Decompiling a VB .exe

[xensoft]

Is it possible using any code or program currently available to decompile an executable program that was originally written in Visual Basic?

[Droidking]

Yes it is

[wengang]

Brother, before you ask further, that's yes to VB3.0, sometimes to VB4.0, only in mythical online decompiling service websites to VB5.0, and not at all that I know of to VB6.0.

But if you hear of anything, let us all know.

In the meantime, don't pay in advance to have anything decompiled

[parksie]

There's only two reasons for decompiling an .exe:

1. You lost your source
2. You're trying to rip off someone else

For 1, *sorry*, and keep a backup next time. For 2, why don't you stop being dishonest and get a *proper* job.

3. you want to see how a certain function is done but you dont plan on stealing anything

[noone]

4)You need to write a program that interacts in a certain way with said program.

Correct me if I'm wrong but you should be able to decompile the exe into ASM at least.

[SteveCRM]

5) Your just plain curious (sorry had to add to this conversation...don't know why, it just sucked me it.)

well obviously you would have to know ASM
there is something called soft-ice it decompiles any exe into ASM.
it is actualy called a dissassembler

[parksie]

Hehe. The list increases to 5 items. As for Soft-Ice, doesn't it cost loads?

[oetje]

Softice is a debugger.

[parksie]

Most debuggers decompile the program at some stage.

[xensoft]

Thanks for all the really constructive help guys.

My reason was that I wanted to change the settings of my Internet Connection program (from ISP) to not log off after 1 hour, and I think it was written in VB.

[parksie]

Why not just use Dial-Up Networking?

yeah,
unless its a free service, they should let you use DUN.

I used to use MindSpring's software, but I had to reformat once, and i lost the CD... and after that I had to learn how to connect without the software.. which took me about 5 minutes

[xensoft]

Yeh its a free ISP where you just pay a one off fee and get unmetered access. Anyway, anyone know how to get round it?

[parksie]

If you have the phone number, and your username and password, that's pretty much all you need for most ISPs.

that means it is not free,
I have a ISP that I pay $20 a month and I get unlimited access, I have been on up to 8 hours at a time.....

the free ones are the crapppy ones where you have to view the damm banners.

[oetje]

I have an unlimited access cable connection for $45 a month. The speed is about 200KB/PS

[xensoft]

I'm using 0800 Excite.

[parksie]

I'm on RedHotAnt, voted worst ISP of the month by ispreview.co.uk

Although it's dirt cheap and works when I need it, though, so I don't care. (£10 a year).

[tvk]

The time limit on free internet access accounts is defined within the Radius profile controlled either on the user account or from the CLI (callin line in - tel no dialled).

Therefore changing the access program will not help.

However, the program may include a 'heartbeat' which ensures the banner is displayed during the access session and therefore provides a revenue stream for the ISP.

I am a bit confused where you guys go off about stealing code but are quite happy to deprive the ISP its revenue stream for free internet access. Sorry guys but 'thats stealing too'.

I work for an ISP so hey guys, why not play fair !

[MidgetsBro]

I use NetZero. It's fast (I connect at 49,333 regularly) and I found a crack to hide the banner. It's not the honest way to use the internet, but I've been on for 15 hours at a time with it.

[tonyenkiducx]

Id try http://www.24-7freecall.net I find there access blindingly fast, its free all the time, no need to switch phone service providers, and its not too expensive for the good access you get(And no disconnections).

MidgetsBro:
what is the code?

[marnitzg]

For those of you who want to decompile into assembler, load your prograsm into debug like so

debug myprog.exe

Then type "u" without quotes every time you want to decompile further.

Its free and comes with Windows so the catch is that everything is reversed!

[MidgetsBro]

go here Astalavista and search for NetZero.

[Edited by MidgetsBro on 10-31-2000 at 09:21 PM]

[KnIgHt]

this has nothing to do with anything.
I just wanted to say that the little wise crack up a bit about the guy with the cable modem was quite funny)

[BuggyProgrammer]

what is ASM?

[Manny Somarriba]

I am looking how to count records with specific fields my VB is ver 5.0. In another words I want count only records with same fields .If anybody know I will apreciate your help

thank

[egiggey]

Originally posted by tonyenkiducx
Id try http://www.24-7freecall.net I find there access blindingly fast, its free all the time, no need to switch phone service providers, and its not too expensive for the good access you get(And no disconnections).

obviously you have never tried cable or dsl or better yet a t1

[Lethal]

Select Count(FieldName) from TableName

[Bloodeye]

dragonyian and MidgetsBro there's a new crack at planetsourcecode for NetZero. I haven't used it myself, but it sounds pretty simple. It was something to do with what you put in for the username to login.

[MidgetsBro]

That's ok. I don't need it anymore. I dumped netzero since they sent me an e-mail about only having 40 hours of free access, then you have to pay $9.95 a month. I rather pay the $9.95 at www.peoplepc.com and get superfast (for dialup) connections (50,666 all the time) and no limits to how long I am on. I don't have to use their software, and I don't have to look at banners.

[Kid_Gloves]

I work for an ISP tech support and the reason your gettin booted offline is either your network settings(Disable WINS resoulution, Remove Microsoft family logon, And IPX/SPX) Or your Internet Options is set to( Goto the start button, Settings, Control Panel, Then double click on Internet Options and goto the connections tab, Then to settings, Then at the bottom goto Advanced, Remove the checks in disconnect if idle for... and Disconnect when connection may no longer be needed)

[DigitalD0g]

Not to dictate ethics, or morals, but most end user agreements do not permit decompiling applications for any reason and in many places it is considered illegal.

Look at it this way... how would you like it if you spent hundreds, or even thousands of hours writing and troubleshooting an application that you started selling and then someone decompiled it and ripped off some of your unique tricks?

I believe that if you want to do something and don't know how either 1. ask somone who does and hope they will tell you, or 2. figure it out for yourself. If you want to integrate your app/services into another company's product then I suggest getting permission from that company first. Usually, if they want to work with you on something they will be more than helpful, but if they don't want to work with you on it then why bother?

[tonyenkiducx]

Originally posted by egiggey

obviously you have never tried cable or dsl or better yet a t1

Well, I have a shared cable line at home, and a 10 meg leased line to myself at work. But for a Dial up, 247freecall are cool.

[da_silvy]

Originally posted by Kid_Gloves
I work for an ISP tech support and the reason your gettin booted offline is either your network settings(Disable WINS resoulution, Remove Microsoft family logon, And IPX/SPX) Or your Internet Options is set to( Goto the start button, Settings, Control Panel, Then double click on Internet Options and goto the connections tab, Then to settings, Then at the bottom goto Advanced, Remove the checks in disconnect if idle for... and Disconnect when connection may no longer be needed)

Not always, some isps have a certain limit of time that you can be on, therefore, they terminate your connection after a period of time.

I have big pond cable, 512 kb

[Olly]

well, in Germany you can get 786k for 40$ unlimited access

[da_silvy]

40 american dollars?

[morphman2000]

Originally posted by Olly
well, in Germany you can get 786k for 40$ unlimited access

Do you allow me to come living in your neighborhood??