HOW-TO: Use Crack/Patch/Serial/Keygen/NFO files (By GuidoZ)

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Last updated: Jun 27, 2006 @ 02:24 PST (GMT -0800)
(Originally written/released: Sept 2005)
BOOKMARK THIS LINK: http://www.guidoz.com/cpsk.htm
The location and name of this text file may change!
How to use "warez" releases - what do the files do and mean? Don't worry, you're
not alone with such questions.
Many newcomers (n00bs) get confused about some things the veterans take for gran
ted. Cracks? Keygens? NFO? Huh??
We were all there at one point. Some learn by doing, others learn by being taugh
t. This should help both types -
follow along if you're the "I need to do it" type, or read through it and learn.
If you're not sure what to do
with RAR files (RAR, R00, R01, R02, etc), then take a quick peek here before con
tinuing: http://whyrar.has.it
(This site has a plethora of information as well about releases and such. It was
written for a DirectConnect hub,
but the information is valuable for anyone that needs to learn it.)
Good to go? Excellent. Let's begin... 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 t
o keep it from being freely
copied and distributed. This can include anything from removing trial limitation
s or nag screens to allowing a
retail release to function. Those four means are: (somtimes referred to as simpl
y 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 serve
s a different purpose and is used
differently, but I digress. Here's what they all mean... (I'll explain how to us
e them later.)
CRACK - A crack is a modified version of a file that has been "pre-hacked" by th
e 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 o
f the original file. Frequently,
updating a program that has been cracked will overwrite the crack, causing the p
rogram to return to it's
"pre-cracked" state (trial, non-functioning, etc). Not to mention it's one of th
e more difficult to use (along
with a patch); that is, for a n00b.
PATCH - A patch is a little nicer then a crack. It's rarely more then a few hund
red 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, et
c). 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. It has most all the
same drawbacks as a crack does (listed above), except for the file size.
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 we
bsite that distributed it. (A
technique known as "serial fishing" is the cause of that.) Sometimes a serial ca
n be used with any information
(such as your own name), and sometimes it is vital to use the information provid
ed with it (name, email, company,
etc). The biggest drawback to serials is a term called "blacklisting", which wil
l be discussed later.
KEYGEN - A keygen is a shorthand name for "Key Generator". A keygen, in most cas
es, is the "best" or most sought
after form of a fix. A keygen allows you to generate the correct registration da
ta 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 prov
ide the means to use the "Phone
Activation" method in a program. (Most every program that requires activation al
lows you to do so via the
Internet or over the phone. The keygen simply mimics what a person at the softwa
re 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 Windo
ws 2000/XP which is a drawback if
you're still using Windows 98/Me.)
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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. Th
is 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 - the
se usually just contain file
version information. Though handy to have and informative, they rarely need to b
e used in the process of "fixing"
a software application.
NFO and DIZ files are simple text files, so you could simply view them in Notepa
d (or any other simple text
editor) and get the info you needed. However, they were designed to be viewed wi
th an NFO viewer. It makes them
easier to read and look pretty. =D So where do you get an NFO viewer? Simple - G
OOGLE 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 do
uble-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 sp
yware bundled into the ZIP/RAR
file that you download (or even as a popup before you're able to download it - A
LWAYS say no to these; find the
fix somewhere else if you have to, or use a different browser). Read the NFO fil
es to be sure you know which
files you actually need. It's also very important to use an up-to-date and compe
tent antivirus program. Keep in
mind that some antivirus programs detect cracks/patches/keygens as a "trojan.hac
ktool" or something similar. This
is paranoid AV programs trying to deter you from using such tools. Follow what t
he NFO says in those cases. The
discussion for what is the best AV/antispyware program(s) will be saved for anot
her time, but I'll give you my
quick opinion: Stay away from Norton, McAfee and Panda! Bloated messes is what t
hey are. Stick to Kaspersky or
NOD32 if you want stellar protection, or go with NOD32 if you're worried about r
esource hogging. (Kaspersky/KAV
is starting to look more like the bloated messes with each new version.)
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How to use the four fixes
-------------------------
Good, now that we are on the same page, here is how to use the previously mentio
ned fixes. Remember to follow the
directions in the NFO files! This is only a general guide and could be incomplet
e in some cases. Always remember
that, like Google, backups are your friend! Before modifying any files, it's a w
ise 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 install
ation directory of the program.
Be sure the program is not running anywhere before "cracking" it! (Check the Sys
tem Tray by the clock and do a
CTRL+ALT+DEL and look for the executables.) For example, if you install an MP3 r
ipping program into the directory
"C:\Program Files\MP3 Ripper", you need to navigate to that directory through Wi
ndows 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 "Th
is file already exists, do you
want to continue and overwrite it?" YES. A crack is designed to overwrite (repla
ce) an existing file or files
that the program installed. (Of course you've made a backup already, right?) Aft
er replacing these files,
frequently the program will now be registered the next time you start it up, all
ow you to register it with any
information you like, or simply make it not care if it's registered or not. Crac
ks 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 af
ter the crack is used.
* PATCH *
To use a patch, you start out the same as a crack (in most cases - again, READ T
HE NFO). First install the
program from a trial install or retail install. Once installed, again navigate t
o the installed program's
directory like in the "MP3 Ripper" example above. Copy the patch into that direc
tory, however this time you
shouldn't be prompted to overwrite anything. A patch, as described previously, i
s used to create a cracked
EXE/DLL/etc. Run the patch you just copied into the program's directory by simpl
y 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 need
s 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 l
icensing. After you have patched
a program, you can delete the patch you copied into the folder. If given the opt
ion to make a backup before
patching, it is wise to do so. You can restore this backup at any time if someth
ing goes wrong. Backups are
usually stored as FILENAME.BAK - renaming the .BAK extension to EXE or DLL (what
ever it was originally) will
restore the backup - just be sure to delete the patched file(s) first or else yo
u'll get an error from Windows.
Just like a crack, a patch is frequently only good for a certain version of a pr
ogram. 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 registrat
ion 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 pro
mpt 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 w
here 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 th
e serial. A drawback of a serial,
sometimes, is that even though the program is registered, it may not be register
ed to you. Sometimes this can
show up if the program creates output files of any type. Frequently it doesn't c
ause any problems. Another large
problem when it comes to serials - blacklisting. A "blacklisted" serial is a ser
ial 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 an
ymore. 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 i
t creates the information to type
in when prompted for the registration information instead of simply having a spe
cific set of details given to
you. There is usually no need to move the keygen to anywhere special. Just doubl
e-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 program
s 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 appropri
ate spot in the keygen to
generate the required "answer" to it. You then need to type the "answer" into th
e 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! =) L
ike the other three releases,
keygens may only work for a certain version (or a series of version like the v3.
x example).
----------------------------
So now what? It didn't work!
----------------------------
"Whadya dooo?" (Said like Chris Farley in Tommy Boy.) Actually... yeah, that wil
l happen. Sometimes it's not your
fault, but frequently it is. =) Be sure you followed all instructions carefully.
If it still doesn't work, it's
possible it was a "bad release" (aka nuked). That means that it may work for som
e 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 crac
ker. When in doubt, try searching
Google and see if any more information is available or go back to the original p
lace 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.
P.S. This short guide has been posted to a number of forums. This will be the *o
nly* copy kept up to date, so
feel free to link to it if posting it elsewhere. Of course feel free to post it
wherever you like, though proper
credit is always appreciated. Spread the knowledge! And remember - "Just use it,
don't abuse it."
--
Peace. ~G