Using C/C++, write something on a sector of CD, and marking as Bad sector. Possible??

Hi,

I am working on a crucial application (eg, APP.EXE) and this I will distribute to my client(s). But it is possible that he may generate duplicate CD's and sale-out.

I am trying for a programming-based solution in C/C++, so that I can write some information (may be a KEY) on a specific Sector of that CD. Then copying APP.EXE on CD and then marking that particular sector BAD (Somehow). This Bad sector will be searched by APP.EXE during execution at client system and verify the same key there.

I think on making duplicate copies of that CD, the information will not be copied.

But my first task is to "Write data on a sector of CD and mark it as bad"

Looking for any guy who can help me in this.

Take care.
Bye

Sharad

A bad sector can't be read at all : you can't place a key there. But you can, for example, fill a file on the with bad sectors except in some places where there will be actual data (the data which will be checked). The resulting file will not be readable by normal users, but still you can access the data hidden in it by opening it in binary mode and seeking to these locations (that's how safedisc 1 and the old laserlok worked btw)

However this kind of protection is easyly copyable with any program capable of writing in raw mode and ignoring bad sectors...

You can find Truman's C++ code to write raw sectors (SPTI method)
in the "Home made tools" thread at the top of the forum. To make the
sector "bad", you can corrupt a few control fields of the sector you're writing.

I am new in this Field of R&D.

Can you send me a simple code so that I can write something on a Sector od CD (in VB / C / C++ / C+ / VB.NET / MFC / API ...)

Any help is appreciated.

bye.
Sharad Kapil Sharma

Hellp spath,

I am new in this field and I am working on such assignment for the first time.
I will be greatful if you can send me a small smaple program, so that i can store some data in a sector of CD-ROM.

Thanks in advance.
Sharad Kapil Sharma

can anybody try this file which is related with CD protection.

Because I am unable to expllore it.

URL is:

http://www.codeguru.com/forum/showth...26145#poststop

Bye and look
Sharad Kapil Sharma

Err, I already pointed you to C++ source code to do what
you want. To be more clear, get http://upload.cdfreaks.com/tools/writecd_v1_00.zip

If the numbers are small enough to handle manual registration, I'd forget fiddling with the CD (though any anti-copying there may be a further distraction), and go for a random or systematic "challenge" key generation, which must be validated by you providing a a matching answer.

Basic requirements of a CD protection system for software:
1. Minimize false negatives, a system which has too meny problems, will be a USE prevention system, not a copy prevention system.
2. Difficult to copy accurately, and detectable by the software if not.

One fairly simple suggestion, if YOU have a "multi-sheep" writer, is to write some difficult "sheep test" patterns , and read segments of that file - of course, beaten by any copy drive that is equal in sheep!

I'd doubt that you could write anything, that cannot be copied by a writer of the same calibre.

Hi Matth,

Thanks for reply.

While exploring you 2nd point, I searched deeply in this forum (and other too) and found some possible tricks for Cd-Protection solution.

One of the URL i am giving below...
URL: http://www.cdmediaworld.com/hardware...otect_cd.shtml

I tried with Create a Copy Protected CD #1, for this i downloaded cdr36b-e.exe, and it's key. but unfortunately key was not working on this.

The second way is, Create a Copy Protected CD #2, According to this trick, we can copy-protect a Data CD by adding a dummy Data track so that the backup disc will have 2 Data tracks.

If the second track has a different CD "mode" than the first track then the CD WON'T BE COPIED AT ALL.

Use the following CDRWin CUE-Sheet to write the CD.

FILE "HMM3.BIN" BINARY
TRACK 01 MODE1/2352
INDEX 01 00:00:00
TRACK 02 MODE2/2352
INDEX 01 73:30:45

For this I downloaded CDRWin CUE-Sheet (CUE.EXE) and started working with this.

I explored this utility as much as I can but could not get the solution, the reason may be, I am new in this field of CD - R&D. Can you help me to overcome from this problem.

