Question for Aussie PC Local disk owners

[benji]

oh there is still securom features with some steam games. When I ran the diagnostic tool for securom it identified gta IV, crysis 2, and a few other games on my steam HDD as utilising securom. Probably code that was never stripped out for digital releases.

I was talking about the 2K series. Yeah, other games like those and Batman still have activations and junk. But the 2K games have usually only used it on the disc versions.

[Lakeshow2482]

Ok just got off the phone with EB and their head office has spoken to 2k's head office.

It is confirmed that it is a problem with the installation and 2k are 'working fast' to fix it.

As I said earlier it will probably be some sort of patch released.

Now we play the waiting game...

[Boxies]

This is absolutely not good enough. I thought we were dealing with just a finicky DRM, not a complete game breaking issue. Why they didn't just simply have the key used to activate the game as standalone or steam verification I do not know.
It appears all the retailers are aware of it now.
If you have a broken game and you want a refund or want to swap it for a console version, definitely contact the retailer at which you bought it and get it. A couple of my friends have done that today with JB HiFi and EB Games.
I wasted hours trying to get it working last night, I wish I could get compensation for that as I thought it was my PC.
Has anyone in Aus actually got this working on PC? Are there exceptions?

[PsychoChicken]

I got some more info from secuROM. They belive it relates to the authentication file not being correct. got the following response from them:

Fixed it by copying the paul.dll file from the dvd rom.

Please follow below steps to resolve your problem.

1. Make a copy of the original paul.dll located in the Binaries/Win32 to your desktop.
2. Copy the paul.dll file from the dvd files (open to show documents) 3. Paste where the original paul.dll was 4. Copy and replace 5. Re-try playing

Unfortunately the paul.dll file wasn't part of the install process of the game (unlike games such as batman archam city, gta iv etc). I can't even find those files on the DVD but my computer is struggling to view the compressed file archives so not sure if the required files are even on the disk.

[Lakeshow2482]

Will I get banned if I post a link for a crack that works on here or is that a stupid question?

[PsychoChicken]

I've been tempted when I saw something similar but I've never used a crack to run a game (even if it is a legit copy). Probably best not to give info on it since its a slippery slope regardless of the good intentions

[PsychoChicken]

FYI based on posts on the 2k forum it appears that its all EU PC copies (saw posts from spain and germany) so Andrew and others that imported via UK stores are likely affected too (until a patch is released that is)

If I signed off on any of my system/product tests at work with this flaw i'd be out of a job.

[Boxies]

I wouldn't use a crack at all, piracy objections aside, if you use a crack, and then use your key to get online, they may ban the key, meaning you just wasted a legit copy of the game because you had a modified .exe. Essentially making your copy illegitimate. Gotta wait for the fix to enjoy the full experience unfortunately.

[JaoSming]

Will I get banned if I post a link for a crack that works on here or is that a stupid question?

yep, no links, no hints in the forums. It probably would fix this issue, but I'm curious to see if today (US time) fixes the whole issue in 3 hours or so, when 2K wakes up on the US West Coast. Then the game might authenticate. Using an exe to bypass the securROM protection will obviously get you into the game though.

I wouldn't use a crack at all, piracy objections aside, if you use a crack, and then use your key to get online, they may ban the key, meaning you just wasted a legit copy of the game because you had a modified .exe. Essentially making your copy illegitimate. Gotta wait for the fix to enjoy the full experience unfortunately.

that is the risk, but many legit owners used the "tight uniforms" and other exe files in years past without getting their key banned. so while the risk is there, 2K has no track record of doing such things....you only risk a ban here.

IF you guys use a crack to bypass this issue, do NOT ask for help with it here when the game gets patched, do NOT provide the links, and do NOT go around telling everyone to use the crack. Just shut up, and enjoy the fact that you could start the game.

[Lakeshow2482]

Yeah probably a good idea not to use a crack. Didn't actually think that it could backfire...

[Boxies]

Well, a response has been received:

https://support.securom.com/pop_nba2k13.html

Product information:
Website: http://2ksports.com/games/nba2k13/
Media: DVD-ROM / Digital Download

Please find below a list of frequently asked questions we have collected for 'NBA 2K13':

Q: I get the error message: 'Wrong disc inserted'.
A: Please download the following package and extract it to the installation folder of the game:

http://download.securom.com/support/nba2k13/nba2k13.zip

At the next start, you will be asked for a serial number to activate the game online, please use the following serial number:
NMP2-HD2F-N2FM-2HHU-R92A

In order to receive a working disc please exchange the game to your point of purchase after 15th October 2012 for an updated version.

Important: Please note this web-based activation will expire on 31st October 2012. You must exchange your game at the point of purchase prior to this date to continue to play NBA 2K13. We thank you for your patience, and apologize for the inconvenience.

Once you have received your working disc, please navigate to the game installation directory and delete the following file: Paul.dll

You can now continue to use the disc to activate your game.

Q: I get the error message: 'Emulation detected error (e.g. 2500)'.
A: Please unmount all images, deactivate running emulation software and put the original disc in your drive.
If the error message persists, usually a software conflict is causing this error. Maybe there is a software conflict with the sptd.sys device driver (eventually installed by emulation tools). Please uninstall this device driver with the setup form the link below (note, this is a 3rd party website not related or operated by SecuROM™) and then try again to start the game.
http://www.duplexsecure.com/en/downloads

Q: The above answers did not solve my issue.
A: Please install the SecuROM™ Diagnostics Tool for further assistance and follow the instructions on the website.

[PsychoChicken]

was just about to post this. Got a response from secuROM and 2k support overnight.

Here is the text from 2k just for completeness. I'll be giving JB a call today to confirm they'll accept returns after that long.

Thank you for contacting 2k Games Technical Support and making us aware of this issue. Securom has completed a workaround that will get Australian and New Zealand customers up and running right now.
1) Insert the Disc
2) The error message will appear
3) Click on the error message link
4) You will be take to to a webpage - click the NBA2k 13 problem link
5) You will then be on the 'support page' at https://support.securom.com/pop_nba2k13.html
6) Download the package (312kb)
7) Start the game, enter serial key from website into dialogue box when prompted
8) The game will start and you can play until 31st October.
After the 15th of October, users can exchange these patched copies for a copy from the new production run which corrects this issue. With the new disc, the user will delete the file Paul.dll and use their replacement disc to continue playing.
Users should retain their receipt and plan to please exchange their copies of the game at the original purchasing retailer after the 15th of October. We thank our customers for their patience and apologize for the inconvenience. We know this is a frustrating issue and we are very sorry.

[Lakeshow2482]

Wooo hoooo. It didn't take that long in the end!

[Andrew]

Good news, though exchanging my copy probably isn't feasible.

[PsychoChicken]

fyi managed to get in game just fine with the solution. you just need the alternate code for authentication. you still use the cd key from the game manual when setting up your account in game. Will be interesting to see if the account is transferable on a new retail disk or if that is screwed up too

[Andrew]

Seems a couple of other Aussies have been lucky with their copies so far, so hoping I'll be able to avoid this when I get my copy next week.

[Andrew]

Got my copy yesterday. It failed to install on the first attempt, giving me an error message about a corrupted .cab file on the disc. Rebooted, tried again, worked fine. Didn't run into any secuROM errors.