Hi all - first time here

We have a beta version of a package on the comp @ work that uses a dongle - I would like to have the app at home to work with. Is it possible to bypass the dongle checking part of the app so I can do this?

I have no idea whatsoever about this sort of thing
Any help or info would be great.

Thanks for your time.

Hello grumster !

You must tell us which Dongle was used on the program and how it was used.

The name of the Dongle would be helpful, if you don't know, describe how it is looking. (color, size, logos, serials, ...)

Try also to check if the program is protected by a wrapper or by API calls. If API calls are used, do they encrypt/decrypt some data?

Hi DakienDX - thanks for the reply.

Ok - The dongle is dark blue in colour with a little window on one side (looks like an eprom inside) - plugs into serial port. I think it may be called Hardlock - I have the driver installation files if they are any use. The readme contains this :

HLDRV32.EXE Hardlock Installation 32bit
(Windows 95/98, NT4/2000)

I have no idea how to check how the program is protected.

Hope this helps and thanks for your time

regards

grumster

Hello grumster !

Please look at the protected .EXE if it has a '.protect' section? (string in the first 1000h bytes normally)

Look at the code section (normally '.code' or 'CODE'). Is it encrypted (many different characters) or unencrypted (some patterns might repeat, there are many (10%-20%) hexadecimal 00h in the code). There is usually code at 1000h in the .EXE.

What and how does it say when the Dongle is not found? (Command line/MessageBox/Dialog, Title/Text)

Ok

First of all I have no idea how to "..look at the protected .exe" as you suggested - sorry, total newbie here.

When the hardlock is not found - pops up error box with message:
Hardlock API error code 19. >OK

I can up the .exe if you would like to look at it .

Thanks again for your time - much appreciated.

Hello grumster !

When you execute a program protected by HL-Crypt, a box pops up with the title "Hardlock Protection System" and the error message "Error 7 : Hardlock not found." or "Error 1009 : Cannot open Hardlock driver."

So the program should be protected by the object method using APIs. This could mean that it's possible to run the program without the dongle, after some patching of course (if the program doesn't use the encryption via the API).

BTW. Do you know any ASM or how to work with a hex-editor?

Ok thanks - I checked again and the error box is definately how I described.

"Do you know any ASM or how to work with a hex-editor?"

erm... ASM - sorry , no idea what that is. HEX editor? - the last time I used a hex editor was on my Sinclair Spectrum (48k mem and rubber keyboard ) back in the 80's *grin*.
I guess hex is still hex though - I think I still remember the principles.

g

Hello grumster !

If you don't know any ASM, you've found the wrong place here. Under this aspect, it looks like a "Can somebody crack me the Dongle" request, which isn't allowed here. (FAQ (http://www.woodmann.net/fravia/rce-faq.htm)) You should start learning some programming language, then switching to ASM, read many tutorials and after that perhaps come back here and explain where you're stuck and what problems you have.

No DakienDX - this is definately NOT a crack the Dongle for me request at all. I posted a request for help on another board and was sent a link to here. All I need is some help - I stated quite clearly that I am a total newbie. I have no Idea where to start which is why I posted in this forum.

Maybe I should come back to the newbies forum when I've had more experience.

Thanks for your time anyway.

Hello grumster !

The problem here is the following: To 'crack' one target you need to replace some instructions in an very easy case. If you don't know any ASM, which is the programming language you do everything in when you're cracking something, you won't be able to follow help from this board. You should know at least how the windows API works and what the more simple ASM instructions do, and, when we're talking about Dongles, what a Port is and what it has to do with a Dongle. Sorry, but this is a fact and no punishment.