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bucky
Joined: Oct 15, 2003
Posts: 159
Location: Scranton, Pa.
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 Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:04 pm Post subject: Games w/o CD |
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Hi guys 
I know this might seem like a silly thing, but can anyone tell me how to do this? 
I have a few games installed on one of my computers (running WindowsXP pro) that must have the CD in to play.
I would like to set them up to play without the CDs being in. (kids - CDs - beat up...get it  )
I know it can be done, a friend did it a few years ago for me for my son's Roller Coaster Tycoon game.
Anyone with instruction would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks all,
Bucky |
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zlim
Joined: Mar 11, 2005
Posts: 2747
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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http://www.alcohol-soft.com/
| Quote: |
| ...the program lets you store your most used CDs as images on your computer, so you can call them up at the click of a button. |
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AD
Joined: Dec 27, 2007
Posts: 53
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:59 am Post subject: |
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You can pick up what's known as a "No-CD Fixed .exe" for most games at this place: http://www.gamecopyworld.com/ or a few other places.
Just find the game that you legally own and download the right version of the 'fixed .exe' for the game and copy it into the game folder on your main drive, probably C/Program Files/Game Name/etc.
I would keep the Original .exe file somewhere safe should you ever want to 'patch' the game to a higher version as some upgrade patches won't work on fixed .exe's. Just delete the fixed .exe and replace it with the Original.
I do this all the time as I hate having to find a game disc just to start the game. And it's perfectly legal as long as you own a copy of the game itself.
My way you don't have to waste HardDrive space with .ISO files of every game you want to play. That could save you a LOT of space, depending on game file size. And you don't need extra Disc mounting software, just a small 'fixed' .exe for the game in question.
Last edited by AD on Sun Aug 03, 2008 12:44 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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drwho07
Joined: Nov 29, 2007
Posts: 2238
Location: Central FL, USA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:12 am Post subject: [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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As a side line......
I would never trust a child with something as vulnerable as a little plastic disk (CD or DVD).
When you get a new game, make a copy of the disk for the kids to use and put the original away in a SAFE place. Then when they trash the copy, just make them another one. That should always be accompanied by admonishment as to how to handle CD's.
Good Luck,
The Doctor  |
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bucky
Joined: Oct 15, 2003
Posts: 159
Location: Scranton, Pa.
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 1:22 am Post subject: [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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Hi zlim,
I downloaded Alcohol 120%
Do you know how to go about making the image of the disk and where to put it so the original disk doesn't have to be in to play the game?? 
Thanks, Bucky |
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zlim
Joined: Mar 11, 2005
Posts: 2747
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 6:40 pm Post subject: [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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| Sorry. I don't have any games on CD so I have never tried the program. |
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bucky
Joined: Oct 15, 2003
Posts: 159
Location: Scranton, Pa.
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| Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 12:06 am Post subject: [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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OK...
Thank you anyway zlim  
I'm sure there's someone out there that knows how to do it. 
Bucky |
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Baby_Tux
Joined: Mar 06, 2007
Posts: 1242
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| Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 2:34 pm Post subject: [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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Sorry to burst your bubble but this is a BURNING software - its images are only stored to burn copies from...
| Quote: |
| Alcohol 120%, is a powerful Windows CD and DVD burning software that makes it easy to create backups of DVDs* and CDs. In addition, the program lets you store your most used CDs as images on your computer, so you can call them up at the click of a button. Now includes Pre-Mastering function and support for Blu-ray format |
What you want is something that will make & let you mount an ISO - then you can run the game as if it were a CD. I saw one years ago but I don't recall the name or even know if it exists any more.
Not sure about the other link given but it DOES look to be SOMEWHAT what you are after. At least if the game you want is there |
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bucky
Joined: Oct 15, 2003
Posts: 159
Location: Scranton, Pa.
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| Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 5:12 pm Post subject: [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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Thanks Baby_Tux,
I did figure that Alcohol 120 was just a burning program.
Oh well... guess I'll just wait to see if someone else comes up with something.
Thanks all, Bucky |
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AD
Joined: Dec 27, 2007
Posts: 53
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| Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 6:39 pm Post subject: [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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| My way is the easiest way to go. If you tell me what games you have and what version the game is I will try and find you a direct link to Download the 'fixed .exe' you need. |
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zlim
Joined: Mar 11, 2005
Posts: 2747
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| Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:55 pm Post subject: [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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No Bucky, it is more than a burning program.
| Quote: |
| Alcohol 120% can create up to 31 virtual CD/DVD-ROM drives, allowing the user to play CDs & DVDs without the need for the original disc. |
You put the games on your computer into a virtual drive then you do not need the CD or the DVD. When you want to play the game, it looks for the virtual drive and loads the game.
Read the forum http://forum.alcohol-soft.com/ |
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Baby_Tux
Joined: Mar 06, 2007
Posts: 1242
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| Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 9:48 pm Post subject: [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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OK - I'm wrong, I stand corrected but when I looked, the very first things listed were about burning only. I saw nothing about mounting images... I dug a bit deeper this time & found this: ---ZLIM, my personal apology to you as well---
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# Alcohol 120% enables you to make a duplicate back-up to recordable media of nearly all your expensive Game/Software/DVD titles, and/or an image that can be mounted and run from any one of Alcohol's virtual drives.
# No other software available enables you to create up to a staggering 31 virtual drives, allowing you to run your game images at over 200x faster than from a conventional CD-ROM. Alcohol 120% is a powerful utility that uses a unique combination of options to ensure a perfect back-up every time. |
I am TRUELY SORRY, for any confusion I may have caused. 
