I am looking for Abacus (Data Becker) Super C 128

[redrumloa]

I recently got a nice boxed Super C 128! The only problem? The floppy is missing! Doh! A D64 would be awesome, failing that I would pay for a floppy to be mailed.

Thanks in advance!

[Mangelore]

I've just uploaded it to the files section.

Enjoy
Fotios

[redrumloa]

That's awesome, thanks! I don't see it in downloads, does it need to be approved before it shows up in downloads?

Thanks again.

[redrumloa]

Never mind, I found the file!

Thank you a lot!! Completely awesome!! :-D

[redrumloa]

@Mangelore

One problem, CE fails to load. The 1571 makes a few sounds and then locks up. If I runstop/restore I get back to the CCP, but the 1571 is still locked up and no CE loaded. You think this is copy protection? CE on my disk is only 1 block, seems to small.

Ideas?

[hydrophilic]

I took a quick look at the disk image and it is wierd.  "CE" is 1 block, but "E4", "E8", "CC", and "CL" are each 2 blocks although the directory reports 28, 29, 99, and 28 blocks respectively.  Also there are a LOT of allocated blocks in the BAM that don't belong to a file (in particular, all sectors on tracks 10 ~ 13).  Strangely, the boot sector (1,0) is not allocated in the BAM!

Now I'm curious so I'll load into VICE and see if I can figure any of this out...

[Mangelore]

It may be copy protected as ce works fine on the original floppy.

I created the D64 image using an MMC64 cartridge with the D64 plug-in... just tried it again and ce still doesn't load.
Sorry about that. I'll have to dig out the old laptop with Star Commander and see if it's able to copy it.

[redrumloa]

Sorry about that. I'll have to dig out the old laptop with Star Commander and see if it's able to copy it.

No need to apologize, I'm curious if you had any luck? Thanks in advance.

[hydrophilic]

I checked into this some more and it is definately copy-protected.  A .d64 image will not work.  You need a .g64 image or a cracked version.  With a good .g64 image, you also must use a 1541 or compatible due to the 'fast load' routine built into the copy protection.  A 1571 forced into slow/1541 mode may work.  Defeats the purpose of a 1571 doesn't it?

I was going to crack it for you, but the needed info isn't on the .d64.  If anyone has the original or a .g64 image it can be done.  For the curious, it works like this:

The files "e4", "e8", "cc", and "cl" are really two block PRGs loaded with standard kernal routine.  The files load to $1c00.

First the PRG sends an M-E command to the drive (includes code and data) which loads track 19 sector 8 into drive RAM at $400 then executes starting at $403.

Meanwhile, the loaded PRG copies part of itself to $100 in bank 0 of the C128.  This is basically a 'fast loader' like many seen for the c64 except it can write to any bank (I guess that is why it copies down to $100).

Back inside the 1541, the drive code loads sector 0 of a particular track into drive RAM at $300.  The particular track varies depending on file and is 22, 20, 10, or 15 for files "e4", "e8", "cc", and "cl" respectively.

After loading a sector, it checks one of two unused bytes in every GCR sector.  You see, a GCR sector actually has 260 bytes: a block identifier, 256 data bytes, a checksum byte, and 2 'empty' bytes.  A .d64 image only has the 256 data bytes; the block id, checksum, and empty bytes are not stored!

Anyway, one of the two 'empty' bytes is actually the 'key'.  Normally zero but in the copy-protection it is either $FF, $4x, or $8x.  $FF indicates the end of file.  $4x means the next sector of the file is on the same track in sector x while $8x means the next sector is on the next track in sector x.

There may be other copy protections, but this is as far as I could get without an original.

[Mangelore]

Hi guys,

I'm back home now. I had to pop over to beautiful Tasmania for a few days due to work.

I've never tried creating a .G64 image. Can I use StarCommander?

Cheers
Fotios

[redrumloa]

I've never done a G64 but it is my understanding you need a XP1541 cable to compliment the XA1541 and 2 parallel ports on the PC. In the meantime, if I pay you for your time, could you snail mail me a floppy copied with Fast Hackem or similar program?

[Mangelore]

Just copied it with Fast Hackem and ce loads fine.
Drop me a PM with your address and I'll post it to you.

[redrumloa]

Just copied it with Fast Hackem and ce loads fine.
Drop me a PM with your address and I'll post it to you.

Awesome, I've PM'ed you. Thanks!

[redrumloa]

Just copied it with Fast Hackem and ce loads fine.
Drop me a PM with your address and I'll post it to you.

I got it today! Awesome, thanks!!!