First post, by Banjo
- Rank
- Newbie
I'm trying to get the "Organizer" software that came with the Amstrad PPC640 (a late 80's "luggable" XT) to run on another XT, 286 or 486 without success. I've been trying via emulation (DOSBox, PCem, etc.) too, however whenever I load the software, it fails to start, instead returning to the command prompt with a custom "unauthorized use" error message that makes it likely the software checks it is being run on a real PPC before running, thus preventing people from using it on desktop or other brand machines.
I'm wondering if it would be possible to alter the exe file to make the program run on other machines. If it would be a ton of work, fair enough, but since as far as I know this software was never released in any other form (retail, etc.) besides the PPC512/649 bundles, it means that nobody can run this old program anymore without such a "crack". I looked at PCem and similar emulators, but none can emulate the hardware of a PPC as far as I know.
Would someone more knowledgable than me be willing to take a quick look at the executable and see if they can confirm or deny my theory that it is indeed looking for "real hardware" and thus exiting with an error if it doesn't find it?
I've attached the program for anyone who wants to take a look. Advice on the possibilities of fixing this is welcome! 😀