How do I copy(backup) a protected floppy?

[1kayaker]

If this is not a rightful subject for a thread, moderator please lock it but don't boot me off. If someone wants to communicate about this off the board email me.

I have an installation disk on CDROM that removes a file from a floppy to verify that I'm the owner of the software. The floppy is then useless unless I unistall the software from my C: at which time I'm told to reinsert the floppy and the file is moved back to it. I want to copy this floppy before I install it so that if I crash I can then reinstall my software. Diskcopy will not work. Even if "see all files" is selected in file/folder properties, I can't see what is there. Is there a way I can make a bit copy of this disk?

Semper Fi,
Phil <imkayakn@att.net>

 

[corkyg]

Never have seen a scheme like this. Please tell us what software this is so we can avoid buying it.

As far as the floppy goes, I would like to look at it in a DOS boot mode using a good DOS utility like XTree to see what is on the diskette. It would appear that the files are carrying the +H or "Hidden" attribute. If so, this can be removed.

Another approach would be to image the diskette with DriveImage or Ghost.

 

[zzzz]

try to extract the image of the floppy with winimage and write that on a new floopy.

 

[Jackhamr60504]

Maybe the disk isn't in a FAT format. Try rawrite or something similar...

 

[stndn]

how did you know it deleted some files when installing, and re-added the file when uninstalling?
you said you can't see what's in there, so how did you know the file will be added/deleted?

like others, i'd like to know what software it is, so i can try to learn about it (i mean the protection scheme)

i know you said you tried diskcopy and it didn't work ... but did you do it from real dos (boot up from floppy), or windows' version of dos (command prompt)?

interesting ....

-974-

 

[manly]

stndn,

Copy-protected floppies used to be quite common in the 1980s. Their use went away because PC Magazine mounted a successful editorial campaign heavily criticizing shrink-wrap software with annoying copy protection features. Unfortunately, the same campaign was never attempted against product activation.

I believe one common approach is that in creating the disk, a custom magnetic writer is used that can write data with a very weak signal. diskcopy will not make a true bit-by-bit copy of the floppy (I wonder if Unix dd would).

I believe the copy protection routines can test which sector data is read from, and that's why this technique works.

Copy2PC works quite well for this problem. And believe it or not, floppy-disk based copy protection is still being used in niche products.

p.s. I answered this question here

 

[1kayaker]

The software is RS LOGIX which is a PLC programming package for Allen-Bradley PLC's. I am a tech in a tv factory (hitachi projection ray tubes) and am also a student taking a PLC programming class and needed to install the software package on my home pc in order to do labs.

I was able to copy it with Disk Copy Fast (DCF) which is an old DOS utility.

Thanks for all the input,
Phil

ps. if you need more info let me know
email

 

[OZEE]

I figured it had to be RSLogix -- I'm a system integrator, doing both PLC and MMI work.

We've been through the same discussions in our small group about how to do this, too. Occassionally, we've lost the authorization file on our local harddrives (sometimes virus scanners kill 'em), which meant a tech-supp call to RockSoft. To help with quicker recoveries, we found DiskFactory32 to do this. It's been a life-saver.

EDIT: In this particular situation, the activation file is moved from the floppy to the harddrive. If, for whatever reason, the activation file on the harddrive is damaged/destroyed, there is then no way to recover the activation. This software is extremely specialized and costs about $1500!

 

[therealcyg]

If this is not a rightful subject for a thread, moderator please lock it but don't boot me off. If someone wants to communicate about this off the board email me.

I have an installation disk on CDROM that removes a file from a floppy to verify that I'm the owner of the software. The floppy is then useless unless I unistall the software from my C: at which time I'm told to reinsert the floppy and the file is moved back to it. I want to copy this floppy before I install it so that if I crash I can then reinstall my software. Diskcopy will not work. Even if "see all files" is selected in file/folder properties, I can't see what is there. Is there a way I can make a bit copy of this disk?

Semper Fi,
Phil <imkayakn@att.net>

I can't guarantee it, for as I understand it, some schemes actually used hardware mods like laser holes & such. But virtually any version of unix/linux's "dd" command should do the trick in most cases, so long as the system still has a functional floppy drive. dd worked every time(25+) that I tried it, in the early-mid 90's, usually on what was considered old even then, software of various types(from games to custom busines$ apps etc.), on floppy media of both sizes. Though by now I'd think there should be quite a few "rawwrite" type apps for windows or similar tools, like rufus for making bootable USB's & such, that might work, again so long as your system has a functional floppy drive. Good Luck !

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Necro but, more importantly, why would anyone still have a floppy drive attached to their system?

 

[therealcyg]

Necro but, more importantly, why would anyone still have a floppy drive attached to their system?

good Q ! thats why I was emphasizing the fact.....I didn't realize how old the OP was till now.......it could still be relevant in a few rare cases i suppose....lol