I believe that since it's a shareware/trial version you should be okay linking to it here. Might get a few people investigating that otherwise wouldn't have bothered PMing you.

Thanks for the encouragement - I really hope someone with knowledge in this area can assist as this is the last bit of software I need to complete the software I've accrued, and I'd like nothing more than to share this pack on the Internet Archive, as I truly believe that even today this is excellent software, especially for those wishing to compose on older systems.

The actual setup file for v1.11 is here: https://archive.org/download/darkbasic-pcacti … soundstudio.exe - I could only find it on this DarkBasic demo disc of all places...

There's also a patch to bring the version to v1.16, available again via archive.org from an archived copy of Evolution Electronics' website: https://web.archive.org/web/20030620220934/ht … pub/ss_sptc.exe

Cheers 😀

I've yet to make any progress with this, but there is at least a way to reset the trial, by deleting a file and a couple of registry keys. The following can be used to reset the app before launching it.

If anyone with any assembly/disassembly skills is able to help, please do! 😀

Is the. EXE compressed after Installation? Can you read all text inside?

OK think I have it.

Query screen is called at 33BA, can be NOPed out.

Check is done at 33FC-3412. 3427 will kick you out. 3416 will call the program and exit afterwards.

Will do the patch tomorrow...

Verglichen werden SoundStu2.exe und SoundStu2_org.exe.
00012EAC: 90 83
00012EAD: 90 3E
00012EAE: 90 56
00012EAF: 90 00
00012EB0: 90 02
00012EB1: 90 0F
00012EB2: 90 84
00012EB3: 90 22
00012EB4: 90 00
00012EB5: 90 83
00012EB6: 90 7E
00012EB7: 90 FE
00012EB8: 90 01
00012EB9: 90 0F
00012EBA: 90 85
00012EBB: 90 1A
00012EBC: 90 00
00012EBD: 90 83
00012EBE: 90 3E
00012EBF: 90 80
00012EC0: 90 00
00012EC1: 90 00
00012EC2: 90 0F
00012EC3: 90 84
00012EC4: 90 11
00012EC5: 90 00
00015214: CB 57

Predator99 wrote on 2024-01-04, 21:52:

OK think I have it.

Query screen is called at 33BA, can be NOPed out.

Check is done at 33FC-3412. 3427 will kick you out. 3416 will call the program and exit afterwards.

Good job, Predator99. What is this DOS tool you've used for disassembly?

analog_programmer wrote on 2024-01-05, 15:41:

Good job, Predator99. What is this DOS tool you've used for disassembly?

It looks the same as Turbo Debugger from Borland (but I do not remember that Turbo Debugger has ever recognized Pentium Pro class CPU).

@Predator99:
Nice job, for a 16-bit Windows 3.x program this Sound Studio is quite powerful (and nice looking!).

Yes, its Borland Turbo Debugger for Windows

Included in CPP 5.02

Falcosoft wrote on 2024-01-05, 16:26:

[...]
@Predator99:
Nice job, for a 16-bit Windows 3.x program this Sound Studio is quite powerful (and nice looking!).

I tried on 3.11 , installer says it's not supported OS - I think Sound Studio GOLD is the one that runs under 3x: https://web.archive.org/web/20001011200339/ht … oreinfo/ssg.htm

Aaaaah, good old Turbo Debugger. Totally forgot it.

keropi wrote on 2024-01-05, 18:02:

I tried on 3.11 , installer says it's not supported OS - I think Sound Studio GOLD is the one that runs under 3x: https://web.archive.org/web/20001011200339/ht … oreinfo/ssg.htm

You missed that:

RichB93 wrote on 2023-12-22, 16:24:

It's a bit of an oddball application as it's not for Win3.x; it's designed for Windows 9x and has a 32-bit launcher stub that somehow works with the main 16-bit executable? I'm not sure how it all works, but I'm curious to know how.

keropi wrote on 2024-01-05, 18:02:

Falcosoft wrote on 2024-01-05, 16:26:

[...]
@Predator99:
Nice job, for a 16-bit Windows 3.x program this Sound Studio is quite powerful (and nice looking!).

I tried on 3.11 , installer says it's not supported OS - I think Sound Studio GOLD is the one that runs under 3x: https://web.archive.org/web/20001011200339/ht … oreinfo/ssg.htm

You are correct! In fact I have a boxed copy of this - it's a cracking piece of software. See the attached image.

