NO!!!! securom screwed me over

[Squrly12]

NOOO!!!!!! I've been excited about this game for as long as i have known about it and today when i got the game home, i quickly threw it in my pc to install. Install goes smoothly and i figured that i'd be satiating my battle lust in just minutes. However when i go to start the game my icon becomes a spinning cd and an error pops up saying it "Unable to authenticate original disk within time limit."

Please help me!!!!!! lol I've tried calling every tech support but they are either off work or they don't know what to do. Is anyone else getting this problem? More importantly does anyone know how to fix it?

[Kwitzak]

Had the same problem with X2 The Threat. If you have Daemon Tools or Alchohol installed then uninstall them..

[Squrly12]

I have never had either of those 2 installed. Any other tips?

[ionfish]

Moving to Bug Sub.

[Squrly12]

Yeah sorry i didn't see it ther. Was only really paying attention to getting this thread up so i could get help..... i need help!!!!!

Double Post

I'm guessing i have 2 options at this point..... head back to the store or wait till tommarow for tech support (if its working then) What do you guys think? And Kwitzak, would either of those 2 tools be installed on my comp without me knowing? Also where would they be located?

[Kwitzak]

No you would know if they were installed..

Sorry for your problems..

There would be an icon in your Taskbar

[Entropius]

Waitaminute.

I had been planning on buying DoW since I heard about it four months ago.

But if it has a lockout on computers with Daemon Tools installed, I won't buy it. I use DT for all sorts of (legitimate) purposes, and don't need Vivendi preaching to me about what software I can and cannot run on my computer.

Can anyone confirm or deny that DoW has a daemon tools lockout?

[Kwitzak]

I dont know about DOW but i know that X2 had until they released a patch..

[Kaldaris]

I dont see how this would be a problem with Alcohol 120% since it can make virtual images with games(that you purchased) that have SecuRom.But if the Game wont run because I have Alcohol 120% installed then screw this,as much as I have anticipated for this game I will not uninstall Alcohol because DoW is feeling insecure.

[WlfSamurai]

I am having the exact same problem and have never even heard of these programs that "could" cause this game to have a problem. I am rather frustrated and disapointed. I can't believe that I can't play my game and I have to wait for more software.

-Wlf

[amarynth]

You installed the game but can not run it.. hmm.
What kind of system do you have?
OS, Graphic card, etc.

Did you close out of any other programs?
Update drivers and bios?

[WlfSamurai]

i am running a dell, 3gig pentium 4, 1gig double DDR ram, 80gig hard drive, ATI radeon 128 vidcard.

Double Post

and Windows XP home

[Squrly12]

You installed the game but can not run it.. hmm.
What kind of system do you have?
OS, Graphic card, etc.

Did you close out of any other programs?
Update drivers and bios?


I have updated all drivers and bios and here are my specs:

Win XP
AMD 64 3200
NVidia FX 5200
1 Gig of DDR ram
160 gig hard drive
CD-RW/DVD-R (without software due to earlier suggestion)
and a Albatron K8 Pro.

[ÜberJumper]

What brand of CD Rom drive do you have?

People that had this problem (the timeout one) with HW2, managed to sometimes work around it by clicking the retry button a bunch of times until it caught.

Entropius:

THQ not Vivendi. Contact Technical Support at THQ if it doesn't work.

[Squrly12]

Umm.... I don't remember specifically but in properties it says NU DVD-R/CD-RW, etc.... so im guessing NU is abbreviation for it?

Double Post

And the first time i click retry it brings up an error box saying that i should go to www.securom.com/copy and not use back up copys of this disk. grrr i hate it.

[ÜberJumper]

Of course the securom site is down... so it's not like THAT's any help.

Can you go here and find your drive for me please?

http://www.nu-global.com/1_english/3_products/01_ide.php?cID=0

There does look to be Firmware updates for your drive that might help...

http://www.nu-global.com/1_english/4_support/01_manuals.php?sID=2

but without the model number....

[WlfSamurai]

Actually, mine is more of a "please insert original disk, not a back-up copy. For more information, go to www.securom.com/copy." problem. Then it started to do the above.

[ÜberJumper]

Wlf, same question, what's your Optical Drive model number?

