Rom Copy Technique Ii
This copy method has some drawbacks but, all in all, is the simplest and most effective ROM copy technique being used by software pirates today. To explain this technique, I will introduce a new term -EPROM chip. An EPROM chip is an Erasable, Programmable, Read Only Memory (also PROM, Programmable Read Only Memory chips can be used but cannot later be erased and revised). EPROMs are just like ROMs except that the instructions can be altered using a device called an EPROM burner. This, figuratively speaking, burns instructions into the chip and makes it operate just like a ROM. To erase an EPROM, just put it under an ultraviolet light and it is ready for reprogramming. An EPROM burner with the proper software can also read the contents of a ROM (or EPROM, etc.) and store those instructions to disk or tape. This permits one to strip off the contents of a ROM cartridge and then reproduce a duplicate EPROM or PROM cartridge. This EPROM will operate exactly like the original. Even the protection technique mentioned above is totally ineffective against the EPROM copy. EPROM burners range in price from $20.00 (in kit form without, software) to several thousand dollars, but one that would adequately do the job for ATARI cartridges would cost about $120.00 to $200.00. That puts an EPROM burner within the grasp of most serious computer owners.
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