Hi, this CD seems to be protected by a few data tracks on the outside of the ring being scratched off or unreadable. I can't really tell except there's a visible ring on the label side of the disc and it fails to read at about 60%ish. Should I treat this as a form of SafeDisc copy protection and run CD manipulator?
Normally it's protected by Ring PROTECH. What's Sysiphus?
reentrant wrote:
Normally it's protected by Ring PROTECH. What's Sysiphus?
I'm not sure. I just know it's not safedisc and Wikipedia is calling it that
4 2017-05-15 22:48:48 (edited by reentrant 2017-05-15 22:49:08)
It's Ring PROTECH and it's very heavy disc to dump in terms of difficulty. You need at least 2 drives to dump it. A Plextor and something else with good reading capabilities like Sony OptiARC. If you want to start dumping I suggest you start with something less evil...
reentrant wrote:
Normally it's protected by Ring PROTECH. What's Sysiphus?
Settlers 3 had a custom protection that altered game logic to make it frustratingly unplayable (smelters produced the wrong items, that made it impossible to produce necessary equipment).
6 2017-07-04 06:56:10 (edited by comradesean 2017-07-05 05:32:34)
I do have a plextor and I'll purchase an OptiARC if necessary, but I was wondering if you could explain the process?
edit:
since it's a mixed CD and the ring protect seems to be in the audio tracks, does that mean it's not possible to split the data from audio when dumping this disc?
edit:
It looks like the ring IS in the data track, but that must mean the audio tracks are very small since the ring is like a cm from the outside edge. I'm running it through DIC now with ignore errors and I'm getting this
LBA[214258, 0x344f2], [F:ProcessReadCD][L:1264] OperationCode: 0xd8
ScsiStatus: 0x02 = CHECK_CONDITION
SenseData Key-Asc-Ascq: 03-02-8d = MEDIUM_ERROR - OTHER
LBA[214258, 0x344f2] Read error. padding at 0x55 [2336byte]
I assume this is is proper?
I was actually able to dump it with CloneCD and it bypassed the in-game copy protection, but I couldn't get matching checksums so I'm gonna run this twice and see if it's different.
7 2017-07-06 04:27:48 (edited by comradesean 2017-07-07 05:35:25)
comradesean wrote:
I do have a plextor and I'll purchase an OptiARC if necessary, but I was wondering if you could explain the process?
edit:
since it's a mixed CD and the ring protect seems to be in the audio tracks, does that mean it's not possible to split the data from audio when dumping this disc?edit:
It looks like the ring IS in the data track, but that must mean the audio tracks are very small since the ring is like a cm from the outside edge. I'm running it through DIC now with ignore errors and I'm getting thisLBA[214258, 0x344f2], [F:ProcessReadCD][L:1264] OperationCode: 0xd8
ScsiStatus: 0x02 = CHECK_CONDITION
SenseData Key-Asc-Ascq: 03-02-8d = MEDIUM_ERROR - OTHER
LBA[214258, 0x344f2] Read error. padding at 0x55 [2336byte]I assume this is is proper?
I was actually able to dump it with CloneCD and it bypassed the in-game copy protection, but I couldn't get matching checksums so I'm gonna run this twice and see if it's different.
Ran it three times and I'm unable to get a matching checksum. There is a triangle scratch on the bottom that "might" be the cause, but I'm not sure if this is a result of the ring protect or that. I'll try getting it buffed and maybe buy another copy off ebay if that doesn't work, but I'm not making any progress right now.
last edit:
I realized I had another disc with ring protect and it was flawless in appearance. I ran it twice in DIC ignoring read errors at 4x speed and I could not create matching images. I'm obviously doing something wrong.
9 2017-07-10 08:37:29 (edited by comradesean 2017-07-10 08:39:09)
sarami wrote:
http://redump.org/disc/43270/
Same disc?
Nah, it's the US release. Mastering code is CBBR0018.
10 2017-07-10 16:29:53 (edited by reentrant 2017-07-10 16:41:21)
It could this: http://redump.org/disc/42279/
Also Ring PROTECH cannot be dumped with Plextors.
1) Extract AUDIO using DIC.
2) Extract DATA using OptiARC.
This is the only solution...
reentrant wrote:
It could this: http://redump.org/disc/42279/
Also Ring PROTECH cannot be dumped with Plextors.
1) Extract AUDIO using DIC.
2) Extract DATA using OptiARC.This is the only solution...
Dump like safedisc?
Yes
reentrant wrote:
It could this: http://redump.org/disc/42279/
Also Ring PROTECH cannot be dumped with Plextors.
1) Extract AUDIO using DIC.
2) Extract DATA using OptiARC.This is the only solution...
