Searching for a patch file, to an old plugin,...

#1

…named “win2kpatch.zip”; it’s for the Digimation plugins, “Shag:Hair,” and “Bones Pro 2.”

The plugins are for 3D Studio Max R3/3.1, and the default authorisation softs are not compatible with WinXP Pro (which I have to use in order to use the Parallel Port HW Lock/Blue Dongle, so’s it’s recognised - Vista and above won’t recognise the dongle).

Which is why I require the “win2kpatch.zip” (it updates four system service files necessary for Win2000/WinXP plugin auth), and it appears I can not find the file in my archives. The link to the file from the Digimation README.CHM is more dead than Charlemagne, with Digimation not terribly eager to help a former customer, despite having provided all my auth codes and pertinent information from my purchase. Teh Wayback and Google Fu appears to be useless in tracking down this errant file as well.

For those wondering why I am mucking about an ancient version of Max, well, EDIT three reasons:

  1. Nostalgia (besides, it initialises VERY QUICKLY!);

  2. I am tinkering with a VERY old game SDK, and the only versions of Max it supports are R2 and R3 for file format export.

  3. I really miss Shag:Hair… the plugin, that is. giggle

I really hope some knight in shining armour can assist a damsel in distress!

#2

That’s frustrating :surprised
I have a rather big Digimation plugin collection from way back as well, but I don’t find the file win2kpatch as you said. Are you sure of it’s part of the original files shipped with the plugin itself?
All I have is the main setup file for the plugin and the serial.

#3 
   Oh!  Happy day!   Thank you for responding, Steve!
   
   
   Well, the original files for Bones Pro 2 did *NOT* include the file I am REQ, since BP 2 was released for R3/3.1 circa 1999; the file, which in the Hydra.chm (the Digimation plugin licensing system for Max 4.x/5.x and onward) for Shag:Hair is linked to [www.maxusers.com](http://www.maxusers.com), addresses authorisation for Max 3.x in Win2000 and WinXP.    I purchased Shag:Hair in 2001 for 3ds max 4, and the same R4 files actually also worked in my then Win98 install of R3 along with Bones Pro 2 (they both could be auth'd with the same version of Digipro software for the R3 Win98 install; Hydra for Max 4.x/5.x only auth'd Shag:Hair) - I never bought BP 3 since all the upgrades for R4 were *SO* expensive at the time and opted to go whole hog on R4 and Character Studio instead.   
   
   Here are relevant screenies of the Hydra.CHM:
   
   1)  [The page that gives the link to the upgrade](http://postimg.org/image/ry34tgwsn/) ([www.maxusers.com](http://www.maxusers.com) - [Teh Wayback encounters bots](https://web.archive.org/web/maxusers.com)).
 
 2)  [The page that references "Win2kupdate.zip", as well as the four auth soft files it replaces](http://postimg.org/image/wzyqeu2zx/): 
 
 Digipclt.dll 
 Digipsrv.exe  
 DigiP_Register.bat
 DigiP_Unregister.bat
 
 If one has BP 2, any other Max 3.x Digimation plugin circa 1999, they should recognise these files; the Win2kupdate has these..   And no, WinXP's Win95, 98, and NT compatibility modes do *NOT* work.  Whenever I try and auth Bones Pro 2 and Shag: Fur with the 1999 Digipro softs on XP Pro, it laughs at me and gives me, "Authorization request denied.  Access denied."  Which it didn't do with Win98.  *sobs*
 
 I have the stuff to actually build a Win98 box if I need too, but I would *REALLY* prefer to have the update file.
 
 
 Keep looking, Steve, or any other kind soul.... please, please, please *bats eyelashes* :-)
#4

I sent you a PM, check it and reply back :slight_smile: