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Added dBASE III copy-protection notes

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Jeff Parsons 2017-08-11 13:28:54 -07:00 • committed by Jeff Parsons
commit f168e19c8c
7 changed files with 156 additions and 18 deletions
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45
disks/pcx86/apps/other/dbase3/1.0/README.md
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@ -7,30 +7,38 @@ permalink: /disks/pcx86/apps/other/dbase3/1.0/
dBASE III v1.0
--------------
The first two PCjs disks shown below:
Two of the PCjs disks shown below:
- [dBASE III 1.0 (Unlocked)](#directory-of-dbase-iii-10-unlocked)
- [dBASE III 1.0 (Patched)](#directory-of-dbase-iii-10-patched)
- [dBASE III 1.0 (Samples)](#directory-of-dbase-iii-10-samples)
are from our private collection and should be exact copies of the original dBASE III v1.0 distribution disks, with
the exception of `DBASE.EXE`, which was patched to eliminate copy-protection checks. If possible, details on that
patch will be provided at a later date.
are from our private collection and should be exact copies of the original dBASE III v1.0 distribution disks, with the
exception of `DBASE.EXE`, which was patched to eliminate copy-protection checks. Details of that patch are available
in our collection of [Personal Documents of Dubious Historical Interest](/docs/personal/#dbase-iii-copy-protection),
along with this [blog post](/blog/2017/08/11/).
The other disks:
Also, for completeness, the original `DBASE.EXE` has been recreated by "unpatching" it and saving it on the
[Locked](#directory-of-dbase-iii-10-locked) disk image. However, we don't have the original distribution disk, which
would include additional copy-protection characteristics, so running the original (locked) version of `DBASE.EXE` will
immediately fail with:
Unauthorized Duplicate
Another variation of the dBASE III disks come from the [WinWorld](https://winworldpc.com/product/dbase/iii-v10) archive:
- [dBASE III 1.0 (Disk 1)](#directory-of-dbase-iii-10-disk-1)
- [dBASE III 1.0 (Disk 2)](#directory-of-dbase-iii-10-disk-2)
come from [WinWorld](https://winworldpc.com/product/dbase/iii-v10). With the exception of `DBASE.EXE`, the files on
the "Disk 1" image match the files on our "Unlocked" disk; the newer dates probably only reflect when Ashton-Tate and/or
Vault Corporation updated the copy-protection code in `DBASE.EXE`. However, the "Disk 2" image contains more files
than our "Samples" disk, and WinWorld's README admits that:
and, with the exception of `DBASE.EXE`, the files on [Disk 1](#directory-of-dbase-iii-10-disk-1) match the files on our
[Patched](#directory-of-dbase-iii-10-patched) disk; the newer dates probably just reflect an update by Vault Corporation
to the copy-protection code in `DBASE.EXE`. However, [Disk 2](#directory-of-dbase-iii-10-disk-2) contains more files
than our [Samples](#directory-of-dbase-iii-10-samples) disk, and WinWorld's README admits that:
Some of the sample programs have been run/changed.
so overall, the PCjs disks may be more authentic.
so overall, the disks from our private collection may be more authentic.
### Directory of dBASE III 1.0 (Unlocked)
### Directory of dBASE III 1.0 (Patched)
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
@ -105,6 +113,19 @@ so overall, the PCjs disks may be more authentic.
PAYROLL PRG 13056 6-15-84 4:50p
55 File(s) 75776 bytes free
### Directory of dBASE III 1.0 (Locked)
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
DBASE EXE 112720 8-11-17 9:51a
DBASE OVL 147456 6-26-84 5:36p
HELP DBS 53760 6-26-84 5:36p
ASSIST HLP 15223 6-26-84 5:37p
READ ME 4224 6-26-84 5:37p
CONFIG SYS 22 6-26-84 5:37p
6 File(s) 15360 bytes free
### Directory of dBASE III 1.0 (Disk 1)
Volume in drive A has no label