Does this disc has "PROTECT.PRO" file? or found the string "Allocator" in bin file?
https://www.gamecopyworld.eu/games/pc_s … _old.shtml
Unreadable Errors
The topside of CD #1 has been "damaged", a ring (about 1 mm) is clearly visible at about 1/3 of the outside of the CD.
GameCopyWorld isn't using the word "Ring PROTECH". If this disc is really Ring PROTECH, GameCopyWorld will also use this word.
Protected disc list: http://www.cdmediaworld.com/hardware/cd … tech.shtml
This protect is also adopted in Japanese disc. http://www12.plala.or.jp/t2-bun/list5.html
14 2017-07-11 17:27:07 (edited by comradesean 2017-07-11 17:28:42)
sarami wrote:
reentrant wrote:It could this: http://redump.org/disc/42279/
Also Ring PROTECH cannot be dumped with Plextors.
1) Extract AUDIO using DIC.
2) Extract DATA using OptiARC.This is the only solution...
Does this disc has "PROTECT.PRO" file? or found the string "Allocator" in bin file?
https://www.gamecopyworld.eu/games/pc_s … _old.shtml
Unreadable Errors
The topside of CD #1 has been "damaged", a ring (about 1 mm) is clearly visible at about 1/3 of the outside of the CD.GameCopyWorld isn't using the word "Ring PROTECH". If this disc is really Ring PROTECH, GameCopyWorld will also use this word.
Protected disc list: http://www.cdmediaworld.com/hardware/cd … tech.shtml
This protect is also adopted in Japanese disc. http://www12.plala.or.jp/t2-bun/list5.html
It is definitely similiar, but I don't think it's the exact same protection. Might have been licensed by the company and alteted since I've only ever heard of it on Settlers III and it's expansions. I'll check for the files tonight, but pretty sure they aren't there.
On another note, I ordered an AD-7201S that is on it's way
15 2017-07-15 03:15:30 (edited by comradesean 2017-07-17 10:17:19)
I'm at a loss. Using the Optiarc with CDM and I'm getting different number of errors every time I run it again.
edit: Got the same number of errors on two different dumps, but different errors and mismatch on CRC.
16 2017-07-20 17:21:45 (edited by escarlata 2017-07-20 17:25:30)
reentrant wrote:
It could this: http://redump.org/disc/42279/
Also Ring PROTECH cannot be dumped with Plextors.
1) Extract AUDIO using DIC.
2) Extract DATA using OptiARC.This is the only solution...
I'm new here! What is DIC? And what's the best method for dumping only Audio CDs? I couldn't find a guide for that
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escarlata wrote:
I'm new here! What is DIC? And what's the best method for dumping only Audio CDs? I couldn't find a guide for that
DIC = DiscImageCreator, which can be used to dump audio discs.
PX-760A (+30), PX-W4824TA (+98), GSA-H42L (+667), GDR-8164B (+102), SH-D162D (+6), SOHD-167T (+12)
sarami wrote:
reentrant wrote:It could this: http://redump.org/disc/42279/
Also Ring PROTECH cannot be dumped with Plextors.
1) Extract AUDIO using DIC.
2) Extract DATA using OptiARC.This is the only solution...
Does this disc has "PROTECT.PRO" file? or found the string "Allocator" in bin file?
https://www.gamecopyworld.eu/games/pc_s … _old.shtml
Unreadable Errors
The topside of CD #1 has been "damaged", a ring (about 1 mm) is clearly visible at about 1/3 of the outside of the CD.GameCopyWorld isn't using the word "Ring PROTECH". If this disc is really Ring PROTECH, GameCopyWorld will also use this word.
Protected disc list: http://www.cdmediaworld.com/hardware/cd … tech.shtml
This protect is also adopted in Japanese disc. http://www12.plala.or.jp/t2-bun/list5.html
Sarami, there is no protect.pro file and there are only two .bin files which do not contain the string allocator.
The protection relies on the file MISSIONS.DAT being corrupted from the ring of damaged sectors?, but it is a unique protection created by Blue Byte.
19 2017-07-25 02:13:20 (edited by sarami 2017-07-25 02:27:55)
I bought this. http://redump.org/disc/43270/
There are some error sectors in "SYSTEM.LSK", so this isn't "Ring PROTECH" but "Protected by ring" or "Ring Protect"
http://www.ta-ko.org/index2.htm
According to this site, Ring PROTECH appeared in 2001 summer. The ring protect before 2001 summer is different by manufacturer. e.g. Bleem! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleem! Perhaps Blue Byte is also same.
