http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/200...al-rights.html

The above article might go some way to explaining why so many users find
their CD/DVD drives have disappeared for no apparent reason.

You might want to think twice before purchasing copy-protected discs.

On Tue, 01 Nov 2005 18:23:46 -0500, Triffid wrote:

> http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/200...al-rights.html
>
> The above article might go some way to explaining why so many users find
> their CD/DVD drives have disappeared for no apparent reason.
>
> You might want to think twice before purchasing copy-protected discs.

I saw this article earlier this week. Note that the disk drive didn't
disappear for no apparent reason; lacking an uninstall option for the
stealthed DRM mechanisms, Mark removed drivers and filters and then it
disappeared.

I have nothing against the concept of digital rights protection but there's
no excuse for the DRM slop that was dropped from that disc. Now that this
has been uncovered, it will be interesting to see how it plays out (no pun
intended).

--
Sharon F
MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User

Sharon F wrote:
> On Tue, 01 Nov 2005 18:23:46 -0500, Triffid wrote:
>
>
>>http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/200...al-rights.html
>>
>>The above article might go some way to explaining why so many users find
>>their CD/DVD drives have disappeared for no apparent reason.
>>
>>You might want to think twice before purchasing copy-protected discs.
>
>
> I saw this article earlier this week. Note that the disk drive didn't
> disappear for no apparent reason; lacking an uninstall option for the
> stealthed DRM mechanisms, Mark removed drivers and filters and then it
> disappeared.

Agreed, however I was speaking in general terms since users post here
frequently complaining their drive(s) have disappeared for no apparent
reason, and the root cause is usually to do with faulty filter drivers.

It would be nice if Microsoft came up with a patch to automatically
bypass filter drivers that fail to load for whatever reason.

> I have nothing against the concept of digital rights protection but there's
> no excuse for the DRM slop that was dropped from that disc. Now that this
> has been uncovered, it will be interesting to see how it plays out (no pun
> intended).

Regardless of one's views on DRM, there is no excuse for installing
software without the user's permission, or for failing to provide an
uninstaller.

Triffid

On Wed, 02 Nov 2005 18:26:51 -0500, Triffid wrote:

> Agreed, however I was speaking in general terms since users post here
> frequently complaining their drive(s) have disappeared for no apparent
> reason, and the root cause is usually to do with faulty filter drivers.
>
> It would be nice if Microsoft came up with a patch to automatically
> bypass filter drivers that fail to load for whatever reason.

You're right. After posting earlier, I started thinking about how many
times removing filter drivers comes up when troubleshooting cd/dvd drive
problems - OFTEN!

> Regardless of one's views on DRM, there is no excuse for installing
> software without the user's permission, or for failing to provide an
> uninstaller.

If I wasn't clear before, I definitely agree. I hope there will be some
fallout because this is just so wrong on oh so many levels. A very bad move
on Sony's part and sincerely hope that the issue does not get swept under
the carpet.

--
Sharon F
MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User

Sharon F wrote:
> On Wed, 02 Nov 2005 18:26:51 -0500, Triffid wrote:
>
>
>>Agreed, however I was speaking in general terms since users post here
>>frequently complaining their drive(s) have disappeared for no apparent
>>reason, and the root cause is usually to do with faulty filter drivers.
>>
>>It would be nice if Microsoft came up with a patch to automatically
>>bypass filter drivers that fail to load for whatever reason.
>
>
> You're right. After posting earlier, I started thinking about how many
> times removing filter drivers comes up when troubleshooting cd/dvd drive
> problems - OFTEN!
>
>
>>Regardless of one's views on DRM, there is no excuse for installing
>>software without the user's permission, or for failing to provide an
>>uninstaller.
>
>
> If I wasn't clear before, I definitely agree. I hope there will be some
> fallout because this is just so wrong on oh so many levels. A very bad move
> on Sony's part and sincerely hope that the issue does not get swept under
> the carpet.

Hoping there will be some fallout has no effect. Sony, and others who
may be tempted use a similar approach, will respond only if consumer
awareness of the issue is sufficiently widespread as to significantly
impact product sales.

Triffid