How to get rid of SecuRom, NOW

[Zazazu]

I just rewrote the opening post a bit to make it more general, since EA is still using this invasive piece of crap. Below is a summary of the general questions that have been asked in the past 32 pages with answers so as to cut down on repeats.

Random Questions that have popped up since the opening post:

• Can I still patch the game?
  Yes. Just make sure to wait for a patched no-CD .exe to be released. This usually happens within a week of the patch.
• Can I play with a patched game and an old no-CD? I can't wait and I really want the patch!
  Can you? Sure you can. Should you? Heck no.
• I ran through the instructions, but on one of the steps, there was nothing to delete? Did I screw up?
  Try it once more just to make sure, but you probably are fine. Some people don't have all of the files/registry entries due to their PC's particular setup.
• I heard that no-CDs cause Build or Buy modes to not show up, or other bugs.
  This has happened in the past, with some of the early EPs, but I haven't heard of it occurring with any cracks from Seasons on. If this happens, get another no-CD. Go with the big well-known names: Fairlight, Demonoid, and ViTaLiTy.
• I can't see the UserData folder thing with the files I'm supposed to delete!!!!11!1
  Open up "My Computer". Navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR NAME HERE. On the window's menu bar, hit Tools, then Folder Options. Click the View tab. Under "Hidden files and folders" make sure to click on the "Show hidden files and folders" radial button. (Insert beef about Windows hiding crap from computer owners for no valid reason here). Click OK. Now click on the new light-colored folder called Application Data. See a folder called SecuRom? Yay.
• I heard that I could just rename this one file or change this to read-only and that would remove SecuROM.
  Lies. All lies. The only way to stop SecuROM from being installed or activated is to run with a no-CD version that disables SecuROM.
• I hate this SecuROM crap! What can I do about it.
  First, vote with your wallet. Second, make it clear that is what you are doing to EA. Third, you might be interested in this site: http://the-sas.org/.
• But what does it actually do?
  Issues that can be caused by SecuRom:
  1. Causes some CD-burning programs not to work. Known targets: Nero, Sonic, Alcohol 120.
  2. Causes some anti-virus programs to stall during a scan, not start a scan, or report subscriptions as expired. Known targets: Norton, McAfee.
  3. Causes issues with running the game from CD on initial install or on reinstall. This is especially bad since EAxis' solution to everything is to tell us to reinstall the game. Users get the message to enter the original game CD instead of a backup, even though they are using the original game CD.
  4. Rumored to actually break CD readers. While this is technically not possible, one user did report that they had been trying to burn a CD right before bed and when they woke up, Nero was still stalled and the CD writer had misaligned. Unnecessary wear-and-tear, if you will.
  5. Possible security risk through rootkit set-up.
  Please do not post asking everyone to let you know what SecuROM has done to them in this thread. It unnecessarily clogs things up. Go to the site linked two points above, use your friendly neighborhood SEARCH function, or post a separate thread.
• Does SecuROM come with other games? Because I have it and I don't know where I got it from.
  Sure does. See here www.gameburnworld.com/protectedgameslist.shtml for a current list of games. If you are still unsure, do a quick search on your engine of choice for the game name and SecuROM.
• Does SecuROM come with the Mac version?
  As of this posting, no.

[catpaw]

I just installed Bon Voyage, and I used the patched no-CD crack from www.gameburnworld.com, and loaded the game. The game played fine, except when I went to make a pet in CAS, the pets were all invisible! The breed options showed up, but the fur and coat options didn't display. I created a cat, and the cat was invisible (and noiseless too), except the family still interacted with it. When a stray dog walked by the lot, the dog's ears were missing, and there was a blank space where the ears should have been. I tested several neighbourhoods, and they all had the same problem. Is this a problem with this particular crack, and is there another site where I could download a better version?

[morriganrant]

Is this a problem with this particular crack, and is there another site where I could download a better version?

