Hacking Commodore 64 VC Problems

[jan777]

okay

 

[WiiCrazy]

I guess I'm doing something wrong when packing the stuff(especially for the u8 archive). Here is what I did,

1. Extract the wad's content with wadunpacker
2. Patch the 00000001.app with wii generic patcher, search for video modes and patch them as pal->ntsc

Up to this part is not problematic since I installed the game and it was working
3. Extract the contents of the 00000005.app with u8 extractor.
4. Change the ik.d64 with a patched one using these steps,
a. selected "abrir archivo" (opened 00000005.app)
b. select ik.d64 and choose "añadir archivo", select the patched ik.d64 (tested on ccs, just changed the frequency table of the rob hubbard's routine so that the music plays out of pitch)
c. choosed "Archivo U8 firmado con MD5" option and finally selected crear archivo" and overwrited the 00000005.app.
d. packed everything back with wadpacker

probably there is something wrong with the step c, what should I choose there? 00000005.app contains these files.

EUR.arc
home.csv
home_nosave.csv
ik.d64
LZ77_banner.tpl
LZ77_keyboard.tpl
LZ77_snapshot.bin
LZ77_straps.tpl
Opera.arc
wbf1.brfna

 

[RadioShadow]

When repacking the contents of 00000005.app, use the 'u8coes_v0.1_eng' tool instead of the 'u8pack' tool to create the 00000005.app.

All you have to do is replace/edit the necessary files. Open the 'u8coes_v0.1_eng'. On the first row, select the original '00000005.app' file. The second row will automatically select the extracted 00000005.app folder. On the third row, chose a place to save the file (save as new file, not overwrite original). Delete original 05.app and rename new 05.app.


I wonder if using the wii generic patcher will work on the Mega Drive wads?

 

[WiiCrazy]

When repacking the contents of 00000005.app, use the 'u8coes_v0.1_eng' tool instead of the 'u8pack' tool to create the 00000005.app.

All you have to do is replace/edit the necessary files. Open the 'u8coes_v0.1_eng'. On the first row, select the original '00000005.app' file. The second row will automatically select the extracted 00000005.app folder. On the third row, chose a place to save the file (save as new file, not overwrite original). Delete original 05.app and rename new 05.app.


I wonder if using the wii generic patcher will work on the Mega Drive wads?

Thanks dude

That worked like a charm, Successful in f*cking up the sound in IK. Now I can retry the failed attempts of my Giana Sisters injecting, I guess that will work easily too

 

[RadioShadow]

What do you mean by the sound if f***ed up?

 

[WiiCrazy]

What do you mean by the sound if f***ed up?

After my two attempts with giana sisters and blue max I'm not sure again, I change the d64 yet when installed on wii still IK plays

by f***ing up the sound, to prove that changing the d64 works I modified the values in the music routine of the game. I tested this on the ccs emulator, it was working. Though it probably didn't work when I installed the wad to the wii. Since I'm installing the nearly same wad over and over maybe there is a problem in uninstalling or so. I'll try it tomorrow. Maybe they actually embedded the d64 or the prg file in the 1.app.

here you can find the hubbard's music routine (search for the 'frequenz data', I changed that part in the d64 file.. mainly added 0x20 or 0x30 to high frequencies of some of the notes)
http://www.ffd2.com/fridge/chacking/c=hacking5.txt

 

[samsam12]

after you make them are you gonna upload them?

 

[Da_GPer]

OK. After reading everyones info and doing some tests myself, I have figured out a few things. One, the u8coes_v0.1_eng program doesnt seem to insert or change any files when used as I have took the 05 app file, used the Wii SDK program to remove the D64 file, checked the file to make sure the D64 file is gone, and then used the new 05 app file without the D64 file as the original. After making a new 05 app file using the no D64 app one as the original, I checked the new one to see whats in it. There was no D64 file, even though the files Im using to modify the app file has one. So..... the u8coes_v0.1_eng program is completely useless. Now, heres what I have found that can be useful. While, it may not be working yet, I have found that if you do use the u8pack_v0.08_eng program and insert the D64 file you want into it then save it as a Firmware U8 Archive w/ MD5, youll see the program run, but still a black screen. Thats a hint that there is something working yet we still dont know the final steps to show the game.

 

[WiiCrazy]

after you make them are you gonna upload them?

Well actually I have no such intentions since it needs lots of things to do like changing manuals pictures and such. But as things get cleared up I would write the steps needed to inject c64 games.

