SD4Start - An alternative to SD4Hide

[OverSoft]

I've created a little batch script which works similar to SD4Hide, but you don't have to push buttons or something, you can just make a shortcut from where you can start a game.

Usage:

SD4Start <path> <game.exe> <options>

Required:
<path>: Fill in the path of your game, for example: "C:\PROGRAM FILES\EA GAMES\NFSMW"
<game.exe>: Fill in the name of the executable of your game, for example: speed.exe

Optional:
<options>: Fill in any needed commands, for example: -console


So, for example, to start Need for Speed Most Wanted, make a shortcut with this code:
C:\SD4Start\SD4Start.bat "c:\Program Files\EA GAMES\Need for Speed Most Wanted" speed.exe

Works like a charm on several SafeDisc programs that i've tried.

Download link:
http://oversoft.pointclark.net/sd4start

[Eight-8all]

how does this work? whenever I press a key it just shuts down!

[OverSoft]

How i explained above...
When you start it up with no parameters, it does nothing (obviously, because it doesn't know what to start).
Give it some parameters (the path and the filename) and it works.

Make a shortcut with the parameters in it, and you don't have to push any buttons (Like with SD4Hide). You can just start the shortcut and your game will run.

[dbkblk]

Thanks a lot, great job ^^
Its working with the few safedisc games i have

[Underheaven]

...

That's a cool script. I haven't tried it yet but have a few comments:

#1) You don't have to delete backup.reg at the end of the script (could by annoying to have files everywhere but would be safer).

#2) Users should know they can minimize risk by making a full or partial registry backup before running the batch file.

Besides those things that's really cool that you wrote it.

[OverSoft]

Thanks for the input Underheaven, i've added a disclaimer to the script and removed the "DEL backup.reg"

[Underheaven]

...

Cool. I've just seen the aftermath of Anti-Blaxx and learned you need to err on the safe side of things (no matter how inconvenient).

[saivert]

Hmm... nice batch script.

Yes. You got a lot of nice tools in system32 folder of a WinXP Pro installation. Like reg.exe, start.exe and so on. This batch script is a good example on how to use those.

I first though this script utilized sd4hide.exe in a way, but it is a complete rewrite. A much simple one of course (no need for a GUI right?).

I will try to build a NSIS installer which does something like this, but that will also hide registry keys to Daemon Tools and related software (in HKLM\Softwar\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Unin stall and HKLM\Software\arniWORX, HKLM\Software\D-Tools and the like).

You can also use Windows Scripting Host to create automated tasks with more power than you got in a simple batch script.

[mpapag03]

I didn't understand how this programm works.

When you say make a shortcut, you meen a shortcut of what\

Where i must give the path of the game and the .exe name

After i run the .bat, before.

Please explain because i'm an amature

[LooDos]

try using CureROM if this is too complicated for u.

[Rollaway]

I also found denying read access to "Everyone" on that same registry key works fine too.

[Underheaven]

...

I also found denying read access to "Everyone" on that same registry key works fine too.

This works for many but not all games. Copy protection makers are starting to notice people applying this trick.

[Thc2006]

Nice Idea however not working...

Anyway are You aware that Your "script" (if a .bat file can be granted that title) have at least two errors ?
- del backup.reg should be moved all the way down or up (depends, up is better coz it will delete in next run so backup is allways present) and certainly should not be called between reg export and reg import
- cd %1 this one is nice and also should be moved all the way up coz You store backup in actual directory, change it and then try to restore....

Anyway my version if You're willing to correct Yours.

@ECHO OFF
CLS
ECHO SD4Start.bat, Version 1.0

IF [%1]==[] GOTO Syntax
IF [%2]==[] GOTO Syntax

ECHO Written by OverSoft
ECHO http://www.oversoft.nl
ECHO.
ECHO The writer does not take responsability for anything happening to your pc
ECHO You should make a full registry backup before using this script
ECHO There is a small backup created, just in case: "backup.reg"
ECHO.

CD /D %1
DEL backup.reg

ECHO Backuping emulator devices from registry...
REG EXPORT HKLM\HARDWARE\DEVICEMAP\Scsi backup.reg >NUL
ECHO Done
ECHO.

ECHO Removing SCSI emulator devices from registry...
REG DELETE HKLM\HARDWARE\DEVICEMAP\Scsi /f >NUL
ECHO Done
ECHO.

ECHO Starting %2 and waiting for termination...
START /WAIT %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8
ECHO Press a key when program is finished...
PAUSE >NUL
ECHO Program terminated
ECHO.

ECHO Restoring registry...
REG IMPORT backup.reg >NUL
ECHO Done
GOTO End

:Syntax
ECHO Starts SafeDisc4 protected programs while using emulators like Daemon-Tools
ECHO.
ECHO Usage: SD4START [path] [game.exe] [commands]
ECHO.
ECHO Required:
ECHO [path]: Programs path (for example: "C:\PROGRAM FILES\EA GAMES\NFSMW")
ECHO [game.exe]: Programs executable (for example: SPEED.EXE)
ECHO.
ECHO Optional:
ECHO [commands]: Fill in any commandline options for the program (-console)
ECHO.
ECHO Written by OverSoft
ECHO http://www.oversoft.nl
ECHO.
ECHO The writer does not take responsability for anything happening to your pc
ECHO You should make a full registry backup before using this script
ECHO There is a small backup created, just in case: "backup.reg"
ECHO.
ECHO (Press a key to continue...)
ECHO.
PAUSE >NUL
:End