I doubt it's the crack, but Gamecopyworld is where most here get their cracks. It seems more like it would be either a custom issue or more likely, a corrupted game file.
Try the new crack, test without cc, if the problem is still there, you may have to back up your user files and reinstall pets.

[Zazazu]

I compared the cracks at Gamecopyworld and Gameburnworld. Both appear to be the same size and state they are by Hatred.

Someone else reported a similar issue on MTS2 as well as some random forum where the question wasn't answered. Unfortunately MTS2 isn't loading at the moment (figures).

EDIT: Thread at MTS2 here. No solution given, but people were having this issue without CC and no one stated they were using a crack. Try a reinstall. Make sure graphics card drivers are up-to-date.

[Craigbear]

I have a question please? I want to install and play freetime but the only craks available are for DVD and i have CD version. Will those work with my game and also there are several versions how do i know which one to download and use?

Thanks in advance.

[Zazazu]

It's the same thing. The crack works with both DvD and CD versions. As for the one you need, if you patch FreeTime you will need the crack with the highest version number, and the latest release date. If you choose not to patch, you'd need the one with the lowest version number and earliest release date.

[Craigbear]

Hi i downloaded the crack with the highest number version one from gamecopy world and one from gameburn world i extracted both and all that gets extracted is a system information file and nothing else. Can someone help me out as i did the same thing with BV and that was much easier. Maybe i need to take out the no-cd crack for BV first? I should add the crack i am talking about id for FT.

Thanks.

[floopyboo]

You've probably put the file in the wrong spot. It needs to go directly in C: - not in a folder within C:

[TimeStop]

I don't claim to be an expert so you may not want to take anything I say definitively. But it looks like where they discuss that is in reference to the deleting keys section. So I would say yes, but I don't know that if I were you I would delete it just because I (not being you) said so.

[dragonballz]

I bow to you and do pennance your feet. I grovel. Thank you for this info. Now to see if my Apt. Life crack will finally work as every time I try to load and install I get a big red x in a window titled "Sims 2". 

[Zazazu]

Delete groups.cache from My Documents/Sims 2/. Sometimes it gets pissy.

[Lion]

I have Free Time version SecuRom, and I need to get rid of it before AL. I followed the Zazazu's instruction. When I have questions, I search the thread and find answers. I've got Step 3 down (uaservice7 not found because I installed in an administrative account).

Now for Step 4, I do not have Securom folder in Application Data. Windows explorer has been configured to show hidden files and folders. I clicked all the "light-colored" Application Data in every account in my "Documents and Settings". I even searched in Documents and Settings, with "search for hidden files and folders" on. No SecuRom folder.

[Edited for more info] In the registry (through regedit), I do have Securom folder under HKEY_CURRENT_USER---Software---. Should I just do what point 2 says:"Double check your registry files. Still see any keys under HKEY_CURRENT_USER---Software---Securom? Just delete the suckers. Won't blow up."?

Or should I follow Li'l Brudder's instruction instead? :

3. Download "TrashReg" and derar it.  Run it.  Look for the !DO NOT DELETE! key by going to File...Find Keys with NULL -embedded names...Check ALL boxes.
4. Right click the !DO NOT DELETE! key and delete it.
5. Download and run CureSecuROMeng.  It'll do its thing.
6. Open up RegEdit again and try to find SecuROM.  If it is gone, yey.  If not, you fail at life.

[jolrei]

I think you can do either one, whichever seems simpler to you.  I used the regedit method as it seemed more direct.  As long as you follow instructions exactly, there should be no problems.

[Lion]

Thanks, jolrei, for confirming. I deleted those entries in the registry. (Fingers crossed...) Isn't it odd that I don't have SecuRom folder?

Finally, I can get to AL. I'm going to buy the game, and gamecopyworld has two cracks. Which one should I use? The one for MULTI16 looks easier, but I have US version. Anybody used this crack? Is it good?