 

[WiiCrazy]

OK. After reading everyones info and doing some tests myself, I have figured out a few things. One, the u8coes_v0.1_eng program doesnt seem to insert or change any files when used as I have took the 05 app file, used the Wii SDK program to remove the D64 file, checked the file to make sure the D64 file is gone, and then used the new 05 app file without the D64 file as the original. After making a new 05 app file using the no D64 app one as the original, I checked the new one to see whats in it. There was no D64 file, even though the files Im using to modify the app file has one. So..... the u8coes_v0.1_eng program is completely useless. Now, heres what I have found that can be useful. While, it may not be working yet, I have found that if you do use the u8pack_v0.08_eng program and insert the D64 file you want into it then save it as a Firmware U8 Archive w/ MD5, youll see the program run, but still a black screen. Thats a hint that there is something working yet we still dont know the final steps to show the game.

Today I experimented a little with the u8 archive alone and here's what I found.
D64 file resides at 2C0C40 with the length of 02AB00 Bytes, I extracted those bytes and compared with the one extracted by the u8 extractor and see they were same. So the easiest way to achieve this is just patching 2C0C40 onwards with the new d64. I'm off to work, tonight I'll give it a go...

 

[FGOD]

after you make them are you gonna upload them?

Well actually I have no such intentions since it needs lots of things to do like changing manuals pictures and such. But as things get cleared up I would write the steps needed to inject c64 games.

that would be nice since i tried it myself but ended up with still IK instead of Run The Gauntlet which i replaced it for...

weird...

 

[WiiCrazy]

after you make them are you gonna upload them?

Well actually I have no such intentions since it needs lots of things to do like changing manuals pictures and such. But as things get cleared up I would write the steps needed to inject c64 games.

that would be nice since i tried it myself but ended up with still IK instead of Run The Gauntlet which i replaced it for...

weird...

The same here, I went to the extreme that I formatted the ik.d64 put there bluemax and directly patched the u8 file from 2C0C40 to 2EB740 with the changed ik.d64 still it plays the international karate. Either a problem with the wad installer or the ik.d64 is just a fake one and the actual international karate program is in the 1.app. I can see the basic, kernal and 1541 rom files in the 1.app executable file but seen no ik data. Maybe they gone to the easy way and rewrote the game

I'll further look into that. I need a ppc disassembler

 

[Da_GPer]

I took the 05 app and while using a hex editor, went to the address you said and noticed the D64 file was there as well. I went and copied the hex info from another D64 file and pasted it over the area where the IK.D64 file would be. Still, it plays IK when runned. I wonder why.....

 

[Da_GPer]

I decided to see if I can notice something different between two different C64 VC WADS. The two are IK and Last Ninja. What I found was interesting..... Last Ninja doesnt even have a D64 file. The file structure in 05 app is completely different. Heres whats inside.

EUR.arc
home.csv
home_nosave.csv
hypra load
last4.3.rep
last ninja 4
LZ77_banner.tpl
LZ77_keyboard.tpl
LZ77_snapshot.bin
LZ77_straps.tpl
ninja0b
ninja0c
ninja0d
ninja0e
ninja0f
ninja1b
ninja1c
ninja1d
ninja1e
ninja1f
ninja2b
ninja2c
ninja2d
ninja2e
ninja2f
ninja3b
ninja3c
ninja3d
ninja3e
ninja3f
ninja4b
ninja4c
ninja4d
ninja4e
ninja4f
ninja5b
ninja5c
ninja5d
ninja5e
ninja5f
ninja6b
ninja6c
ninja6d
ninja6e
ninja6f
ninja7b
ninja7c
ninja7d
ninja7e
ninja7f
Opera.arc
q
the last ninja
wbf1.brfna

Could it be that the WAD file isnt even using the D64 file at all or that theres some hidden info he havent found yet? Ill keep looking.

 

[Da_GPer]

I decided to look at the C64 WAD for California Games, just out of curiosity. Heres what I found in the 05 app.

c
c0] side one ]
c1.@@@@@@@@@@@@
C1°ÀÀÀÀÀ.P00
c1°ÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀ®
c2]. .]
c3] california ]
c4] games! ]
c5] ]
c6] side two ]
c7]. .]
c8.@@@@@@@@@@@@
califo.games_rem
EUR.arc
home.csv
home_nosave.csv
LZ77_banner.tpl
LZ77_keyboard.tpl
LZ77_snapshot.bin
LZ77_straps.tpl
Opera.arc
wbf1.brfna

Ya know, Im starting to think that Nintendo doesnt even use the D64 file at all in the WAD..... Ill keep looking for more info.

 

[Da_GPer]

OK. I think this should be enough info to answer the question, is the D64 file even being used. I took a look at the C64 WAD for Paradroid. Heres the 05 app.

EUR.arc
home.csv
home_nosave.csv
LZ77_banner.tpl
LZ77_keyboard.tpl
LZ77_snapshot.bin
LZ77_straps.tpl
Opera.arc
paradroid
wbf1.brfna

Notice, like the other C64 WADS, no D64 file..... This means that the game must be hidden somewhere else, either condensed or rewritten in some way. The D64 file in IK either might be leftover info that Nintendo might have forgotten to remove or something..... or maybe that game actually uses the D64 file while the rest dont, but that wouldnt seem correct, now would it? I guess this leave only two choices. One, look for and figure out where the actual game data is located in each WAD or two, which would be easier to do, but I cant do, because I dont know how to code or program, is to take the source for the C64 emulator, Frodo, and port a C64 emulator for the Wii. Id say the second choice.

