Sony's CD copy protection is producing some sour notes

Q: Possibly you could shed some light on this issue. I was reading about Sony CDs containing software that is automatically installed on your computer that disables the ability to copy music CDs. How do we find these files on our system? I also started having a problem with my external Sony CD-R/CD-RW system. I have always been able to copy a music CD, but recently it has not been working. I have checked the help file to determine the problem, but to no avail. I decided to copy a data disc to make sure that would work, and it copied perfectly. I then tried another music CD and it would not copy. Could Windows Media Player software have something to do with this, or is there software installed on my system that we do not know is there?

— Barry Kaltenbaugh

A: Sony, like most other CD makers, has experimented with various types of copy protection. I can't say I blame them. Imagine that you are a musician and you sell a CD of your music. The CD is very popular, but you don't make any money because consumers are simply copying your songs and distributing them over the Internet.

Some consumers feel that if they have bought a CD, they have the right to make as many copies for personal use as they like. But it is generally the seller of the product who sets the conditions of the sale. (And this is generally spelled out in a legal document when you purchase or open the product.)

The trick is to find a way that allows individuals to make copies for their personal use without opening the door for widespread piracy.

That's where the Sony strategy, described in a story in The Seattle Times on Nov. 12, fell short of the mark. In many cases, the Sony method — which involved copying certain files to your computer that would limit the number of times tracks could be burned — also prevented personal copying of songs to iPods.

Worse still, the Sony strategy cloaks these files from users, and hackers learned how they could take advantage of this to take control of computers. And the files are not only hidden, there is no method provided for uninstalling them.

You can, however, write to Sony on the Web to get detailed instructions to remove the files: cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/form8.html. Unfortunately, the removal tool provided by Sony reportedly opens up your computer to threats from viruses and hackers, so you may not want to use it.

Until a better fix is offered — and Sony has not answered my queries on the subject — you have a choice between keeping your fingers crossed and reformatting your drive and starting over. Alternatively, if you have the Windows restore feature active, you could try restoring your system to its configuration before the Sony software was installed.

Reformatting is, yes, draconian. But if a real reliable fix isn't offered by someone soon it's the only way to remove the vulnerability. Would I reformat? Probably not. But I'd be aware that I'm taking a chance.

Despite all of this, I suspect that you've got other problems on your system, since the Sony protection scheme applies only to CDs with the Sony protection applied to them. It should not affect your copying of other music CDs.

Q: When I boot up my PC, my antivirus program tells me I have a "suspicious script." Specifically, it cites: C:\pro gramgfiles\support.com\client\iserver \server.vbs. I am given choices of stopping the script or allowing it this session. I can never seem to remove the offending script at any time. This happens on all bootups. I'd either like to allow the script, once and for all, or discontinue, once and for all. Complete elimination would be the ideal!

— David Engman

A: Best I've been able to determine, server.vbs seems to be a support file that is installed with the Sony Vaio support software. If you're not using the Vaio support client, you don't need that file. To keep the script from attempting to load, I'd suggest trying to uninstall the Sony Vaio support client. If that option isn't available, you'll need to edit the Windows registry. Before doing so, make sure you make a copy of the registry since if you inadvertently make other changes you could bollix up your operating system and not know how to undo the damage.

To run the registry editor go to your Windows folder and double-click on Regedit. Go to the following folder and delete any reference to ZtgServer Switch: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Cur rentVersion\Run. Exit the editor.

Questions for Patrick Marshall may be sent by e-mail to pmarshall@seattletimes.com or pgmarshall@pgmarshall.net, or by mail at Q&A/Technology, The Seattle Times, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111. More columns at www.seattletimes.com/columnists.