Hot to unprotect & backup microdrive cartridge software

[Saltor66]

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.

Yes, please, if it is not too much trouble for you.
It would be great.

[Saltor66]

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 remember that also machine code routines could be typed as a series of poke commands. Am i wrong?

[M68008]

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.

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$

Let me know if it works well for you!

[Saltor66]

Many thanks!
I tried but unfortunately it didn't work.

[Saltor66]

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))
?

[M68008]

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_)

[Saltor66]

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_)

It prints an unreadable character.
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?

[M68008]

If you invert the drives, in addition to lines 100, 110 and 180 you shoulld also change line 130 (from <>1 to <>2).

[Saltor66]

It works!
I don't know how to thank you.
Many thanks.