 

[FGOD]

OK. I think this should be enough info to answer the question, is the D64 file even being used. I took a look at the C64 WAD for Paradroid. Heres the 05 app.

EUR.arc
home.csv
home_nosave.csv
LZ77_banner.tpl
LZ77_keyboard.tpl
LZ77_snapshot.bin
LZ77_straps.tpl
Opera.arc
paradroid
wbf1.brfna

Notice, like the other C64 WADS, no D64 file..... This means that the game must be hidden somewhere else, either condensed or rewritten in some way. The D64 file in IK either might be leftover info that Nintendo might have forgotten to remove or something..... or maybe that game actually uses the D64 file while the rest dont, but that wouldnt seem correct, now would it? I guess this leave only two choices. One, look for and figure out where the actual game data is located in each WAD or two, which would be easier to do, but I cant do, because I dont know how to code or program, is to take the source for the C64 emulator, Frodo, and port a C64 emulator for the Wii. Id say the second choice.

I've noticed the same stuff with other C64 games, but i opent all the files and could locate any file that could contain the game...

I hope somebody else can...

 

[WiiCrazy]

OK. I think this should be enough info to answer the question, is the D64 file even being used. I took a look at the C64 WAD for Paradroid. Heres the 05 app.

EUR.arc
home.csv
home_nosave.csv
LZ77_banner.tpl
LZ77_keyboard.tpl
LZ77_snapshot.bin
LZ77_straps.tpl
Opera.arc
paradroid
wbf1.brfna

Notice, like the other C64 WADS, no D64 file..... This means that the game must be hidden somewhere else, either condensed or rewritten in some way. The D64 file in IK either might be leftover info that Nintendo might have forgotten to remove or something..... or maybe that game actually uses the D64 file while the rest dont, but that wouldnt seem correct, now would it? I guess this leave only two choices. One, look for and figure out where the actual game data is located in each WAD or two, which would be easier to do, but I cant do, because I dont know how to code or program, is to take the source for the C64 emulator, Frodo, and port a C64 emulator for the Wii. Id say the second choice.

You should search for a specific
1. a specific series of bytes in the code of the game or in the data area
2. specific series of bytes in the music routine (downloading the game sid helps or finding the disassembly of it

)

other than d64 there could be plenty of files that c64 code could be residing like t64, tap, p00, prg files (with extension and without extension) or even it could be attached into the 1.app, kernal, basic and 1541 rom is already there.

Most of the c64 games you download off the web is cracked and crunched (compressed) and an intro put in it so they differ completely from the original released files. Actually running the game in an emulator, freezing it and taking a snapshot of memory helps in that.

I have only the ik game's wads so I can't comment spesifically...

 

[bubbleboy]

Is there any open source C64 emulator for the PC? It's quite old hardware, so it shouldn't be too hard to port over. But I can't code anything at all so I just hope someone else decides to do it. 8)

 

[FGOD]

OK. I think this should be enough info to answer the question, is the D64 file even being used. I took a look at the C64 WAD for Paradroid. Heres the 05 app.

EUR.arc
home.csv
home_nosave.csv
LZ77_banner.tpl
LZ77_keyboard.tpl
LZ77_snapshot.bin
LZ77_straps.tpl
Opera.arc
paradroid
wbf1.brfna

Notice, like the other C64 WADS, no D64 file..... This means that the game must be hidden somewhere else, either condensed or rewritten in some way. The D64 file in IK either might be leftover info that Nintendo might have forgotten to remove or something..... or maybe that game actually uses the D64 file while the rest dont, but that wouldnt seem correct, now would it? I guess this leave only two choices. One, look for and figure out where the actual game data is located in each WAD or two, which would be easier to do, but I cant do, because I dont know how to code or program, is to take the source for the C64 emulator, Frodo, and port a C64 emulator for the Wii. Id say the second choice.

You should search for a specific
1. a specific series of bytes in the code of the game or in the data area
2. specific series of bytes in the music routine (downloading the game sid helps or finding the disassembly of it

)

other than d64 there could be plenty of files that c64 code could be residing like t64, tap, p00, prg files (with extension and without extension) or even it could be attached into the 1.app, kernal, basic and 1541 rom is already there.

Most of the c64 games you download off the web is cracked and crunched (compressed) and an intro put in it so they differ completely from the original released files. Actually running the game in an emulator, freezing it and taking a snapshot of memory helps in that.

I have only the ik game's wads so I can't comment spesifically...

if you have a pal wii i can send you a pm with links to other c64 games...