December 12, 2007 by sharky
OK, so you’ve downloaded some great software, and you can’t figure out how to get it to work. In general there are only three methods that all ‘Release Groups’ adhere to for getting that illicit piece of software or game to good use: Serial numbers, cracks and key generators.
In a proper release, there is always an information file that accompanies the release (an *.NFO file). It is here that information can be found about how to get the software working normally.
NFO files
.NFO files can be opened with ‘Notepad’ (and Wordpad - or any other text editing software) and make sure to select ‘Word Wrap’ under the FORMAT menu in Notepad. Read this file to determine which of these three situations apply. Most NFO files follow the same format with somewhat rudimentary instructions pertaining to proper installation and usage. Here’s an example of an *.NFO file:
Using Serial Numbers & Registration Codes
This is fairly straightforward - just read the *.NFO file for registration information including username, password, registration code (or any/all that need apply). Most NFO files will not tell you the location or where to find the specific menu in the program to enter the serial number - this is generally up to the user to find. Here’s an example of where to find the serial/reg code in an *.NFO file:
Some software has already been cracked by the release group and is ready to install, as-is. In this case, it will be stipulated in the NFO file that nothing further needs to be done (i.e. Just install and use):
Finding serial numbers on the Internet:
There’s also a multitude of websites that offer free serial numbers for most software titles. Some sites are more unscrupulous than others, so be warned - some sites will try to give you viruses just from visiting them. This is called ‘drive-by downloading’, a malevolent practice to an otherwise unprotected computer. Other devious sites will shower you with a deluge of porn popups, faster than you can close the darn things.
Here are a few sites that are completely harmless:
Although we found no wrongdoing on these sites listed below, the same cannot be said for the links to other sites offered through them. We recommend that you conduct searches specifically through in-site searching and be cautious about clicking on any tempting links to other crack sites. These ones seem to be safe, whereas others are not always so.
http://cracknews.com - A no-nonsense site with lots of newer serial numbers and a good search. No popups either! We like this site because we’re able to download the original release group *.NFO file, plus the original Keygen/cracked files are included (if applicable). Simply do a ’search’ and enter the 4-digit code to verify that you are, in fact, a real person and download the *.ZIP file. All files are strictly the original ‘Release Group’ files, adding to the authenticity, and ontent is updated regularly. We simply cannot esteem this site high enough - if you can’t find it anywhere else, you’ll find it here!!
http://crackdb.org is another good, safe site for cracks & serials. Another nice site is http://www.crackz.ws.
http://serials.ws - This one displays some mild adult content, however, don’t let that distract you from the vastness of its search and its current updated entries - many working serial numbers have been found here. It has a great “Yes/No %” user-contributed rating system for all serials, so users can judge whether it will work or not before applying it. And no ad popups!! NOTE: Be cautious about using serials.ws for anything other than serials. If you click on any of the ‘crack’ links you’ll be redirected to (sometimes) unscrupulous sites. You’ve been warned!
http://www.chez.com/toujoursplus - Mostly just older serial numbers, but categorized alphabetically for easy browsing.
Using Cracks (and ‘Cracked’ Files)
A ‘crack’ simply removes the restrictive copy-protection mechanisms on software to either transform it into its almost identical retail version, or a ‘crack’ can somewhat modify a full retail version into ignoring key protective attributes like valid serial numbers, checking for original disks in the DVD drive, etc. One example is the removal of SecuROM and SafeDisk protection commonly found in retail CD/DVD games.
There’s generally only two ways that a ‘crack’ will operate. It could be in the form of a ‘patch’ whereby a small program needs to be run in order to “fix” or “register” the installed program. Or, it could be a cracked file or group of files that need to be copied into the installed directory, to overwrite the files created by the installation. The type of crack will be defined by the instructions in the NFO file (either a ‘patch’ or a ‘copy over…’). In either case, you’ll have to install the program first, and if the program wants to ‘run’ after installation, always select ‘NO’ and then apply the crack. Also make a ‘note’ of where the program is installing - i.e. “C:\Program Files\…” - as you’ll need to know this for these types of cracks, and you’ll have to know how to get to that path directory.
1. “Patch/Fix” cracks
This requires the user to run a file inside the installed directory, or, run the crack and browse to the installed directory and file. Both examples are quite common and more recent cracks allow you to do it both ways. Here’s an example of an .NFO file with a “patch” type crack instructions, and a screenshot of a crack program:
Note that sometimes the crack can be just a *.reg file that needs to be imported into the registry. This will add the necessary registration details for the program.
2. “Cracked Files/Copy To” cracks
Generally these types of cracks are files that are already ‘cracked’ and need to be copied to your installed folder after installation (to ‘overwrite’ the original installed files). Some of these ‘cracks’ are more complicated than others - you may have to copy multiple files into multiple locations - but it will all be laid out for you in the .NFO. Here’s an example of an NFO file that stipulates this type of crack and the message that comes with it to ‘overwrite’ the existing file:
Most ‘cracks’ are located in a separate folder of the release (most of the time the directory name is “CRACK”), and/or sometimes they are in a *.ZIP or *.RAR file.
Always follow the instructions labeled out in the NFO file. Some cracks are quite complicated (for example, some special .NFO instructions warn you to disconnect from the Internet before installation, like in most Symantec software). Another complex ‘crack’ example is the workaround for expensive programs like Autodesk Maya and SoftImage that employ ‘FLEXLM’ dongle-protection - these are excruciating procedures to say the least.
SPECIAL NOTE: In larger game and program releases (i.e. DVD images - *.ISO, *.BIN etc), usually the crack is located in the root of the image file. So if you burn the DVD or mount the image, you’ll see a folder in the main directory that will usually be named after the release group, but sometimes just called “CRACK”. Just look for a folder name that sort of shouldn’t belong (like CRACK, RELOADED, MAGNITUDE, VITALITY, FLT etc.). This is where both the .NFO file and CRACK will be. For programs this large, they are most always the pre-cracked files (”Copy To” type crack, not a ‘patch’).
Using Keygens
A Keygen (”Key Generator” or “KeyMaker”) is a small program that generates working registration information for a program, usually allowing a user to input his own name to generate a ’specific’ working serial or code for only that name. Keygens vary from one release group to the next, as does the required registration information from program-to-program. Some programs require just a serial number; some require a name and registration code; some are more complicated than that. For keygens, you don’t need to remember the ‘path’ of installation; you just need to know how to ‘run’ the installed program (i.e. Start Menu…Programs…). It’s recommended to install and run the program before executing the keygen, that way you can find the exact location for the ‘registration’ area, leave the program running at that spot, and then run the keygen and use copy/paste to input the data. Here are screenshots of two different keygens:
Note that sometimes the registration code generated by a keygen can be quite lengthy, and may be cut off the screen in the keygen window to the right. Be sure to select ALL of the text string when copying.
Looking for a keygen for a specific program? Go to http://cracknews.com or http://crackdb.org/ to find keygens and serial numbers for programs. See ‘Using Serial Numbers’ above.
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