CD/DVD lower and upper filter unsigned drivers installed silently

I am borred from all those programs that install upper or lower filter
driver for my DVD burner. How do I prevent this installation?
Thsese are always unsigned drivers, but windows will not display the
'Unsigned driver installation' warning.

These filters make my Plextor PX-760A dvd-recorder behave like a cheap
drive. Erasing a DVD+RW @4x takes more that 1 hour, performance is low, 1000
buffer underruns for 1.5 GB burn @4x while my harddisk can do 150 MB/s. Slow
performance, long delays and so on.

Question:
Can these software damage my recorder? I don`t care about the wasted medium,
but the recorder is very expensive.

I have a second windows installation for testing software. If I really need
it, but it uses upper/lower filter, I will (backup, install, restore the
SYSTEM registry hive). I`m borred from this nightmare! And most of these
software offer me CD/DVD burning features that I will never use. I can
always burn the produced CD/DVD image file with PlexTool or Nero.

At least if the software companies offer to install or not to install this
painfull drivers. These are iTunes, Ulead, Pinnacle, Sonic and others.

George--

The only way I know that you can practice preventive medicine as to these
filter values that show up not infrequently behind the scenes with Windows
is to check for them. Think of it is flossing your teeth in Windows. Think
of it as one of the many chores you have to do to keep windows running
correctly versus a Unix based system, and think of IE7 and Vista as another
era of hotfixes and continual maintainance. If there is a way to stop them
from showing up, I hope to see it here.

Just save the registry subkey location for this in your reg--and check it
every once in a while.

From:

CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive appears to be missing after you install
Windows XP or Windows Vista Beta 2
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320553/en-us

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Class/{4d36e965-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}

REG_MULTI_SZ data type UpperFilters
REG_MULTI_SZ data type LowerFilters

The MSKB should be rewritten to explain that burning software interference
can be expected in any number of ways at any point in the burning
process--including opening the software and closing it, and the actual steps
in burning--and that these filters are not dependent on "an incorrect device
driver" being installed.

1) This software will not damage your CD/DVD player or writer--they impact
the software not the hardware. They don't work on the optical drives--they
work on the burning software. They make you think they are making your
Plextor do this or that but they aren't. That Plextor works with some
burning software from somewhere. It can impact Nero, Plextool, Sonic,
Roxio, you name it and the filter values can mess with your ***burning
software application..

2) They can interrupt any type of DVD ***software at any point in its
functioning--they are not interfering with your Plextor or any other
optical drives directly--they can stop the burning software from opening,
selecting an Iso for example or files to burn, and they can keep it from
closing.

4) I'm not following you here but again no software is immune from these.
You just have to save the location of the keys where these filter values
show up, and nuke 'em.

You said:

"At least if the software companies offer to install or not to install this
painfull drivers. These are iTunes, Ulead, Pinnacle, Sonic and others."

I'm not sure what you mean by this George. These are not drivers. These are
registry modifications and those companies you named have no control over
this and they haven't chosen to do anything. Itunes made by Apple does not
involve burning in any fashion--although its mp3 collection can be
burned--and it is the way Ipod transfers music. I have seen Sonic and Roxio
do this for years.

The software companies don't have control over this--it's a function of
other software you introduce or install in your equation. They're well
aware of it--it's been happening as long as Windows, and if they could have
stopped this they would have by now.

MSFT and driver integrity is a whole other thing. They are well aware
Device Manager does not work,and have admitted it in Beta chats, and their
lust for mediocrity has prevented them from lifting a finger to fix driver
location--DM could assist people installing drivers far more efficiently,
and driver reliability in Device Manager.

5) Check with Plextor as to what the context of their firmware updates are.
It won't impact this but different companies have policies on when to use
them. Sony's policy is "if it works, leave the firmware alone" but I added
it and my burning knock on wood with Isos and other material has been
perfect.