[WlfSamurai]

How do I found out such information?

Double Post

According to my hardware manager, it is a Philips DVD+RW DVD8601

[ÜberJumper]

Is it a Dell? If it is, can you PM me the service tag number please?

[Entropius]

Well, considering "no return if opened" policies, I need to know if this game will work with my system before I buy it.

Since I doubt the box says "Requires a system with no CD-image mounting software installed", and then goes to list the drives that work with Securom-mangled disks, I bet I'd have a successful small-claims suit against THQ (or EB) to get the purchase price back. But I don't have time for that.

Just a lesson for you, THQ: Starcraft had no copy protection at all, was released at a time when cd burners were common, and yet made Blizzard what is commonly referred to as "gagging bagfuls of money."

The Baldur's Gate games didn't even have cd-key checks, and they made Bioware piles of cash.

[ÜberJumper]

Starcraft was NOT released when CD burners were common. I was there, I know :-)

Hopefully they'll release a patch that removes it after it's been on shelves a while. Perhaps you can join us in the fun then :-)

[WlfSamurai]

It is not out yet on that site. It is nowhere to be found.

[ÜberJumper]

Wlf:

Your CD Rom drive is not listed on the Dell Site as having firmware available for it. I'm assuming that since your from the states (chicago right?), you bought your dell there and it shipped to you with that optical drive in place?

I've seen other reports about that drive failing, you may want to contact dell about it and see if they've got a firmware update for it hidden somewhere, or if the drive is not actually a philips drive and is one of the other 3 listed.

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/devices.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&SystemID=DIM_PNT_P4_8400&category=32&os=WW1&osl=EN

[Squrly12]

I updated the firmware and all that for my correct drive but it still gives me that error.

[ÜberJumper]

Looks like you need to contact THQ support and see if they have any suggestions for you.

[Namarkin]

got the same problem with a NEC drive.. works on my laptop though.. :P

I keep on stating it, I know most stores wont accept to sell software that has no copy protection, but in the end, the only people that it causes headaches for are LEGIT users..

[ÜberJumper]

Like how only gun laws cause headaches for legit users :-)

"If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns"

[Namarkin]

Its not quite the same now is it? If I went out and bought a gun, I bet you it would do its job when I needed it.... I would not need to "patch" it, I would not need to wait for vital parts before I could use it.. Heck, in TN, I don't even have to WAIT for them to check me out first.. And, I reckon, pretty soon I could buy a fully automatic weapon legally.. but I'm not trusted enough with friggin' computer games?

If I would see a special button on it that said "Only licensed shooters may use, please insert for thumbprint to make sure you are a registered gun owner"... Then your point would be valid..

Or, how about your car asking you to insert your drivers license in order to start?

(Hmm... that might actually be a good idea though.. :P)

But I think you get my point.. the computer gaming industry is getting back to the "get the patch" era..

And, if you want to get into gun discussion, compare Sweden to say, USA when it comes to gun laws and crime.. Or, basically, almost every other western civilized country compared to USA when it's about gun control and crime/murder rates etc..

[Brigoon]

A couple simple idea's if anyone what's to try them :)

1) is running msconfig(Win98/XP) from the run line, then go in and uncheck the programs startup group and reboot.

--Now I know it doesn't fix everything and it may not seem to be related to the issue. But on a few games I had issues like this I went into msconfig and cleaned out the startup group of all the programs except for task manager. It seemed to fix the problem most of the time.--

2)Do you have two CD drives or only one ? sometimes a program will get it in it's brain to look at the wrong CD drive, the easy fix is to just try the other drive and see if it works.

--This mostly happened back in the day when two drives(often a CD-Rom & a CD-Writer)in the computer was just starting to become a normal thing, either the software or the OS would get confuse and think the disc was not in one of the drives when it truly was :)--

3) another option if your computer has the space and horse power to handle it is to copy the files from the CD directly to the computer hard drive then try and run the install program form the hard drive.

