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  • Cyclone Boom
    Cyclone Boom

    By Cyclone Boom •

    important
    Microsoft releases update, blocks SC4 from starting

    Following the trend of Windows 10, Microsoft has released security update KB3086255 for Windows 7, Windows 8.1 & Windows Vista.
    Due to "security concerns", this intentionally disables the service which runs the secdrv.sys driver – a component of the SafeDisk protection which SC4 uses.

    As a result, this prevents the disk-based (CD) version of SimCity 4 from running, and you may receive an "Access Denied - Please login with administrator privileges and try again" or similar permissions error. Many other legacy games are also affected.

    It would seem the update simply disables the service, rather than removing secdrv.sys completely (like Windows 10 has).

    NOTE: This shouldn't impact users of a digital based game, such as from GOG or Steam, as these don't rely on the same copy protection.


    Full details of the update are as follows:

    Security update for the graphics component in Windows
    September 8, 2015 (KB3086255)

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/3086255

    MS_Update_KB3086255.png

     

    Workarounds

    1)  Purchase SC4 digitally

    Online retailers such as GOG or Steam offer a digital version of SimCity 4 Deluxe.

    This comes as a download without the need for the CD to start. It's also fully patched and doesn't use the same method of copy protection, so you can install KB3086255 without issue and play the game as normal. In the case of GOG, the game is currently sold DRM free, meaning it starts by itself without a client service (e.g. Steam).

    During seasonal sales, you can often purchase the game for as little as $5.

     

    2)  Redeem your SC4 Serial Number

    You may be able to redeem your original Serial Number (product key), found at the back at the CD's manual. This may entitle you to a free digital copy of the game, with the same benefits of not needing other workarounds.

    With Origin you can try contacting customer support, who can usually assist with this. As well as the serial number, you may need to provide physical evidence that you own the boxed copy, such as screenshots of the game's case & disks.

    Other online retailers may also offer a similar option, so it's best to contact them directly.

     

    NOTE: Use at your own risk!  *:read:
    The following suggestions will allow SimCity 4 to run, although they could potentially expose your system to security vulnerabilities (which the update intends to bypass). Therefore it's your own responsibility should any issues arise from not installing KB3086255, however the risk level of security flaws being exploited.


    3)  Uninstall KB3086255

    If updates are set to install automatically, you may have this update already installed.

    In which case, to allow the CD game to start again, without the need for any workarounds, you'll need to uninstall the update:
    http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/24373-windows-update-uninstall-update.html

    A quick way to check if it's installed:
    Enter KB3086255 in the "Search Installed Updates" box at the top right.


    Note: To reduce the risk, it might be worth disconnecting from the internet whilst the game is running. Also it's recommended to ensure your anti-virus has the latest protection definitions.

     

    4)  Hide KB3086255

    If you haven't installed KB3086255, it might be worth hiding it from the list of updates:
    http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/24376-windows-update-hide-restore-hidden-updates.html

     

    5)  Enable secdrv.sys on demand

    However if you wish to retain the update, the below instructions (from the knowledge base article) describe how to start the service on demand, which should allow SC4 to run from the CD when you require:
     

    Quote

    Summary

    In addition to the changes that are listed for the vulnerabilities that are described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS15-097, this security bulletin addresses a defense-in-depth update for the secdrv.sys driver, a third-party driver. The update turns off the service for the secdrv.sys driver. This may affect the ability to run some older games.

     

    Known issues in this security update

    • After you install this security update, some programs may not run. (For example, some video games may not run.)
      To work around this issue, you can temporarily turn on the service for the secdrv.sys driver by running certain commands, or by editing the registry.

      Note: When you no longer require the service to be running, we recommend that you turn off the service again.

      Warning: This workaround may make a computer or a network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We do not recommend this workaround but are providing this information so that you can implement this workaround at your own discretion. Use this workaround at your own risk.

      To do this, type the following commands at an elevated command prompt. You should press "Enter" after you type each command:
       
      • To disable the driver's service, type the following command:
        sc config secdrv start= disabled
         
      • To set the driver's service to manual, type the following command:
        sc config secdrv start= demand
         
      • To enable the driver's service (and to set it to automatic), type the following command:
        sc config secdrv start= auto
        Note: As per the proper syntax shown above, a space is required after the equals sign (=). This is omitted in error on the official knowledge base article.
         
