Applying Copy Protection to My Application in DOSBox 0.74 \ VOGONS

Applying Copy Protection to My Application in DOSBox 0.74

Topic actions

First post, by KentRieske

Posted on 2010-11-10, 15:27

KentRieske Offline

Rank Newbie

Rank: Newbie
Posts: 6
Joined: 2010-11-10, 14:48

I developed and market engineering software in MS-DOS format using BALERXE spreadsheet compiler. It runs nicely in Windows XP using Aladdin (SafeNet) copy protection with a USB Hardlock Key as the dongle. My unprotected applications run about the same in DOSBox 0.74 on Windows 7 32-bit machines but DOSBox prevents the Aladdin copy protection software from finding the Hardlock Key dongle in the USB port. Aladdin does not have a driver in DOS format for finding the USB port. I am still testing and have a new 64-bit computer on order.
QUESTION:
Who are the companies that have copy protection for MS-DOS applications that work in DOSBox 0.74?
Is the DOSBox crew working on USB drivers, or such, that will allow my copy protected application to run? What is the expected time when applications will be able to use the USB ports?
Thanks,
Kent

Reply 1 of 4, by h-a-l-9000

Posted on 2010-11-10, 15:35

h-a-l-9000 Offline

Rank DOSBox Author

Rank: DOSBox Author
Posts: 4511
Joined: 2005-02-23, 00:14

Uh... DOSBox is a gaming emulator. We're not working on USB and I haven't heard of companies providing dongle solutions.

One thing I could think of is to get a USB dongle that fakes a virtual serial port to exchange data (if they exist)

1+1=10

Reply 2 of 4, by KentRieske

Posted on 2010-11-10, 15:49

KentRieske Offline

Rank Newbie

Rank: Newbie
Posts: 6
Joined: 2010-11-10, 14:48

Thanks for your reply. I see that most DOSBox users are interested in old DOS games but I also see lots of recommendation around the Internet to use DOSBox for application such as old word processors, accounting, data base, etc. There are lots of old MS-DOS engineering and scientific applications that are very powerful but have not be upgraded to Windows because of the expense.
I will check into virtual serial port concept.
Will DOSBox 0.74 allow application to address a serial port and how is that accomplished?

Reply 3 of 4, by h-a-l-9000

Posted on 2010-11-10, 16:08

h-a-l-9000 Offline

Rank DOSBox Author

Rank: DOSBox Author
Posts: 4511
Joined: 2005-02-23, 00:14

Look for [serial] in the config file. Also the documentation is your friend.

1+1=10

Reply 4 of 4, by wd

Posted on 2010-11-10, 16:50

wd Offline

Rank DOSBox Author

Rank: DOSBox Author
Posts: 10813
Joined: 2003-12-03, 21:23

but I also see lots of recommendation around the Internet to use DOSBox for application such as old word processors

These are certainly no official recommendataions.

Go to top of page Go to top of page

Back to DOSBox Games/Apps