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There are four different types of ways to "fix" a software program that you'll run into. "Fixing" a software program means bypassing the means it uses to keep it from being freely copied and distributed. This can include anything from removing trial limitations or nag screens to allowing a retail release to function. Those four means are: (sometimes referred to as simply a "release")
- Crack
- Patch
- Serial
- Keygen
The order isn't random. You'll see more cracks and patches
then you will keygens or serials. However, a keygen is considered the best and
a crack the most crude. Something else to keep in mind - a number of people
call every release a "crack". I disagree with such a naming
convention since each one serves a different purpose and is used differently,
but I digress. Here's what they all mean... (I'll explain how to use them
later.)
CRACK - A crack is a modified version of a file that has been
"pre-hacked" by the cracker. Frequently this is the actual EXE of the
main program, but in modified form. It could also be a DLL or a key file that
the program uses to register itself or check an online activation server. A
cracked file has such checks removed. A drawback of a crack is it can be big
(sometimes many MBs) since it's just a modified version of the original file.
Frequently, updating a program that has been cracked will overwrite the crack,
causing the program to return to its "pre-cracked" state (trial, non-functioning,
etc). Not to mention it's one of the more difficult to use (along with a
patch); that is, for a n00b.
PATCH - A patch is a little nicer than a crack. It's rarely
more than a few hundred KB at most and frequently contains information on what it
is (such as what it's for, how to use it, etc). A patch is a separate program that
is applied to an installed application to make a cracked file (EXE, DLL, etc).
With a patch, you can make a crack. When you start up a patch, frequently
you'll be greeted with information such as the release group's name, the
cracker who made it, information on the "target file" (more on that
later), and so on. In most cases, it has all the same drawbacks as a crack does
(listed above), except for the file size issue.
SERIAL - Most people are aware what a serial is and how to
use it. Frequently a provided serial will register the software program,
however it will register it with the name of the cracker or website that
distributed it. (A technique known as "serial fishing" is the cause
of that.) Sometimes a serial can be used with any information
(such as your own name), and sometimes it is vital to use the
information provided with it (name, email, company, etc). The biggest drawback
to serials is a term called "blacklisting", which will be discussed
later.
KEYGEN - A keygen is a shorthand name for "Key
Generator". A keygen, in most cases, is the "best" or most
sought after form of a fix. A keygen allows you to generate the correct
registration data for a program using any information you like (such as your
name, email, company, etc) without modifying anything in the actual program (similar
to a serial, but always just for you). Sometimes a keygen will generate a
serial for you that you can use, other times it might generate a license file
that needs to be imported into the program. Keygens can have multiple uses as
well. For software that requires activation (that is, it needs to contact the
software author or website to ensure the registration data is legit),
frequently a keygen will provide the means to use the "Phone Activation"
method in a program. (Most every program that requires activation allows you to
do so via the Internet or over the phone. The keygen simply mimics what a
person at the software company would do for you.) In most cases, the pitfalls
of cracks, patches and serials do not hold true with a keygen; hence why it is considered
the best! The only real drawback is the cracker could possibly be off a bit in
the algorithm, causing some generated keys to not work completely. (Some
keygens will only run on Windows 2000/XP which is a drawback if you're still
using Windows 98/Me.)
Before we continue...
Now that you have a better idea what you have to work with,
allow me to touch on a few points before diving right in how to use the above.
Frequently the fixes are provided along with an NFO. This is an information
file that tells information about the release. For example, if you have a Patch
and an NFO file, the NFO may tell you how to properly use the patch, as well as
provide information on the program itself. It's VERY important to read any NFO
files that come along with the fix/release. You may also see DIZ files - these
usually just contain file version information. Though handy to have and
informative, they rarely need to be used in the process of "fixing" a
software application.
NFO and DIZ files are simple text files, so you could simply
view them in Notepad (or any other simple text editor) and get the info you
needed. However, they were designed to be viewed with an NFO viewer. It makes
them easier to read and look pretty. =So where do you get an NFO viewer? Simple
- GOOGLE IT! By far the best one out there is the "DAMN NFO Viewer".
There are thousands of download locations, so I won't bother to list any here.
Pop over to Google (http://www.google.com) and do a search
for it. It's freeware.
The last point I'd like to make - DON'T BE CLICK HAPPY. That
means don't just double-click on everything you download hoping it will do what
you want. That's a sure-fire way to get yourself into trouble. =) Many sites
that allow you to freely/easily download the various fixes also include trojans
or spyware bundled into the ZIP/RAR file that you download (or even as a popup
before you're able to download it - ALWAYS say no to these; find the fix
somewhere else if you have to, or use a different browser). Read the NFO files
to be sure you know which files you actually need. It's also very important to
use an up-to-date and competent antivirus program. Keep in mind that some
antivirus programs detect cracks/patches/keygens as a
"trojan.hacktool" or something similar. This is paranoid AV programs
trying to deter you from using such tools. Follow what the NFO says in those
cases.
The discussion for
what is the best AV/antispyware program(s) will be saved for another time, but
I'll give you my quick opinion: Stay away from Norton, McAfee and Panda!
Bloated messes is what they are. Stick to Avast if you want stellar protection,
How to use the four fixes
-------------------------
Good, now that we are on the same page, here is how to use
the previously mentioned fixes. Remember to follow the directions in the NFO
files! This is only a general guide and could be incomplete in some cases.
Always remember that, like Google, backups are your friend! Before modifying
any files, it's a wise idea to have another copy.
* CRACK *
To use a crack, in most cases you need to first install the
program from a trial setup or from a provided retail install. After
installation, you need to copy the crack file(s) into the installation
directory of the program.
