convert 16bit app to 32bit

[Kyrios]

Hi all,

My friend asked me to protect an exe. But all were failed. I realized this exe is 16 bit app. And look likes to me Delphi1. Any1 know a tool to convert/wrap so this 16bit can be protected with 32bit protector? Like Arma, ASPR, and similar tool.

BR,
kyrios

Might be a silly question, but can't you recompile it?

Main problem you might face here is that all protector code is 32 bit and it need to load 16 bit original code. Hence it will be mixed binary. Going to CPU level, there are some instruction which are interpreted differently by CPU based on whether they are is in 16 bit segment or in 32 bit segment. So, mixing is always tricky and usually handled by handcoding which is not the case for protector. This could be the reason for failure.

Visu

Hi,
You can use a 16 bit packer/protecotr.
It's UPX for Dois version but 32 bit.

http://upx.sourceforge.net/download/upx125d.zip

But this one works for you for sure as it has compatibility with 16 bit files.

It's Shrinker 3.4

http://www.blinkinc.com/shrinker.htm

I also have a question:
Is there any way to covert a PE file to a NE file?

Let me know please.

Best Regards,
Android.

[kittmaster]

What about a delivery system that uses installshield 7 or below? Even thought scripts can be "cracked" at least it will discurage most from trying to reverse it since installshield can be a pita.

[LaDidi]

Convert 16 to 32 isn't easier.
You may try to recompile your code with a 32b compiler but you MUST verify your source code :
- alignement problem due to pack structure
- API win16->win32 (handle, ...)
- ANSI / Unicode
- Control : 16b ComCtl have visual aspect like win3.1 !
....
Regards.

[Kyrios]

I only had the exe. Not the source code. I'll give shrinker 3.4 a try.

Originally Posted by LaDidi

Convert 16 to 32 isn't easier.
- ANSI / Unicode

Only if you use WinNT or similiar. BTW the API are really different. For example in 16bit you use DOS interrupts(int 21h) for different functions while you have to use Win32API in win32 executables (GetStdHandle, WriteFile, or CRTDLL functions like printf etc.

Thomas Antony