IBM PC

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Revision as of 20:49, 25 November 2013

Introduction

This guide is designed to show you how to preserve CD-based games created and released for the IBM PC-Compatible platform. This is a fairly comprehensive guide that aims to provide coverage for all known dumping methods and PC-based securities, so please use the Table of Contents to navigate to the specific topic you are interested in.

Table of Contents

• Non-Protected Discs (Beginner's Guide)
• SafeDisc / SmartE / LaserLok Protection
• SecuROM/StarForce Protection
• CD-Lock Protection
• Tages Protection

Checking for Protection

Software

• BurnOut
• ProtectionID
• A-Ray Scanner

Introduction

Up until the mid '90s the primary method for CD protection was to use a combination of disc-check verification and unique serial keys. However, with the advent of consumer-grade CD-burners, the industry began to use stricter forms of CD protection to minimize the effectiveness of 1:1 disc copying. SafeDisc and SecuROM were the most popular protection forms of the era, but many other protection types were introduced (all of which are explored in this guide).

Tutorial

The tools in the links above allow you to analyze and scan discs, files, or sectors for known protection types. These tools can often identify the version of the protection method as well. As a best-practice, it's typically a good idea to check the disc with at least two of the three tools to get an accurate reading. ProtectionID is generally accepted as the most effective tool, but the other tools can occasionally identify a protection that ProtectionID misses.

Troubleshooting

• ProtectionID may need to be adjusted to run using Windows 95 Compatibility Mode in some versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7.
• SecuROM is generally best identified using "sector scanning". It can be confirmed using CDMage's 'Scan for Corruption' feature (which typically reports at least '1' medium error near the end of the image).

Submission Information

Only include the information that pertains to your dump AND that you personally verified.

Catalog Data

• Dump Name
• Disc Title
• Disc Number
• Disc ID / Serial
• Category
• Region
• Languages
• Barcode
• Version #
• Edition
• Comments

Ringcode Data

• Mastering Code
• Mastering SID
• Mould SID
• Additional Mould Text
• Toolstamp

Dump Data

• CDMage Error Count
• Write Offset
• Cuesheet
• Primary Volume Descriptor (PVD)
• Copy Protection with Version #
• Folder Contents (Demos, Patches)
• ClrMamePro Hash Data (Dir2Dat)