Update - Microsoft has released a tool that allows you to make your computer OCUR compliant without using this hack.  You can read more about it at the link below.  If your comptuer does not pass the digital cable advisor test you can still use the hack to make your computer OCUR compliant.

 http://www.missingremote.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4361&Itemid=1

BEFORE YOU BEGIN READ THIS GUIDE!

http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/05/12/how-to-install-a-cablecard-tuner-in-your-diy-media-center/

 *UPDATE - New Version uploaded. Thanks to user "dotbatman" for getting this to work on some OEM activated machines* (might not work on DELL OEM machines)

OSFR Loader is a tool to make any PC OCUR compliant.  I want to warn you before you walk down this path.  This is still in the testing stages (beta) and my goal by releasing this is in hopes of getting more support from people smarter than me.  If you rely on your PC for family photos, music, or making sure Grey's Anatomy records for you wife you might want to think twice :)

I got the idea for this tool some time ago and it just hit me the other day that I should just try and figure it out.  Well, it only took me a couple tries on a test machine and I was soon activating my CableCards on my Shuttle PC.

If any of you follow the SLIC hacking world you are very familiar with a program called VistaLoader.  This program is basically a version of Grub4Dos that boots before windows and modifies the BIOS information stored in memory. It looks for SLIC tables and will replace them with a SLIC table of your choice.  This tricks windows into thinking it's an OEM machine.

I took the VistaLoader tool created by w00tageman and modified it so it would not emulate SLIC tables but start emulating OSFR tables.

Sorry for all the back story :)

A few cautions and bugs that we are aware of before you start:

1.) This tool can be run on an OEM systems but it might break activation.  We have seen issues with Dell OEM machines and it breaking the OEM activation.  You can still give it a try and if it deactivates your windows you just have to uninstall the hack to get active again.

2.) You cannot be running an existing VistaLoader hack.  This hack is popular if you don't have an active Vista License.  This will break that functionality. 

3.) I'm not sure how this works with a current multi boot system....so you might want to be cautious.  Users have tested this and got it working in a multi boot environment.

Vista Directions:

How to Install:

1.) Unzip the files to a director of your choice.

Example C:\OSFR (you can use whatever you like)

2.) Open command prompt window with Administrator rights (this is very important)

3.) Browse to the directory where you unzipped the files (C:\OSFR)

4.) Type "install sony" (Don't worry about the word sony, it will work on any pc, I'm just emulating a Sony OSFR table)

That should be it.  Reboot and run the OCUR check utility and your machine should be OCUR compliant.

Windows 7 Directions (thanks to nvmarino)

Control Panel --> Administrative Tools --> Computer Management --> Storage --> Disk Management
 
Right-click on the "System Reserved" partition  (it should be marked as "Active") and select "Change drive letter and paths..." Click "Add...", assign a drive letter (any drive letter will do), and save this setting

Then follow the Vista Drections.

Uninstall:

Follow the Vista Directions but type "uninstall" and it should remove everything.

Download:

http://depositfiles.com/files/w5j9j9576

P.S. I've also been told that it works in Vmware so that should make a few of you happy!

Thanks to everyone who helped me test this so far.  I appreciate it.  Leave questions and comments in the forum.



Older Version (this will break OEM Windows Activation)

Just wanted to add one thing to this. 

This does not mean you can go out and buy ATI Digital Cable Tuner and have things working.  You still need a Digital Cable PID to make this work. 

One has leaked but you will have to search for it :)

Dude you are great

I don’t need this utile because I have an OCUR BIOS

But hopefully this will lead us down the road of legitimate DIY Cable Card system.

Because everyone will see how silly OEM only Cable Card is.

awesome work!


Now make a PID key generator and we are set :)

I'm confused about the PID issue.  Does each DCT come with a unique PID?  Do they all use the same one?  The leaked one will work for any one?

Every user is supposed to have their own unique PID, but it isn't actually attached to the DCT or the Windows install.

Just think of it like another Windows Product ID, but for the DCT.

I haven't installed the tool yet... i wanted clarification as i'm sure others have the same setup...

If one is dual-booting Vista and W7 RC will the tool affect the Vista boot loader in any way that could potential harm either install?

Thanks for the clarification, Ben. 

Then if you buy one on eBay, shouldn't you also get the unique PID if there's one per DCT?  In other words, why would anyone need the leaked one? 

mercblue281:

I haven't installed the tool yet... i wanted clarification as i'm sure others have the same setup... If one is dual-booting Vista and W7 RC will the tool affect the Vista boot loader in any way that could potential harm either install?

I'm not sure, want to be the first to try it :)

FatLenny:

Thanks for the clarification, Ben. 

Then if you buy one on eBay, shouldn't you also get the unique PID if there's one per DCT?  In other words, why would anyone need the leaked one? 

You misunderstood me. Any PID will work with any DCT. Just like any Windows PID will work with any Vista install -- asuming it is the correct type of PID (OEM, Retail, OpenManage).

FatLenny:

Thanks for the clarification, Ben. 

Then if you buy one on eBay, shouldn't you also get the unique PID if there's one per DCT?  In other words, why would anyone need the leaked one? 

The cablecard pid is sold only with oem compliant machines and is printed on the coa sticker that contains the windows product key. Here is a sample of what the coa sticker looks like on a normal oem: http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/271271/VistaPremiumLabel.jpg. While the pid is needed to activate cablecard tuners, it is not tied or sold with those tuners. The pid is tied to the system, not the tuners. If you purchase a tuner from a third party through ebay you will most likely only get the tuner.

Check out the two threads below if you want more details of the issue and a history of how things got to this point check out these threads:
http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/333042.aspx
http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/334025.aspx

Does this tool actually change the bios? Or is it just hard drive based?  I am interested in trying it but am hesitant to try it on my main desktop.  I do have a second hard drive I could use.  A simple swap of the drives could let me try it out without any impact to my main machine on the first drive. 

KGROPPE:

Does this tool actually change the bios? Or is it just hard drive based?  I am interested in trying it but am hesitant to try it on my main desktop.  I do have a second hard drive I could use.  A simple swap of the drives could let me try it out without any impact to my main machine on the first drive. 

This is simply a software solution.  No actual modification is done to your BIOS.  Sorry if I didn't make that clear in the above post.

I'll try it and post how it went. Later tonight though as i will run a backup first.

Dang, got the itch now, I can't wait to go mess with stuff!

Sooooooo, should i buy the only 2 ATI internal cable card tuners on ebay for $180 each?