FASTPACK 32 for Windows Seven/Vista by Jean-Marie BARONE

 

2012, December 27^th  Download version 2.8 for Windows Seven/Vista

 

INTRODUCTION TO FASTPACK 32

Experiment the latest and ultimate Packer and Protector of EXE files !
FastPack uses a brand new method of Packing, where your file is utterly compressed at one fell swoop, and stored inside a loader (or “stub”).
Upon running, the stub will decompress your file in memory and run it. It will also deter evildoers to reverse-engineer or “crack” it, by using some smart anti-debugging tricks.
From version 2.0, you can now choose between several engines of compression :

·        LZNT1 from Microsoft® : its compression ratio is average, but LZNT1 functions are available in the Windows kernel, so it was shorter to implement. Therefore, some additional protection sleights could be embedded in the stub.

·         aPLib from Jørgen Ibsen (© 1998-2009) : APLib gives better compression results and is faster.

·        LZMAT from Vitaly Evseenko (© 2007-2008) : LZMAT offers a good compression ratio, sometimes better than aPLib.

·        LZMA from Igor Pavlov/Brandon Lacombe (PD) : the top-notch codec of 7zip, paired with full protection, is now the default engine.

·        SMAC from JM Barone : Extreme compression using Arithmetic Coding and Context-mixing (coming soon!)

USER GUIDE

FastPack has been designed with simplicity in mind, and is intended to be straightforward so that everyone can use it.
Just open the file you want to pack, press the “Pack it” button, and you’re done!
Packing large files may take some time and, though the program may seem to be deadlocked, it is not, so please be patient.
Your original file will be automatically backed up with a “.bak” extension, so you can find it back easily by deleting this extension.

A common issue with packed programs is that it might trigger some warning from your antivirus software, insomuch as FastPack uses some “obscure” methods to evade debuggers, reduce the size of the file, and run the image of the packed file in memory (Process Forking).  Antivirus Editors will need some time to adapt their tools in order to recognize my file format. Incidentally, turning off your AV momentarily before packing might speed up the process considerably.

 

REQUIREMENTS & LIMITATIONS

 

FastPack has been programed & tested under Windows Seven 32 bits, and should run flawlessly under Windows Vista as well.
I have no idea if Windows XP is supported at the moment (let me know).

EXE files developed in .NET language cannot be packed.
Files including Digital signature (Authenticode) will cause troubles if the file is checking the validity of its signature.
64 bits EXE files cannot be compressed presently, but I’ll consider working out a 64 bits version of Fastpack if it becomes popular.

No install is needed : the program runs as a single file, leaves no temporary files and does not touch your Registry.

HISTORY OF VERSIONS

 LICENCE

FastPack is a Freeware : it is not limited and you can use it, and distribute it freely.
If you find it useful, I will gladly accept a financial contribution at your discretion, on my secured WebMoney account below.

 

 DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY

Users of this software must accept this disclaimer of warranty:
This software is supplied "as is" and without warranties as to performance of merchantability or any other warranties whether expressed or implied.
Because of the various hardware and software environments into which this program may be put, no warranty of fitness for a particular purpose is offered.
The user must assume the entire risk of using the program.
In no event shall the author be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of or inability to use this program, even if the author has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
 

OLDER STUFF

Check out my older freewares if you have some spare time !

XL Chess (2014) : Play Chess against Excel ! Uses a Negamax search of 2 plies with Alpha-Beta pruning. VBA Source code included.
 

 

Euromatic (1998-2001): Use a special key to translate into any currency the amounts that you type or that you select with the mouse, and this under any application. ASM Source code included.

 

Steamroll (2008) : This was my project to create a Random Lossless Compression software. It is now Public Domain. In a nutshell, it would have been capable to compress files already compressed, namely random files. More info here. ASM Source code included.

Euromatching (2007-2009) : Euromatching is the perfect tool for all accountants who need to find differences between two given accounts.
It is especially designed to automate Intercompany Reconciliations, but can also be used for Bank reconciliations, or to spot a difference in a list of amounts.

X-Ram (1996) : Back in the 90’s, when MS-DOS and Demomakers ruled the world, only a few restricted people knew the existence of the Big Map Mode. Rumor had it that you could configure your graphic card to increase your memory under DOS by a whopping 64 Kilobytes(!), by storing programs in the Video Memory. But maybe this was only a legend…

 

Send your comments & suggestions to me, Jean-Marie BARONE, at fastpack(at)free.fr
Thanks go to Peter Ferrie, the Guru of anti-debugging tricks for his fine tutorials!
Thanks to Jørgen Ibsen for his free compression library, aPlib.
Thanks to Vitaly Evseenko for his open source library, LZMAT.
Thanks to Igor Pavlov & Brandon Lacombe for their public domain files of LZMA.
Greetings to all former members of Anemeros’ Team !