BTW: I MAY download this & give it a try (if time permits) - that will definitely answer the question. If I do, I'll post my findings.
AGAIN, SORRY!
BTW: Here is a link to a FREE VERSION (of course, it IS limited compared to the other) |
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bucky
Joined: Oct 15, 2003
Posts: 159
Location: Scranton, Pa.
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 12:42 am Post subject: [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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OK...
Thank you all for your imput...
I have Alcohol 120% full version.
I guess all I have to do is figure out how to create this virtual drive thing.
The instruction manual is not very user friendly. (or I'm getting dumb in my old age)
If anyone knows...please let me know... my head is starting to hurt, LOL!
Thanks again folks... Bucky |
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goretsky
Joined: Dec 07, 2002
Posts: 9662
Location: Southern California
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:16 am Post subject: Re: Games w/o CD [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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Hello,
In the main window for Alcohol 120%, try clicking on the Image Making Wizard in the left pane, and it should step you through the process of creating an image of a disc. You may either end up with a regular ISO file that you can mount, or an MDS file, which is a copy of the disc but in a slightly different format.
Regards,
Aryeh Goretsky |
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bucky
Joined: Oct 15, 2003
Posts: 159
Location: Scranton, Pa.
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:49 pm Post subject: [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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Hi goresky,
Thanks...
I have made disk images before with my Roxio burning program.
What I don't know about is the virtual drive stuff.
How to create it, how to put the image into it.
I cannot find any instructions in the Alcohol manual to do it.
Or I'm not seeing what I should.
Bucky |
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pc7wizard
Joined: Nov 15, 2006
Posts: 154
Location: Off-Shore Drilling Rig, just North of Hell...
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:18 pm Post subject: [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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Read the forum: http://forum.alcohol-soft.com/
LOOK HERE> Alcohol Support Forum > FAQ Sections, Help Files, Manuals & Archives > Frequently Asked Questions > English FAQ Section > Images
In this Forum you can download the extra help files and such...look for the words "Virtual Drive ..." in the Manual...once you have created a "Virtual Drive" you point the game shortcut at it...this will be slightly different for each game...some games will popup a dialog, asking you for the drive location, there you would enter 'Z:\' if that is where you put the DOOM 3 CD Image...
Other games you will have to edit the shortcut, 'Target' property to point at the "Virtual Drive". The Alcohol Forum allows you to join as a registered user, they will answer your questions better than we can here...
For the specifics, I would have to buy the software and then ask the questions on the Forum...easier if you do it, that way they can answer them to your satisfaction, not mine...
Read carefully...
Cheers! |
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pc7wizard
Joined: Nov 15, 2006
Posts: 154
Location: Off-Shore Drilling Rig, just North of Hell...
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:58 pm Post subject: [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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| drwho07 wrote: |
As a side line......
I would never trust a child with something as vulnerable as a little plastic disk (CD or DVD).
When you get a new game, make a copy of the disk for the kids to use and put the original away in a SAFE place. Then when they trash the copy, just make them another one. That should always be accompanied by admonishment as to how to handle CD's.
Good Luck,
The Doctor |
The problem, Doc, is that some of these game CD's are copy protected... morons...and as such, you have to use the Original CD...like my DOOM 3 CD...idiots...stupid manufacturers...& sooner or later, someone will come up with a image maker that doesn't care if the CD/DVD has black holes in it, it will just copy them too, and spit it out on a CD-R/DVD just like the original...just a big waste of time and money...their time and my money...
Oh, well...I just play the game...don't have the time or energy to get around it...
Later... |
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AD
Joined: Dec 27, 2007
Posts: 53
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 10:27 pm Post subject: [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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| pc7wizard wrote: |
The problem, Doc, is that some of these game CD's are copy protected... morons...and as such, you have to use the Original CD...like my DOOM 3 CD...idiots...stupid manufacturers...& sooner or later, someone will come up with a image maker that doesn't care if the CD/DVD has black holes in it, it will just copy them too, and spit it out on a CD-R/DVD just like the original...just a big waste of time and money...their time and my money...
Later... |
And even Cracking programs fail sometimes. Activision games are bad for that because they put something on the physical CD that does not copy so even if you make an copy .ISO of a game like Doom3 (which I tried, and yes I owned a Retail copy) it will not be a workable copy because something is missing on disc 1.
Which is why it is so much simpler just to install the game then replace the games' .exe file with a 'No-CD - fixed .exe'...no messing around with .ISO files or Virtual Drive programs that only hog HD space as some games run to DVD size.
My way you simply click on the Desktop icon and the game launches, no disc required! |
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bucky
Joined: Oct 15, 2003
Posts: 159
Location: Scranton, Pa.
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:00 pm Post subject: [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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Thanks AD...
The game he has is not there.
I'll have to wait untill I have time to read up on the virtual drive thing I guess.
Bucky |
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zlim
Joined: Mar 11, 2005
Posts: 2747
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:23 pm Post subject: [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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Baby_Tux, don' t beat yourself up because you don't know what every program out there does. No one can do that!
I just wanted Bucky to know that this would do it, provided he could figure it out.
Me, I usually see if the program has a support forum. If it does, I usually read quite a bit to see what the problems are and how the program works before I decide if I want to try it.
Do you know if the game is protected by CSS? If so, it can't be mounted as a virtual drive. |
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