Defeating CDKNet CD Protection
 

I legally purchased a CD and popped it into the computer, expecting to foobar diskwrite some mp3s for use on my ipod...

but, this CDK program auto-installs (without any OK from me), and browsing the CD reveals no .cda files at all! i'm supposed to be using this auto-installed CDK (owned by CDKNet, apparently) player to play some file...

selecting Play on right-click menus freezes Winamp 5.2...

for lack of a better question, how can I get the music out?

Can you remove the CDK or whatever from your system? Go ahead and do that.

Then open your cd drive, put the cd in, then hold the shift key on your keyboard as you insert the disc. This prevents it from autoplaying. Just keep holding shift until the disc stops spinning I guess. Then try ripping it.

Try to access the files using ISOBuster - http://www.isobuster.com/.

bypassing autoplay doesn't help, since again there are no .cda files viewable to rip (in general, no files in a known music format or even any that would take up the ~700 mb on the cd)...

i'll try isobuster; thanks!

You could also use AnyDVD which would correct the CD to show the tracks (if it can). EAC versions previous to 0.95 beta 4 also can Retrive Native TOC.

Or you can just send the defective CD to the publisher and demand they send you a non-defective copy! If you can manage to rip it beforehand, all the better! :D

It's not defective...

Some people would argue that any CD that employs such copy protection is defective >_>

I would. I employ a tactic made possible by British law. If I explain to the store clerk that I'm buying it to rip to my HDD for use in an MP3 player, then I can safely return copy-protected CDs on the grounds that they are not fit for the purpose for which they were sold. By making the clerk aware of my reason for buying the CD, I gain a techical legal basis from which to argue.

Actually, most copy protection methods are in violation of the Red Book audio CD standard, making these discs anything but proper Compact Discs. If the case bears a Compact Disc logo and the disc has a copy protection, it's technically a defective product.

Yet another string to my bow. I hadn't thought of that. I simply refuse to accept copy-protected CDs. No matter how much I would like to possess the music they contain.

As the others said, having CP on it makes it defective to a lot of people these days. Especially when the blasted thing doesn't work... ;)

I for one won't buy such protected audio CDs. Their loss, when I would have paid for the music otherwise. :rolleyes:

sadly, the cd did not contain any notice of encryption / DRM (which would make it a further violation of the red book standard?)... only the typical compact disc digital audio logo (which is also not proper, given the lack of any .cda files)

haven't had a chance to try anything yet but will keep you all updated on the results...

If that's the case, send it back like I posted above. People have sued and won over the lack of such a notice, so. You should at least be able to get your money back... ;)

Also, hit up the spyware/malware forums for info on the protection scheme and instructions on how to remove it.

And try Exact Audio Copy for ripping, as it has a history of telling crippled (and, yes, defective) CDs where they can stick their copyright. Install, set to paranoid mode, and rip away. Slow, but then again, so is a bulldozer and there's not much chance of stopping one of those once it gets going.

Oh, one other thing. For our benefit, could you post the name of the musician and album that contains the offending malware so we know what to avoid like the plague?

sure, this is chris tomlin's the noise we make...

i have two of his newer albums (which were free and clear and lovely)... he's a great guy, just picked the wrong people to listen to in making that first cd...