6) One trick that has helped some people with problems burning .ISos and
burning in general in Windows is to do these steps which could help and are
rarely mentioned:

Get to Dev Manager by typing devmgmt.msc in run/win key + pause break or Rt.
click My Computer>Prop>hardware tab>Device Manager if you like 5 steps
instead of one cmd. If you're set to PMI here change to DMO and if set to
DMO change to PMI:

a.. Click the + in front of IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers
a.. Double Click the Secondary IDE Controller
a.. Click Advanced Settings
a.. Under Device 1  Next to Transfer Mode choose DMA (or vise versa)
a.. Click OK
a.. Reboot your System


7) I have been harping on the fact--ignored by all the Windows/MSFT
syncophants here who think the company can do no wrong (just wait until they
see SPP shut down their quad core 4GHx on the floor Vista computers when it
mistakenly targets them as pirated Windows users and they aren't--that's
bound to win a lot of friends in and out of the enterprise)--that Device
Manager does not in Vista or any OS including and since Win 95 tell you if
drivers work. Here's a prime example--when the filter values are blocking
your CD/DVD playing and writing Device Manager can look perfect and tell you
drivers are working. Drivers may be but they don't get the chance to work.

The author and MVP of one of the major books on Windows OS's and numerous
articles for MSFT over the year Ed Bott has taken MSFT to task for their
sloppy work with WGA repeatedly in the last few months and the same sloppy
work with SPP and MSFT has had totally ignorant spokes persons speak to
different questioners that are quoted on Ed's two blogs currently with the
most inane and no knowledgable defenses of WGA which does not work correctly
and SPP which will not work correctly immaginable. They are making a fool
of themselves with the implemenation of WGA and SPP and they are going to
learn to back off when it hits them in the area they worship--their money.

See and note in these articles the inane responses of MSFT representatives
to the author of one of the best selling major books on their major
Operating System software and others--one more example of MSFT's perception
of the public as stupid and their tin ear contempt for the public who are
their customers and put Windows on 97% of the boxes on the planet.

I want people to note this conversation because it speaks volumes about
MSFT's inane contracted support and MSFT's oversight of it and MSFT's
attitude as to how little it means when they represent themselves to their
customers--this is a conversation that Ed Bott had with "MSFT PSS" probably
Convergys of Ohio contracting:

From Ed Bott at http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84

"I called Microsoft support to see if there is a hidden option to say, "yep,
I've got updates turned to manual: it's okay." The rep said, "No and why
wouldn't you want to get the latest updates to Windows."

I responded with the issues relating to WGA. He spent some time telling me
that WGA was a good thing, etc. I reiterated that I have accepted all the
updates except WGA and just want to review the updates before they're
installed on my machine.

He told me that "in the fall, having the latest WGA will become mandatory
and if its not installed, Windows will give a 30 day warning and when the 30
days is up and WGA isn't installed, Windows will stop working, so you might
as well install WGA now." [emphasis added]

I'm wondering if Microsoft has the right to disable Windows functionality or
the OS as a whole (tantamount to revoking my legitimate Windows license) if
I do not install every piece of software that they send it updates.

That can't be true, can it? I'm always suspicious of any report that comes
from a front-line tech support drone, so I sent a note to Microsoft asking
for an official confirmation or, better yet, a denial. Instead, I got this
terse response from a Microsoft spokesperson:

As we have mentioned previously, as the WGA Notifications program expands
in the future, customers may be required to participate. [emphasis added]
Microsoft is gathering feedback in select markets to learn how it can best
meet its customers' needs and will keep customers informed of any changes to
the program.

That's it. That's the entire response.

Uh-oh. Currently, Windows users have the ability to opt out of the Windows
Genuine Advantage program and still get security patches and other Critical
Updates delivered via Windows Update. The only thing you give up is the
ability to download optional updates. Hackers have been working overtime to
find ways to disable WGA notification. If WGA becomes mandatory, would it
mean that Microsoft could prevent Windows from working if it determines -
possibly erroneously - that your copy isn't "genuine"? That's a chilling
possibility, and Microsoft refuses an easy opportunity to deny that that
option is in its plans.

Over at Ed Bott's Windows Expertise, I've been soliciting feedback from
Windows users who've been burned by WGA. So far, I've received 20 comments.
Here's a sampling:

a.. I have an XP Media center with a promise RAID 0 4-disc array. When I
installed the WPA it broke the drivers for the array by causing failed
delayed writes (half of the array just "disapears".) If I do a system
restore to before the installation of the WPA everything goes back to
working just fine.
b.. [S]ince installing WPA : I've had blue screens and a total inability
to boot. I had to run the XP repair function to get the computer to boot. I
had a damaged boot sector on the hard drive. I am running two drives on a
RAID 1 config.
c.. I purchased a SEALED OEM copy of XP Professional. WGA said the license
key was already used. I called MS and they said I should uninstall and buy
another copy. I told them I wasn't made of money and hung-up.
d.. Microsoft rejected the product key that came with the ThinkPad I'm
using. I had to call in and they gave me another code to enter which
supposedly worked but now I get the blue screen of death about every other
time I reboot. I've also lost all internet connectivity.
e.. I sent my Compaq Presario notebook for service repair, and it fails
the WGA check. I have a legal version of windows xp professional on it. But
I have no way to correct this problem.
What's most disturbing about this whole saga is Microsoft's complete lack of
transparency on the issue. And before the ABM crowd jumps in with
predictable "What did you expect?" comments, let me argue that Microsoft
actually has a fairly good track record on transparency issues in recent
years. Windows Product Activation is very well documented, and when a
similar uproar occurred in 2001, it was squelched quickly by some fairly
prominent postings from high-level executives who provided details without a
lot of spin. Likewise, the Microsoft Security Response Center has done an
exceptional job at providing quick responses to security issues. (Just ask
Adam Shostack.)

Currently, no one at Microsoft is blogging about this fiasco. No executive
has been quoted on the record about it. There are very few technical details
available, and those that have been published are being tumbled through the
spin machine and spit out as press releases.

If Microsoft really does plan to turn WGA into a kill switch in September,
be prepared for an enormous backlash."

From Ed Bott on October 5, 2006:

UAC Good; SPP Not So Good
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/

"SPP, on the other hand, is the successor to Windows Genuine Advantage. Both
initiatives have in common a reliance on Orwellian language that appears to
be in the customer's benefit but is actually a horrible inconvenience and
potentially a nightmare. Despite Microsoft's attempts to spin the new
program, there's no advantage for the Windows customer, and the only thing
being protected is Microsoft's revenue stream."

Guess there will be a WGA "Kill Switch After All"
Published October 4, 2006 by Ed Bott
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1495

Is Microsoft about to release a Windows "kill switch"?
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84

Search on WGA
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/

October 4, 2006 For Vista, WGA gets Tougher
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=148

Ed Bott Blog Readers Burned by WGA
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1370#comments

WGA is a Mess
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1476

Microsoft Kill Switch in Windows Vista and threat to disable Windows (the
so-called Microsoft Software Protection Platform)
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84

Microsoft's Software Protection Platform: Protecting Software and Customers
from Counterfeiters
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...rotection.mspx

Best and good luck,

CH







"George Valkov" <a@b.com> wrote in message
news:%23pm5A6i6GHA.4996@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>I am borred from all those programs that install upper or lower filter
>driver for my DVD burner. How do I prevent this installation?
> Thsese are always unsigned drivers, but windows will not display the
> 'Unsigned driver installation' warning.
>
> These filters make my Plextor PX-760A dvd-recorder behave like a cheap
> drive. Erasing a DVD+RW @4x takes more that 1 hour, performance is low,
> 1000 buffer underruns for 1.5 GB burn @4x while my harddisk can do 150
> MB/s. Slow performance, long delays and so on.
>
> Question:
> Can these software damage my recorder? I don`t care about the wasted
> medium, but the recorder is very expensive.
>
> I have a second windows installation for testing software. If I really
> need it, but it uses upper/lower filter, I will (backup, install, restore
> the SYSTEM registry hive). I`m borred from this nightmare! And most of
> these software offer me CD/DVD burning features that I will never use. I
> can always burn the produced CD/DVD image file with PlexTool or Nero.
>
> At least if the software companies offer to install or not to install this
> painfull drivers. These are iTunes, Ulead, Pinnacle, Sonic and others.
>
>

About windows activation:
What I have realized about windows activation is that it claims to keep a
track on the hardware, but it will interpred some software changes as
missing hardware:
~ Partition serial number changed (volume reformated)
~ New video drivers - 2 head devices (2 monitors) cost 2 points and not 1
~ Firmware uppgrade on the DVD burner
~ Firmware upgrade on BIOS (this will eat many points)
~ On-board device disabled from BIOS
~ PCI card moved to another slot (yes, this is considered missing hardware
too)
~ Harddisk jumper changed master/slave or harddisk moved to another cable
~ Virtual devices (say Alcohol 120 SCSI controller/CD-DVD; DAEMON Tools...)
~ many others...

So many things that will be false-detected as missing hardware.

