Protection Splinter

[nabed4t]

I am trying to back up my PC copy of Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, when I scan it with A-ray to determine its protection, it replies with no protection detected...its a DVD, would that make any difference? if you could tell me, what protection does it have?
Thanks,
Dan

[Crypton]

Splinter Cell 3: Chaos Theory is protected with Starforce 3

A-Ray is ok, I would recommend getting ProtectionID as well, A-Ray I have noticed has a bit of bugs in it and often can miss detect protections. ProtectionID is not perfect either, but it is a very good detection tool/scanner. Will also detect common packers such as AsPAck, Armadillo, ect..

Latest version can usually be found here http://download.copybase.ch/protectionid/


Tools recommended for playing a backup (if you have a Plextor Prem. normally not needed as well as a few other drives)

StarForce Nightmare
MiniDisc (can download or make yourself either with MIR, Alcohol 120%, or Blindwrite.

MIR can be found here
http://rapidshare.de/files/1285478/MiR_CRP.rar.html

Best to copy fast speed 24x or so, depending on your burner/copy device with RMPS/DPS turned on for Alcohol 120%
Remember I said that using a slow speed is better? This does not hold true with making MinDiscs or copying RMPS Data, this is one thing you will have to "play" around with to find the best copy speed for your drive, Normally faster is better for this method because it has to calculate the data read speed for the protection. Some drives such as Plextor have had better results at max or 24x speeds, where some drives read better at 34x and some even 12x. You will need to find that out however as unless you can find a guide specifically for your drive/model then nobody knows or have not posted what setting for speed is best for our drive...

If you do not want to use MIR, you can follow the guide from CD Freaks to make a mini image as well. Best to mount mini images with Daemon-Tools, All Emulations options set to ON
http://www.gamefileforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36&highlight=mini

[Crypton]

http://rapidshare.de/files/1316068/SCCT_MiniDisc_Proper.rar.html

Here is a proper mini image if interested..

** Side note **
The image does not work for everyone, for some, the only way to play from a backup of any kind is through a USB CD/DVD Drive. If you are one of these unlucky people, you will need to wait for a fixed exe, or other proper work around.

[You_Moron]

I'm not askin for a key!!
I tried that mini image with my install and i ran starforce nightmare and daemon tools and the exe detects the mini image and appears to work but it brings up an error saying the key is wrong. I tried just retyping the key in(via the startup error) but it says same thing so im gonna try reinstalling it. I'm jus curious if any of u guys have had this issue also and if you were able to fix it.

[Crypton]

happen to have another computer on network (LAN) ?

You can try placing the mini image on the other computer and mounting it in daemon-tools from the network drive.

also, are you using the US version or ?

[You_Moron]

i happen to have 2 other computers on the network, a linux(soon to b dual boot) and a 2k server...

bought it from EB so it'd b english, to my knowledge...

I'll give that a try, thanks

[Crypton]

cool, let us know :)

[You_Moron]

nope, no luck w/ the network, so i'll jus have to use the dvd till a crack comes out...

thanks for the info tho :)

[Jan]

Wich one of the options do i need to disable in starforce nightmare. I've already mounted a image in deamon-tools.

Thanks

Edit: I used the mini image from gameburnworld are these ok?

[Crypton]

Edit: I used the mini image from gameburnworld are these ok?

Yep, but just know that the minidisc will not work for everyone, some systems it will still detect the emulation, there is no 100% fix for this game yet. And from the looks of things, it may be a while before there is a "NOCD" if any at all.

Recommed turning all emulation options on. If it works, great, if not, you can try mounting it through LAN if you have another computer on LAN. The only other method is by playing a backup through a USB CD/DVD Drive. But that really defeats the purpose of doin that since it would be easier to just throw the real CD in your drive and play.

[Jan]

Ok will just use the original cd then

[BoaConstrictor]

I'm not askin for a key!!
I tried that mini image with my install and i ran starforce nightmare and daemon tools and the exe detects the mini image and appears to work but it brings up an error saying the key is wrong. I tried just retyping the key in(via the startup error) but it says same thing so im gonna try reinstalling it. I'm jus curious if any of u guys have had this issue also and if you were able to fix it.

I'm having probs with my key, too - and yes, I tried all the zero or o and so on. Does anyone know, if I can write the key into the registry directly, without using the game's startup screen?