[GibboUK]

*WARNING - Long thread!!*

A little off topic but I think this would be a good place to ask or at least start. First let me explain, I currently have a system that is used effectively as a user friendly jukebox, dj player, quiz machine, pub games etc. that was removed from my pub when I sold it. The system runs windows XP though you do not see the boot screen or any telltale signs of the OS. Instead it boots directly to the user interface. The system is all touch screen and you only have access to basic functions the company wishes you to use – you have no contact to the operating system at all. You can however connect a keyboard and mouse to the computer and use these and access the BIOS. (Changing the date in the bios resulted in me being locked out of the system until a serial number is entered).

When it gets to a stage when I can use ctrl, alt and delete, then select the task manager, I’m assuming the task manager loads but it is hidden by the user interface. No keyboard shortcuts let me leave the GUI.

If a serial number is entered (either an old one or made up one), when the number is rejected because it is not valid, a windows error dialog box shows saying along the lines of, “Object is not pointed at an instance” and other messages that look like the coding from a database or VB/Similar coding. Again, if you think the exact message will help, I will get this upon request.

My objective is either:
a) Generate a serial number that allows my access once again to my system
b) Rip the music or make an exact clone of the hard drive so I can further investigate

Furthermore, let me explain I am not attempting to do anything illegal. I have paid for the music that’s on the system monthly. The reason they lock the system with a serial number is because the system is initially intended for public venue use, such as pubs and restaurants, and because of this the cost you pay per month includes a PRS license fee, which of course is not needed for use on private property. The system is standalone and is never connected to the Internet. The company realizes this is a flaw but shows no real intention of helping me out. Therefor I have taken it upon myself to gain access and do what I wish, with a system that I own.

I have only got a record of 5 serial numbers currently, with 3 of them being recent. I have not found any set pattern except for the string length and the first and last characters being identical.

I am not an experienced user of Linux but have used it in the past. I have created a bootable USB drive holding Ubuntu on it, and have been able to boot from this on the system, and been able to see all the files on the Windows system. However, I cannot play any of the WMA music files (perhaps they are DRM protected?), and I cannot copy any of the files, because both of them present me with errors along the lines of prohibited or restricted access. If the exact error message is required please let me know. Having written this, I am not sure if it is because I am trying to copy the internal drives files to the USB drive holding the Linux OS.

I have thought about making an exact clone of the internal drive, which I believe to be 320gb in size (though not full) and examine it further. I have a couple of external drives but I do not wish for them to be formatted or the data compromised.

Sorry for the long-winded explanation, but I thought it would be best to give a detailed scenario. Any help or advice to help me move any further with this would be appreciated.

Regards

[Mistawes]

When you're trying to copy files in Linux, do you try it from the Desktop/GUI? I'd try from Terminal..

It wouldn't hurt to have a 2nd USB inserted to dump info onto, make sure you get the exact address right and use it in Terminal - (hover mouse over the usb device from filemanager to see the address or right click the icon for it and go to Properties, then copy the address from there and paste it into Terminal in the next step). Also, if you're typing it and there's a space in it's name (e.g. "STORE N GO" like loads of mine have), hit tab when typing it.

So first type "sudo cp location/of/folder/* destination/of/usb". The * means it will copy everything in that folder, or you can specify a certain file. If you're "root", it should let you copy from the first address (location) to the second (destination) no problem. If it asks for a password, it might be "root" by default or you can login (when it first boots, if it does ask) as - username: root password: root and you'll be root from the GUI, so should let you do what you want.

When it gives a restricted access message when trying to play / copy files, tell us what that says, would help to know if it's just Linux saying you don't have permission (because you're not root), or if there's more to it.

Have you tried putting that HDD into another computer? You can insert it in internally, or just use an external hdd case and plug in through USB (much easier).

I'm presuming you've tried things like these in Windows: 1:windows key + D, 2:alt + tab, ctrl+shift+esc, 4:alt + F4, 5:Ctrl + alt + delete..

Just making sure you've covered all the basics.. I've had a long day so can't think straight atm, but I'll chime in again if I think of anything!

[GibboUK]

Thanks for your detailed reply!
Ive tried what you suggested from the terminal, with a number of changes to cover all bases (directories etc). I tried copying to another USB HD, but still got the same results.

If I copy the root, I am presented with:
cp: omitting directory '/media/HDD/Entertainer2/Media/ (List of Folders)'

If I go to the exact music folder and do the same thing, I get:
sudo: unable to execute /bin/cp: Argument list too long

And If I try to copy the specific folder and not with the * I get the same omitting directory message.

