Mansions and gardens

I bought and paid for all sims 2 expansion and stuff packs. I discovered SecuROM was a problem and removed it. I want to play my game without using my CD's to avoid SecuROM being put back on my PC. I think it was behind a DVD drive problem I had. I downloaded the no cd crack for M&G and it comes up with the following error message:-

Failed to enumerate any directX compatable graphics adapters in this system

Please make sure you have directX compatable graphics adapter and have installed the latest manufacturer provided driver.

The application will now terminate...

I went to MS site and downloaded the most recent version of DirectX and still can't play. I got the no cd from the mirror#1 site in Europe. I placed it in the M&G folder and removed the original one and put it in a back up location. So I have everything except the original exe in there and the new .exe I downloaded from here.

Can anyone help with this?

[DABhand]

Hi there,

Does the game work ok without the crack?

Because it seems you dont have a compatible graphic card, which could suggest you are using a laptop perhaps?

Also does the last expansion only need to be authenticated online?

[TippeX]

Originally Posted by jwest

I discovered SecuROM was a problem and removed it.

really? what problem... please elaborate...

I want to play my game without using my CD's to avoid SecuROM being put back on my PC. I think it was behind a DVD drive problem I had.

heh... *think*.. great word, really means you don't have a clue... also securom is not 'put back on your pc'.. the exe is wrapped with securom.. sounds like you've been reading one of the sims fansites and started believing the crap..

I downloaded the no cd crack for M&G and it comes up with the following error message:-

Failed to enumerate any directX compatable graphics adapters in this system

Please make sure you have directX compatable graphics adapter and have installed the latest manufacturer provided driver.

The application will now terminate...

well, then check for updated video drivers for your machine.. posting more information helps (especially the specifications of the machine you're trying to play it on)

Originally Posted by DABhand

Hi there,

Does the game work ok without the crack?

Because it seems you dont have a compatible graphic card, which could suggest you are using a laptop perhaps?

Also does the last expansion only need to be authenticated online?

Sorry, I had answered this question over on the other thread but moved it here, had no idea how to move the thread. No, I'm not using a laptop.

I am using a PC built for me for multimedia applications. I have 2 gig of Ram, I have an invidia GeForce 7000 series graphics card and yes, with all that I can play any game. I had no problem playing the game with the original .exe

I am now getting that I need to insert a disk which would negate the purpose of the no cd.

Originally Posted by TippeX

really? what problem... please elaborate...
heh... *think*.. great word, really means you don't have a clue... also securom is not 'put back on your pc'.. the exe is wrapped with securom.. sounds like you've been reading one of the sims fansites and started believing the crap..



well, then check for updated video drivers for your machine.. posting more information helps (especially the specifications of the machine you're trying to play it on)

No I don't have a clue, which is why I'm having to ask for help.

As I believe to use the original disk will most certainly reinstall SecuROM and this is why I need the no-cd, right! I am unable to play without the disk and this is what I want to do otherwise I wouldn't have downloaded the no cd.

Are you saying that SecuROM does not get put back on your PC if you use the original CD? I doubt very much if that's hype as that's how it got there in the first place. Maybe you just didn't understand what I wrote.

I'm not good on spec, I'm in multimedia not hardware, so not good on this.

What I can tell you is in the comment above. If you specify where to look I can give you as much info as you like on my specs. All I know is that I have a PC compatable for gaming and multimedia apps. I use an external hardrive for most of my storage so my PC has more than half of it's memory remaining and I have two gig of RAM. The graphics card is an NVidia GeForce, (7300)I believe

P.S. My problem with SecuROM was that it made my DVD drive pop in and out on it's own free will. Yes, I have virus checked with Norton 360, I have also scanned with spybot and adaware SE. Clean PC.

Originally Posted by DABhand

Hi there,

Does the game work ok without the crack?

Because it seems you dont have a compatible graphic card, which could suggest you are using a laptop perhaps?

Also does the last expansion only need to be authenticated online?

The last expansion pack I have is AL but I have the most recent stuff pack which is M&G and this one acts like an expansion pack, this is why there is a no cd for it. This was the one I launched with always.

I have checked and I have the most up to date drivers for my graphics card. I never even get a sluggish game with this graphics card and this is the first time I've been unable to play it.

Having restarted the PC this morning, it is now asking me for the original CD.

*Additional info* SecuROM also messed with my Nero and I'm finding it hard to burn video's. No, I don't burn illegal stuff. Like I said multimedia here.

[DABhand]

Actually your Geforce 7000 is a bit outdated now, but yes its ok for the sims 2. (it wont be for Sims 3 which is due out soon)

Why the crack says you dont have a compatible graphic card though is a mystery.

