More Awesome Than You!

We got Spore the day it came out, before all this scandalous DRM info was about. The computer we originally installed it on was old and could barely handle the game, and has since died. We now have a shiny new computer. I don't fully understand all this DRM stuff I'm reading about, but the idea I have is that Spore installs a separate program that messes with operating systems and can only be removed by reformatting the hard drive? So I don't want to install it on my shiny new computer because I hear all these bad things. I also hear that there are "reputable" (as reputable as a pirate can be I guess) places to download the game, even patched versions, obviously without the DRM. My question is since I own a legal copy of the game, if someone could recommend a place to download a patched virus and spyware free version of the game, would it still be illegal? If it's not, other than the whole installing a program without the consumer's consent thing, how bad is the Spore DRM really? I also have read a few things about DRM issues with Sims 2 eps. I haven't installed TS2 on my new computer yet, before I do should I be worried about the DRM on any of those? Sorry I know these are probably dumb but I have tried reading up on this and I just don't get all the technical stuff.

No.

No to everything? As in you read the whole thing and no I should not worry about the DRM in any Sims 2 eps?

No...there are other ways to remove it than reformatting the harddrive. Read the sticky in the Podium.
No...it would not still be illegal as long as you are using only one copy, but technically the legality is fuzzy.
No...you should not want the DRM, because it likes to do things like render your CD-ROM drive unusable, disable completely unrelated programs/games, and generally be an ass. Or not. It's just snazzy and unpredictable like that.
No...don't be running your Sims2 without getting a no-CD crack.

Awesome, thank you very much for your help.

I am truly an asinine airhead. I checked out gamecopyworld, found Fairlight, here is where I'm confused... do I install the game from the CD and then just need the no-CD crack to play the game? Or does the no-CD crack install the game and I never even have to put the disc in my computer at all?

That's right.  Now do like Zazazu said and before someone squishes you.

1) Rename the original "exe" file.
2) Copy over the No-CD crack/patch.  That is what makes it DRM free.  The DRM is in the original "exe" file.

The legality only has fuzzy letters.  Since there's no judge or prosecutor in the U.S. or Canada (nor EU probably, but not as sure of that) that would allow pursuit of something like this, it really doesn't matter.