Windows 10: SteelSeries Merc

Hello everybody,


It seems that everybody owning this older keyboards or gaming fangs IdeazonSteel Series was let down by Microsoft.


From what I read the only viable solutions are revolving around disabling digitally signed drivers. And because this solution can't disable that major security module only for this drivers but for whole future drivers on that particular machines which needs the altered drivers and catalogs of Steel Series THIS huge issue of disabling this security feature doesn't bother at all Microsoft.


So Microsoft, one reason of creating windows 10 was improved security .Right? So how come people now have to put down security modules to use their hardware on same windows 10 which was built for more security???????


Steel Series at least made their part of the effort and came up with a driver for windows 7, if that driver is not secure enough for windows 10 what is stopping you to make one? What is stopping you get rid of a security issue that will be maybe not on so many machines but it can spread over network. Right?


I have half of keyboard working atm and i'm not planing to disable digital signed drivers on my machine I rather go back to windows 7 and I will, cause is absolutely no similar keyboard to buy and I'm not going back to some crunchy useless WASD.


I spent about 6 hours try to make my Merc working as it did on windows 7. I don't want to remap my buttons or some fancy setups but both parts of the keyboard to work. So Microsoft at least the remake BASIC functionality of Keyboards that otherwise had VERY trusty drivers in windows 7 for so many years.


Are this drivers somehow prone to be exploited during gameplay? ROP Return Oriented Programming is challenge for windows 10 but all drivers are prone to this exploit and any .dll , .exe, .cpl digitally signed or not.

Sorry users of Mercs couldn't find a solution myself but Microsoft should.

:)

 

Steelseries Merc Keyboard Problem still not fixed

The latest Windows 10 Updates Are preventing the Steelseries Merc keyboard drivers from working for a long time now.

I have spoken to many Windows Tech with the message chat system on the website and they have all told me it will be fixed but it has yet to be and steelseries won't upgrade the drivers because it's an old keyboard.

I have seen many forums with people angry about this yet still nothing from Microsoft and people don't have the money to buy new parts plus there is no other keyboards like the Steelseries Merc which has a built in gaming keypad.

So Microsoft FIX THIS ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

KB4034674 now KB4038788 disables Steelseries/Ideazone Merc Keyboard

The topic was addressed here; but, apparently breezed over due to a prevalent discussion.

No Support: Steelseries refuses to update the driver. No surprise, it took them forever to release the half-baked x64 driver (Win 7 x64 signed) that we users currently work with. And, I doubt MS is going to do anything because the user base of this product is the size of a flea on a elephants ass...

Reality: Which doesn't change the fact that hundreds of users are without the full function of their keyboards(Merc Stealth) or Gamepad(MercFang). So, I come here to tenforums.com seeking the sages/gurus help.

The problem lies in a driver file Alpham164.sys which after the KB4034674 release, is now deemed unsafe. Cough.. Bullshit! It has worked for ~10 years, that is the apex of "SAFE".



The Workaround: Currently, we users that are in the know, are uninstalling the update. However, it's cumulative and this is going to become more difficult over time.

What we need is a way to tell Windows that this file is safe. I'm pretty sure disabling driver signature enforcement, side-loading, and developer mode have all been attempted, to no avail.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

References:
Cumulative Update KB4034674 Windows 10 v1703 Build 15063.540
https://www.reddit.com/r/steelseries/comments/6suq0j/psa_windows_10_update_kb4034674_breaks_z_merc/

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...3-d81e3c63f151

 

KB4034674 now KB4038788 disables Steelseries/Ideazone Merc Keyboard

I can confirm.......My Merc Stealth broke again until I uninstalled KB4038788. Microsoft needs to give us back the ability to select what updates we want. *Mad