   Co*STAR Beta
    Crack Notes

      6/1/95

>README<

To install:
1) Replace INSTALL.EXE on Disk 1 with this cracked version (in this .ZIP)
2) Install normally, under Windows
   -- if it says "Write protected" or "Disk error", IGNORE IT and continue
3) Go to C:\COBETA where it installed, replace COSTAR.EXE with the
   cracked version, also in this .ZIP
4) Now run the thing!

>DESCRIPTION<

CoStar is a comm program for windoze...  kinda different than most.  Has a
lot of customization features and an interface to add buttons and menus to
text-only programs ran over the comm link.  Does networks too.

>CRACK<

INSTALL.EXE: Offset 4B3A, change FF FF to 39 1B
  16-bit number = number of licences!!  I set it to 6969 copies remaining :-)
It originally must have tried to write to the install disk, some hidden
licence counter or something...  Probably the cause of the "write protected"
error.

COSTAR.EXE: Offset 17DBB, change FF 36 to EB 11
  Inserted a JMP SHORT to jump over the code that makes the opening dialog
box.  So you won't have to click through the about box at startup!  It
dynamically changed the box to a "bad install" message then dumps you out
by the time this code is called.  So I just said: don't show the box! :-)

>NOTES<

Crack was easy to do, but not trivial...  code was buried pretty deep within
the program.  Just follow the program structure around, changing jumps to go
one way or the other way, until you've explored all possibilities...  if you
still don't get through, jump over the part of the code that's keeping you
out :-)
Cracked using WinICE 1.0!  Old version...  the old horse works great though. 
Looking for a newer version, and something that'll debug Protected Mode DOS
apps (like DOOM).

     PlayerOne
-= ZiLLiONZ '95 =-
