So, today I decided to install my legally owned BioShock, which would be a hundred and first game installed on my PC (all 101 are legal versions).
I install it, activate it, patch it, play it.Then shut it down.Now I am in windows (XP SP3).I rightclick on one of my files because I want to move it somewhere else.
BAM "Explorer.exe crashed, memory could not be read, blah blah".
Hmmm, alright.Having encountered this problem at work (and fixing it for one of our customers), I download ShellExviewer.I disable all non-microsoft extensions.
No more crashing! So, I enable all the extension with the exception of Securom Asshole one, which I suspect.Still, no more crashing! Then I enable the Securom Asshole one.
BAM, explorer crashed, again on rightclick.Alrright, so I start googling, and of course, it is a widespread problem and Assholes from Sony released a fix (luckily).
It is located here - http://www.securom.com/support/repair.zip
So, I run it, restart PC, and check the version of the file - it is not 224 anymore, it is 225.And apparently it is not crashing anymore.Great!
Of course, if I had not bothered buying legal version at all, I would never have any problem.
Seriously, making copy protection that crashes your computer is a dumb thing, but releasing it on many games (GRID, Bioshock, Mass effect) is just spectacularly stupid.
Damn I hate Sony. IMO their Securom Asshole Project is a not so secret plan to DESTROY PC gaming.
Of course, it will not stop me from buying games (I want PC gaming to thrive).But it sure as hell pissed me off and I would gladly kick their asses for that.

Wow... that's horrible...
That's one reason why I don't buy games with Securom in it. I got Bioshock off Steam for $5 when they were having a sale and never had any problems with it.
I hope someone finds a way to sue Securom for malware or something...

no problems here, not ever.
Running Farcry 2. :D
Also, I have the steam version of bioshock, it is without securom.

Man, that is unfortunate.
I also don't buy games were the experience of the legally bought copy is inferior to that of the pirated version.
I have to say that I also don't use this as an excuse to pirate games.
For instance I did order Fallout 3, but had to cancel it when I found out it was shipped with 3d party Sony software. I still want to play the game, my hopes are set on the GOTY edition and then hopefully it will come without DRM.
I hope that the Streetfighter IV pc version has no extra bullshit installed on it.

That happened with a SecuROM update on NWN2 as well. I went through the Explorer .exe crashes too. Yeah, I hate SonyDADC and refuse to buy any Sony products at all if I can possibly avoid it.
BioShock: heh, that was my first run-in with activations/limited activations on a game (didn't know about it before I bought it). What a bloody nightmare that was. It's the reason I refuse to buy any games with an activation scheme. It's also the reason I research every potential game purchase before I buy it just to see what asinine protection they may have on them.

Who said it is without Securom? Steam version also has Securom.

Reading through this list I think you're right.

Same here.
However the Securom disc check I have on TOEE sometimes caused my DVD drive to hangup, so I have to restart the computer. Got pissed of at that, and downloaded a crack.

I installed Bioshock prior to Farcry 2 and I had no securom on my system, even after running the game. The demo has securom (no clue why) but the full game from steam does not.

BioShock for Windows (both the retail version and that available through Steam) utilizes SecuROM copy protection software, and requires internet activation to complete installation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BioShock
And this.
http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showthread.php?p=296125
And I also have Steam version of BioShock and it is activating the game at first launch. You can't see this process but you can find hidden files and paul.dll on your computer.

According to the sticky topic on Steam's own forums about SecuROM problems with the BioShock, it would seem to me that it does actually have some form of SecuROM still in it, though what it actually is doing, I don't know, since 2K removed the activation limits from the game and to my knowledge the activation that takes place when you launch the game for the first time is a Steam activation, not a SecuROM activation.

the articles in the link say that they still require the dvd rom to be in the drive, so I don't quite think they're accurate.
I checked my registry, I checked my filesystem, I had no securom prior to farcry2.
first thread links to "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BioShock#cite_note-securom-139" which if you notice, that documented was last updated in 03.
second link mentions nothing of securom

In my retail Bioshock there is still activation, as well as having to download exe file at the end of installation, as well as having to input serial key, as well as having to input dvd into drive in order to play.
But it is nice that I can now install it on 10 PCs and do not have to worry that my activations will run out.
That is, if it does not screw those PCs with another crashing explorer.exe error.
But at least now everything works...I played Bioshock, Grid and GTA4 and all work and explorer is not crashing anymore.But damn, what a fucking bitches they are (sony, that is).
The fact that those fuckers are now members of PC Gaming Alliance is amazing.What a fucking joke.

Who said it is without Securom? Steam version also has Securom.
No it doesn't. And I've personally checked that with my copy on a PC which has no SecuROM on it.
I've also never had any problems with SecuROM at all with any game that has included it.

I know that only if the publisher wishes to have no SecuROM on Steam games (since it's redundant anyway), they can. But Flock, that oddly cute sheep herding game does have SecuROM on the Steam version, causing people to probably go and browse in the flea market tomorrow, and peruse for some entertainment.