Validation failed

[copracer1990]

So, recently I posted about backing up my games and OS for my BB2.  I got some heat for that, I understand why, however I was not asking anyone for games, just a how to do it.  I backed up my Gorilla Chief and my H13.21 OS using Vaiosoft Recovery Manager.  Here is where the issue comes in (2 days later).


While playing on New Years Eve, someone (won’t mention names..wife) plugs in a space heater because she’s cold.  Popped the circuit breaker in my house for that room, killing my machine too.  So I turn off the power switch on the machine, reset circuit breaker, unplug space heater.  Now, the issue, I turn on my Gorilla Chief and I get a “Prepart DSS validation FAILED system halted with all keys”. So, I do the following:


1. Turn off machine
2. Pull both CF cards
3. Put RAM clear in OS slot
4. Power up machine, RAM cleared fine(power off and put in OS)
5. Power off
6. Put in the OS and Game CF cards
7. Power ON machine and get the same message. “Prepare DSS Validation FAILED system halted with all Keys”
8. Power back down, put in Ram clear, performed clear with no issues.


Now, I went to my PC and restored my OS and Game CF cards from my backup file. Same CF card as were in the machine before the breaker blew and was working fine. 


Do I have to do something special to the CF cards for them to be recognized? It shows 3 disks when I get the boot up screen! I verified that there are in fact files on the cards after recovery.


Just to be clear, I bought the machine with Gorilla Chief and OS vet 13.21 and that is what I am trying to get back on it, not making any changes like a different game. So I am NOT ASKING FOR GAMES OR NOWHERE DOES THIS FALL UNDER SOFTWARE PIRACY!!!

[Boredom]

If your computer is running Win10, Windows likes marking its territory with a few system files.  Make sure none exist.  The experts here may have more information, but I'd assume that even reading the original CF on a Win10 machine puts it at risk.

[Stayouttadabunker]

What was the name of the extra file?

This happens when using any OS newer than Win XP when writing to a CF memory device.

Also, what OS are you presently using on your PC?

This will be helpful for other members in the future.

[Tilt]

If your computer is running Win10, Windows likes marking its territory with a few system files.  Make sure none exist.  The experts here may have more information, but I'd assume that even reading the original CF on a Win10 machine puts it at risk.

Not a problem in this case as Windows does not recognize the file format of the CF cards used in these machines and the first thing it wants to do when it sees it is format it. 

Edit: see Rick's post below.

[rickhunter]

If you insert an OS or Game CF card into a windows 10 PC that has been updated to the Fall 2018 update or later (Version 1809), windows will place a 4 byte identifier in the boot sector.  It is part of the windows indexing system, and it is meant to recognize the media when it is inserted next, so it doesn't have to re-index it.  These cards are all linux OS file systems, and they have no such identifier in the boot sector, so windows will write the 4 bytes any time it doesn't see it upon insertion.  It is likely that all your backup files have been made with these 4 bytes already written to the cards, so the backups themselves are already written out with the modification.

When you boot up the machine with a CF card that has gone through the windows 10 index mark, it will fail validation because the card has been altered.  It is part of the security on these machines to make sure that the game and OS that run on the machine are what the manufacturer intended, otherwise, you could in theory modify the paytable so the game is an unfair game (never or hardly pays back, or pays back too much).

I have posted many times on the forums about inserting any game media into a windows 10 machine.  If you want to backup your games, you need to use windows 7 or earlier, or linux.

[erbs]

Same thing happened to me once using windows 10. Ruined the cards. Windows 10 is a no no.

[copracer1990]

Problem solved... Thanks to this board for all your help... and that's why I am a contributing member... Thanks to all that helped me out, and you know who you are!!
 

[idesign]

Does windows 10 mess up cards that are restored with winimage too?

[rickhunter]

Yes, the issue is that while a card is inserted in windows, the OS will write these 4 bytes to the MBR (Main Boot Record).  So even if the image is good, as soon as the image is done writing, windows will write these 4 bytes into the card.  If your version of windows 10 is not updated to the fall 2018 update, this is not an issue.  So basically if your windows version is lower than 1809, you should be able to use windows 10, but since the update happened so long ago, it is likely that it is already updated.  Only if you have never hooked up your windows 10 to the internet since Oct 2018.

[Tilt]

Thanks Rick, this explains some of the problems I've had.  I was thinking of the hidden "system volume information" directory that Windows would write to removable media causing problems with checksums.  It was easy to go back and delete though.  This one is more sinister as it writes to the boot sector corrupting originals in a way that you can't fix (by simply deleting a folder).  So if you don't have another good file you're up the creek without a paddle so to speak.  So the moral of the story is do not attempt to use Windows 10 to read or backup any of your original software or you will not only create a bad backup, but destroy the original too correct?