| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 2392.1 | no luck with Dungeon Master | FSCORE::KAYE | He who dies with the most toys is dead | Mon Mar 27 1989 16:44 | 4 |
| I tried to make a backup of Dungeon Master, but it always fails
on destination track 0. I tried all the modes??
mark
|
| 2392.2 | | CSOA1::LEN | David M. Len | Mon Mar 27 1989 17:17 | 3 |
| You might have to read the documentation :-). If you select the
parameter copy there is a list of program disks that it specifically
knowes. And "Dungeon Master" is in the list.
|
| 2392.3 | used DM parameter | FSCORE::KAYE | He who dies with the most toys is dead | Mon Mar 27 1989 20:47 | 4 |
| Yes, i picked DM from the parameter list, but it doesn't work. Track
0 and i tried booting it and it hangs at the FTL logo...
mark
|
| 2392.4 | | TCC::HEFFEL | Pigs and Ponies | Mon Mar 27 1989 22:31 | 11 |
| It's nifty. All of you old timers who have Shanghai, and Mean
18, and haven't bothered playing them recently since you couldn't put them
on your hard disk, Nib is for you. I've got both of those guys
on my HD now. I've always loved both of them, since they're so well
behaved. I can play 18 holes while I'm downloading something.
Thanks, Richard, for uploading.
That author is going to get $16 from me.
Gary
|
| 2392.5 | | CSC32::J_PARSONS | All Ryche's Reserved! | Tue Mar 28 1989 08:52 | 2 |
| I was skeptical at first, but after about 5 tries it finally
(apparently) backed up my copy of Dungeon Master.
|
| 2392.6 | | CSOA1::LEN | David M. Len | Tue Mar 28 1989 09:40 | 4 |
|
re .3
The parameter copy did work on my copy of Dungeon Master.
|
| 2392.7 | very nice copier | BAGELS::BRANNON | Dave Brannon | Tue Mar 28 1989 12:42 | 6 |
| re:.6
didn't work for me either. What did work was the parameter to
copy nibble + index format.
-dave
|
| 2392.8 | Different Copy Protection? | TLE::RMEYERS | Randy Meyers | Wed Mar 29 1989 21:18 | 10 |
| Re: .3, .7
In order to defeat copy protection software, some titles are released
in two or three variants that use different copy protection schemes.
So, it may be that half the DM disks can be backed up using one scheme,
but other half of the DM disks can only be backed up using another scheme.
Many software manufacturers change the copy protection scheme every time
they release a new bugfix version of the software ("fixed the 'saved game'
bug"), or do another manufacturing run of the software.
|
| 2392.9 | nib & aunt artic? | MAMIE::LEIMBERGER | | Wed Apr 26 1989 07:05 | 3 |
| Has anyone used NIB to backup Aunt Artic?
bill
|
| 2392.10 | FALCONisk 1 | FRAIS2::ZIMMERMANN | NCP> DEF MOD WORK DEST NL: | Tue May 16 1989 03:17 | 6 |
| Hi,
has anybody tried to backup FALCON ? I got always a copy-error on
the first track. Of course i select Falcon Disk 1 of the parameter-list
Ralf
====
|
| 2392.11 | | LEDS::ACCIARDI | | Tue May 16 1989 09:28 | 6 |
|
Nib copied Falcon Disk 1 just fine for me, and even removed the
codewheel protection.
Ed.
|
| 2392.12 | LONG TRACKS ??? | FRAIS2::ZIMMERMANN | NCP> DEF MOD WORK DEST NL: | Fri May 19 1989 13:13 | 9 |
| The Salesperson in the shop told me something about a
"LONG TRACK COPY-PROTECTION" mechanism
Whats that ???
Nib's Track-Display changed it's colour from blue to red during
the copy - and went to track 1. (track 0 causes the "problems"
Ralf
====
|
| 2392.13 | it >>doesn't<< work for me! | GIDDAY::LAWSON | | Mon Jun 05 1989 04:57 | 10 |
| I bought DM just three short weeks ago. when I tried to backup via NIB
(parameter or index nibble etc) it comes up with the red highlight on
cyl zero. I dont have the results with me but I recollect that the
number of bytes in the sector seemed to be slightly more than the "max"
bytes per sector. I guess that this says that I have to live with long
track copy protection!
