Weak sector data: Difference between revisions

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= Weak disk data =
Some copy protections have what is described as “weak”, “random” or “floated” data.


Some copy protections have what is described as `weak, random or floated' data.
Each time the “weak” sector is read one or more bytes will change. Their value
may be random between consecutive reads of the same sector.
 
Weak data can only be recorded using modified hardware, so you cannot easily copy these disks.
 
Only the [[DSK format|Extended DSK]] and [[UDI format#UDI: Ultra Disk Image file format Version 1.1|UDI 1.1]] disk image formats record this type of data.


Each  time  the 'weak' sector is read one or more bytes will change, the value
== Copy protection ==
may be random between consecutive reads of the same sector.
Weak sectors are used by the [[Speedlock]] family of copy protection routines for [[ZX Spectrum +3]] disks.


Weak data recorded with only modified hardware, so you cannot copy these disks without 'crack' the copy protection.
Usually weak sector data is combined with other techniques for disk copy protection, such as:
* different sector lengths for different tracks
* different sector lengths within a track
* sectors marked as deleted
* sectors with CRC error
* incorrect sector header information e.g.:
** incorrect track number
** increased sector length


Only two  disk image formats ([[DSK format|Extended DSK]] and [[UDI format#UDI: Ultra Disk Image file format Version 1.1|UDI 1.1]]) can store this type of data.
== Disk images with weak sectors ==
Unfortunately, disk images with the weak sector data recorded are rare, so if a program reads the same sector repeatedly then some [[emulators]] assume that this sector has weak data. (e.g. [[Emulators#Fuse|Fuse]])
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