Predator99 wrote on 2024-01-05, 14:35:

soundstudio.part1.rar soundstudio.part2.rar soundstudio.part3.rar soundstudio.part4.rar […]
Show full quote

soundstudio.part1.rar
soundstudio.part2.rar
soundstudio.part3.rar
soundstudio.part4.rar

SoundStu2-cracked.zip

Fantastic stuff! Thank you SO much Predator99 - I was trying for a LONG time to make sense of the code using Ghidra but I just ended up with a headache after a couple of hours haha.

This was the final bit of software I was looking for to complete a collection I've been working on for a few months now.

Can you identify what are "full" programs and what is "shareware" and remove all links to any "full" programs? Thanks.
There is no such thing as so called "abandonware"

I haven't looked at the attachments, If the cracks include a modified file from a "full" program then that is copyright infringment although possibly might legally be allowed to share the unmodified file if it's not a "substantial part" although only the courts can say for sure. As far as the DMCA is concerned for the U.S, the user is allowed to circumvent the DRM if the program can no longer be effectively controlled so "trafficking" in such tools is allowed but not if they include copyrighted files. A patcher or xdelta diff is likely better off legally since they can in no way be considered a "substantial part" and they are explicity for circumventing the DRM (that is no longer effectively controlled) but the user would still have had to own the program so a statement as such would be a good CYA.

I've been researching this for quite awhile for providing methods of removing the DRM from games and making that information public without getting in trouble for doing so. As everyone knows it's a fools games since it's a confusing quagmire (purposely so) and anyone can be sued for anything but the above is what I've been able to determine from prior cases. Archive.org doesn't give a crap and has an army of lawyers so if "your" files are there then you are good, just don't link here.

DosFreak wrote on 2024-01-06, 00:07:

Can you identify what are "full" programs and what is "shareware" and remove all links to any "full" programs? Thanks.
There is no such thing as so called "abandonware"

Apologies, this entire thread is bypassing a shareware timer as per the original post so should probably be deleted. I have removed the link I previously posted.

OK, I have removed the patched file and replaced by a comparision. Should not be difficult to apllied by anybode interested.

The remaining RAR is the corresponding shareware version and should be OK to be distributed.

DosFreak wrote on 2024-01-06, 00:07:

Can you identify what are "full" programs and what is "shareware" and remove all links to any "full" programs? Thanks. There is […]
Show full quote

Can you identify what are "full" programs and what is "shareware" and remove all links to any "full" programs? Thanks.
There is no such thing as so called "abandonware"

I haven't looked at the attachments, If the cracks include a modified file from a "full" program then that is copyright infringment although possibly might legally be allowed to share the unmodified file if it's not a "substantial part" although only the courts can say for sure. As far as the DMCA is concerned for the U.S, the user is allowed to circumvent the DRM if the program can no longer be effectively controlled so "trafficking" in such tools is allowed but not if they include copyrighted files. A patcher or xdelta diff is likely better off legally since they can in no way be considered a "substantial part" and they are explicity for circumventing the DRM (that is no longer effectively controlled) but the user would still have had to own the program so a statement as such would be a good CYA.

I've been researching this for quite awhile for providing methods of removing the DRM from games and making that information public without getting in trouble for doing so. As everyone knows it's a fools games since it's a confusing quagmire (purposely so) and anyone can be sued for anything but the above is what I've been able to determine from prior cases. Archive.org doesn't give a crap and has an army of lawyers so if "your" files are there then you are good, just don't link here.

Hey!

Sorry for being so quiet. As much as I'm a bit frustrated given the software is from a now defunct company, I do understand why you have to be so careful - the last thing I want is to bring a beloved site into legal disrepute! My frustration isn't with you and you make fair points.

Given your explanation in your post, I have created a patcher which does not contain any original code- it will merely patch v1.16 to bypass the shareware timer. If you are agreeable, I am happy to post it here for people who require it, however if this is not permissible I understand.

Still it is unclear for me, why for example it is allowed original or modded BIOS-dumps to be uploaded here, but it's not allowed to upload abandoned software (OK, I'll not call it "abandonware"). As "abandoned software" I mean such a software with no support and updates, no existing company that created it, no way to buy it or to pay for registration.

analog_programmer wrote on 2024-01-10, 12:12:

Still it is unclear for me, why for example it is allowed original or modded BIOS-dumps to be uploaded here, but it's not allowed to upload abandoned software (OK, I'll not call it "abandonware"). As "abandoned software" I mean such a software with no support and updates, no existing company that created it, no way to buy it or to pay for registration.

Offtopic. Make your own thread for your concern so that people can spout their own beliefs on the subject.

DosFreak wrote on 2024-01-10, 15:04:

Offtopic. Make your own thread for your concern so that people can spout their own beliefs on the subject.

Sorry. I don't see "general/common tales" section.