Any suggestions as to how to get around this??
glenn
|
| 2392.14 | Look at bootblock | FRAMBO::BALZER | Christian Balzer DTN:785-1029 | Mon Jun 05 1989 05:25 | 8 |
|
What I found out is that Nib inserted a custom graphics bootblock
on that DM copy. Since DM checks for its bootblock it didn't work.
When I copied the block (using DiskX, Sectorama, etc.) it worked.
Sorta flawkey, but it at least booted through...
Regards,
<CB>
|
| 2392.16 | This <<didn't>> work for me either | GIDDAY::LAWSON | | Thu Jun 08 1989 00:56 | 19 |
| re: .14
I tried DiskX (v2.0) last night but couldn't get it to go....
The steps were:-
go to block zero
save the block to a file (tried ram: and df1:. this worked
in that I could view the file and it did look like block zero)
Tried various permutations (but obviously not the right one) of
"restoring" the file to Df1: (where my recipient DM was), but
could not end up with DF1: block zero looking like df0: block
zero.
I have done something wrong....but what? I have no documentation or
instructions on DiskX. This is also my first experience of "on disk"
hacking, so please acccept my apols. if I've done something stupid.
Glenn
|
| 2392.17 | don't write to a file... | FRAMBO::BALZER | Christian Balzer DTN:785-1029 | Fri Jun 09 1989 06:38 | 7 |
|
There should be "some" documentation along DiskX, at least that
was the case with the DiskX on a Fish disk.
Anyway, you don't save the block to a file, but write it directly
to the other disk.
I'll try to give you step by step description on monday.
|
| 2392.18 | instructions for DISKX??? | GIDDAY::LAWSON | | Mon Jun 19 1989 05:51 | 6 |
| I copied the diskx zoo file out of ff071 on "tape". The documentation was
sadly lacking any driving instructions. Got a copy of SECTORAMA and a
thing called "SAFEBOOT" from a recent fish disk. I'll try both and
advise on the result.
Glenn
|
| 2392.19 | "NIB"/"Safeboot" combo works | GIDDAY::LAWSON | | Tue Jun 20 1989 19:10 | 16 |
| re: .14 Thanks Christian.
I used a NIB/SAFEBOOT combination and it worked. (safeboot is available
on one of the later fish disks on TAPE:: ...Thanks guys for the
uploads.)
The technique:
1. Save the boot block using safeboot.
2. Do a NIB "parameter copy" (everything will copy except the boot
block)
3. ensure that your recipient is labeled "Dungeonmaster"
4. restore the boot block to the recipient via SAFEBOOT.
The added plus is that you will end up with a copy of the boot block
which could be useful in a virus attack.
|
| 2392.20 | NIB/Safeboot....sort of! | GIDDAY::LAWSON | | Sun Jun 25 1989 20:24 | 11 |
| re: .19
Well.....It boots, and it does play! But then it doesn't allow me to
SAVE does it? I guess that I'm no better off, cause now I've got to re
insert the distribution disk.
The next step ought to be to do a disk to disk image comparison. Is
there a suitable utility on the net, and if there is, where can I find
it?
Glenn
|
| 2392.21 | SimCity copy boots funny | WJG::GUINEAU | | Mon Jun 26 1989 09:48 | 8 |
|
Did anyone notice the strange (actually rather nice looking) behaviour
of SimCity when copied using NIB/Star Racer parameter?
When you boot the the copy disk, neat shades of blue horizontal lines
emanate from the center of the screen anw scroll to the top and bottom...
John
|
| 2392.22 | Nice, but BAD! | FRAMBO::BALZER | Christian Balzer DTN:785-1029 | Mon Jun 26 1989 10:01 | 11 |
|
Re: -1
Well, that's exactly what I was talking about in .11, John.