      • To manually start the driver's service, type the following command:
        sc start secdrv
         
      • To manually stop the driver's service, type the following command:
        sc stop secdrv

     

    Editing the registry

    Important: This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs.

    For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
    322756 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows


    To edit the registry directly, follow these steps:

    1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
       
    2. Locate and then click the following subkey in the registry:
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\secdrv
       
    3. Right-click Start, and then click Modify.
       
    4. In the Value data box, do one of the following:
      • Type 4 to disable the driver's service, and then click OK.
      • Type 3 to set the driver's service to manual, and then click OK.
      • Type 2 to set the driver's service to automatic, and then click OK.
         
    5. Exit Registry Editor.


    Source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/3086255

     

    Using a script

    Alternatively, see the following Reddit post for a way to start the service using a batch file:
    https://www.reddit.com/r/simcity4/comments/3kmfmi/quick_and_dirty_solution_to_recent_windows_update/

     

    List of systems the update is offered to:

    Spoiler

    Applies to

    • Windows 7 Service Pack 1
    • Windows 8 Enterprise
    • Windows 8 Pro
    • Windows 8
    • Windows 8.1 Enterprise
    • Windows 8.1 Pro
    • Windows 8.1
    • Windows Vista Service Pack 2
       
    • Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter
    • Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard
    • Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials
    • Windows Server 2012 R2 Foundation
    • Windows RT 8.1
    • Windows Server 2012 Datacenter
    • Windows Server 2012 Standard
    • Windows Server 2012 Essentials
    • Windows Server 2012 Foundation
    • Windows RT
    • Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1
    • Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
    • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2

     

     

    Feel free to post any comments, questions or suggestions below, or in the dedicated support thread. *:read:


      Edited by Cyclone Boom  

    mattb325, Jumorgan, bobolee and 12 others reacted to this

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    User Feedback




    APSMS

    Rather than fix the security leak, they disable a driver that a wide number of older games require to run.

    Brilliant. You can bet I'm gonna be using the workaround until SC4 goes on sale. This is just plain ridiculous.

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    rsc204

    Could you update to include Vista too, since it's now confirmed it affects users of that also... not that I imagine there are too many hold outs of that.

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    Whte_rbt

    The expletives just don't exist to convey the amount hatred I feel toward Microsoft these days. What the hell do they think they are doing? Since when did they have the right to say "Okay everyone, we had a little think about this and basically physical media is out. Thanks for your money, deal with it."

    Q: Will businesses/governments be able to sue/prosecute them for once again attempting to monopolise a market?

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    Cyclone Boom

    Could you update to include Vista too, since it's now confirmed it affects users of that also... not that I imagine there are too many hold outs of that.

    Thanks, I've added Vista to the main description.

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    Artimus

    Hmph. No wonder I couldn't start Simcity 4 today. I had just recently downgraded back to Windows 8.1 from Windows 10 a few weeks back and this comes up? This is ludicrous! 

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    T Wrecks

    Thank you for posting this good summary of the problem (and the available workarounds) here for every Simtropolitan to see.

    I uninstalled the update just this morning, and SC4 is back to working fine (Windows 7).

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    herr_steve

    can someone pin this so it's always on the ST home page? this worked for me (Win8.1) I think I will make a tutorial about this and other issues.

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    herr_steve

    Jeeeez, people. Enough hate already, don't exaggerate. Microsoft is a really OK company.

    What?!? they are so paranoid about piracy that they completely disabled the older games from running...

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    T Wrecks

    Well, anti-Microsoft rants or quarrels among Simtrop users aren't really helpful or on topic in any way, so I'd say vent your anger if you absolutely think that there is no better place to do so, but kindly stay away from each other's throat, ok? ;)

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    city89

    Thank you for posting this good summary of the problem (and the available workarounds) here for every Simtropolitan to see.

    I uninstalled the update just this morning, and SC4 is back to working fine (Windows 7).

    can u help me mines will not start at all wat did you do

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    kschmidt

    Microsoft  Win 10 upgrade desastrous, read this thread !

    http://www.siliconbeat.com/2015/08/04/windows-10-upgrade-bug-makes-some-pcs-unusable/

    Today happily removed this annoying KB3035583 GWX update on my Win 7 system and will do this on my future machine, no Win 10 for me ! KB3086255 another update, from microsoft, they think it´s all about downloadable content; blocking your cd or dvd drive to run anything old you like, a horible thought !

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