The Sinclair QL Forum

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.

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

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

vanpeebles wrote: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?

Saltor66 wrote:

vanpeebles wrote: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).

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?

Saltor66 wrote: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!)

RWAP wrote:

Saltor66 wrote: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.

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!

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 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.