How to Crack a Palm OS Application
Get the tools., Disassemble the program and extract all resources. , Run the program (on a Simulator or on a PDA) and cause it to show a nag screen, registration failure, expiration screen, etc., Note some text in the dialog and find it among the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Get the tools.
You need a hex-editor (any will do), disassembler (pilotdis.exe), and resource extractor (prc2bin.exe).
You also need Palm Simulator (Palm Emulator for older versions of PalmOS). -
Step 2: Disassemble the program and extract all resources.
, Try to register the program with any serial, change date to a future date to make it expire, etc. , Note the resource ID. , Find where the dialog (form or alert) is activated. ,, Do the change manually using the hex-editor at the correct address in the original prc file. ,, -
Step 3: Run the program (on a Simulator or on a PDA) and cause it to show a nag screen
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Step 4: registration failure
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Step 5: expiration screen
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Step 6: Note some text in the dialog and find it among the resources (use some search utility).
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Step 7: Read the listing of the disassembler (in a *.prc.s file).
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Step 8: Find a branch before the dialog that determines good or bad outcome.
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Step 9: Change the branch to a non-conditional one (BRA) or remove it (replace with NOOP 4e71 code).
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Step 10: Test the modified application.
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Step 11: Once all nags are removed
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Step 12: create an XML patch and submit it to pilotwares.com (pilotwares no longer exists)
Detailed Guide
You need a hex-editor (any will do), disassembler (pilotdis.exe), and resource extractor (prc2bin.exe).
You also need Palm Simulator (Palm Emulator for older versions of PalmOS).
, Try to register the program with any serial, change date to a future date to make it expire, etc. , Note the resource ID. , Find where the dialog (form or alert) is activated. ,, Do the change manually using the hex-editor at the correct address in the original prc file. ,,
About the Author
Ann Robinson
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