A lot of mdv programs are protected via the "Software produktion kit" (SPK) from sinclair, checking the "magic number" from an mdv.
The SPK (written by Tony Tebby) uses a keyword "PROT" to format an mdv with the magic number of the original mdv during the copying process. It is interesting to know, that this protection mechanismus also worked on floppies, even noone had used it (as far as I know). I have successfully transferred a few SPK protected mdv to flp, so that they read the magic number from flp instead from mdv. This works under QL with an SQB connected. If it does work on SMSQ/E, I don't know. Unfortunately, a lot of software (usually non "sinclair-branded" ones) on mdv uses very different protection mechanisms. "The Pawn" (Magnetic Scrolls) linked an own OS into the QL an switches QDOS off, "Tankbusters" and most "Talent" games had very hard mechanisms. I know (from one author), that Talent has given their mechanism to the authors to put it into the code. As far as I know, there should be no program, which wasn't "freed" during the time 8^). Beside the both mentioned programs, there was also "QLone+" from Ultrasoft, which was also able to copy mdv programs, which read the "magic number" in formatting a new cartridge with the same number. Cheers...Ralf R. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Phoebus R. Dokos (Φοίβος Ρ. Ντόκος)" Sent: Friday, January 06, 2006 11:56 PM Subject: Re: [ql-users] Extracting QL Programmes from Microdrive to PC > Ben, > If you have protected cartridges that cannot be modified/copied with > 4matter/Locksmith -and/or- you cannot get ahold of a copy, these programs > won't work nowhere but QemuLator. QemuLator includes a special program > that you run on your QL with disk drives (which you do not have but > Karsten may) that will transfer a complete image to use in QemuLator. _______________________________________________ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
