SimCity 3000 on Linux

[Rhapsody]

I posted about running SimCity 3000 on Linux way back (circa 2006) and I've finally made some progress on it. I've cracked the executable with unSafeDisc and got it running on a virtualized copy of Windows 2000 (using VirtualBox). Now it runs, but only with the CD. The CD itself isn't looking so great (the system will only recognize it if I insert it at the correct angle, though it works fine otherwise), so I'd rather be playing everything from the HD.

As far as I can tell, this will either require an ISO that will fool the game into thinking it's a real CD, no a no-CD crack. The former is difficult because K3b (my choice of CD ripper) gives a multitude of errors and proceeds at a glacial pace. The latter is difficult because this is SimCity 3000 UK Edition, and I believe no-CD patches are hard to come by for this.

So what's my best option? If I rip it, I'll need to know how to do it in order to get a good image (I'll use Windows apps if that's what it takes), and I'll certainly need help if I want to get a no-CD patch for this. Please help, I'm so close here!

[TippeX]

well you haven't cracked it, r!sc's tool did...

the game obviously has a cdcheck after the safedisc protection, look for it...
breakpoing on GetDriveTypeA, or the error messagebox asking for the disk etc...

not exactly rocket science, but then you might understand the difference between being someone who can crack instead of someone who can simply run a tool...

[Rhapsody]

Originally Posted by TippeX

well you haven't cracked it, r!sc's tool did...

You're going to quibble on semantics? Yes, OK, I used unSafeDisc to decrypt the executable, I don't have a clue how it actually did this. It seemed to not recognize the CD before, now it does but it won't start without it.

Originally Posted by TippeX

the game obviously has a cdcheck after the safedisc protection, look for it...
breakpoing on GetDriveTypeA, or the error messagebox asking for the disk etc...

not exactly rocket science, but then you might understand the difference between being someone who can crack instead of someone who can simply run a tool...

What the hell? Did my choice of language shrink your e-penis or something? I never said or implied I made any of this, if I did, do you think I'd be here asking for help on a fucking CD check? Saying 'I cracked it' meant to me 'I used this tool, and it seems have cracked it', whatever more you read into my comments is your own problem.

Now that we've got the customary insults out of the way, I haven't a clue about breakpointing. I don't know how to use VirtualBox that much as well (I'm struggling on how to make it see my internet connection). So I'd appreciate help rather than more sensitive, elitist bullshit. Thank you.

[TippeX]

right, i expected an attitude like this... have a holiday...

[nando2002]

Originally Posted by Rhapsody

Now that we've got the customary insults out of the way, I haven't a clue about breakpointing. I don't know how to use VirtualBox that much as well (I'm struggling on how to make it see my internet connection). So I'd appreciate help rather than more sensitive, elitist bullshit. Thank you.

You just "fired" a person that may help you solving your problem only because you don't understand his post.

Anyway... if you can use Daemon-Tools on that "VirtualBox" you may create an ISO and load it in DT so the game will recognize the Image as a true CD.

Aside this, I can't help you more.

[Joe Forster/STA]

Not even a breakpoint or actually running the executable is needed in most of such cases. I don't have SoftICE and have troubles using other debuggers, too, so I mostly crack (! ) stuff by disassembling the executable, searching for stuff in its the disassembly, changing the corresponding part in the executable and then running it to see what happens. But that's only me...

[TippeX]

yep usually an xref to the string or a check against the GetDriveTypeA/W and typical cd/dvd api's (Generally GetVolumeInformationA/W) is all thats needed, and its probably a very very simple cdcheck.. which i would have helped him with, had his attitude been a little better...

perhaps i was a bit quick, but using tools does not make a person a cracker, and we don't support linux anyway... regardless though if he had have actually discussed instead of launching into a tirade of insults i might have assisted, though he was using the wrong tools anyway (apart from unsafedisc that is)..

[Rhapsody]

Originally Posted by TippeX

perhaps i was a bit quick,

I think I was a bit quick too, but this is how I make my posts. To the point and with some profanity. I tend to either end up being banned, or become a well-respected member.

Originally Posted by TippeX

but using tools does not make a person a cracker,

As I said, not the intention of my post. Saying that I cracked the executable was an example of the BORA (Break Once, Run Anywhere) principle. It's only hard to crack a protection scheme once. If a tool has been made based around that knowledge, cracking the same scheme is a 'Push the button' thing.

I guess there's a different language here concerning that, but what I said would've been a common way of phrasing things on many other forums, maybe you should bear that in mind next time.

Originally Posted by TippeX

and we don't support linux anyway...

I was going to say I should've read the FAQ or the rules, but I don't see this anywhere. Besides that, my initial post stated I had a full install of Windows 2000 on VirtualBox, so Windows apps were not out of the question. I ended up using two of them anyway.

Originally Posted by TippeX

regardless though if he had have actually discussed instead of launching into a tirade of insults i might have assisted, though he was using the wrong tools anyway (apart from unsafedisc that is)..

She is discussing things now. You accused me of stealing credit for unSafeDisc, because you misinterpreted my use of the word 'cracked'. That's one of the few times in recent years that I've felt genuinely offended. After you gave out what I interpreted as a direct insult in response to a request for assistance, I didn't care if you were the President of the United States, you were getting a verbal disembowelling.

I was going to respond with a similarly insulting post, as I felt the week-long ban was an abuse of power that simply added insult to injury, but I decided not as this seems to be a misunderstanding.

[TippeX]

not responding with a similarly insulting post was a very smart idea...

as for getting he = she wrong.. sorry...

everything else stands... oh and if i was president of the united states i'd have shot myself a long time ago...

also ironic is that you use 'abuse of power' and 'president of the united states' in the same post... ;p

as for helping, think that boat has long sailed..

recommendations:

first check the iso you are making is actually good
secondly, check the exe actually has any disk checks after the protection was removed (presumably it has).. if so, try using a no-cd exe if one exists - the game is old so you may be in luck finding a gimpsrus cracked exe..

if you want to continue further asking questions etc, feel free.. who knows, maybe i may assist..

[Joe Forster/STA]

On a side note: Starting your carreer on a forum with some insults is not a good idea in general. In particular, they get banned very easily on this forum. Yes, you may not know that in advance - which is exactly why you should be careful.

[acal3000]

I missed this one but maybe it's old now

but Tippex is right

Raphsody. Tippex has never liked crakers that don't revers directly the exe dissamebling it

But he was polite when you werent

I see you are a Linux user like me

And we as Linux users should not show that kind of attitude