[Lord Darcy]

There is only ONE crack, the other one is No-DVD/Fixed Image to use with YASU/Daemon Tools.

[dragonarts]

Thanks, jolrei, for confirming. I deleted those entries in the registry. (Fingers crossed...) Isn't it odd that I don't have SecuRom folder?

Finally, I can get to AL. I'm going to buy the game, and gamecopyworld has two cracks. Which one should I use? The one for MULTI16 looks easier, but I have US version. Anybody used this crack? Is it good?

And, yes, that version of the no-CD works for US version. It's what I'm using successfully, anyway.

[Moon]

You'll have to indulge my current ignorance as it has been a LONG time since I have been able to play TS2.

If I remember correctly, the game played from the last game installed, not necessarily from the newest EP.

So, could I install all my new stuff, and install say, Nightlife last.. could I still play from the disc and avoid suckurom?

Or do I remember incorrectly, and would I still have to get a No CD for Apartment Life?

I ask simply because No CD cracks would be new territory for me and I'm a big chicken. Bawk bawk.

ETA: I am clearly a moron and of course that is not the case. Now I get to wade into the world of No CD cracks for the first time.

[Lorelei]

The game looks for the most recent EP, so installing them out of order won't make the last installed EP the default EP, it will just bork the proper loading of the EPs and SPs and the functionality of the game. It shouldn't, but sometimes EA Games do things they shouldn't.

In short, get the No-CD for AL.

[PlayLives]

Don't have Securom (I don't think, running Admin account, don't see anything) and no FreeTime patches installed but now about to install ApartmentLife, so I'm confused about order...

Option 1:  Check/Remove Securom; install FT patches 1, 2 and/or 3 (?) ; install AL ; remove securom again(?) ; run from no crack CD
or
Option 2: Install FT patches 1, 2 and/or 3 (?) ; install AL ; check/remove securom(?) ; run from no crack CD


Option 1 seems like unnecessary work but I want to make sure my computer is/stays clean.

[mildlydisguised]

If you have already checked and do not have Securom on your machine, then unless you run the original .exe from any EP after BV then you will not reinfect your machine.  Therefore I would go with option 2, you can always check for Securom after you put the AL crack in, if you are paranoid.

[moparopie]

Love this guide!  It helped me fix my "can't find cd" error the game was throwing.

[witch]

Love this guide!  It helped me fix my "can't find cd" error the game was throwing.

Well fancy that!

[jolrei]

It has been noted that, if you install your game on an administrator account, you may not get the registry entries or the securom directory on your system.  YMMV.

If you run the tests and no registry entries for securom are found, rejoice.  Have a nice cup of tea (to borrow a currently common sentiment).

Load the proper no-cd crack.  You should be good to go.

[Hellyes]

how about an uninstaller guys? i managed to get them to give it to me. had to twist a few arms though. but here it is":

(supposedly this came from Securom personnel)..

" Hello.

Please start the SecuROM Uninstaller tool with the parameter /fulluninstall, afterwards everything should be removed.

Please find below the instructions:

Code:

http://www.securom.com/support/SecuROM_Uninstaller.zip

Please download it, extract the application file and follow the instructions below:

WARNING:
Hey everyone, I just want to warn you all.  Don't download this file from Tigerlover!  An AVG Scan says it contains a trojan.  Trojan horse SHeur.CILH

Only question I have is, why is the SecuROM support website giving out a link for a file that has a trojan horse in it?

[Diala]

WARNING:
Hey everyone, I just want to warn you all.  Don't download this file from Tigerlover!  An AVG Scan says it contains a trojan.  Trojan horse SHeur.CILH

Only question I have is, why is the SecuROM support website giving out a link for a file that has a trojan horse in it?

According to some of the results of the Google search of SHeur (a direct search of SHeur.CILH didn't turn up anything), it could very well be a false positive. However, there is also this brief report on Microsoft's Malware Proection Center. Hmm.