Re: [Ql-Users] Copying files from QL to PC
Here is what I did; I wrote it so that hopefully even someone in my situation (i.e. pretty clueless on QL tech aspects) would be able to get results. I am not a regular QL user; but I am very fond of my QL, and occasionally fire it up to remember how things were. It was the first *real* computer I ever owned. Just as a reminder, I have a QL that I haven't used since the late eighties when I was a teenager. It is a plain QL with no fancy bits and pieces that have come along since, like floppy drives, toolkit II's (whatever that is), gold cards, etc. I also have about thirty microdrives with old files I'd created as well as some commercial games with considerable sentimental value to me. A lot of these cartridges are on their last legs, and I wanted to get the files off and onto a PC where they will be safe, and I can run them on an emulator; I can't say that I miss that QL keyboard! And I wanted to do this using just a serial cable; what followed was hours and hours of frustration (well, if I'm honest, I actually I quite enjoyed it, as all those QL memories came flooding back...). I will not cover the usage of QemuLator as it already includes excellent documentation. There are three steps. 1. Connecting the hardware 2. Getting sofware onto the QL that will allow us to copy files back to the PC (i.e. QemuLator) without losing header information. 3. Copying the actual files from the QL to the PC. 1. Hardware setup This is what I used: - My original QL, microdrive cartridges, etc - Windows XP laptop with QemuLator v.2.5 installed - Serial cable to link the two together (like the one here: www.thesinclairshop.com/PDF/sinclairserialadaptor.pdf) I did not have to change anything with com port settings on the PC, or change any of the defaults on QemuLator. My laptop has one physical COM port which is the usual DB9 male connection and is seen as COM1 by XP. I connected one end of the cable to the PC's COM port, and the other to the SER1 port on the QL. Connectivity can be tested by typing at the QL copy ser1 to scr_ the QL's flashing cursor will disappear as the command runs and waits for data on the SER1 port. On the QL, type the following open #4,ser1 print #4,Test You should see the word Test appear in QemuLator still on the QL, type close #4 In QemuLator, press ctrl-space, the cursor should reappear. A not complete message also appears (this message will appear later when we transfer files and press ctrl-space, but can be ignored as the files DO transfer correctly). 2. Getting the program to use for copying over to the QL The first thing we need to do is copy the MdvToWin program (which is supplied with QemuLator) from the PC to the QL and fix it so that it works. This program can then be used to transfer files from the QL back to QemuLator, correctly preserving them. So first, we set up an mdv1_ on QemuLator which holds the MdvToWin_exe file. On the QL, place a writeable microdrive cartridge with free space in mdv1_ To copy from the QL to QemuLator I did not have any problems with defaults ( I believe the default rate is 9600 bps); however, I could not copy TO the QL if I didn't bring this down to 1200, so on both the QL and QemuLator, type BAUD 1200 (there is no confirmation message from this command) On QemuLator, type copy mdv1_MdvToWin_exe to ser1 (the cursor stops flashing) on the QL, type copy ser1 to mdv1_MdvToWin_exe the microdrive will whirr into life as the file is transferred. You will know when the file transfer has completed, because a cursor will start flashing on QemuLator, and then the QL microdrive will stop; at this point hit ctrl-enter on the QL. We now have the MdvToWin_exe on mdv1_ on the QL, but it won't run, because it's header has been lost (thanks Dilwyn for your explanations on this), so it needs to be recovered the first thing we need to to know is the length of the mdvtowin_exe file in bytes. We can get this by right-clicking on the file in Windows and bringing up its properties. For the version I used, it was 1058 bytes. Taking this number, on the QemuLator, we type print alchp(1058) which (for me at least) displays a result 169220 we then take these two numbers and on the QL we type lbytes mdv1_MdvToWin_exe,169220 sexec mdv1_mdvtowin,169220,1058,10240 The mdvtowin file is the new file which WILL execute correctly, and is saved to mdv1_ by the above command. I don't know what the 10240 is, but (for me at least), it all works. On the QL, type exec_w mdv1_mdvtowin and you should get a program running with a title of MDV - Q-emulator for Windows 95 We can now use this executable to transfer files from the QL to the PC (QemuLator) 3. Now to copy a file from a QL microdrive to QemuLator. Restart the QL and the QemuLator. This is to set the baud rate back to 9600, and get everything to a standard state. As an example I have a file on mdv1_ on the QL called index_dbf, which I want to
Re: [Ql-Users] Copying files from QL to PC
