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Thread: Trying to identify the *.BAS file

  1. #1

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    Trying to identify the *.BAS file

    I was asked to make a few changes to a VB program.

    The program resides on an XP machine running VB6 SP5.

    I searched the machine for *.VBP and *.BAS files.

    There are over 80 project files and even more BAS files.

    I have the exe file. Is there any way to identify which program was used to compile the exe?

    Thanks,
    Mark N

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  3. #3
    PowerPoster Arnoutdv's Avatar
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    Re: Trying to identify the *.BAS file

    In the vbp file is also the name of the executable.
    These files are just text files, so you can check them easily

  4. #4
    The Idiot
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    Re: Trying to identify the *.BAS file

    well, its just 80 projects. should be easy enough to look and narrow it down to a few.
    if the exe is "PNGcompressor" obviously a project named "xmlEditor" is not the right one.
    its not 1000 projects. for that I would also check the EXE module as The trick told u, but before that, I would do a couple of "searches" using the EXE name as string-base.

  5. #5

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    Re: Trying to identify the *.BAS file

    I wish that were the case. The exe file does not have a matching vbp.

    I was taught that every project gets a folder. The exe matches the vbp. I was also told that only the last two revisions are allowed on the working machine. Previous revisions are to be archived on the server with a "README.TXT" file explaining what was changed. (My boss was very "detailed oriented.")

  6. #6
    PowerPoster jdc2000's Avatar
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    Re: Trying to identify the *.BAS file

    You may have to try searching the files for a form caption or something that you can see that will be findable in the project files.

  7. #7
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    Re: Trying to identify the *.BAS file

    Are the 80 projects 80 previous versions of this same program? If your instinct is to ask, "How would I know that?" in response to that question, then the next question is, do the .vbp files have the same (or similar) filenames that would indicate that they are past copies of the same project? Or are the filenames very different which would indicate that they are potentially projects unrelated to the program you are looking for.

    Breadcrumbs that might lead you to the right project:

    -Check the projects that have the most recently modified .vbp file.
    -Check the projects from the "Recent" tab when opening a project in VB 6.0
    -Check the properties of the Executable file in question. Take note of the "Original File Name" value. Examine the VBP files in Notepad and look for a VBP file that has an "ExeName32" entry whose name matches the "Original File Name" of the exe file.

    Good luck.

    Edit: Also, search the entire system for the name of the .exe file and see if there are other copies of that exe file in any of the folders that contain VB 6.0 projects - if found, that's almost certainly the project in question.
    Last edited by OptionBase1; Feb 25th, 2021 at 06:23 PM.

  8. #8
    PowerPoster Zvoni's Avatar
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    Re: Trying to identify the *.BAS file

    I know why i love the "grep"-Tool on Linux....
    As jdc recommended: "grep" for something static and known (like a Caption of a Form)
    Last edited by Zvoni; Tomorrow at 31:69 PM.
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  9. #9
    Member Dragokas's Avatar
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    Re: Trying to identify the *.BAS file

    Mark_N, use any VB decompiler, e.g. this, and see the modules name.
    Malware analyst, VirusNet developer, HiJackThis+ author || my CodeBank works

  10. #10
    Fanatic Member Episcopal's Avatar
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    Re: Trying to identify the *.BAS file

    Quote Originally Posted by Dragokas View Post
    Mark_N, use any VB decompiler, e.g. this, and see the modules name.
    I didn't know this program. He's fabulous. Dragokas and if the EXE is compressed, which program do you use?

  11. #11
    Member Dragokas's Avatar
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    Re: Trying to identify the *.BAS file

    For usual software, it is usually enough to check with "Exeinfo PE".
    Often, devs use "UPX". So to decompress, use:
    Code:
    upx -d your.exe -d output.exe
    Malware analyst, VirusNet developer, HiJackThis+ author || my CodeBank works

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