I certainly don't like a copy program that inserts such "neatos"
at free will. And I didn't start complaining about the naughty things
it does to the copper...
Regards,
<CB>
|
| 2392.23 | Oh. | WJG::GUINEAU | | Mon Jun 26 1989 10:06 | 5 |
|
Sorry CB, I hadn't followed this note too closely. The graphics *are* neat,
but I agree, I don't like a copy program putting in it's 2�.
John
|
| 2392.24 | Then there was sound in the night... | DNEAST::SEELEY_BOB | | Mon Jun 26 1989 12:37 | 10 |
| I've recently (finally) gotten a second floppy and decided to try
NIB out last night. Pretty nifty. I was a little curious about
the overwhelming drive noise generated at the last step before the
copy completed message came up. It sounded like the stepper motor
was about to jump out of the top of my 500 (reminiscent of the movie
Alien). It really scared the Hell out of me. Does anyone know whether
the drive (it sounded like the source drive) is being damaged by the
violent sounding action at that time? I don't think that I'm the only
one with two floppies who must have noticed this.
|
| 2392.25 | Mine worked just fine | LOWLIF::DAVIS | That's not a BUG, it's a FEATURE! | Mon Jun 26 1989 23:47 | 8 |
| I was kinda bothered by the fact that Nib played with the boot block when I
copied Dungeon Master too. The screen freaked out a bit after the neat
graphics were over (I guess because of what it did to the copper?). Anyway,
my copy of Dungeon Master worked just fine. It let me save my game and
everything. Did FTL come out with a different copy protection on some of
the later disks, or what?
...richard
|
| 2392.26 | NIB V2.0 arrives! | BOMBE::MOORE | Eat or be eaten | Fri Feb 16 1990 05:57 | 9 |
| NIB V2.0 arrived in the mail today, as promised to shareware
contributors. It looks quite good, with 63 additional parameters,
a couple of new copy modes, even sound effects!
For those of you who have used the shareware version and might be
interested in purchasing of NIB V2, I will post in the next two replies
lists of new features and disks it claims to be able to copy...
(I consider my shareware check to Mr. Liptak well spent.)
|
| 2392.27 | New Features in NIB V2.0 | BOMBE::MOORE | Eat or be eaten | Fri Feb 16 1990 06:01 | 212 |
|
Stellar Systems, Incorporated
presents
NIB V2.0
� Copyright 1989,1990 Shawn Liptak
All Rights Reserved
distributed by
Utilities Unlimited, Incorporated
Release Date: Sun Jan 28 1990
NIB is intended for archival purposes and to ease the burden of
such copy protection schemes as "Master Disk", "Key Word", and "Code Wheel".
Software authors have the right and a necessity to make a profit on their
products. So, if you use it, then BUY it!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Utilities Unlimited, Incorporated
P.O. Box 532
North Plains, OR 97133
(503) 647-5611 24 hours a day
These Amiga products are currently available:
NIB $44.95
- The product your playin with.
SuperCard Ami $99.95
- Hardware/Software combo that should do 100% of all disk based
protection!
Super-Tracker Ami $79.95
- Digital track display that shows current head position, side,
and write protect status of selected disk drive.
Amiga 500 Repairable Power Supply $109.95
- Replacement power supply for the 500.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
STELLAR SYSTEMS, Inc. is dedicated to providing quality
software for the AMIGA series of computers. If you have quality software
that is under development or finished and you are looking for a method of
marketing it, please contact us at the address below. We can also provide
code for specific applications, such as direct disk access.
STELLAR SYSTEMS, Inc.
Attn. Software Development
P.O. Box 9047
Hampton, VA 23670-0047
If you have any questions, comments, or complaints about
STELLAR SYSTEMS or NIB, please write us at...
STELLAR SYSTEMS, Inc.
