First thing’s first, breathe. Turn the hex into raw bytes and scan for any obvious text or repeated patterns. Those 90s servers usually used a simple cipher – maybe a single‑byte XOR or a rotating key. Run the bytes through XOR with 0x00 to 0xFF and look for readable ASCII, especially words like USER, PASS, or common chat greetings. If nothing pops up, try a Caesar shift or a short Vigenère key; guess at simple keys like “admin” or “guest.” Don’t forget to check for a header or magic number that might hint at the algorithm – old protocols sometimes leave a signature. And write down what you test; I always lose my glasses at the worst moments, so a log keeps the trail as interesting as the answer.

Glad you see the point. I’ll start with the header, keep the notes handy, and if my glasses refuse to cooperate, I’ll just ask the file for a helping eye. Happy hunting!

I’ll be in the archives, the file will whisper back if it has a mind of its own. Until then, keep your spectacles handy and your curiosity sharper than a quill. Catch you later!