Seeking Tim Hewitt's / Coolatoola DV Backup 1.4.6 with activation code

[Dorian_]

Hello,

I am looking for a copy Tim Hewett's DV Backup that used to be available on coolatoola.com (the website no longer exists and the domain appears to be for sale), specifically the latest version 1.4.6 that has a fix for running on Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite), since the internet archive appears to only have up to version 1.4.5 (and that crashes all the time when the window goes out of focus).
It was a software for the Mac similar to DV Streamer and the GNU terminal application of the same name (but which I am not looking for!) which are still available, but not at all compatible.
Since the evaluation version is limited to backing up and restoring only 1GB (and that means 1000MB, I tried it) or smaller files (total), I also need an activation code to use it.
However, I have no idea where to reach Tim (is he even still among us?) and I can obviously no longer buy it. The Yahoo! Group was members only, and required admin approval to join, so that is useless now, too.

Since a lot of Mac users can be found here, I thought it might be a good idea to ask. Maybe someone still has a copy.
I really hope someone can help. Thanks so much!

 

[pigoo3]

...(the website no longer exists and the domain appears to be for sale)...

Not true...website works just fine.

Nick

 

[MacInWin]

It seems to be on the Wayback Machine archive. The link in the OP goes there. Entering it directly in the URL window does say it is for sale, so not active, just in the Wayback Archive.

 

[Dorian_]

Not true...website works just fine.

Nick

The link I provided goes to the internet archive's wayback machine, in order to be useful to those who click it... if you go to coolatoola.om - Domain Name For Sale | Dan.om (outdated image link removed)
now you will see this:
Whoever is selling it through GoDaddy wants at least $300 for it. I'd have registered it for 10, just to redirect to the internet archive. $300 is too much. lol

 

[Raz0rEdge]

If the website isn't available to get the program, not much else you could do. If they had contact info on there and you tried using that, you're out of luck and we certainly aren't going to help you get an activation code or anything..

 

[pigoo3]

@OP: Similar to what Raz0rEdge mentioned...if the website to purchase the app & support for the app is no longer available...maybe it's time to consider an alternative. Is there a unique reason this DV Backup App must be used...or would an alternative app work too?

Nick

 

[Dorian_]

@OP: [...] Is there a unique reason this DV Backup App must be used...or would an alternative app work too?

Yes, to read old backup tapes that were created with it. Like mentioned, the alternatives are not compatible.

 

[MacInWin]

Will it download from the archive? There is a trial version that may let you read those old tapes.

 

[Dorian_]

Will it download from the archive?

The archive doesn't have version 1.4.6, and 1.4.5 crashes on Yosemite (and possibly on any supported macOS version prior, since the changelog mentions it's the camcorder watchdog doing it). Unfortunately Yosemite is the oldest version that the old MacBook Air that I still have can run (can't use Firewire from a VM) and that's also the oldest Mac in my possession that's fast enough for real-time DV decoding while streaming from tape.

There is a trial version that may let you read those old tapes.

Yes, but only after I enter an activation code, which I can no longer obtain. And if the application doesn't crash. The trial version will only restore the first 1000MB from the tape, which is already hit or miss before a crash. It will not restore any files that are larger than 1000MiB, either.

Anyway, I've tried and evaluated all the options. The only thing that will really help me at this point is the 1.4.6 version from November 18th 2014 that MacUpdate says exists, and someone's activation code to make it work. Unless someone can find this Tim Hewett who made it to issue a new one, if he even still can. I don't think there's really a way around that. Short of throwing the binary into IDA Pro and spending weeks trying to patch out the watchdog bug and activation, that is.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

MacUpdate.com has a download link for version 1.4.6. I normally wouldn't advocate using them as a download source, but the link they provide is direct to coolatoola's website and it does work. Since the domain is up for sale, I can't say that this copy is untainted somehow.

EDIT: nevermind, the downloaded DMG was corrupt. Grrr....

As for a registration code, unless a mod says differently, you are on your own with that.

 

[Dorian_]

but the link they provide is direct to coolatoola's website and it does work

It definitely does not. The server isn't redirecting to the HTTPS version of the website, but I get an "ERR_INVALID_RESPONSE" error. Inspecting with curl, this is because it returns a HTTP status 410 and no useful response body.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

It definitely does not. The server isn't redirecting to the HTTPS version of the website, but I get an "ERR_INVALID_RESPONSE" error. Inspecting with curl, this is because it returns a HTTP status 410 and no useful response body.

I get a DMG downloaded, which is why I thought the link was still good, but after posting I tried to open it and it was corrupt. My bad... I shoulda checked it first before posting. Looks like you replied as I was editing my post. I've scoured around for a copy of that version and nada... it appears to have completely dropped off the internet.

 

[pigoo3]

The archive doesn't have version 1.4.6, and 1.4.5 crashes on Yosemite (and possibly on any supported macOS version prior, since the changelog mentions it's the camcorder watchdog doing it). Unfortunately Yosemite is the oldest version that the old MacBook Air that I still have can run (can't use Firewire from a VM) and that's also the oldest Mac in my possession that's fast enough for real-time DV decoding while streaming from tape.

Definitely understand where you're coming from...and the technology mis-match you're dealing with.

This is the problem when having older archived data...need to maintain some sort of macOS, app version, and hardware combination so that older archived data can be accessed in the future.

Ideally, when older technology is superseded by newer technologies...it's best to convert archived data stored on older hardware technologies (or if the archived data depends on older apps/app versions)...to convert to newer apps/hardware technology.

I still have older data from the 1980's & 1990's laying around my place...and still have older Apple computers...running the appropriate macOS version's...necessary apps versions...AND...older external peripherals to read the data (floppy drives, older hard drive interfaces, magneto-optical drives, etc.).

It is a very big project (if someone has a lot of older data)...to convert it to newer storage technologies.

Believe it or not...I've had Mac-Forums members send me old archived data they had stored on older hardware (or older storage technologies)...that I extracted for them...and then placed the data on newer storage technologies (for example data stored on old magneto-optical disks...then placed on USB thumb drives...and returned to the owner).

My suggestion is (if no other solution can be found)...obtain the combination of Apple hardware, macOS version, and DV Backup app version that are compatible with each other...then you'll have what you need to access the archived data.

Even if this requires the purchase of a older piece of Apple hardware (notebook or desktop computer)...and assuming the archived data is valuable enough.

- Nick

 

[Lifeisabeach]

My suggestion is (if no other solution can be found)...obtain the combination of Apple hardware, macOS version, and DV Backup app version that are compatible with each other...then you'll have what you need to access the archived data.

Even if this requires the purchase of a older piece of Apple hardware (notebook or desktop computer)...and assuming the archived data is valuable enough.

This is what I was thinking about suggesting also. It's unfortunate the data is in a proprietary format unreadable by anything else. A Mac old enough for this task is pretty cheap now. I'd look to get a 2010 model running Snow Leopard. Looking at eBay, I see a 2010 27" iMac that is fully functional for $150 or best offer. There are several others posted that are even less. A 2010 MacBook should be even more affordable. I would certainly try to get one that has Snow Leopard installed, or comes with the original install discs, just to make this go smoother. If it has too-new of a version of OS X pre-installed, rolling back will be difficult without the original discs these came with.

 

[pigoo3]

Older Apple notebooks are relatively cheap...especially the time frame/macOS versions OP is dealing with.

Nick

 

[ferrarr]

You can see if there is an Apple or Mac User Group in your area.

User Groups - Apple

Also have a look at LowEndMac Low End Mac: Make the most of your Apple gear, as they have a google user group in which there is a buy/sell/trade feature.