Thank you John. This will be a very useful document for others trying to achieve what you did, hopefully without the trial and error and frustration you experienced. I agree wholeheartedly with what you say about QemuLator. My main system is a QPC2 emulator which I use for day to day QL work, although I also have a QemuLator on this PC for when I want to run software which won't run on QPC2, or when I need to quickly test something on an original Sinclair ROM version. The Toolkit II you mentioned is a rom of extensions for the QL. It adds a lot of useful new and revised keywords to the QL basic and improves the network of a Sinclair QL. Once you've used a system with Toolkit 2, it's awkward going back to a 'bare' QL system without it. It was included in many floppy disk interface systems over the years. These days you can even install it as a back eprom image in QemuLator. If you haven't got Toolkit II on your system, you can get a copy for emulators from my website. -- Dilwyn Jones - Original Message - From: aup...@dsl.pipex.com To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Saturday, June 06, 2009 8:39 AM Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] Copying files from QL to PC Here is what I did; I wrote it so that hopefully even someone in my situation (i.e. pretty clueless on QL tech aspects) would be able to get results. I am not a regular QL user; but I am very fond of my QL, and occasionally fire it up to remember how things were. It was the first *real* computer I ever owned. Just as a reminder, I have a QL that I haven't used since the late eighties when I was a teenager. It is a plain QL with no fancy bits and pieces that have come along since, like floppy drives, toolkit II's (whatever that is), gold cards, etc. I also have about thirty microdrives with old files I'd created as well as some commercial games with considerable sentimental value ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] RECOL
Dilwyn Jones wrote: RECOL #0,0,1,2,3,4,5,6,0 turns white to blue instead of black RECOL #0,0,1,2,3,4,5,6,2 turns white to magenta instead of red RECOL #0,0,1,2,3,4,5,6,4 turns white to cyan instead of green RECOL #0,0,1,2,3,4,5,6,6 turns white to white instead of yellow and so on. Anybody got any ideas what's going on? Congratulations, you've found a bug that has been in SMSQ/E since probably the introduction of GD2 ;-), i.e. quite a while. The test that checks if the machine is in mode 4 or mode 8 doesn't work, it's basically pure chance what it chooses. Using the mode 4 recolour code in mode 8 then results in the effects you've experienced. Phew, I thought I'd been doing something wrong! Well, perhaps I was, in using MODE 8 to start with! Actually, I was updating an old program of mine for knitting patterns, which loads mode 8 pictures and converts them into knitting patterns by counting the number of pixels of each colour and mapping those onto wool colours. The RECOL statement was used to show what the picture would look like in other wool colours. Is this RECOL bug something which might get updated in time, or is MODE 8 redundant as far as you are concerned? -- Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Copying files from QL to PC
Hello 'pipex' John I'm not currently seeking to emulate your process; but never say never! Thank you for setting out everything so clearly. It is all now in my tech. archive. Good to read that, yet again, the old QL is spreading serendipity. I think I can safely say that we all join Dilwyn in praise of TKII. Happy emulatin' John in Wales ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Commercial game copy protection mechanisms
Hi, I wonder if I might impose once again and request some more help? After recently transferring some files from microdrive to QemuLator, I am having problems getting a commercial game working. The game is called Wanderer and was produced by a company called Pyramide. On the real QL, a quick check is run on the original cartridge when the game is loaded (from a copy), and if it is not there the QL reboots. In QemuLator, all eight mdv lights light up and it also reboots, when it does the check for the real mdv. I used the included (in QemuLator) mdvtowin_exe program to transfer the file from the original, and I believe this program is supposed to remove some forms of copy protection. I don't know whether this game is failing to run on QemuLator because it just won't work on QemuLator or because the copy-protection is kicking in. Is there any documentation out there that explains how this copy protection might work and how it might be circumvented; or does anyone know if I can get hold of this game in some other way? I was playing around with the disassembler on QemuLator, and am prepared to spend time working on this - do you think removing the protection is an achievable aim (I have some programming knowledge, and a basic grasp of assembly language, but very little knowledge of the QL and its hardware), or will I just be wasting my time? The original mdv is failing to read correctly more and more often and I don't think it will last much longer; so any help would be much appreciated. Thanks for any suggestions, John P.S. Is there a quick way that I can tell which ROM version is in my QL? -- - Visit Pipex Business: The homepage for UK Small Businesses Go to http://www.pipex.co.uk/business-services ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Commercial game copy protection mechanisms