Attn. PR
P.O. Box 9047
Hampton, VA 23670-0047
Amiga and AmigaDOS are trademarks of Commodore-Amiga, Inc.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NIB
NIB was written to be an economical disk backup system. It uses a
precision disk nibbler combined with flexible parameters and a unique track
selection system. This allows it to make working copies of a variety of
protected software. The parameter system allows the copier to deprotect
many titles and also to backup some especially tough ones. NIB's speed
should be as fast as, if not faster, than competing software, and it should
operate on all Amigas with a variety of hardware configurations. NIB
requires V1.2 or later of the Amiga's operating system.
V2.0 Changes:
1- NIB no longer requires that the screen be blanked in the nibble
modes. This was the number one complaint among V1.0 users!
2- NIB V2.0 is now 100% assembly. This allowed me to add many
enhancements, features and parameters, while only slightly
increasing the size of the NIB file.
3- NIB now supports single drive copying. On a 1Meg Amiga, it will
require four disk swaps to copy an entire disk. If you have 2.5Megs,
then this can be done in only one swap.
4- A bug in the multicopy routine was fixed, so it now works correctly.
5- 63 Parameters have been added since V1.0. A complete list of the
parameters in now available in the text file "NibParam.txt".
6- Complete checksumming has been added to the ADOS copy routines.
This will ensure a 99.9% accurate copy in ADOS mode, as long as
verify is on.
7- The error log has been greatly improved. It now retains a complete
status list for each copied track, with error messages in plain
english.
8- Audio routines were added. These allow the user to turn his back
on the Amiga, while a copy is in progress, and still be notified
of errors.
9- The "Error Check" and "Edit" gadgets have been implemented. The
editor is not yet complete and only allows viewing of the data.
10- The old "Nibble" and "Index Nibble" modes have been replaced by
the new "Sync Nibble" mode. "Index Nibble" is a completely new mode.
11- Many small bugs were fixed, such as trashing one of the low memory
vectors and nibble mode timing problems.
Limitations:
NIB does not check the destination to see if it is write protected.
If it is, then you will receive verify errors in most cases. This can be
useful in certain circumstances.
When NIB loads, the default font size in your system-configuration
file must be set to 80 column mode. 60 column fonts will not be displayed
properly. This will be fixed in a future version of NIB.
When copying some copy protected programs NIB may indicate an error
on certain tracks. You can use the ERR gadget to recopy these bad tracks.
If an error is still indicated, then you should test the copy to see if
it is ok, because it may work anyway.
Software companies will change protection schemes and/or versions
of their software from time to time. In most cases the NIB parameter will
not work for the new version. A new parameter will be required for the new
version.
NIB will have problems copying some of the more heavily protected
titles on certain machines. This seems to be due to differences in disk
drives. Reversing the source and destination drives may help.
Multitasking:
NIB will multitask with most programs without problems
although there are a few things to keep in mind.
1. If your source and destination drives are the same then
NIB will attempt to read as much of the source disk as it can fit
into available memory. So, it is best to have as much memory free as
possible since a whole disk will require 2 Megs.
2. When NIB is running it takes control of all floppy drives
which makes it impossible for AmigaDOS to access the drives.
3. When NIB is copying disks it tends to be a processor hog and
will turn off multitasking for long periods of time. This will
cause other programs to run slowly or not at all.
4. If precise indexing is on and NIB is using either nibble mode, the
display will be blanked while reading or writing disk data.
Harddisk use:
NIB can easily be installed on a harddisk. You need to make a
directory for NIB and its support files such as "NibMegaGreatCopier".
This directory would contain the files NIB, NIB.info, NIB.doc, NIB.doc.info,
NibParam.txt, NibParam.txt.info, NibData.info, and the subdirectory NibData.
The subdirectory will contain the same data files that it does on floppy.
NIB references its data files through the volume name SS.NIB:, so you will
have to assign SS.NIB: to the directory containing the subdirectory NibData.
Then to start NIB from a hard disk partition named DH0: type
Assign SS.NIB: DH0:NibMegaGreatCopier
SS.NIB:NIB
If you find NIB useful, and are not a legal user, then I would urge
you to contact Utilities Unlimited for a legal copy.