20 2017-07-28 15:57:54 (edited by comradesean 2017-07-28 15:59:12)
sarami wrote:
I bought this. http://redump.org/disc/43270/
There are some error sectors in "SYSTEM.LSK", so this isn't "Ring PROTECH" but "Protected by ring" or "Ring Protect"http://www.ta-ko.org/index2.htm
According to this site, Ring PROTECH appeared in 2001 summer. The ring protect before 2001 summer is different by manufacturer. e.g. Bleem! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleem! Perhaps Blue Byte is also same.
You must be right. It's definitely similar enough to ring protect and it was a 1998 release.
So... I got tired of running it over and over and I decided to run it with DIC with c2 checking.
DiscImageCreator.exe data I "Settlers III - Disc 1" 4 0 228319 /c2 9999 40960 4
So basically it will recheck errored sectors 9,999 times and hopefully whatever is still remaining will be the actual broken sectors. I don't know if this is the best way to go about it, but it's been running for the last week and it's down to 967 remaining error sectors out of a starting 1700. I ran it about 30 times without error checking and none of my dumps matched so this was my next step and once this finishes I will update on the progress.
After this finishes, I will most likely break the data track up into smaller chunks and compare them between each other.
comradesean wrote:
I'm at a loss. Using the Optiarc with CDM and I'm getting different number of errors every time I run it again.
edit: Got the same number of errors on two different dumps, but different errors and mismatch on CRC.
comradesean wrote:
So... I got tired of running it over and over and I decided to run it with DIC with c2 checking.
DiscImageCreator.exe data I "Settlers III - Disc 1" 4 0 228319 /c2 9999 40960 4
For the time being, you should not use your precious time until they(Jackal, reentrant) release the detailed dumping instruction of the ring protect. If this keeps up, we can't verify that their dumps is good or bad.
22 2017-07-28 16:36:12 (edited by escarlata 2017-07-28 16:37:18)
I bought the Spanish version (or European with Spanish language, not sure)
It is also copy protected.
Did you get good results comradesean?
I have a Sony AD-7200A
23 2017-07-28 16:50:30 (edited by Jackal 2017-07-28 16:51:08)
sarami wrote:
comradesean wrote:I'm at a loss. Using the Optiarc with CDM and I'm getting different number of errors every time I run it again.
edit: Got the same number of errors on two different dumps, but different errors and mismatch on CRC.
comradesean wrote:So... I got tired of running it over and over and I decided to run it with DIC with c2 checking.
DiscImageCreator.exe data I "Settlers III - Disc 1" 4 0 228319 /c2 9999 40960 4For the time being, you should not use your precious time until they(Jackal, reentrant) release the detailed dumping instruction of the ring protect. If this keeps up, we can't verify that their dumps is good or bad.
I'm not gonna invest any time in this issue until comradesean replies to some pm's that I sent a while ago.
All I can say for now is that trying to dump this with a plextor + DIC is a waste of time.
What do you suggest Jackal? OptiARC + DIC is ok?
25 2017-07-28 18:32:15 (edited by Jackal 2017-07-28 19:11:29)
http://redump.org/disc/42279/
http://redump.org/disc/43333/
http://redump.org/disc/43270/
These dumps all have ~462 error sectors. This is the number that you should aim for with these discs.
You basically start by getting a "rough" dump of the data track. I prefer to use CloneCD with Intelligent Bad Sector Scanner and Sector Skip set to 500.
The problem also is that you will still need DIC for the audio tracks, cuesheet etc.. Currently the only way that I know to get DIC to skip through the ring without taking forever is to press the eject button of the drive when it starts retrying sectors, then wait until it filled enough sectors with dummy data, and then pause the command prompt by right clicking into it. Then when the program is paused, press the eject button again and when the disc is loaded again, let command prompt resume and it will continue reading the remaining post-ring area of the disc.
Ideally sarami could implement some kind of smart sector skip function that skips x sectors after x read errors, maybe for a preset range.
When you have a dump of the data track with a wide error range, the next step is to try and read as many sectors as possible before and after the ring, and inject them into the image.
Reentrant made a tool to help automate this process. The tool lacks any documentation / help text, so it's better not to share it for now. Maybe he can make a more "release friendly" version. The tool lets you specify the range that you want to read, the direction (back / forward or both), number of retries for each sector, etc. It looks at the reference image to determine if a sector is corrupt, and then saves any readable sectors to a folder. The tool can then be used to inject the readable sectors into the image.
For the 2 dumps that I did, I used a combination of drives (Optiarc + Samsung + Plextor) to get as many readable sectors as possible. It's a trial and error process that can take several hours. OptiArc drives are well suited for reading most sectors, but keep in mind that you would still need a Plextor drive to dump the rest of the disc (including the audio tracks) properly with DIC.
There should only be a handful of games with this particular protection (maybe only Blue Byte ones). They can be identified by the ring with spikes, that is also visible on the label side. Also, the errors start at around 94% of the data track IIRC, so comradesean's disc might be a different protection.