How to unprotect a E.C.A. disk without knowing a word of machine language
You need one of these utilities cartridges (they are very diffused)
- action replay (any version)
- niki cartridge (any version)
- I did not tested but i think that any freeze/utility cartridge might do the work well
First of all make a backup copy of your ECA disk with a "lame" copy program that means a program dull enough to make the mistake of reading a track with a error "21" (if you have speeddos with <15 sec track copy> you should see an "H" error on track 2) and writing a softer one ( 15 sec: a "?" error type).
Do not use 15 sec, it reads the disk rightly and is unable to write that kind of error; use it only to scan the floppy.
Programs killed:
- Skyfox 2
- Chuck Yeager's advanced flight simulator
- Demon Stalkers
I found only "Arcticfox" using a diffent kind of protection... if you have this program delete this file as it's not useful with it.
How to work
- Set your cartridge in "configure memory" (action replay) or similar options for other types
- load the original program as usual (load"*",8,1)
- Study one or more times how the program loads; you should note:
- the creating of the E.C.A. logo and the simultaneous switching off of 1541's read/error led (meaning: end of loading of a file)
- a flash of 1541's read/error led (meaning: found an error)
- again the switching off of this led (meaning: end of file like before)
- after pausing for a little 1541 then start to load the very program (color cycling of logo and so on)
- YOU MUST PRESS THE "FREEZE" BUTTON AT c) POINT
- use the option "backup"
- save your file to a floppy disk DIFFERENT from the one you have made the "dull" copy
- crunch your file (optional)
How to load
- load your freezed file WITHOUT RUNNING IT
- put the "dull" copy in 1541
- give the usual "run" to the system (i'm not sure if fastloads are well accepted from the very program, so if you find problems try not to use fastloads of any type)
ONLY ONE NOTE:
As I have heard, one file is enough for many programs, so you don't need to do all this work for every E.C.A. program.
This kind of work is useful for other programs, too.
Try with:
- Pool of Radiance ( no more boring codes )
- The muncher and other Gremlin games (like Dinasty wars)
- FREEZE POINT: starting of very program (options screen)
Note for Amiga users:
I used this tecnique to load programs that my kickstart refused ( running and freezing on friend's amiga).
DMC Venice. (Italy)
