How to convert a "protected game" on a .dsk to files I can move from dsk to dsk?

[cwpab]

Hello,

How to convert a "protected game" on a .dsk to files I can move from dsk to dsk?

Examples:
- Gryzor + Combat School demo.dsk.
- Tank Command (I found a cracked version of this one but the hud has some errors)
- etc.

I know you can copy the dsk into another dsk using copy paste.

I know you can make that operation on discology too.

But how can you write on that .dsk?

How can you extract the files from it as normal files so you can put them on a normal dsk with several games on it?

Thanks in advance once more 

[TFM]

Well, if you ever find out, then you can call yourself proudly a cracker!

Meanwhile I can only tell you that there is no general solution.

Now, get an disassembler and get the deconding started... good luck!

[arnoldemu]

But How can you write on that .dsk?

How can you extract the files from it as normal files so you can put them on a normal dsk with several games on it?

Thanks in advance once more 

You need to know z80 assembler and have an understanding of the cpc's hardware.
Then you need to transfer the data into files - each program may be different, so you can't always use the same method.
Next you need to modify the code so that you can use the firmware to load data. The problem comes is that games like to use all ram, firmware needs some ram reserved.
So you need to copy data to a temporary area, enable firmware, load file, and copy it back again.
Once you have done this a few times, you get quick at doing it.

I've done it for cassette to disc transfers.

[tastefulmrship]

Here's a little "guide" I did to show how easy it is to convert non-standard cassette games to disc using an emulator rather than real hardware. The game in question was Sorcery.
Best pac-man

(It carries on to the next post)


EDIT: That isn't a definitive guide to game conversion as a lot of devious protection systems (Speedlock, etc) require a little more work before you can "crack" them... however, most of them use the IX and DE registers to count-down the loading process, so you can capture data by periodically pausing the loading (via F7 on WinAPE) and checking to see how far it is. Then, using the method described, just copy the chunk of data to a new assembler window and restore it to the CPC memory.

[redbox]

EDIT: That isn't a definitive guide to game conversion as a lot of devious protection systems (Speedlock, etc) require a little more work before you can "crack" them... however, most of them use the IX and DE registers to count-down the loading process, so you can capture data by periodically pausing the loading (via F7 on WinAPE) and checking to see how far it is. Then, using the method described, just copy the chunk of data to a new assembler window and restore it to the CPC memory.

Although technically I would describe this as cheating (in the world of old-school cracking, that is), it's an ingenious use of an emulator 

[Gryzor]

Why would you do that? Unless you mean you need a tutorial on cracking (tut-tut!), in which case the question is awkwardly phrased. If you're just asking how to copy multiple games onto a single disk, why not get hold of already cracked titles and use the File copy option of Discology?

[AMSDOS]

Xexor Source Code? -> http://www.winape.net/downloads.jsp

[tastefulmrship]

Although technically I would describe this as cheating (in the world of old-school cracking, that is), it's an ingenious use of an emulator 

I always prefer the sneaky, cheaty method of doing things rather than the proper method! ^_^