Desk Wizard v1.00.0105 (replaces v1.98** - see footnote)
Eliminates the 30 day expiration (until the year 2000)
by ZuLu
Where to get the program:
OPTION #1
A ripped archive containing the necessary program files
is included here (dwiz_RIP.zip). In this case, I ripped
out the VB5 files, installation files, and .WAV files in
order to reduce the size of the archive from 2MB to a trim
122 Kb. You will need to have the Visual Basic Runtime
Libraries v5.0 already on your system. If you're not sure
whether you have them, look in the 'SETUP.LST' *text* file
in this archive for a full listing of the necessary support
files. Most new VB apps are now coded in VB5 so if you've
installed any 2.0+ MB sized programs over the last few months
then you probably DO have all the required files. If not, go
to any big shareware site like http://www.windows95.com
and do a file search for "Visual Basic" and you'll find the
required downloadable archive.
OPTION #2
Where to download: http://www.earthlink.net/~asdi/DeskWizard.exe
Author's Homepage: http://www.earthlink.net/~asdi/
What YOU need to do
===================
Unzip the file 'dwiz_RIP.zip' from this archive to a temporary
directory, and then unzip it's contents to a directory of your
choice (does NOT matter what the dir is named). Now add the
PD.Dll file to the same directory. Run the program.
About the program's protection scheme
======================================
1st Run of the program created a file called "PD.dll" in
the directory from which the executable was run. It had
the following attributes
-r -a -s +h
It contained the current date in short format and the word
"Kernel.dll" (no quotes). Obviously, this is how the program
keeps track of the 30 day evaluation period. Otherwise it
seems to have no nags or crippled features. I verified that
the program does indeed expire after 30 days and ceases to
function. After hacking the date contained in the PD.DLL
file to a FUTURE date (12/31/99), the program no longer
expires after 30 days. It expires on Jan.01, 2000.
The program only attempts to write to this file upon it's
creation. Thereafter the program only READS the file.
Changing the attributes of the PD.DLL file has no effect
on the program functioning. Therefore, you can make it
read-only and take off the hidden flag. That way you won't
lose it or accidentally delete it.
Note that upon running the program for the first time, a
a bunch of new files are created in the program directory
but only the PD.DLL is pertinent to the protection.
The other files include:
-Toolbox.ini
-Keyword.dat
-Pd.dll
-Pd.ini
-Scripter.ini
-Z.kwx (filename will vary)
-C.apx (filename will vary)
You don't need to mess with these.
** I don't understand the unusual version counting either,
but I think that the author meant to label the last release
of the program as v1.00.0098 (v1.098 in the ABOUT box).
This would be consistent with the visible display of v1.105
in the ABOUT box of this current release.