Be sure the program is not running anywhere before
"cracking" it! (Check the System Tray by the clock and do a CTRL+ALT+DEL
and look for the executables.) For example, if you install an MP3 ripping
program into the directory
"C:\Program Files\MP3 Ripper", you need to navigate
to that directory through Windows Explorer (My Computer -> C:
-> Program Files -> MP3 Ripper) until you see the files
that program uses to run. Now copy the crack file(s) into this directory. You
will usually be prompted with something to the effect of "This file
already exists, do you want to continue and overwrite it?" Click on YES. A
crack is designed to overwrite (replace) an existing file or files that the
program installed. (Of course you've made a backup already, right?) After
replacing these files, frequently the program will now be registered the next
time you start it up, allow you to register it with any information you like,
or simply make it not care if it's registered or not. Cracks will usually
remove any trial limitations, nag screens, etc. A drawback of a crack is that
it is ONLY good for one version of a program. You can't use a crack to
"crack" a newer version without downgrading that version after the
crack is used.
* PATCH *
To use a patch, you start out the same as a crack (in most
cases - again, READ THE NFO). First install the program from a trial install or
retail install. Once installed, again navigate to the installed program's directory
like in the "MP3 Ripper" example above. Copy the patch into that
directory, however this time you shouldn't be prompted to overwrite anything. A
patch, as described previously, is used to create a cracked EXE/DLL/etc. Run
the patch you just copied into the program's directory by simply
double-clicking it. Frequently there will be a button that says something to
the effect of "Crack" or "Patch". (Or "Crack it!"
or "Patch it", etc.) Clicking this button will instruct the patch to
locate the file(s) it needs to modify, double-check to make sure it's the
correct file(s), then modify it however the patch was programed to do so. Some
patches will perform multiple functions, such as patching a program and adding
a Registry entry for licensing. After you have patched a program, you can
delete the patch you copied into the folder. If given the option to make a
backup before patching, it is wise to do so. You can restore this backup at any
time if something goes wrong. Backups are usually stored as FILENAME.BAK -
renaming the .BAK extension to EXE or DLL (whatever it was originally) will restore
the backup - just be sure to delete the patched file(s) first or else you'll
get an error from Windows for having two files with the same name in the same
folder. Just like a crack, a patch is frequently only good for a certain
version of a program. Some patches are "generic" and will work for a
limited number of versions, such as all v3.x (v3.1, v3.2, v3.3, etc). Read the
NFO to see if that's the case!
* SERIAL *
As I said before, most people know how to use a serial. When
asked for registration details by the program, enter the information provided.
A serial could be included in a simple TXT (text) file, or sometimes it's in
the NFO/DIZ file. (Always read the NFO if it's included!) If the program
doesn't prompt you for any registration information when it first starts up,
look under the Help menu (or Help -> About). Frequently you'll see a "Registration"
or "Activate" or "Unlock" (etc) option. If you still can't
find where to do it, check the program's help file for how to register it or
poke through the other Menus. (If all else fails, search Google!)
Again, the NFO file, if included, will frequently tell you
exactly how to use the serial. A drawback of a serial, sometimes, is that even
though the program is registered, it may not be registered to you. Sometimes
this can show up if the program creates output files of any type. Frequently it
doesn't cause any problems. Another large problem when it comes to serials -
blacklisting. A "blacklisted" serial is a serial that has been
programmed specifically not to work by the program author because it is known
to be public. (A number of cracks simply remove such blacklisted serials.) If a
program needs to do online updates (such an an antivirus or antispyware program),
frequently a blacklisted serial will cause such updates to not work anymore.
Finally, like a crack and a patch, serials may only work for a single version,
but frequently work for all minor versions of the same major version (like in
the v3.x example described above).
* KEYGEN *
The Holy Grail of warez - the file
that allows you to register a program without modifying it at all AND using any
information you like. Using a keygen is a lot like using a serial, however it
creates the information to type in when prompted for the registration
information instead of simply having a specific set of details given to you.
There is usually no need to move the keygen to anywhere special. Just
double-click the keygen and you'll frequently see what to do. (Type in your
name or any other requested information.) Sometimes you have to click a "Generate"
button to create the licensing information you need. (Sometimes this button has
a fancy name... read the NFO!) If the program requires activation, then the
keygen will usually allow you to generate the information you need if you go
through the program's "Phone Activation" method. Many programs will
generate a hardware ID or some kind of reference number that you are supposed
to read to the person on the other end of the phone at the software company. Instead,
type the provided number or details into the appropriate spot in the keygen to generate
the required "answer" to it. You then need to type the
"answer" into the program where indicated. This will differ for each
program, though it is usually documented in, yup... the NFO file! Have I
mentioned that you should always read them? Just in case I didn't - always read
the NFO files! =) Like the other three releases, keygens may only work for a
certain version (or a series of version like the v3.x example).
Be sure you followed all instructions carefully. If it still
doesn't work, it'spossible it was a "bad release" (aka nuked). That
means that it may work for some people and not for others.
Sometimes it simply doesn't work at all! The crackers and
"scene releasers" aren't perfect. Sometimes you can find another
release from another cracker, or a fixed one from the original cracker. When in
doubt, try searching Google and see if any more information is available or go
back to the original place you obtained the fix (website, forum, etc) and hunt
around for answers. If it's a forum, first search for an answer, but post up a question
if needed.
While this guide certainly isn't complete, hopefully it will
help answer some of the general questions or provide a starting point for your
own exploration. Keep in mind that all information in this guide, as well as
every released crack/patch/serial/keygen is for educational purposes only. If
you like a program, purchase a valid license to help support the authors so
they will continue to create.
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Shortcut keys in Windows means We can Perform Specific Task by just pressing a key or Combination of keys which saves us time and helps us to explore more about our windows PC. We often use Basic shortcut keys, but the use is really limited to 4 or 5 shortcut keys to perform basic tasks.