On guides online I noticed the drives seemed to be labelled SDA, SDB, SDC etc, maybe im missing something blinding here? Or maybe because its a live version?

I have tried almost all windows shortcuts known to me with still no progress.

And if I try to play a file using the built in Ubuntu media player, the message I get is:
An error occurred
Could not read from resource

Under the file properties, the files show to have size (i.e 3mb) but under the Audio/Video tab, the tags from Title, Artist, Album etc are unknown and the Duration is 0 seconds.

When I use the GUI to try and drag/drop a file, the message I get is:
Error while copying "A000006.wma"
The was an error copying the file into /media/Music.
Error splicing file: Permission denied

Update: The file copied across, or at least the container did, but the file size is 0 bytes and when opened it says the stream contains no data

I noticed however I can copy/move files internally with no problem. I.e. Root/Folder to Root

I really appreciate your help, but if you have any other advice It would be of great help!

[enohand]

is it one of those "Touch lab" or "touch gem" machines?


noramlly they run linux...

[GibboUK]

Ive had a quick google of what you said mate and couldnt find anything. Doesnt sound like it though, and it runs Windows XP. When I had a problem once and had to restore I was able to gain access to XP over the phone by entering a specific code using the keyboard. Also I can see the Windows files using a live Linux distro.

The system is "similar" to this:
http://www.mediatheme.com/the-entertainer/

and its rip-off version:
http://www.lounge-lizzard.com/

[GibboUK]

Sorry for the bump but I would really appreciate any input from this?
Thanks again for your advice Mistawes, even if it didnt work, it gave me a better understanding of Linux.

I also saw some info on the DD command, but my problem is, my spare external HD is 80gb, and the native internal drive is 320gb, can I use the DD command in linux to copy a specific folder bit by bit that will be the right size?

[Mistawes]

Sorry for the delay, I was down on my boat!

I don't think you can specify a certain amount of data, you can however copy multiple files at once, although you need to specify them all. Try this: "cd /media/HDD/Entertainer2/Media" "cp File1.mp3 File2.mp3 /media/name_of_USB".

When you're dragging and dropping, I don't think you're logged in as Root, so you wouldn't have permission. Getting the exact name of the hard drive is important, it might be mounted as SDD/SDD1 etc. but on my PC right here, when I open the internal HDD in File Manager the name in the title bar (next to minimize and close window buttons) says: "94941BDE941BC222" for me and that's what I need to type to point to it when using Terminal (e.g. "cd /media/94941BDE941BC222/" will to go to root of that partition). It's one of 2 partitions on that drive and they both have long gibberish names like that. Basically, whatever you see in title bar will work in Terminal, whether it's USB or internal.

I reckon the handiest thing to try would be adding the hard drive from that system into a desktop that is running Windows/Linux/OSX, via USB and copy everything from there. I take apart the same case to use as an adapter, you just need the USB/SATA or USB/IDE connection.

If you don't have an external case you could add it internally as a slave, then you should see it in "My Computer" and be able to drag and drop no problem.

Then you can take the hard drive out and plug it into your normal desktop PC and browse it like any other hard drive. If it's IDE then follow the pictures below:





If it's SATA you'll need to plug it into your PC's motherboard and change the boot order (varies from one PC to the next, but could be F8 or F2 etc on boot, it should tell you) to make sure you boot off the right hard drive, so it doesn't try to load the locked down OS.

[andonevris]

Sounds like XP is running in some sort of kiosk mode. Can you boot into safe mode at all?

Also if you're not comfortable with linux there are windows boot CDs (ultimate boot cd is pretty good http://www.ubcd4win.com) which will get you full file access, or something like ERD Commander (Microsoft DaRT) which will allow you to disable services and maybe get a boot environment where you have a bit more control to do what you need.

[GibboUK]

Thanks for the replies, ill give the linux copying one more try. I dont have the option at boot to log in as a root user but ive logged out and tried to log back in as root or admin but it wouldnt let me. I did try running the commands from within the terminal as sudo though.

Though im experienced with computers, the difficulty with swapping out the HD is that the whole system is rack mounted along with amplifiers, microphone receivers etc, and it would be a much more difficult way around things.

I am currently downloading a windows boot CD to try that out and hopefully see if there is a more obvious problem with file access permissons.

All your help is much appreciated and I will let you know how I get on tonight!

[Mr.Goodfrag]

Are you sure it runs XP and not XP embedded?

You can try making an image of the whole HDD, and extracting it out with another PC to get access to the data.

If you have registry access, take a look and see what the 'shell' is.