Hot to unprotect & backup microdrive cartridge software

[Saltor66]

Hello everyone!
I am a newbie in the use of ql though I was always fond of the ZX Spectrum, so I'm not totally novice regarding retrocomputing.
I would have a question for you.
Is there a way to make a copy of a microdrive cartridge so that this copy does not need the original to work? Many programs that run on microdrives, in fact, have a protection that is invisible and not copied with the simple command "copy"
I thank you in advance who will respond.
Salvatore, Italy.

[Saltor66]

I want to clarify that I use only the 2 ql microdrives.
I have no floppy disk or other peripheral attached to ql.

[vanpeebles]

Copy protection can be a problem on a lot of programs I wonder if a specialist microdrive copying program would work? You really need a floppy drive on your QL though

[Saltor66]

Copy protection can be a problem on a lot of programs I wonder if a specialist microdrive copying program would work? You really need a floppy drive on your QL though

Exactly what i am looking for! A specialist microdrive copying program.
I know it is really difficult but is there a chance to find a listing of such a program?

[RWAP]

Copy protection can be a problem on a lot of programs I wonder if a specialist microdrive copying program would work? You really need a floppy drive on your QL though

Exactly what i am looking for! A specialist microdrive copying program.
I know it is really difficult but is there a chance to find a listing of such a program?

There were some commercial programs sold which did this, but it all depends on the copy protection scheme used on the microdrive cartridges, and also you still need to be able to read the original microdrive in order to get an accurate copy !!

The main software I have used in the past is CopyCat (from memory).

Some software has been manually patched over the years to remove the copy protection and where possible I have included the patched versions as part of the scheme to preserve original QL software. Some software also had later versions without the copy protection (as they moved onto disk).

The software which I have preserved so far, is available to purchase through www.rwapsoftware.co.uk/updates.html (although I do insist on you providing evidence that you own the original).

[dilwyn]

Copy protection can be a problem on a lot of programs I wonder if a specialist microdrive copying program would work? You really need a floppy drive on your QL though

Exactly what i am looking for! A specialist microdrive copying program.
I know it is really difficult but is there a chance to find a listing of such a program?

There were some commercial programs sold which did this, but it all depends on the copy protection scheme used on the microdrive cartridges, and also you still need to be able to read the original microdrive in order to get an accurate copy !!

The main software I have used in the past is CopyCat (from memory).

Some software has been manually patched over the years to remove the copy protection and where possible I have included the patched versions as part of the scheme to preserve original QL software. Some software also had later versions without the copy protection (as they moved onto disk).

The software which I have preserved so far, is available to purchase through http://www.rwapsoftware.co.uk/updates.html (although I do insist on you providing evidence that you own the original).

Many years ago, there programs called Locksmithe and 4Matter from Steve Jones at Zitasoft in London. They could make backup copies of protected software and would work from microdrives without needing disks. They came without printed instructions, but had good help files on the cartridges.

Sadly, this software has long been discontinued, but you might perhaps strike lucky by finding copies for sale on eBay or SellMyRetro or such sites, or perhaps Rich might come across second hand copies he could sell you.

I suppose it's hard to strike a balance between programs which let you make personal backup copies and programs which could (in theory at least) be used for software piracy, probably that's why there weren't that many programs able to do this. Many of those older protection systems worked either by formatting a given random number in the sectors which weren't copied as the same number by the QL (so by checking the 'random number' fingerprint programs could check if they were running from the original master or not), or other cartridges would work by formtting a deliberate bad sector at a given position and the program checked for that when it ran, to see if it was running from the master or not. Luckily, many programs checked for an original in MDV2_ while running from a copy on MDV1_, so it didn't matter too much if the original became a little damaged (e.g. a bad sector) because as long as the protection fingerprint could be found on the master on MDV2_ you could make as many backup copies to run from MDV1_ as you wished as long as you still had the master copy in MDV2_

Dilwyn

[Saltor66]

Many thanks to everybody.
Does anyone remember how the protection of "west" by Talent can be passed?
Someone suggest a simple trick before copying the MDV. Something to do
with creating a blank file name.
Is it possible?

[RWAP]

Many thanks to everybody.
Does anyone remember how the protection of "west" by Talent can be passed?
Someone suggest a simple trick before copying the MDV. Something to do
with creating a blank file name.
Is it possible?

Well, I cracked West many years ago to allow me to offer it for re-sale (as I have the rights to distribute this program).

However, from memory I am not sure that the new version fits on a microdrive (or at least I could not format one to enough sectors!)

[Saltor66]

Many thanks to everybody.
Does anyone remember how the protection of "west" by Talent can be passed?
Someone suggest a simple trick before copying the MDV. Something to do
with creating a blank file name.
Is it possible?

Well, I cracked West many years ago to allow me to offer it for re-sale (as I have the rights to distribute this program).

However, from memory I am not sure that the new version fits on a microdrive (or at least I could not format one to enough sectors!)

So you cracked it.
Well, i just want to copy on an original microdrive cartridge of WEST using another original cartridge (i have two original cartridges of this game) because i accidentally formatted the first one.
Please, can you help me telling me how you cracked it?
Many thanks in advance.
Regards.

[RWAP]

Sorry, I can't divulge trade secrets - it is nothing to do with missing files, I had to patch the main executable itself - plus it was so many years ago now that I forget!

You should not have any problems with using one of your existing masters as a key cartridge for some time to come.

The other option is to purchase a fresh copy on microdrive from me for £5 plus postage and hopefully, I will be able to get it to fit on the cartridge!