>There are many different hash functions, but there's probably a Perl >module for it somewhere. However if your final goal is to reverse a >cryptographic hash function you should know that those are specifically

What's interesting now that I have my code back, is that I actually hit it several times using the little program it turns out.

Can hash string/key be pretty much anything you pick to obfuscate the output in some way?

I would guess that simply converting every letter of input to its equivalent ascii in hex would "hit it".

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_function and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptog..._hash_function

>I would guess that simply converting every letter of input to its >equivalent ascii in hex would "hit it".

But if you knew the output and used a hash key as an input, that would be another story right?

Also, I found something strange. I've got my machine back and I've now got several copies of the updated registry so won't be losing it again. So I went and entered the code anyhow, just to make sure it was fine and low and behold, even though the system itself is showing me the right code, it does not enter. That's really weird to me since it's clearly displayed. Just like all of my other machines, it's just a plain hex code.

>See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_function and >http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptog..._hash_function

Ah, hash code and cryptographic hash functions, two different things .

Mike

This has been an eye opening experience.

After reviewing this thread, I came to the conclusion that the Internet is definitely changing, not always for the better.

When I started the thread, I knew I could not really say what it was for because folks would think I'm just some hacker trying to break a key. Sure enough, I tried different things on different forums and was put through the mill in many ways.

Here, I actually got some help, few questions at first, plenty of help and ongoing answers. That is, until, I fessed up. Once I told the truth of what this was for, to several people in private email, that was it, one person continued to help me, the others probably formed some opinion.

It's understandable but it's freakin sad too. I remember the days when folks would really work hard at helping each other and it's becoming more and more potluck.

Thanks to those who did help and please, try to remember, not everyone out there is a hacker or a bad guy, some folks are decent good people just looking for help.

Mike

Well I can say pretty confidently that no code in this thread would be of any use to crack anything. From what I can glean from your descriptions, the data you're trying to retrieve is not encrypted or anything anyways.

However, it is rather hard to follow what you say, perhaps because you were deliberately holding back. I don't know what happened on other forums, but from here, it looks more like people gave up trying to help you because you're vague, ignore many questions, and seem to want other people to write programs for you, without work on your part (though personally I find writing silly little programs like this fun).

>it looks more like people gave up trying to help you because you're >vague, ignore many questions, and seem to want other people to write >programs for you, without work on your part (though personally I find >writing silly little programs like this fun).

You're right, I was trying to avoid questions and trying to make it look like I was interested in something but was not clear about what. The reason is of course, because I don't know how to program so did need a little help, was hoping that someone like you might help and find it a bit entertaining and finally, because the moment I said anything more about my real needs on other boards, I was shunned.

I was just trying to recover something I lost. Anyone with a friend in need would have understood this but the anonymous nature of the net of course prevails.

Anyhow, thanks, you actually stimulated my mind enough that I was able to figure out other ways of getting at my code.

PS: I really am interested in this little program, it's actually quite useful for creating unique codes. I'd like to know how to stick another code into it as part of an obfuscation method in the output.

Mike