FileHeaderBlock

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The FileHeaderBlock is always the first block of a Stars! data file, which always start: 10 20 4a 33 4a 33 more recognisable as "� J3J3"

PaulCr described the FileHeaderBlock on HWF: [1]

Stars files start with the following:
 0-1  - Size of first block and type (16 bytes, type 8)
 2-5  - J3J3
 6-9  - Game ID
10-11 - Version
12-13 - Turn No
14-15 - Player No and encryption seed
16    - File Type
17    - Bit 0 (1) - Turn Submitted
        Bit 1 (2) - Host is using file
        Bit 2 (4) - Multiple turns in .m file
        Bit 3 (8) - Game over
        Bit 4 (16)- Shareware Version

Utilities

The following utilities read directly from the FileHeaderBlock

StarsFileStat

StarsFileStat analyses Stars! files and shows what block types are in each of your files, and at the end there will be a note on whether your files contains blocks with any of the 6 remaining unknown ids: 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 41.

Starstat & Starinfo

Starstat & Starinfo are otherwise identical DOS and Windows programs, respectively, that report on various aspects of the Stars! gamefiles such as the version, the presence of multiple turns in a .m file etc. Both incorrectly, but consistently, report the Stars version for v1.1a(reports 1.2a), v2.0a(2.65), 2.6i(2.81j) and 2.6JRC4(2.83) game files.