The Elite Hackers Toolkit/TheEliteHackersToolkitVolume1_1998.rar/HACKERS.BIN/appcraks/RECONNEC.ZIP/MOREINFO.TXT

Text File | 1990-01-01 | 6KB | 105 lines

As you may have noticed, I've decided to distribute smaller patchers
and place the related information into a text file instead.  Note that
this is a generic info file and not everything is pertinent to this
particular patcher.


What the Patcher Does
======================
    First the patcher checks to see that you have the correct version/
    build/release of the target file.  It does this in one of two ways;

       (1) checking the file size and/or (2) checking the value
       of some specific byte(s) within the target file.

    It's imperative that the file you are attempting to patch
    be EXACTLY (to the byte) the same size as the the file that I
    patched.  The reason for this size requirement is this;  If the file
    that you are attempting to patch is different in
    size from the one that I edited, then it's exceedingly likely that
    that the location of the protection scheme in YOUR file is NOT in
    the same place that is was in MY file.

    Understand that most crack patchs are simplistic, both in construction
    and function.  The code that they contain typically
    just "tells" them to go to some specific address within the target
    file and to change X number of bytes once they get there.  If those
    "X number of bytes" happen to constitute computer instructions for
    something OTHER (and perhaps more vital) than the program's shareware
    protection.....oh well.  The bytes are altered nonetheless.
    These kinds of "blind" changes to a program's
    code usually corrupts the executable and renders it nonfunctional at
    best.  Remember that you're not dealing with SMART bombs here.
    They're more on the order of SCUD missiles <g>

    This filesize information will always be clearly stated in the
    ZuLu.nfo text file that accompanies the patcher in every patch
    archive that I release.

Error messages.....and what they mean
======================================
  "Incorrect filesize" --> The filesize of <FILENAME.EXE> differs from the
                           one that I patched.  The file may bear the same
                           version number and date as the one that I patched
                           but it is definitely of a different size.  How can
                           this be?  The most likely reason is that the author
                           has revised and RE-released that particular version
                           or build of the program.  But remember that viruses
                           often add code to executables and thereby increase
                           the filesize, so be careful when you encounter this
                           situation.


  "File not found" --> The target file is not in the directory where
                       you ran the patcher.  To correct this problem,
                       simply move the patcher to the directory that
                       contains the target file, then run the patcher
                       again.  It could also mean that your copy of
                       the file bears a different name than the one
                       that the patcher is looking for.  If needed,
                       rename the file so it matches the name of the
                       "Target File" entry shown in the first screen
                       of this patching process (and in the ZuLu.nfo)

                       After patching, you may change the filename back
                       to what it was prior to patching.  You may also
                       choose just to keep the new filename.  It will
                       not effect program functioning, although any
                       shortcuts to the file will need to be fixed so
                       as to reflect the new filename.



  "File compressed or wrong version" -->

                       The target file is not the correct one for
                       patching, or the file has undergone some form
                       of EXE-compression with a utility such as
                       PKLite, WWPack, or Shrinker.  To correct this
                       problem you should obtain the correct version
                       of the program, decompress the executable, or
                       reinstall the program (which ever applies).


    The next step is to create a backup copy of the target file so that
    you may easily revert to using the original program if it turns out
    that you don't like the effects of the patcher.

    This backup file will be created in the same directory where you run
    the patcher.  It will be given the same root name as the target file
    but will bear an extension of *.BAK


    The next step is to patch the target file.  Patching is a process
    by which a file (typically an executable file) is altered in very
    specific locations so as to alter it's functioning in some way.
    These alterations consist of changes in the value of specific bytes
    of information within the executable file.  Different values corr-
    espond to different computer instructions.

    In order for the patcher to work, the target file must bear a file-
    name that conforms to the 8.3 style of nomenclature, in other words,
    it must NOT have a LFN (Long File Name).  Therefore, the patcher will
    temporarily change any LFNs to 8.3 style names, and then restore the
    LFNs when patching completes.