MEDSOFT ------- SPECTRUM KOPYKAT OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS --------------------------------------- This 100% machine code program enables any ZX Spectrum data-file to be copied onto a fresh tape. Even those programs that are impossible to stop can now be copied. Normally each data-file held on cassette is in two parts; a header, followed by a block of data. The header contains information about the data block following e.g. BASIC program or machine code bytes, size of data block etc. Recently in an effort to prevent copying of programs some software houses have produced programs that do not have headers but are LOADed by a machine code routine LOADed initially. Spectrum Kopykat works by LOADing each data block whether it has a header or not. This is done in such a way that the program or data-file will not autoRUN. These data blocks are then SAVEd to tape in the normal way as an exact duplicate of the source tape. After SAVEing the Spectrum Kopykat is ready to copy another file. To use the program type LOAD "" and ENTER. A short program LOADS machine code bytes into the printer buffer. This program will be overwritten when the program is used. The message LOAD TAPE will appear on the screen. Play the tape that you wish to copy. If the data block has a header then the data type and filename will be printed on the screen as when LOADing normally. When the block of data has been LOADed then STOP TAPE and the normal SAVEing message will appear on the screen. Stop the source tape and put a blank tape into the tape recorder, start recording then press any key to SAVE as normally. When the SAVEing has been completed then the message STOP TAPE PRESS KEY will be displayed. Press any key and you are ready to copy another data block. Many commercial programs consist of more than one data block e.g. a BASIC program followed by a SCREEN$ followed by machine code bytes. These should be copied in sequence to duplicate the full program. It is useful to use the Header Reader program to check how many data blocks there are. Spectrum Kopykat uses none of the program area in RAM so that full size programs may be copied i.e. maximum length of data block that may be copied is 41,780 bytes (9,012 for 16K machines). We have yet to find commercial program that cannot be copied using Spectrum Kopykat. If you should find one we would like to hear from you so that any new anti-copying protection routines can be circumvented and incorporated into updated versions of the program. NOTE: Do not press the BREAK key while using the program. After using this program you should use NEW before LOADing another program. COPYRIGHT OF PROGRAMS --------------------- The copyright of computer software has yet to be established by a test case in court but bear the following in mind. It is reasonable to make back-up copies of your own programs but is probably illegal to copy programs that do not belong to you or to sell or give away any copies you make. We of course give you full permission to make back-up copies of our programs. HEADER READER OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS ------------------------------------ Type LOAD "" and then ENTER. The program autoRUNs. Simply play any program tape that you wish to read the headers of. As each header is encountered then the information contained in it is displayed on the screen e.g. filename, data type, autoRUN start line etc. COPYRIGHT MEDSOFT 1983 MEDSOFT, 61 Ardeen Road, Intake, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN2 5ER. MEDSOFT ------- SPECTRUM KOPYKAT UPDATE ----------------------- The very compact nature of the machine code ensures that maximum size programs can be duplicated. In order to maintain user-friendliness in this smalll program size some flexibility has had to be sacrificed. In its original form it will copy 95% of other programs but can be modified by the user to ensure that absolutely any program may be backed up. If you experience any difficulties with duplicating programs then the following short programs can be entered prior to MERGEing Spectrum Kopykat to produce the new program. FOR PROGRAMS WITH A SHORT HEADER/DATA-BLOCK GAP (including programs SAVEd with earlier versions of Spectrum Kopykat) 10 POKE 23827,204: POKE 23833,17: POKE 23834,0: POKE 23910,221 20 RUN FOR PROGRAMS THAT CAUSE THE KOPYKAT TO CRASH - this will faithfUlly copy each block of data that it encounters after a tone leader whether it is a header or a data block. These can then be SAVEd to tape. Follow the on screen instructions and be ready to stop the tape as required. 10 FOR N= 23839 TO 23842: POKE N,0: NEXT N 20 POKE 23859,0: POKE 23860,0 30 POKE 23862,203 40 FOR N= 23864 TO 23916: POKE N,0: NEXT N 50 RUN To use either modification type in the relevant program then type MERGE "KOPYKAT" and ENTER then LOAD our program. The modified program can then be SAVED to tape to RUN from LINE 10 or simply RUN 10 then ENTER. The modified program will autoRUN and will handle any ordinary programs as well.