How to backup your SecuROM activation data!
Sunday, 7. December 2008, 14:22:10
These activation schemes really piss me off because you can end up with dead game even though you bought it and constantly rely on limited support given by developers/publishers. But i hope this will make an end to this. I found a way to perfectly backup existing SecuROM activation data used by nearly all today's games.
Creating backups
First you have to use SecuROM DRM Backup and export SecuROM registry values.
Then go to this folder (WinVista example, replace USERNAME with your profile name):
C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming
and make a backup of SecuROM folder (enable hidden files to see it).
Pack that REG file and SecuROM folder and store both to a safe location.
Only problem here is that all SecuROM games store activation data in the same files. So activating them separately and trying to merge them won't work (it will overwrite older activation data files). Before installing new SecuROM protected game you have to restore your existing backup (even if you don't have those games installed anymore!), install new game and activate it. Now you have to backup the activation files again and discard the old ones. Also don't forget to write down somewhere which games are already included in your backup. For the moment only SecuROM itself can add new activations to its files so make sure your existing ones are there.
Example:
You have Dead Space and Red Alert 3 activations stored in your backup, but you don't have Dead Space installed anymore and you want to install NFS:UC. You have to restore the backup with Dead Space and RA3 activations (if they aren't already present on your system). Now install NFS:UC so it'll add its activation to existing one. Backup the file and you'll have Dead Space, RA3 and NFS:UC stored in your backup. When you'll buy for example Mirror's Edge, repeat the process and you'll have Dead Space, RA3, NFS:UC and Mirror's Edge stored in your backup.
When you restore the backup you restore all activations. However each game will find it's own activation and make proper use of it automatically.
Restoring activation
Now when you want to re-install game on same machine you just have to unplug the net connection, install the game, throw SecuROM folder back and import REG file.
Run the game and verify if it works. If the game starts without problems, then it's working.
You can now plug back your network cable to restore internet capability.
BioShock works by just exporting registry values, Dead Space and Need for Speed: Undercover require backup of SecuROM folder too.
This proceedure DOES NOT bypass protection schemes and ONLY works on same machine as the first time. If required, you have to supply authentic serial key during installation.
Game has to be activated at least once before backing up the data!
This will help you save precious activations. So technically you'll only use them when you'll drastically upgrade your system. Thats much better than each time you re-install the game.
If there are any problems understanding the above noodle, please tell me and i'll try to improve it
Creating backups
First you have to use SecuROM DRM Backup and export SecuROM registry values.
Then go to this folder (WinVista example, replace USERNAME with your profile name):
C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming
and make a backup of SecuROM folder (enable hidden files to see it).
Pack that REG file and SecuROM folder and store both to a safe location.
Only problem here is that all SecuROM games store activation data in the same files. So activating them separately and trying to merge them won't work (it will overwrite older activation data files). Before installing new SecuROM protected game you have to restore your existing backup (even if you don't have those games installed anymore!), install new game and activate it. Now you have to backup the activation files again and discard the old ones. Also don't forget to write down somewhere which games are already included in your backup. For the moment only SecuROM itself can add new activations to its files so make sure your existing ones are there.
Example:
You have Dead Space and Red Alert 3 activations stored in your backup, but you don't have Dead Space installed anymore and you want to install NFS:UC. You have to restore the backup with Dead Space and RA3 activations (if they aren't already present on your system). Now install NFS:UC so it'll add its activation to existing one. Backup the file and you'll have Dead Space, RA3 and NFS:UC stored in your backup. When you'll buy for example Mirror's Edge, repeat the process and you'll have Dead Space, RA3, NFS:UC and Mirror's Edge stored in your backup.
When you restore the backup you restore all activations. However each game will find it's own activation and make proper use of it automatically.
Restoring activation
Now when you want to re-install game on same machine you just have to unplug the net connection, install the game, throw SecuROM folder back and import REG file.
Run the game and verify if it works. If the game starts without problems, then it's working.
You can now plug back your network cable to restore internet capability.
BioShock works by just exporting registry values, Dead Space and Need for Speed: Undercover require backup of SecuROM folder too.
This proceedure DOES NOT bypass protection schemes and ONLY works on same machine as the first time. If required, you have to supply authentic serial key during installation.
Game has to be activated at least once before backing up the data!
This will help you save precious activations. So technically you'll only use them when you'll drastically upgrade your system. Thats much better than each time you re-install the game.
If there are any problems understanding the above noodle, please tell me and i'll try to improve it
WIDGETIZE
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