You could always try and get a mini-image of your latest sims 2 expansion disc. If you read the FAQ you will find out how to do this, either by downloading one from GCW or making one yourself from your original.

[TippeX]

Originally Posted by jwest

As I believe to use the original disk will most certainly reinstall SecuROM and this is why I need the no-cd, right! I am unable to play without the disk and this is what I want to do otherwise I wouldn't have downloaded the no cd.

erm securom isn't installed, securom is 'with' the game executable, its not seperately installed (this is the common misconception i was talking about), when you run the game, at that point, and at that point only is securom active.. once you exit the game, securom isn't active anymore..

Are you saying that SecuROM does not get put back on your PC if you use the original CD? I doubt very much if that's hype as that's how it got there in the first place. Maybe you just didn't understand what I wrote.

securom is only 'on' your pc in the executable, you have believed the hype and fallen for it, securom is not malware etc either (another misconception on the forums)... and i fully understood what you wrote, and your beliefs have clouded your judgement, when running the securom game, the only thing left on your pc is the license information (the activation stuff).. thats it

if you hate a protection, thats fair enough, but please don't jump on the anti-* bandwagon, especially if you haven't done any research into the claims made on various sites..

I'm not good on spec, I'm in multimedia not hardware, so not good on this.

P.S. My problem with SecuROM was that it made my DVD drive pop in and out on it's own free will. Yes, I have virus checked with Norton 360, I have also scanned with spybot and adaware SE. Clean PC.

unfortunately, thats total nonsense, do you think if securom actually did that, you would be the only person reporting it? it would be wide spread over the inet.. it seriously sounds like you have some trojan/mallware on your machine. scanning with norton 360 isn't actually a good thing either (1. its crap, 2. it false positives a lot).. try using an online virus scanner (google for 'free online virus scan' and you'll find a lot.. panda, trendmicro, kaspersky etc) and scan with one of them...

*Additional info* SecuROM also messed with my Nero and I'm finding it hard to burn video's. No, I don't burn illegal stuff. Like I said multimedia here.

again, i find this hard to believe.. something else is messing about on your system... if you can prove any of the claims 100% (ie: can reproduce it flawlessly) then i'll happly look into it for you, but believe me, i've analysed pretty much every protection out there and your claims contradict what i see...

i firmly believe your machine is trojaned (or similar) and that is the cause for your problems.. which then in turn makes me question your source...

you said the game asks for the original.. so what happens when you put in the original disk?

Originally Posted by DABhand

Actually your Geforce 7000 is a bit outdated now, but yes its ok for the sims 2. (it wont be for Sims 3 which is due out soon)

Why the crack says you dont have a compatible graphic card though is a mystery.

You could always try and get a mini-image of your latest sims 2 expansion disc. If you read the FAQ you will find out how to do this, either by downloading one from GCW or making one yourself from your original.

I had it in the wrong place. I got a new one from someone else and put it in the right place. the instructions here aren't exactly very good for telling you where to put it. No worries all fixed now. Thanks anyway. Boy did it speed up my game start.

Originally Posted by TippeX

erm securom isn't installed, securom is 'with' the game executable, its not seperately installed (this is the common misconception i was talking about), when you run the game, at that point, and at that point only is securom active.. once you exit the game, securom isn't active anymore..



securom is only 'on' your pc in the executable, you have believed the hype and fallen for it, securom is not malware etc either (another misconception on the forums)... and i fully understood what you wrote, and your beliefs have clouded your judgement, when running the securom game, the only thing left on your pc is the license information (the activation stuff).. thats it

if you hate a protection, thats fair enough, but please don't jump on the anti-* bandwagon, especially if you haven't done any research into the claims made on various sites..

I'm not good on spec, I'm in multimedia not hardware, so not good on this.



unfortunately, thats total nonsense, do you think if securom actually did that, you would be the only person reporting it? it would be wide spread over the inet.. it seriously sounds like you have some trojan/mallware on your machine. scanning with norton 360 isn't actually a good thing either (1. its crap, 2. it false positives a lot).. try using an online virus scanner (google for 'free online virus scan' and you'll find a lot.. panda, trendmicro, kaspersky etc) and scan with one of them...



again, i find this hard to believe.. something else is messing about on your system... if you can prove any of the claims 100% (ie: can reproduce it flawlessly) then i'll happly look into it for you, but believe me, i've analysed pretty much every protection out there and your claims contradict what i see...

i firmly believe your machine is trojaned (or similar) and that is the cause for your problems.. which then in turn makes me question your source...

you said the game asks for the original.. so what happens when you put in the original disk?

Uhm, the problems I had ARE actually reported widely all over the net, that's how I know what caused it. No trojans here, have checked with online virus before and yet still Norton 360 found stuff they didn't and removed it. I amvery careful and fully scan anything that lands in my downloads before I do a thing, I guess I just got that from experience of getting worms and trojans in the past, it keep me clean though.