aup...@dsl.pipex.com wrote, On 6/06/09 14:19: P.S. Is there a quick way that I can tell which ROM version is in my QL? print ver$ Tony -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:257/67) +44(0)1442-828255 t...@firshman.co.uk http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Commercial game copy protection mechanisms
Try to look for QLone from Ultrasoft or Locksmithe from ZitaSoft (Steve Jones). Locksmithe is a bit better if the copy protection goes a step beyond the MDV magic number. The most worst protection mechanism is in software from Talent. No chance without detailled knowledge in machine code. BTW: Pyramide has released a Toolkit Nucleon, which also contains a mechanism (for the user, not as a protection for the software itself) to protect MDV (and it works...surprise..surprise...also on disks) at machine code level. Maybe they have also used it for their games. Wanderer 3D is written in machine code (AFAIK), so it might be a bit difficult to get it freed. I remember such freed versions going round in the 80s. Anyway, Wanderer 3D writes directly in the screens area for speed reasons on the QL and maybe do some other dirty things like disabling the interrupts etc. So it might be better, to use it on a QL. Ralf Hi, I wonder if I might impose once again and request some more help? After recently transferring some files from microdrive to QemuLator, I am having problems getting a commercial game working. The game is called Wanderer and was produced by a company called Pyramide. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Commercial game copy protection mechanisms
;-)) Quite right. From: Tony Firshman Surely it is Locksmythe? ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Commercial game copy protection mechanisms
I seem to remember from years ago that the protection systems using the FORMAT random number (the cartridge fingerprint) can be re-created on a new microdrive cartridge with a POKE_W to the relevant system variable (probably the 'random number seed' ) just before a FORMAT command. As I haven't got technical info to hand at the moment, I can't remember the details, though I think it might be sv_rand (in QDOS terminology) at offset $2E in the system variables. No doubt if my memory is as bad as usual someone will correct me! -- Dilwyn Jones - Original Message - From: Ralf Reköndt ralf.rekoe...@t-online.de To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Saturday, June 06, 2009 3:25 PM Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] Commercial game copy protection mechanisms Try to look for QLone from Ultrasoft or Locksmithe from ZitaSoft (Steve Jones). Locksmithe is a bit better if the copy protection goes a step beyond the MDV magic number. The most worst protection mechanism is in software from Talent. No chance without detailled knowledge in machine code. BTW: Pyramide has released a Toolkit Nucleon, which also contains a mechanism (for the user, not as a protection for the software itself) to protect MDV (and it works...surprise..surprise...also on disks) at machine code level. Maybe they have also used it for their games. Wanderer 3D is written in machine code (AFAIK), so it might be a bit difficult to get it freed. I remember such freed versions going round in the 80s. Anyway, Wanderer 3D writes directly in the screens area for speed reasons on the QL and maybe do some other dirty things like disabling the interrupts etc. So it might be better, to use it on a QL. Ralf Hi, I wonder if I might impose once again and request some more help? After recently transferring some files from microdrive to QemuLator, I am having problems getting a commercial game working. The game is called Wanderer and was produced by a company called Pyramide. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Commercial game copy protection mechanisms
Yes, but there are few commercial programs, which use this later than 1984-85 (apart from the Sinclair Software Production Kit utility, written by Tony Tebby). A lot came later with own protection versions, including using marked bad sectors on MDV, a few with sectors filled on the Sinclair Spectrum. Or ask Jochen about his Card Games on Disk, which were delivered as a One-side-QL-Disk but formatted on side 2 on Spectrum and read special sectors. Clever boy, he. Also, some used marked bad sectors, which weren't really bad but included special values. One of the worst one was QL.Pawn, which used a very heavy way of protection, also installed an own Operating System at Start-up. As far as I know, this one was only freed by an italian guy. Always notable by an additional file called 0815. Very ironically. Also Tankbusters was greatly protected. But MC...always searchable. Good QL.Monitor(s)...;-)). Ralf - Original Message - From: Dilwyn Jones I seem to remember from years ago that the protection systems using the FORMAT random number (the cartridge fingerprint) can be re-created on a new microdrive cartridge with a POKE_W to the relevant system variable (probably the 'random number seed' ) just before a FORMAT command. As I haven't got technical info to hand at the moment, I can't remember the details, though I think it might be sv_rand (in QDOS terminology) at offset $2E in the system variables. No doubt if my memory is as bad as usual someone will correct me! -- Dilwyn Jones - Original Message - From: Ralf Reköndt ralf.rekoe...