Your questions and comments are welcome. If there are features
or parameters you would like to see added to NIB or problems copying
a disk please use the address below or leave me email on GEnie or "The Board".
Any opinions expressed in this file are my own, and do not necessarily
reflect the opinion of Stellar Systems Inc. or Utilities Unlimited Inc.
STELLAR SYSTEMS, Inc.
Attn. Shawn Liptak
P.O. Box 9047
Hampton, VA 23670-0047
GEnie S.Liptak1
The Board (804) 865-8773 300/1200/2400 F8N1 On an Amiga 2000, 65 Meg online
Merry Christmas,
Shawn Liptak
December 1989
|
| 2392.28 | What NIB V2.0 should be able to copy | BOMBE::MOORE | Eat or be eaten | Fri Feb 16 1990 06:04 | 200 |
| *****************************************************************************
NIB V2.0 Parameter Listing
� Copyright 1989,1990 Shawn Liptak
All rights reserved
Parameter Version 2.022
Wed Dec 20 1989
This text file may be printed for personal use.
*****************************************************************************
The following programs can be copied using the NORMAL SYNC NIBBLE
parameter. This will make an exact copy.
Archipelagos
Barbarian
Carrier Command
Chase HQ
Deep Space
Hard Drivin
Star Glider II
Stunt Car Racer
Terror Pods
*****************************************************************************
This is a list of the built in NIB 2.0 parameters.
*E Action Fighter
D Adventure Construction Set
*E After Burner Disk 1
*E After Burner Disk 2
*E Airball
*DB Alien Syndrome
E Archon
D Archon II: Adept
*D Arkanoid II
*E Aunt Arctic Adventure
D AutoDuel
*DB Axe of Rage Disk 1
*E- Baal
D M H Balance of Power
M H BattleChess Version 1
*M H BattleChess Version 2
*M H BattleHawks 1942 Disk 1
*E BattleShip
*E Battle Squadron BUG: Won't work with some drives
*M H BattleTech: Crescent Hawk
*M H BlockOut
*E- Blood Money Disk 1 and 2
D Borrowed Time
DB Bubble Ghost
DB California Games Disk 1
DB Capone
DB Captain Blood
D Captain Fizz
*DB Combat Course
D Crimson Crown
DB Dark Castle Disk 1
*DB Death Sword
D Defender of the Crown Reel 1
E H Deluxe Paint I
*DB Destroyer
DB DP Dungeon Master
M H Empire V2.03
*M H Evil Garden
*D M F-16 Combat Pilot
*DP F40 Pursuit Simulator
M F/A-18 Interceptor
M Falcon Disk 1
*M H Falcon Op: CounterStrike
*D Fernandez Must Die
*M Fiendish Freddys BTOF Disk 1
*DB Final Assault
E Financial CookBook
*DB FootMan
*E Fright Night
D Galactic Conqueror
*E- Gauntlet II
D GBA BasketBall
E GoldRunner II
*D Grand Prix Circuit BUG: Game may crash
*DB Graphics Studio
*D M H Gunship
E Hacker
D Hacker II
DB Harrier Combat Simulator
E Hole-In-One Mini Golf Disk 1
E Hybris
*E Ikari Warriors
D Impossible Mission 2
*D Incredible Shrinking Sphere
D Instant Music
*E International Soccer
*E Jug
*E Leatherneck
D Little Computer People
D Marble Madness!
