Let’s Hack… Fly Spy!
In the early days of Hacking, it was rare a protection system would be as memorable as the one created by Richard Aplin, Author of Fly Spy published by Mastertronic. Havking was always a trade of ideas and new techniques. In this post I'll cover off how to transfer FlySpy to disk that you can follow along.
Diagnostic Command is it Bugged?
Back in the 80's I created a Disk Protection system, exploiting a potential bug in the Firmware of the µPD765A Disk Controller. Looking into this more with todays tools, it seems that the disk record and this specific command isn't implemented as per the specification. Is it my misunderstanding or is there a bug that's gone unnoticed?
µPD765A Disc Controller – Primer
The µPD765A was a prevalent Floppy Disk Controller for many a home computer in the 80's. The Amstrad CPC was no exception. This is a primer for Writing Z80 assembler to access the controller direct. that I'll use for later articles on old school hacking. Want to know more?
Amstrad and ZX Spectrum DSK Tool
I found myself needing a command line tool to investigate and extract files from DSK Image files used by Emulators, after archiving my own 1980's hack disks. I wrote my own and made it opensource for you to use, amend or even improve on if it helps your projects.
DiscSys – XOR
DiscSys was a commonly used Disk Protection format in the 80s for the Amstrad CPC. For a protection system it was very basic, relying on modifying track and sector information to non standard formats to prevent copying with the supplied tools. Though it was very trivial to bypass the protection system and copy the disk anyway. Whilst reminiscing about the past, I discovered a small flaw with implementation in the game XOR, here's what I found...
Speedlock 1987
Speedlock '87 was a prolific Tape Protection System and Turbo Load for the Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum. In this post I look at the protection system and how to hack to it using the same tools available to me in 1987 as a young teenager.
UFW – Uncomplicated Firewall
This article emphasizes the importance of securing Raspberry Pi devices running Linux with basic firewall controls, especially for devices connected to the internet. It guides novice users through steps to install and configure the Uncomplicated Firewall (ufw), including enabling, allowing, and deleting rules, as well as monitoring logs for troubleshooting. Various commands and a basic script are also provided for reference.
Amstrad CPC Themed 2024 Calendar
Who doesn't like free stuff? How about a free to download PDF 2024 Calendar showcasing some of the best Loading Screens the Amstrad CPC had to offer back in the 80's? Be the envy of every die hard Spectrum and Commodore fan worldwide.
Installing Geeetech Thunder Cura Configurations Files on macOS
with the release of the latest consumer FDM printer from Geeetech - Thunder - some macOS users aren't feeling the love when trying to import the configuration files to Cura. I'll show you how in this quick tutorial.
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Diagnostic Command is it Bugged?
Back in the 80's I created a Disk Protection system, exploiting a potential bug in the Firmware of the µPD765A Disk Controller. Looking into this more with todays tools, it seems that the disk record and this specific command isn't implemented as per the specification. Is it my misunderstanding or is there a bug that's gone unnoticed?
Amstrad and ZX Spectrum DSK Tool
I found myself needing a command line tool to investigate and extract files from DSK Image files used by Emulators, after archiving my own 1980's hack disks. I wrote my own and made it opensource for you to use, amend or even improve on if it helps your projects.
DiscSys – XOR
DiscSys was a commonly used Disk Protection format in the 80s for the Amstrad CPC. For a protection system it was very basic, relying on modifying track and sector information to non standard formats to prevent copying with the supplied tools. Though it was very trivial to bypass the protection system and copy the disk anyway. Whilst reminiscing about the past, I discovered a small flaw with implementation in the game XOR, here's what I found...
Speedlock 1987
Speedlock '87 was a prolific Tape Protection System and Turbo Load for the Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum. In this post I look at the protection system and how to hack to it using the same tools available to me in 1987 as a young teenager.
www.muckypaws.com 
Amstrad and ZX Spectrum DSK Tool
I found myself needing a command line tool to investigate and extract files from DSK Image files used by Emulators, after archiving my own 1980’s hack disks. I wrote my own and made it opensource for you to use, amend or even improve on if it helps your projects.
µPD765A Disc Controller – Primer
The µPD765A was a prevalent Floppy Disk Controller for many a home computer in the 80's. The Amstrad CPC was no exception. This is a primer for Writing Z80 assembler to access the controller direct. that I'll use for later articles on old school hacking. Want to know more?
Speedlock 1987
Speedlock '87 was a prolific Tape Protection System and Turbo Load for the Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum. In this post I look at the protection system and how to hack to it using the same tools available to me in 1987 as a young teenager.
DiscSys – XOR
DiscSys was a commonly used Disk Protection format in the 80s for the Amstrad CPC. For a protection system it was very basic, relying on modifying track and sector information to non standard formats to prevent copying with the supplied tools. Though it was very trivial to bypass the protection system and copy the disk anyway. Whilst reminiscing about the past, I discovered a small flaw with implementation in the game XOR, here's what I found...
Diagnostic Command is it Bugged?
Back in the 80's I created a Disk Protection system, exploiting a potential bug in the Firmware of the µPD765A Disk Controller. Looking into this more with todays tools, it seems that the disk record and this specific command isn't implemented as per the specification. Is it my misunderstanding or is there a bug that's gone unnoticed?
Let’s Hack… Fly Spy!
In the early days of Hacking, it was rare a protection system would be as memorable as the one created by Richard Aplin, Author of Fly Spy published by Mastertronic. Havking was always a trade of ideas and new techniques. In this post I'll cover off how to transfer FlySpy to disk that you can follow along.
GreaseWeazle
Via the Retro community I learned of the GreaseWeazle, and at a fundamental level it works by recording the magnetic fluctuations on the disk surface and therefore doesn't rely on a specific disk interface to decode those signals. As such it makes it perfect for making digital forensic copies of disks in the past.
Tip Toe Through the Tulips…
That said, and pain aside, what I have noticed is the joy of walking again, how much I missed it, and the bitter sweetness of it all, given Janice was pushing for exactly this so we could tour the world together.
Widowed and Dating
Have you thought about whether you're capable of Love after Death? Do we go through the motions? How complicated is it? This is my story and experience of Love After Death.