Confusing Win2K error message when trying to copy *.VOB files from a DVD

Symtom: While trying to copy *.VOB files from a DVD drive, the following error message appears: "The maximum number of secrets that may be stored in a single system has been exceeded." (Error code 1381 / ERROR_TOO_MANY_SECRETS). Microsoft comment: "The length and number of secrets is limited to satisfy United States State Department export restrictions."
(MS-DOS programs get error code 5 (Access Denied) when trying to open the file).

Software: Windows 2000 SP2.

Cause: Win2K displays this message when a program tries to open an encrypted *.VOB file from a DVD and the DVD drive is not "authenticated". The error does not appear for non-encrypted *.VOB files.

Solution: Use a software DVD player to "authenticate" the drive, or a tool like dodo (by Takuya Murata).

Author: Christian d'Heureuse (chdh@inventec.ch, www.source-code.biz)
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