Do Patches Ruin Cracks?
 

I want to use some patches(updates) for games but am worried they'll ruin the cracks or mean the cracks wont work, so do they cause problems or not? I know with some you need to put the original files back but then you would just overwrite them again with the cracks wouldn't you?
:confused:

Yes, most times this is true.
Yes but, again most times, you will need an update NoCD crack. Most times the version of the NoCD crack has to match the version of the update. There are a few exceptions, for example the game 'Farcry'. The very first NoCD crack is still ok for all updates. ;)
Which game are you referring too?

Unless you fancy a reinstall come patch day, keep a copy of the original files handy (i just rename them gibberish before copying cracks across.)

I've also known some games to refuse to play multiplayer if the MD5sum of the .exe's differ, if you want to avoid the patching and *possible tho unlikely* MP issues I'd suggest using CP emulation in the forms of Mini-Images, Full Images, or loaders such as GameJackal/GameJack.

These however are not without their disadvantages, namely that you need extra hdd space for extra programs/images, that running the game is no longer a case of just clicking the icon, and that you still have to suffer invasive, unreliable, buggy CP systems :)

Here's a list(some might not have patches yet but it could be useful when or if they do):
7 Sins
Singles 2
Fable: The Lost Chapters
GTA: San Andreas
Premier Manager 2005-2006
ER
The Sims 2(including all the exspansions)
Fahrenhiet
Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude

if a cracked file gets overwritten by a new one (i.e the main game executable or some crypted files wich the cracker decrypted) the protection is there and needs to be removed for this version too.
most patches are updating the core game files. this results in a cd/dvd check or more common some commercial proteciton added to it.