Oh, incidently, I did get another crack and it installed beautifully. No problems. Suddenly I can use my Nero again with no problems and I was able to reactivate my dvd drive. The opening and shutting of the drawer has ceased and I haven't even removed any trojans.

The issues with SecuROM are all over the net. Oddly a lot of people seem to be getting the same problems. One of the legal issues with SecuROM is that it shuts down things that may be a threat to security, which it has no business to do. It's cool to disagree with me, I'm sure you have done your homework too.

Thanks for all the help but my issue is now fixed and the thread can now be closed

Thanks

[TippeX]

Originally Posted by jwest

The issues with SecuROM are all over the net. Oddly a lot of people seem to be getting the same problems. One of the legal issues with SecuROM is that it shuts down things that may be a threat to security, which it has no business to do. It's cool to disagree with me, I'm sure you have done your homework too

total nonsense, never once have i seen securom shutdown anything, sure, you might get a 'security module' messagebox, but shutting down processes etc is illegal, and somehow i suspect sony know that...
so i very much doubt they'd do it.. there is a lot of misinformation out there about various protections, and a hell of a lot of it is (put simply) crap...

so, you got it all sorted using a mini image or a crack?

[Joe Forster/STA]

Originally Posted by jwest

No trojans here, have checked with online virus before and yet still Norton 360 found stuff they didn't and removed it. I amvery careful and fully scan anything that lands in my downloads before I do a thing

Get rid of Norton stuff, they've mostly been junk for the last few years. For recommended virus scanners, see the PC Games forum FAQ; for recommended firewalls, see http://www.matousec.com/projects/fir...ge/results.php.

[Flames_of _Wraith]

Hi jwest
Here's a Working Solution
SecuROM Removal -from SecuROM :

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

Make sure the crack is in place (GamecopyWorld)
The Sims 2: Mansion Garden Stuff v1.0 [MULTI16] No-DVD/Fixed EXE RELOADED

That way you won't have to put up with those Null Registry entries, which crap AVs think are trojans and those 'can't delete' dll's which sit in your %temp% folder.
Problem solved.

[TippeX]

well, the cant delete thing is probably cos they're in use.. they're shell extensions after all
as for that link being a solution, it doesn't magically remove securom from a game, it'll just cleanup the system.. using a crack is all fair and good, only if the crack is good though, because as/when a new sims thing comes out or an update etc.. you're right back to square one, so it might be an idea to actually try and solve what the security module error box is, maybe contact securom support and see whats going on.. you say you're a legit user and have bought all the games, so you've not really got anything to worry about contacting them have you

[Elliander]

Originally Posted by TippeX

really? what problem... please elaborate...
heh... *think*.. great word, really means you don't have a clue... also securom is not 'put back on your pc'.. the exe is wrapped with securom.. sounds like you've been reading one of the sims fansites and started believing the crap..

*sigh* The real problem with SecuROM is not what it does but where it is installed. It is placed in Ring 0 of the kernel with permissions above even the administrator. It could sing happy birthday and still cause problems being placed there. That's why it's been known to cause so many inconsistent problems. It's serious enough that Sony has a tool for detecting such conflicts in reporting to their tech support so it's not a "sim fantasy" - on the contrary, I was really angry after I bought Spore on pre-order when it was first released. I had to wait 2 weeks to get the game in the mail while pirates were playing it already and then when I got the game my CD burner software stopped working. (which apparently did not affect pirates) I was only able to get RecordNow DX to work and only for audio CDs. (that suggests that it wasn't the burner itself disabled, it was just that the copy protection of SecuROM was causing bugs in other software) The other software resumed working when the De-Authorization and SecuROM removal tools came out, and then stopped working again recently when I bought the Sims 2... so it's safe to assume that it's no fantasy, but neither is it anything malicious. I can work around it.

.......

Anyway, I'm on this thread because I am looking to play without my discs. (with or without SecuROM), There was a really good guide on here that helped address the issues up to University, but that guide is no longer valid since the game requires that we use the most recent disc which happens to be "Mansion and Gardens Stuff" so I was curious if a similar guide exists? When I attempt to use a No CD crack the game just hangs right after the intro video. I really don't like using game discs because I don't want them to get too scratched up in case I ever need to reinstall.

[TippeX]

nonsense.. it can't be at ring 0 , ring 0 is where the drivers are...
it can only be at ring 3..

permissions are totally different from rings

[TippeX]

also, doesn't ea allow a different installation method in newer titles..
ie: select disk based authentication or product activation..

if so, then just select product activation, activate it once and put your cd's away in a safe place...