Hot to unprotect & backup microdrive cartridge software
Re: Hot to unprotect & backup microdrive cartridge software
I have a program to backup microdrives, but it's machine code, not SuperBASIC, not something you can type, you would need to transfer it to a QL through either floppy disks or the serial port.
I think Zkul by Talent had a protection based on the mdv random number and the mdv title, perhaps West uses the same method? If that's the case, you may be able to create a master cartridge from SuperBASIC, but you need to find the random number... there is a PEEK_W command that works for that on unexpanded QLs, I don't rember the address right now, but I could look for it.
I think Zkul by Talent had a protection based on the mdv random number and the mdv title, perhaps West uses the same method? If that's the case, you may be able to create a master cartridge from SuperBASIC, but you need to find the random number... there is a PEEK_W command that works for that on unexpanded QLs, I don't rember the address right now, but I could look for it.
Re: Hot to unprotect & backup microdrive cartridge software
Yes, please, if it is not too much trouble for you.M68008 wrote:I think Zkul by Talent had a protection based on the mdv random number and the mdv title, perhaps West uses the same method? If that's the case, you may be able to create a master cartridge from SuperBASIC, but you need to find the random number... there is a PEEK_W command that works for that on unexpanded QLs, I don't rember the address right now, but I could look for it.
It would be great.
Re: Hot to unprotect & backup microdrive cartridge software
I remember that also machine code routines could be typed as a series of poke commands. Am i wrong?M68008 wrote:I have a program to backup microdrives, but it's machine code, not SuperBASIC, not something you can type, you would need to transfer it to a QL through either floppy disks or the serial port.
Re: Hot to unprotect & backup microdrive cartridge software
Ciao Salvatore,
yes, machine code programs can be typed, but you would have to type many thousands digits, boring and unlikely not to introduce a typo.
I could not find the SuperBASIC backup program I remembered, but here is my try at writing one. Untested, but hope it works for you. Insert the master cartridge in MDV1 and an empty cartridge in MDV2 to use as a backup. The program will try to format MDV2 so that it can be used as a master. After formatting completes, manually copy all files from MDV1 to MDV2.
Let me know if it works well for you!
yes, machine code programs can be typed, but you would have to type many thousands digits, boring and unlikely not to introduce a typo.
I could not find the SuperBASIC backup program I remembered, but here is my try at writing one. Untested, but hope it works for you. Insert the master cartridge in MDV1 and an empty cartridge in MDV2 to use as a backup. The program will try to format MDV2 so that it can be used as a master. After formatting completes, manually copy all files from MDV1 to MDV2.
Code: Select all
100 PRINT "Insert master in MDV1, empty cartridge in MDV2 (it will be formatted!!)"\"Press a key when ready":PAUSE
110 DIR mdv1_
120 a$="":p=164096
130 IF PEEK(PEEK_L(p)+20)<>1:p=p+4:GO TO 130
140 p=PEEK_L(p)+22
150 FOR i=0 TO 9:a$=a$&CHR$(PEEK(p+i))
160 a$="mdv2_"&a$
170 p=PEEK_W(p+10)
180 PRINT "Formatting MDV2..."
190 POKE_W 163886,p
200 FORMAT a$
Re: Hot to unprotect & backup microdrive cartridge software
Many thanks!
I tried but unfortunately it didn't work.
I tried but unfortunately it didn't work.
Re: Hot to unprotect & backup microdrive cartridge software
Maybe
150 FOR i=0 TO 9:a$=a$&CHR$(PEEK(p+i))
should be
150 FOR i=0 TO 9:a$=a$+CHR$(PEEK(p+i))
?
150 FOR i=0 TO 9:a$=a$&CHR$(PEEK(p+i))
should be
150 FOR i=0 TO 9:a$=a$+CHR$(PEEK(p+i))
?
Re: Hot to unprotect & backup microdrive cartridge software
No, & is correct, it's the string concatenation operator. (That line builds the cartridge name.)
Try PRINT a$ at the end to verify that the cartridge name is correct (or just DIR MDV2_)
Try PRINT a$ at the end to verify that the cartridge name is correct (or just DIR MDV2_)
Re: Hot to unprotect & backup microdrive cartridge software
It prints an unreadable character.M68008 wrote:No, & is correct, it's the string concatenation operator. (That line builds the cartridge name.)
Try PRINT a$ at the end to verify that the cartridge name is correct (or just DIR MDV2_)
But i have to point out that i reversed the drives, using mdv1 as mdv2 (and i obviously modified the listing in the same way) because my mdv1 has some problems when reading the master cartridge. Maybe is it not indifferent?
Re: Hot to unprotect & backup microdrive cartridge software
If you invert the drives, in addition to lines 100, 110 and 180 you shoulld also change line 130 (from <>1 to <>2).
Re: Hot to unprotect & backup microdrive cartridge software
It works!
I don't know how to thank you.
Many thanks.
I don't know how to thank you.
Many thanks.