@t-online.de To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Saturday, June 06, 2009 3:25 PM Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] Commercial game copy protection mechanisms Try to look for QLone from Ultrasoft or Locksmithe from ZitaSoft (Steve Jones). Locksmithe is a bit better if the copy protection goes a step beyond the MDV magic number. The most worst protection mechanism is in software from Talent. No chance without detailled knowledge in machine code. BTW: Pyramide has released a Toolkit Nucleon, which also contains a mechanism (for the user, not as a protection for the software itself) to protect MDV (and it works...surprise..surprise...also on disks) at machine code level. Maybe they have also used it for their games. Wanderer 3D is written in machine code (AFAIK), so it might be a bit difficult to get it freed. I remember such freed versions going round in the 80s. Anyway, Wanderer 3D writes directly in the screens area for speed reasons on the QL and maybe do some other dirty things like disabling the interrupts etc. So it might be better, to use it on a QL. Ralf Hi, I wonder if I might impose once again and request some more help? After recently transferring some files from microdrive to QemuLator, I am having problems getting a commercial game working. The game is called Wanderer and was produced by a company called Pyramide. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Commercial game copy protection mechanisms
I possibly have the widest selection of programs with the copy-protection removed. However, I have never seen a cracked version of QL Pawn. The initial cartridge was always easy to crack - oddly however, it loaded most of the game/operating system from specific sectors on the second cartridge (if you DIR it, it appears to be blank) - however, the original cartridge included a useful CLONE program to make as many copies as you needed of that second cartridge!! It just means that you could never get it to run from disk! Rich Ralf Reköndt wrote: Yes, but there are few commercial programs, which use this later than 1984-85 (apart from the Sinclair Software Production Kit utility, written by Tony Tebby). A lot came later with own protection versions, including using marked bad sectors on MDV, a few with sectors filled on the Sinclair Spectrum. Or ask Jochen about his Card Games on Disk, which were delivered as a One-side-QL-Disk but formatted on side 2 on Spectrum and read special sectors. Clever boy, he. Also, some used marked bad sectors, which weren't really bad but included special values. One of the worst one was QL.Pawn, which used a very heavy way of protection, also installed an own Operating System at Start-up. As far as I know, this one was only freed by an italian guy. Always notable by an additional file called 0815. Very ironically. Also Tankbusters was greatly protected. But MC...always searchable. Good QL.Monitor(s)...;-)). Ralf - Original Message - From: Dilwyn Jones I seem to remember from years ago that the protection systems using the FORMAT random number (the cartridge fingerprint) can be re-created on a new microdrive cartridge with a POKE_W to the relevant system variable (probably the 'random number seed' ) just before a FORMAT command. As I haven't got technical info to hand at the moment, I can't remember the details, though I think it might be sv_rand (in QDOS terminology) at offset $2E in the system variables. No doubt if my memory is as bad as usual someone will correct me! -- Rich Mellor RWAP Services URL:http://www.rwapsoftware.co.uk URL:http://www.rwapservices.co.uk ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Commercial game copy protection mechanisms
Yes, I know. Maybe this 2nd cartridgr was either formated by Magnetic Scrolls own OS or by this special 68k card from GST. Who knows...? They know, why they included esp. THAT CLONE...;-) Ralf - Original Message - From: Rich Mellor However, I have never seen a cracked version of QL Pawn. The initial cartridge was always easy to crack - oddly however, it loaded most of the game/operating system from specific sectors on the second cartridge (if you DIR it, it appears to be blank) - however, the original cartridge included a useful CLONE program to make as many copies as you needed of that second cartridge!! ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Copying files from QL to PC
