backing up a protected cd?

[dinkster9]

Okay, i'm using Nero burning rom 5.5.9.16 win2kpro and and LG electronics 16dvd with 48x24x48x cd burner. My problem is that my diablo 2 LOD expansion cd has gotten pretty scratched from being taken out and in over these last few years, i want to make a copy of it, so when it dies on me i can still rot my brain away on diablo . but my question is still valid for any cd i own, backing them up seems impossbile. For example i tried to back up my copy of HMM4 the other day by first creating an image file of a raw extraction of the cd, still it didn't work (couldn't find proper cd...). What is the program that some people use that i've seen screen shots of before with the skulls and it tells you the protection and how to burn it if possible? can't remember the name. Besides using cd cracks (exe hacks) to fix the problem, how do you Legimitly back up your software cd collection???

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[goloap]

The program with the skulls is ClonyXXL, it tells you what copy protection a CD has and it suggests settings for CloneCD. CloneCD is IMO the best software for creating images of protected CDs.

Sometimes though, you won't be able to overpass the copy protection and that's when you use cracks to be able to play the game. You can get some NO-CD cracks at <A HREF="http://www.gamecopyworld.com" target="_new"> GameCopyWorld </A>.

Usually what I do is create a image of the CD and the mount it on a virtual drive using Daemon Tools. It always works.


In ancient times they had no statistics so they had to fall back on lies

 

[FallOutBoyTonto]

I second the suggestion to use CloneCD. The newer versions include a profile for copy protected CD's, it worked for my GTA Vice City. But instead of mounting the image on a virtual drive using Daemon Tools, I use the virtual drive thats now included with CloneCD (I've never tried Daemon Tools so I don't know which is better).

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[phsstpok]

Nero will never backup protected games.

Diablo 2 is an old game and easily backed up. CloneCD can do it on modern burners.

For newer games arm yourself with programs like CloneCD, Alcohol 120%, BlindWrite, etc then head over to the <A HREF="http://club.cdfreaks.com/" target="_new">forums at CDfreaks.com</A> and start reading. You'll learn everything you wanted to know about game backups

Make sure you read the stickys before you post or the regulars will trounce you.


Games are getting tougher and tougher to backup as the copy protections keep improving. There are already two protections that can't be copied, Starforce and Mage (I think that's the name). Fortunately these are not very common.

This doesn't mean everything is great. The good old days of the 1:1 copies (or so called) are almost gone. The tougher protections require tricks to simulate or emulate the protection (different from cracks). Often the copies can be used to run the program but not to install it. You need the original or a different kind of copy to do installations.

This is not an issue for legitmate owners of games. You install with the original then use the backup for day to day play.

<b>56K, slow and steady does not win the race on internet!</b>

 

[goloap]

Daemon Tool is really cool because it intercepts all the CD checks to your virtual drive. So even, if you were not able to copy the game protection scheme, the mounted image file will work on Daemon's drive.

In ancient times they had no statistics so they had to fall back on lies