--I often used this one as a last resort kinda thing, If you have to go to these lengths to install the program then either the CD is truly messed up in it's data format on the plastic or the Drive you are using is on it's last life on it's last leg and cant read for nothing--


Please understand these tips come for the good old days, when CD-Writers where just hitting the market and a lot of the software & hardware we love and use today was still in it's teething stage (I guess you figure that out by me calling the drives CD-Roms :D ). But sometimes the old tricks are still good :)

[WlfSamurai]

Uber, there is now firmware available for me. Yes this drive came with my computer. Also it is my only drive. So I have wait for a patch to come out or I have to find more software is the verdict?

[ÜberJumper]

Namarkin:

I was specifically refering to Gun Laws and Securom as they relate to crime prevention.

Wlf:

You can always buy a name brand cdrom drive (52x should do nicely) and you'll probably be ok.

[Varvidos]

This sucks, im getting the same message whenever i try and run the game.

F**king gay.

Double Post

I have a Phillips DVD+RW DVD8601

how do i upgrade the firmware?

[ÜberJumper]

You're in the same situation as WlfSamurai Varividos. Contact Dell and/or Philips and THQ about the situation. It's an issue with Securom.

[Varvidos]

You're in the same situation as WlfSamurai Varividos. Contact Dell and/or Philips and THQ about the situation. It's an issue with Securom.

Will do, btw copying the game to your hard drive then installing it from there doesnt do any good.

[ÜberJumper]

Yes, as you've already installed it. It's the securom looking for the CD in the drive afterwards that's screwing you up.

[Varvidos]

Any idea as to how i might update my drivers/firmware for my CD/DVD drive?

It strikes me as odd that on the Philips site, my drive (as listed in the device manager) does not exist.

[ÜberJumper]

It's a drive that was supplied by Philips specifically for dell it seems (you do have a dell right?). See my posts to wlf in this thread.

Also, try emailing securom about this issue, they may have some ideas for you.

support@SecuROM.com

Include a detailed description of your error, and your hardware.

[Varvidos]

Will do, thanks Uber.

As for having a Dell, yes i do indeed.

Double Post

The thing i find to be weirdest is that when i loaded DoW the first time, it worked.

Now it doesnt.

Weird.

Double Post

I've been recording this.

I'm currently in the game, worked after try number 132.

Worked on attempt 1 and 132.

Weird.

[ÜberJumper]

Thanks for the update.

Wlf, try that?

[Varvidos]

Ok its worked the last 5 times ive tried it in a row.

*boggle*

This i do not understand.

[Varvidos]

This problem is still not fixed.

The game wont load up 99% of the time.

Double Post

Dont bother ringing Dell.

They are such utter and complete tards that wasting time talking with their technical support will just cost you brain cells.

[Houdy]

This is the sorta stuff that ticks me off.
I paid my hard-earned money to play this game.. they put some half-assed copy protection scheme on it and i suffer. Who are they trying to stop from pirating this game? Anyone who wants to copy this game more than likely can.. who are they stopping.. 6 people? Thanks for nothing.

[Squrly12]

Hey i got it to finally work!!!!! Thanks to whoever mentioned firmware update for my cd drive!!! IT REALLY WORKS!!!! lol.. sorry just a lil bit excited. That solved my Unable to authenticate original disk problems and i hope it does for you too... Well time to move on. Looks like im upgrading to the discussion forums :D

[sieb]

The game will not work with my new Benq 1610 DVD+-RW drive, but if I put in my old CDRW drive, the game loads fine. Either I need to wait for a new firmware for the drive, or a patch for the game..

[space invader]

Hi I have the same problem but the site you said doesn't have any updates for my driver:

philips dvd/rw 1600

Pleease help I have been waiting for this game for years and now I can't ******* play it!

[ÜberJumper]

You could try getting another CD Rom Drive (a simple, yet common brand, 52x one should work)

[Totmacher]

Waitaminute.

I had been planning on buying DoW since I heard about it four months ago.

But if it has a lockout on computers with Daemon Tools installed, I won't buy it. I use DT for all sorts of (legitimate) purposes, and don't need Vivendi preaching to me about what software I can and cannot run on my computer.

Can anyone confirm or deny that DoW has a daemon tools lockout?

I can confirm that the game DOES NOT check for any other SW except DirectX 9.0b. What SecuROM does under the hood is a different matter, but it sounds like a time-out with this particular model of CD-ROM drive.