The manual explanation is pretty clear (even mentions 'directory-type devices'), but IMO the examples are confusing. One example advises to use COPY_N to copy to SER without headers, while using COPY seems to have the same end effect. Another example uses COPY for NET and doesn't mention headers being lost (not 100% sure, but I don't think NET preserves them). Daniele Date: Fri, 5 Jun 2009 00:50:16 +0200 From: ql-us...@mail.kilgus.net To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] Copying files from QL to PC Daniele Terdina wrote: [The QL User Manual implies that COPY also copies the headers, as there is a COPY_N command to copy without headers, but it doesn't seem to work that way] Well, COPY does copy the header if it can, i.e. if the target device supports headers. If not, it behaves exactly like COPY_N. Headers never become part of the data stream. Marcel ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm _ Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync. http://windowslive.com/explore?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_BR_life_in_synch_062009 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Commercial game copy protection mechanisms
The game is called Wanderer and was produced by a company called Pyramide. Hello John, I think Wanderer should work with Q-emuLator if you used the mdvtowin_exe utility to transfer the copy protection as you did. Make sure you set the RAM to 128 KB. If it still doesn't work, please send me the Wanderer files you transferred to your PC and I can take a look at what may be wrong. Thank you, Daniele _ Windows Live™ SkyDrive™: Get 25 GB of free online storage. http://windowslive.com/online/skydrive?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_SD_25GB_062009 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Commercial game copy protection mechanisms
The original mdv is failing to read correctly more and more often and I don't think it will last much longer; so any help would be much appreciated. I have a program for MDV backup. In some cases it can also recover unreliable cartridges (it tries to read the data harder than COPY). If interested, please contact me privately. Daniele _ Insert movie times and more without leaving Hotmail®. http://windowslive.com/Tutorial/Hotmail/QuickAdd?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_Tutorial_QuickAdd_062009 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Commercial game copy protection mechanisms
Expresso Coppee? - Original Message - From: Daniele Terdina I have a program for MDV backup. In some cases it can also recover unreliable cartridges (it tries to read the data harder than COPY). ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Commercial game copy protection mechanisms
No, it's a (probably similar) sector copy utilty that I wrote to backup my original Psion Chess microdrive. Daniele From: ralf.rekoe...@t-online.de To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Date: Sat, 6 Jun 2009 20:44:42 +0200 Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] Commercial game copy protection mechanisms Expresso Coppee? - Original Message - From: Daniele Terdina I have a program for MDV backup. In some cases it can also recover unreliable cartridges (it tries to read the data harder than COPY). ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm _ Lauren found her dream laptop. Find the PC that’s right for you. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/choosepc/?ocid=ftp_val_wl_290 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Commercial game copy protection mechanisms
Ralf, If you have a disk copy of QL Pawn, I would be really interested - I have an original microdrive version, but alas it is no longer readable! Rich Ralf Reköndt wrote: Hmm...just search your MDVs to 0815...;-)). As far as I remindI have a disk version! But do not know, if it run on others than native QL. Ralf - Original Message - From: Rich Mellor However, I have never seen a cracked version of QL Pawn. The initial cartridge was always easy to crack - oddly however, it loaded most of the game/operating system from specific sectors on the second cartridge (if you DIR it, it appears to be blank) - however, the original cartridge included a useful CLONE program to make as many copies as you needed of that second cartridge!! It just means that you could never get it to run from disk! ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm -- Rich Mellor RWAP Services URL:http://www.rwapsoftware.co.uk URL:http://www.rwapservices.co.uk ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Commercial game copy protection mechanisms
aup...@dsl.pipex.com wrote: I was playing around with the disassembler on QemuLator, and am prepared to spend time working on this - do you think removing the protection is an achievable aim (I have some programming knowledge, and a basic grasp of assembly language, but very little knowledge of the QL and its hardware), or will I just be wasting my time? It is definitely achievable if somebody has the time and motivation, especially as I expect the QemuLator debugger to basically behave like an ICE and not being affected by any anti-debugging tricks. It is highly unlikely that the program includes its own MDV access code, so the entries to the MDV vectors might be a good starting point. Marcel ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