Let me share a story of mine:

I use Windows 2003 ent Server on my home PC since (about) 2004 April.
I have reinstalled/activated it many times on this hardware. But as time
goes on, hardware changes (upgrades) bit-by-bit, I also move hardware from
one slot to another. Last year I changed DVD burner and Video card.
This year I bought 2 new HDD, I had no space in the box, so I removed one of
the 2 old HDDs and the floppy. I also disabled the floppy-controller, else I
will still see the floppy drive and this causes problems. So far so good -
clean install and successfull activation.

New video drivers: there I go 2 points (2 monitor card is considered two
devices). Plextor offers new firmware every 2 to 4 months. New firmware for
the DVD burner: +1 point. Then I wanted to install Solaris. It cannot
install on a partition after 8GB, so I simply moved the partitions a little
bit. Because partitions serial number had changed, Windows asked for
activation. Internet activation failed. I called phone activation and they
refused to activate windows. They also asked me to scan the install cd and
send then the picture as e-mail, which I cannot do. I told them I can
restore my fresh backup, but they explained that even if I work with it, I
am going to be illegal and this is not a sollution. Anyway, I had a new call
the next day and when I mentioned some additional details (I apologise that
I cannot share it here) - the answer was: Well, in that case I can activate
windows for you, here`s your activation code.



