mkr@philabs.Philips.Com (Michael K. Reed) (05/20/88)
And now.......a copy protection question.... I got Ferrari Formula 1 (from EA) last week (see comments at end)... I made the usual backup copy (using "diskcopy" CLI command), which of course requires you to insert the master copy at startup time. Being the inquisitive type, I wondered what the difference was that prevented the copy from working without the master... So I examined the boot blocks...No difference... There _were_ differences in where the disk bitmaps were placed, so I tried copying the game again, this time using a "dumb" copier that just copies each sector from one disk to the other, even if the blocks are bad, or whatever. I looked at the disks again with a disk editor. There appeares to be NO difference whatsoever between the two disks now, but the copy still wont work without insertion of the master. Here are some hints, for those who try to figure this out: 1) The copy CANNOT have the same name as the master. If it does, the disk drive just keeps trying to read the disk (click whirr, click whirr, click whirrr) without asking for the master. The manual says "dont give the copy the same name as the master". 2) It doesn't make any difference if the copy (or the master) is write-protected. (i.e. it's not one of those "destroy-a-track" protection schemes). SO TELL ME...HOW DO THEY DO IT?????????????? One small note: If I see anyone posting stuff like "We shouldn't be posting stuff on how copy protection is done/this guy may by a pirate/etc etc etc" I'll be really @#$&ing pissed. I _could_ use a commercial "breaking" program if that was my interest. I just want to learn how it's done... Now the good part... Ferrari F-1 is amazing. It's one of those programs you see and say to yourself "How the hell did he do THAT???", and get mad at yourself because you have no idea. Having spent many years following the Grand Prix Circuit, I had always hoped a game, nay, a simulation, this good would someday reach the masses. If you wished for likewise, get this game. Read the previous poster regarding FF1 for an in-depth description, this is just $0.02... Mr. Koenig...If you are reading this, send me mail...I've got 1EE6 Q's, but have narrowed it to 5 big ones... --michael ________________________________________________________________ | Michael Reed !allegra---- | | mkr@philabs.philips.com \ | | AI Department !steinmetz--->---!philabs!mkr | | Philips Laboratories / | | (914) 945-6069 !rutgers---- | +----------------------------------------------------------------+