D Mean 18
E- Menace
*E MicroDeal, Hit Disk V1 GR/JP
*E MicroDeal, Hit Disk V1 KKP2
D Mind Shadow
D Mission Elevator
D Music Studio
*D Netherworld
*E Nightdawn
E- Obliterator
E One on One
*DB Operation: Cleanstreets
*M H Pipe Dream
DB Platoon
*E Prison
*D Project Neptune
*M H Prospector, Mazes of Xor
*D Purple Saturn Day
*D Qix
*D Rampage
DB Read-A-Rama I
DB Read-A-Rama II
*DB Road Raider
E Rogue
*E Savage Disk 1
*E Savage Disk 2
E Seven Cities of Gold
D Shanghai
*DB Shootem Up CS, Editor(Acco)
*D Shufflepuck Cafe
*DB SimCity
DB SkyChase
DB Solitare Royale
*E Space Harrier
*D Space Port
DB Space Racer
DB Space Station Oblivion
D Street Cat Disk 1
*DB Street Sports Basketball
DB Sub Battle Simulator
*E Super Hang-On
*E Superman Disk 1 & 2
D Tass Times in ToneTown
DB Technocop
E Temple of Apshai
*E Tetra Quest
DB Tetris
D The Games, Winter Disk 1
D H The Three Stooges Reel 1
*E Thunder Blade
E Time Bandit
DB Tower Toppler
D Transylvania
D Ultima III, Exodus
M H UMS Disk 1
DB Uninvited
E Virus
DB Vyper
*DB Warlock
*E Wayne Gretzky Hockey
*DB Where In The World is CS
*D H Wizball
*D Zany Golf
E Zoom
*****************************************************************************
KEY:
* New addition since V1.0
D Deprotects (The uncopied tracks on the destination will
retain whatever data was already there.)
DB Deprotects with boot block (Same as D except NIB adds a
custom boot block to defeat protection.
Disk must be booted from or game will
crash as usual.)
DP Deprotects partially (Still has a few non-standard tracks,
but any nibbler should work.)
E Exact copy (Copy will be protected exactly like original.)
E- Exact minus long (Same as E except long tracks will be of
normal length.)
H Harddisk (Might work from harddisk. This is just an
educated guess on my part, so please don't
complain to me if you can't get it to work.
Complain to the inconsiderate folks who
wrote it!)
M Manual (Removes manual or codewheel type protection. In most
cases you will not see any protection. A
few programs require that you press `RETURN'
or `SPACE' when asked for the code.)
|
| 2392.29 | Likewise | HPSCAD::GATULIS | Frank Gatulis 297-6770 | Fri Feb 16 1990 11:57 | 18 |
|
I was also plesantly surprised to find NIB 2.0 in the mail the other
day. I thought Shawn had abandoned the project. I certainly it
money well spent.
General Info:
I personally don't care for NIB talking to me so I tried merely
removing the sound files to discover that without them, you get
the infamous "software task held" message.
I was a little disappointed that neither 1.0 or 2.0 is capable of
backing up my editions of "Hybris" or "Gretsky Hockey" yet they're
in the list.
Frank
|
| 2392.30 | Falcon 1.1 codewheel | MQOFS::LEDOUX | Reserved for Future Use | Tue May 01 1990 11:31 | 29 |
|
I finaly got my NIB 2.0 version.
It unprotected BlockOut and Falcon operation Counterstrike.
(U.S. version only). I hate to have to look for a book or a
codewheel to play. The kids always misplace them, when they
don't destroy it...
However it didn't unprotect Falcon V1.1 (disk 1).
It does unprotect V1.0 of Falcon, and if you look at what it
does on V1.0, you can do the same on the 1.1 disk.
The bit pattern is the same. (Total of 9 bytes to modify)
On 1.0 the protection code is on cyl 1 (top head) and on 1.1
it is on cyl 37 but the bits are not at the same offset.
You have to use some hex editor to find it.
I don't want to give the exact procedure in the notesfile since
some may not use it legaly.
So, basicaly there is a way to retire that old piece of... code wheel.
NIB is a good piece of software worth buying, so is Falcon.
Like -.1 said it didn't backed up Hybris.
Vince.
|
| 2392.31 | one more thing. | MQOFS::LEDOUX | Reserved for Future Use | Tue May 01 1990 12:13 | 12 |
| Oh I forgot to mention...
I did a phone order for NIB, I received a $100 hardware copier.
With the $100 bill, plus postage & handling.
I returned the whole thing so they refunded ($55) and sent me
back the right thing. It shows that at least they are honest.
They haven't refunded me the stamps required to ship it back
though.
I taught I might point that out.
Vince.
|