"Chad Harris" <Vista RTM is really Beta 1.net> wrote in message
news:OHdcPtj6GHA.3452@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> George--
>
> The only way I know that you can practice preventive medicine as to these
> filter values that show up not infrequently behind the scenes with Windows
> is to check for them. Think of it is flossing your teeth in Windows.
> Think of it as one of the many chores you have to do to keep windows
> running correctly versus a Unix based system, and think of IE7 and Vista
> as another era of hotfixes and continual maintainance. If there is a way
> to stop them from showing up, I hope to see it here.
>
> Just save the registry subkey location for this in your reg--and check it
> every once in a while.
>
> From:
>
> CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive appears to be missing after you install
> Windows XP or Windows Vista Beta 2
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320553/en-us
>
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Class/{4d36e965-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
>
> REG_MULTI_SZ data type UpperFilters
> REG_MULTI_SZ data type LowerFilters
>
> The MSKB should be rewritten to explain that burning software interference
> can be expected in any number of ways at any point in the burning
> process--including opening the software and closing it, and the actual
> steps in burning--and that these filters are not dependent on "an
> incorrect device driver" being installed.
>
> 1) This software will not damage your CD/DVD player or writer--they
> impact the software not the hardware. They don't work on the optical
> drives--they work on the burning software. They make you think they are
> making your Plextor do this or that but they aren't. That Plextor works
> with some burning software from somewhere. It can impact Nero, Plextool,
> Sonic, Roxio, you name it and the filter values can mess with your
> ***burning software application..
>
> 2) They can interrupt any type of DVD ***software at any point in its
> functioning--they are not interfering with your Plextor or any other
> optical drives directly--they can stop the burning software from opening,
> selecting an Iso for example or files to burn, and they can keep it from
> closing.
>
> 4) I'm not following you here but again no software is immune from these.
> You just have to save the location of the keys where these filter values
> show up, and nuke 'em.
>
> You said:
>
> "At least if the software companies offer to install or not to install
> this
> painfull drivers. These are iTunes, Ulead, Pinnacle, Sonic and others."
>
> I'm not sure what you mean by this George. These are not drivers. These
> are registry modifications and those companies you named have no control
> over this and they haven't chosen to do anything. Itunes made by Apple
> does not involve burning in any fashion--although its mp3 collection can
> be burned--and it is the way Ipod transfers music. I have seen Sonic and
> Roxio do this for years.
>
> The software companies don't have control over this--it's a function of
> other software you introduce or install in your equation. They're well
> aware of it--it's been happening as long as Windows, and if they could
> have stopped this they would have by now.
>
> MSFT and driver integrity is a whole other thing. They are well aware
> Device Manager does not work,and have admitted it in Beta chats, and their
> lust for mediocrity has prevented them from lifting a finger to fix driver
> location--DM could assist people installing drivers far more efficiently,
> and driver reliability in Device Manager.
>
> 5) Check with Plextor as to what the context of their firmware updates
> are. It won't impact this but different companies have policies on when to
> use them. Sony's policy is "if it works, leave the firmware alone" but I
> added it and my burning knock on wood with Isos and other material has
> been perfect.
>
> 6) One trick that has helped some people with problems burning .ISos and
> burning in general in Windows is to do these steps which could help and
> are rarely mentioned:
>
> Get to Dev Manager by typing devmgmt.msc in run/win key + pause break or
> Rt.
> click My Computer>Prop>hardware tab>Device Manager if you like 5 steps
> instead of one cmd. If you're set to PMI here change to DMO and if set to
> DMO change to PMI:
>
> a.. Click the + in front of IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers
> a.. Double Click the Secondary IDE Controller
> a.. Click Advanced Settings
> a.. Under Device 1  Next to Transfer Mode choose DMA (or vise versa)
> a.. Click OK
> a.. Reboot your System
>
>
> 7) I have been harping on the fact--ignored by all the Windows/MSFT
> syncophants here who think the company can do no wrong (just wait until
> they see SPP shut down their quad core 4GHx on the floor Vista computers
> when it mistakenly targets them as pirated Windows users and they
> aren't--that's bound to win a lot of friends in and out of the
> enterprise)--that Device Manager does not in Vista or any OS including and
> since Win 95 tell you if drivers work. Here's a prime example--when the
> filter values are blocking your CD/DVD playing and writing Device Manager
> can look perfect and tell you drivers are working. Drivers may be but
> they don't get the chance to work.
>
> The author and MVP of one of the major books on Windows OS's and numerous
> articles for MSFT over the year Ed Bott has taken MSFT to task for their
> sloppy work with WGA repeatedly in the last few months and the same sloppy
> work with SPP and MSFT has had totally ignorant spokes persons speak to
> different questioners that are quoted on Ed's two blogs currently with the
> most inane and no knowledgable defenses of WGA which does not work
> correctly and SPP which will not work correctly immaginable. They are
> making a fool of themselves with the implemenation of WGA and SPP and they
> are going to learn to back off when it hits them in the area they
> worship--their money.
>
> See and note in these articles the inane responses of MSFT
> representatives to the author of one of the best selling major books on
> their major Operating System software and others--one more example of
> MSFT's perception of the public as stupid and their tin ear contempt for
> the public who are their customers and put Windows on 97% of the boxes on
> the planet.
>
> I want people to note this conversation because it speaks volumes about
> MSFT's inane contracted support and MSFT's oversight of it and MSFT's
> attitude as to how little it means when they represent themselves to their
> customers--this is a conversation that Ed Bott had with "MSFT PSS"
> probably Convergys of Ohio contracting:
>
> From Ed Bott at http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84
>
> "I called Microsoft support to see if there is a hidden option to say,
> "yep, I've got updates turned to manual: it's okay." The rep said, "No and
> why wouldn't you want to get the latest updates to Windows."
>
> I responded with the issues relating to WGA. He spent some time telling me
> that WGA was a good thing, etc. I reiterated that I have accepted all the
> updates except WGA and just want to review the updates before they're
> installed on my machine.
>
