I have read some threads and see one thread that some people will definitely need help. I hope this helps those in need. Some of you are concerned about losing an original CD disc due to CD disk aging and deterioration or unexpected, unplanned damage. If you are not able to buy a new set of (game) disks, you can make an ISO image file or write a data copy of an original CD disc before that original CD disc becomes unuseable. Make a copy of the original disc by writing an ISO file. You can, then, extract and write the content of the ISO file to a blank CDR/CDRW disc that provides a brand new copy of the original disc content to a new blank CD disc. note: This is not a data and files copy; this is a digital image copy of the original CD disc. note: I would recommend you only use a CDR disc and do not use a CDRW disc. ImgBurn 2.5.5.0 is freeware image and burning software and includes ISO file writing. Here are links to two download sites. softpedia > http://www.softpedia.com/get/CD-DVD-Tools/Data-CD-DVD-Burning/ImgBurn.shtml majorgeeks > http://www.majorgeeks.com/ImgBurn_d4870.html note: ImgBurn supports all the Microsoft Windows OS's - Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT4, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows Vista, Windows 2008 and Windows 7 (including all the 64-bit versions). Additionally, you have to buy a new copy of the original game disks to guarantee you have a game disc with the security content to use that CD when playing a game. Programs like this program allow you to maintain a backup copy on a CD/DVD disk. For a backup copy on CD disc that you want to use to play a game, you can copy the folders and files from a backup CD disc to the hard drive and use a "no cd" method to run a game from your hard drive. note: I have not checked to see whether or not the ISO writing feature of this program will copy security code; however, I would truly be surprised if it did copy security code because programs like this normally are not able to copy security code. For purposes other than games, CD/DVD imaging software like this program have certain advantages, an example would be when making an image of a bootable CD for a new CD to be bootable and contain all of the content of the original CD and all of the information be in the same locations on the new disc. I use this same program for all purposes of writing data to a CD/DVD disc whether just writing a copy of files or making an ISO image of a CD/DVD disc. ---------------------------------------- If you want to make an image of your two original game CD disks, make one ISO file for each original CD disk. Create a new folder in Windows on the C drive to have a new folder location to save the image files. note: You only need to do this one time; you can use this same folder to keep any/all image files you make. Insert a CD disk that you want to copy in the CD/DVD drive. Install ImgBurn. One installed, then start ImgBurn. Click the "Create image file from disc" button. note: A new window will open. The Source field should show your CD/DVD writer drive; if the CD/DVD drive is not displayed, change that dropdown to show your CD/DVD drive. note: Ensure the CD disc to be imaged is in the CD/DVD drive. Click the folder icon for the Destination field. Do these steps. - Change the folder location to the new folder you made. - You can change the name of the file shown in the File name field. (This field must have a name for the image file it will create.) - This next step is a must do action: change the 'save as type' dropdown field to be a selection for the "ISO files (*.iso)" option. - Click the Save button. note: That window will close and return back to the burn window. Click the button that displays the picture of a CD disc and right-pointing triangle and CD on a sheet of paper. The file creation process will start. When it completes, the program will play a sound file and show a popup stating it is finished. Close the program. You now have a digital copy of the original CD disk within an image file. ---------------------------------------- You can write the content of the ISO file to a new blank CD disk. Place a new blank CDR disc in the CD/DVD drive. Start ImgBurn. Click the "Write image to disc" button. note: A new window will open. The Source field will be blank. Click the Windows Explorer button with the magnifying glass (the icon on left of the two icons for the Source field). - Change the folder location to the folder you made to keep your image files. - Click the name of the file for the image file you previously made. - Click the Open button. note: That window will close and return back to the burn window. The Destination folder should show the CD/DVD drive. note: Ensure the CD drive has a new blank CD disc. Click the button that displays the picture of a CD disc and right-pointing triangle and CD on a sheet of paper. The file writing process will start. When it completes, the program will play a sound file and show a popup stating it is finished. Close the program. You now have a digital copy of the original CD disk on your new CD disk. ---------------------------------------- note: You can use other software, etc. Instructions for using this software will not apply to other software. If you use other software, read the instructions for that other software.
Just picked up Atari's D&D "Anthology Master Collection" DVD set ~$20 bucks US gets you The Baldur's Gate Series The Icewind Dale Series TOEE and Planetscape Torment all rolled up into 2 discs.