I still have the box, manual and etc of the game. I will get you guys a scan of the thing. Anyhow, here is a translation of a piece of paper (A5) that came with the game, instructing how to install/handle the game:
Quote:
Warning
To avoid problems, please attent the following:- Know which floppy disk comes with the program "INSTALAR" (consult the manual)
- Before installing, verify that all are disks are unprotected against writing (left hole closed)
- Correct eventual problems with the disk with CHKDSK /F (DOS 5) or SCANDISK (DOS 6)
- Follow the instructions of the installation program.
A lot products from Multitarefa come with a protection device against illegal copies. This system allows the owner of the original installation disks to install the product an unlimited number of times, provided that, before proceeding to a new installation, the previous one is uninstalled.
In the case of protected products, during installation, besides the product files, your authorization of function is also moved. In this process, two hidden files are created in the root of the disk C ("EV*.SYS"). These files - essential for the product to function - are extremely sensitive and may not be removed, or even altered, otherwise the product will irremediably stop functioning! (Note: There is no problem using "Defrag" in DOS, even under "Full Optimization").
If you have memory managers like QEMM, we advise you to disable them before the installation.
To re-install/uninstall the "Authorization":
The authorization is moved from one drive to another using the command:
"PROTEGER drive_origin: drive_destiny:"
for example, to move the "authorization" from the floppy to the hard-disk, do "proteger a: c:". From the hard-disk to the floppy: "proteger c: a:"
The authorization can only be moved from the original floppy-disk (the one with the file PROTEGER.COM) and the floppy-disk has to be unprotected from writing.
You can also uninstall by using the program "DESINSTALAR" from the same floppy-disk:
From the DOS prompt in drive A, after you introduce the floppy-disk, issue command: DESINSTALAR.
In case of any difficulty, you may solicit help from the Technical Department of Multitarefa through the Green Line 0-500-11-67.
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Summary: the floppy #5 is missing two files (named EV*.SYS), because they were moved to the hard-disk by the initial installation.
I am not sure how we can possibly re-create these two files. In Linux (as in other operating systems), you have this "strace" command that allows you to see which system-calls a program is making (which includes stuff like opening and reading files).
That is likely not enough for us: we need to see exactly what the installer (and then the game) are trying to match the file with. Fortunately, with DosBox, we should be able to track exactly what the program is doing. Anyone knowing their x86 Assembly might also be able to do the same by looking at the disassembled code.
I have never done any reverse engineering, and I am short of time at the moment, but it sure sounds like a fun project to eventually get around to. If anyone knows more about this, I would love to help though.
By the way, the same A5 piece of paper is found in both boxes of these Mario games. The manual of the games themselves is very brief in installation instructions: it only says basically: "insert floppy #1; type INSTALAR; follow the instructions". It says nothing about the protection mechanism, or even that you should type DESINSTALAR to uninstall the game. Crappy publishers...