I am entirely new to reverse engineering, but nonethelesss I have been given the task by a friend to crack a computer program he wrote. Having never done this before, my research online suggested that I use OllyDbg to search for an error message given when I try to give an invalid code. The problem is that if the code is invalid, the button to submit it is never enabled. Could I use OllyDbg to find what would happen if I were to click the button and then somehow override it?

Here's all I know about the program:

• I do not have access to the source code, nor do I know what language it was written in.
• The program can be activated as was proven to me by my friend has he typed in a key to activate it, yet covering it so I could not see it.

Given that I have never dabbled in reverse engineering before, what would be my best plan of attack and how would I go about it?

I am entirely new to reverse engineering, but nonetheless I have been given the challenge by a friend to crack a computer program he wrote. Having never done this before, my research online suggested that I use OllyDbg to search for an error message given when I try to give an invalid code. The problem is that if the code is invalid, the button to submit it is never enabled. Could I use OllyDbg to find what would happen if I were to click the button and then somehow override it?

Here's all I know about the program:

• I do not have access to the source code, nor do I know what language it was written in.
• The program can be activated as was proven to me by my friend has he typed in a key to activate it, yet covering it so I could not see it.

Given that I have never dabbled in reverse engineering before, what would be my best plan of attack and how would I go about it?