> He told me that "in the fall, having the latest WGA will become mandatory
> and if its not installed, Windows will give a 30 day warning and when the
> 30 days is up and WGA isn't installed, Windows will stop working, so you
> might as well install WGA now." [emphasis added]
>
> I'm wondering if Microsoft has the right to disable Windows functionality
> or the OS as a whole (tantamount to revoking my legitimate Windows
> license) if I do not install every piece of software that they send it
> updates.
>
> That can't be true, can it? I'm always suspicious of any report that comes
> from a front-line tech support drone, so I sent a note to Microsoft asking
> for an official confirmation or, better yet, a denial. Instead, I got this
> terse response from a Microsoft spokesperson:
>
> As we have mentioned previously, as the WGA Notifications program expands
> in the future, customers may be required to participate. [emphasis added]
> Microsoft is gathering feedback in select markets to learn how it can best
> meet its customers' needs and will keep customers informed of any changes
> to the program.
>
> That's it. That's the entire response.
>
> Uh-oh. Currently, Windows users have the ability to opt out of the Windows
> Genuine Advantage program and still get security patches and other
> Critical Updates delivered via Windows Update. The only thing you give up
> is the ability to download optional updates. Hackers have been working
> overtime to find ways to disable WGA notification. If WGA becomes
> mandatory, would it mean that Microsoft could prevent Windows from working
> if it determines - possibly erroneously - that your copy isn't "genuine"?
> That's a chilling possibility, and Microsoft refuses an easy opportunity
> to deny that that option is in its plans.
>
> Over at Ed Bott's Windows Expertise, I've been soliciting feedback from
> Windows users who've been burned by WGA. So far, I've received 20
> comments. Here's a sampling:
>
> a.. I have an XP Media center with a promise RAID 0 4-disc array. When I
> installed the WPA it broke the drivers for the array by causing failed
> delayed writes (half of the array just "disapears".) If I do a system
> restore to before the installation of the WPA everything goes back to
> working just fine.
> b.. [S]ince installing WPA : I've had blue screens and a total inability
> to boot. I had to run the XP repair function to get the computer to boot.
> I had a damaged boot sector on the hard drive. I am running two drives on
> a RAID 1 config.
> c.. I purchased a SEALED OEM copy of XP Professional. WGA said the
> license key was already used. I called MS and they said I should uninstall
> and buy another copy. I told them I wasn't made of money and hung-up.
> d.. Microsoft rejected the product key that came with the ThinkPad I'm
> using. I had to call in and they gave me another code to enter which
> supposedly worked but now I get the blue screen of death about every other
> time I reboot. I've also lost all internet connectivity.
> e.. I sent my Compaq Presario notebook for service repair, and it fails
> the WGA check. I have a legal version of windows xp professional on it.
> But I have no way to correct this problem.
> What's most disturbing about this whole saga is Microsoft's complete lack
> of transparency on the issue. And before the ABM crowd jumps in with
> predictable "What did you expect?" comments, let me argue that Microsoft
> actually has a fairly good track record on transparency issues in recent
> years. Windows Product Activation is very well documented, and when a
> similar uproar occurred in 2001, it was squelched quickly by some fairly
> prominent postings from high-level executives who provided details without
> a lot of spin. Likewise, the Microsoft Security Response Center has done
> an exceptional job at providing quick responses to security issues. (Just
> ask Adam Shostack.)
>
> Currently, no one at Microsoft is blogging about this fiasco. No executive
> has been quoted on the record about it. There are very few technical
> details available, and those that have been published are being tumbled
> through the spin machine and spit out as press releases.
>
> If Microsoft really does plan to turn WGA into a kill switch in September,
> be prepared for an enormous backlash."
>
> From Ed Bott on October 5, 2006:
>
> UAC Good; SPP Not So Good
> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/
>
> "SPP, on the other hand, is the successor to Windows Genuine Advantage.
> Both initiatives have in common a reliance on Orwellian language that
> appears to be in the customer's benefit but is actually a horrible
> inconvenience and potentially a nightmare. Despite Microsoft's attempts to
> spin the new program, there's no advantage for the Windows customer, and
> the only thing being protected is Microsoft's revenue stream."
>
> Guess there will be a WGA "Kill Switch After All"
> Published October 4, 2006 by Ed Bott
> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1495
>
> Is Microsoft about to release a Windows "kill switch"?
> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84
>
> Search on WGA
> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/
>
> October 4, 2006 For Vista, WGA gets Tougher
> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=148
>
> Ed Bott Blog Readers Burned by WGA
> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1370#comments
>
> WGA is a Mess
> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1476
>
> Microsoft Kill Switch in Windows Vista and threat to disable Windows (the
> so-called Microsoft Software Protection Platform)
> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84
>
> Microsoft's Software Protection Platform: Protecting Software and
> Customers
> from Counterfeiters
> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...rotection.mspx
>
> Best and good luck,
>
> CH
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "George Valkov" <a@b.com> wrote in message
> news:%23pm5A6i6GHA.4996@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>I am borred from all those programs that install upper or lower filter
>>driver for my DVD burner. How do I prevent this installation?
>> Thsese are always unsigned drivers, but windows will not display the
>> 'Unsigned driver installation' warning.
>>
>> These filters make my Plextor PX-760A dvd-recorder behave like a cheap
>> drive. Erasing a DVD+RW @4x takes more that 1 hour, performance is low,
>> 1000 buffer underruns for 1.5 GB burn @4x while my harddisk can do 150
>> MB/s. Slow performance, long delays and so on.
>>
>> Question:
>> Can these software damage my recorder? I don`t care about the wasted
>> medium, but the recorder is very expensive.
>>
>> I have a second windows installation for testing software. If I really
>> need it, but it uses upper/lower filter, I will (backup, install, restore
>> the SYSTEM registry hive). I`m borred from this nightmare! And most of
>> these software offer me CD/DVD burning features that I will never use. I
>> can always burn the produced CD/DVD image file with PlexTool or Nero.
>>
>> At least if the software companies offer to install or not to install
>> this painfull drivers. These are iTunes, Ulead, Pinnacle, Sonic and
>> others.
>>
>>
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