smiles 0 #1 July 3, 2004 I just purchased Contraband, the debut release from the band Velvet Revolver, I am ready to check out Slash and the rest of the Gun 'N' Roses crew (minus Axl) collaborating with recovering rock vocalist Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots fame. I have been told that Contraband's status is the best-selling copy-protected CD of all time. Slightly less publicized is the simple method for defeating the copy protection; turn off the CD AutoPlay feature on your PC. When AutoPlay is enabled on your PC, any CD containing an Autorun.inf file will automatically launch its primary purpose as soon as the CD is inserted in the drive. This is most commonly seen when you insert a software application CD, like Adobe Photoshop Elements for instance, and the CD launches a menu prompting you to install the software. For software installs, this is convenient, but a rash of spyware infestations directly related to this feature makes convenience a risk. In the case of the Contraband CD, Autorun launches a license agreement and installs something that prevents you from doing things like copying the content to your hard drive. Windows XP users have probably noticed a pop up menu asking which program should be used for a particular type of content each time a CD or DVD is inserted. The window offers the option to either perform the same action each time similar content is inserted; or to continue prompting for an action each time. To disable Autorun for a particular type of content (in this case music) select Take No Action. To access this menu when no disk is inserted, open Windows Explorer.....Right-click the CD or DVD drive you want to configure and choose Properties from the resulting menu. The dropdown list lets you configure specific actions for the following types of content: Music Files Pictures Video Files Mixed content Music CD DVD movie Blank CD For instance, if you wanted to view a photo slideshow each time a CD with pictures is inserted, select View a slideshow of the images using Windows Picture and Fax Viewer. Keep in mind, this will launch the Picture and Fax Viewer every time you insert a CD (or Compact Flash card) containing pictures, so launching a slideshow may not be a desirable action when all you want to do is transfer the files to a hard drive. In the interest of safety, selecting Take No Action for each media type is probably your safest bet, unless you are certain you can always trust the material on CDs and DVDs you insert into the drive. The one alternative providing greatest flexibility is the option to launch Windows Explorer showing the contents of the media. From Explorer, it's a simple matter to right-click a file and choose the application to open with. SMiles Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #2 July 3, 2004 Steeling something that is intangible, is still steeling. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #3 July 3, 2004 QuoteSteeling something that is intangible, is still steeling. She didn't steal it...she bought the CD. However, if she wanted to load that CD onto her computer, an iPod or other portable music device she owns (which is allowed under the Fair Use clause of copyright law), then she'd be SOL. The simple way around the copy protection on Contraband and the new Beastie Boys CD is to simple hold down the shift key while you insert the CD and keep it held down until the disk has finished spinning up. That tells Windows not to autorun it. Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #4 July 3, 2004 Yes but steeling, is not stealing. Besides just making a copy of a CD is not stealing. The law provides the right to make backups for yourself.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #5 July 3, 2004 Your right about steel and steal. Are you saying that she posted these instructions to show herself how to make herself a copy of the CD she just bought? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #6 July 3, 2004 QuoteYour right about steel and steal. Are you saying that she posted these instructions to show herself how to make herself a copy of the CD she just bought? And maybe someone who wants to rip a copy of the media they own, as is their legal right, will find these instructions and will be helped instead of impeded by protection that shouldn't have been there in the first place.Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #7 July 3, 2004 So how do you like the CD? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