Thanks for any suggestion and help.

Regards,
Sharad

Hi Spath

Thanks for your support.

Today, I have downloaded this source code and started trying with this to find solution.

I will inform you whatever I explore in this code.

Regards,
Sharad (Kapil)

I'm not sure what are you trying to do but CDmage and FB has an option to correct errors.

Hi Friends,

We have windup our project for CD protection using software tools.
Now we are planning for purchasing Dingle locks for that.

Thanks for all your supports and helps you provided to me.

Any body please feel free to discuss his/her problems in VB6/VB.NET/C#.NET/ASP.NET/SQL SERVER.

Welcome.

Regards.
Sharad

Dongles are often not well liked, with the old parallel port dongles, users moving to a "legacy free" system, or using certain hardware had problems. If you use a USB dongle, and the product price is worth it, I'd advise having some cheap USB hubs (get 'em branded as an advertising gimmick), to pacify those complaining about losing a USB port!

The alternative to dongling, is authentication - also not well liked, as if the challenge key is randomly generated on install, the response key (authentication) will need to be replaced at every re-install (Serif use this approach, even on their "free" software, and it is WELL irritating).

The other way of generating the "challenge" key, is similar to the Microsoft way, using parameters of the system that will not change on a reinstall - then the authentication can be stored, or repeated without being adversely queried.

Hello Matth,

Thanks for your suggestions

Bye.

I know this is a very old thread, but Spath, if you are still here, you said that one could make a bad sector by corrupting a few control fields of the sector I am writing. Can you be a bit more specific? I am quite new to this. I downloaded the ImgtoCd tool in the "Home made tools" thread, and would like to use it to write a bad sector somewhere on a cd. I have been trying to do it with other stuff like using an ASPI Dll from here, but now have the Imgtocd program that uses SPTI from Truman.

Could someone please give me some ideas or help with this?

you just need to edit the sectors from your image in an hex editor, i.e EDC/ECC fields ect. Then you would just need to write it back raw, you could use any commercial writting software like clonecd

Hi,

I am nivas.I generated one software,which avoids exe files piracy in c.ds.I completed it in few months back.but i dont no how to promote it.

Hello

It is not very difficuilt to "promote" your "product". But you need a little time. I'd guess ~6-12 month and you'll find your product using Google. Maybe it will be found faster by Google. This depends on the cross links posted in forums, websites, ....

You should give your product a unique name. This is a good idea to be sure only your product will be found by Searchengines. It does not make sence to name your product only "copy protection". Maybe "Exe Copyprotection Superduper 200 XXL" would be an option
You should also have a homepage for your product with a description of features, screenshots, all information for the user to make the decision to download your tool.
It is also a good idea to list your tool on download sites. There are very much of this sites.
If your product is good and useful, users will talk about your cool tool in chats, forums, netnews,.... this will make your tool atractive for search engines....

Try it and you'll see in a few weeks you'll find your tool using i.e. Google.

Have luck

Greets TM


It will take a little bit of time to make and if your product is useful the user will promote the product for you with positive message

First you should gi

Hi!
Can anybody re-upload the file from post №7 (writecd_v1_00.zip) ,please?

p.s.Sorry for bad English.

It was removed because quite a few people complained it hanged their machine..

It was just a basic program to select raw write type (DAO) 2448 bytes per sector and send a file stream to the drive, and there is no secondary buffer, no error handling, leadin or leadout generation, etc. I thought people could modify the code and not just use it as is, ouch.

Anyway I wrote a more complete working source that uses TAO write mode called ImgToCD. You can get from here:
http://www.cdtool.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/workshop.htm

Hello Truman.Thank you for reply.
probably not just basic program=)
Spath wrote:
then wrote:
I need in sources(delphi or c++)
i'm go on your site=) Sorry for my terrible english..

anyone have any ideas ? How write iso image on a DVD and marking as bad sector the first 10 mb ?