a protected disc is definitely illegal.
Alereon, my games worked before using the BTC drive. I did play them for a few months when I first got them, but only realised that they stopped working this month. I’m almost certain it’s to do with various drive emulators, and CD drivers I’ve installed and un-installed recently.
Horseflesh, please note the final paragraph of my OP. I don’t want to monkey around with imaging software as I’ve still got my original disk I paid for.