Playing CD-ROM video games on a computer without one?

chrislo

New Member
I was feeling a bit nostalgic and retrieved C&C Red Alert 2/Yuri's Revenge from the attic, it would be really handy to play the games on my Netbook but it doesn't have a CD-ROM drive. Is it possible to copy the games disk with one of my computers that have burner drivers and transfer the content over my network to my Netbook then install the contents on my Netbook?

I am tempted to just search the internet for a few downloads of the games since I already bought the games and have the hard copies in case anyone comes to me saying I stole anything but I don't want to get a virus or Trojan on my computer in the process.
 

voyagerfan99

Master of Turning Things Off and Back On Again
Staff member
I was feeling a bit nostalgic and retrieved C&C Red Alert 2/Yuri's Revenge from the attic, it would be really handy to play the games on my Netbook but it doesn't have a CD-ROM drive. Is it possible to copy the games disk with one of my computers that have burner drivers and transfer the content over my network to my Netbook then install the contents on my Netbook?

I am tempted to just search the internet for a few downloads of the games since I already bought the games and have the hard copies in case anyone comes to me saying I stole anything but I don't want to get a virus or Trojan on my computer in the process.

Rip the CD's as an ISO from a computer with a CD drive (using ImgBurn) onto a flashdrive, then install CloneDrive to mount the ISO's and install the game.
 

DCIScouts

VIP Member
Rip the CD's as an ISO from a computer with a CD drive (using ImgBurn) onto a flashdrive, then install CloneDrive to mount the ISO's and install the game.

Careful with this, although it doesn't violate all EULA's, it doesn't violate quite a few...
 

chrislo

New Member
Thanks guys, I didn't realize I could be doing something illegal by copying the game to my own person computer.
 

Machin3

New Member
Companies tell you not to rip the CD's because they believe you might try to make copies and sell them.

Its like DVD's in a way I guess. It also says you can't copy the DVD so I guess that's why. Kinda crazy right?
 

DCIScouts

VIP Member
Thanks guys, I didn't realize I could be doing something illegal by copying the game to my own person computer.

Companies tell you not to rip the CD's because they believe you might try to make copies and sell them.

Its like DVD's in a way I guess. It also says you can't copy the DVD so I guess that's why. Kinda crazy right?

Yeah, it's the way a lot of publishers try to control piracy. There are a few games like the old Starcraft that would allow you to install multiplayer versions on a few different computers without the CD but, it would only be the MP version, not the full game - and there aren't that many that allow you to do that.
 

DCIScouts

VIP Member
I believe in theory that might work, it depends on how the game behaves with regards to registering it. At the very least, if you install the game this way, the computer would want to access the CD on the exact same file path as when it was installed, so you would essentially have to run the game over 2 computers via your home network. Might see some major performance issues.
 

chrislo

New Member
That's a cool idea but I am not too thrilled about using two computers nor the lag that would occur, I am pretty pissed that they make it so hard to do something that should be legal and easy. :mad:
 

voyagerfan99

Master of Turning Things Off and Back On Again
Staff member
That's a cool idea but I am not too thrilled about using two computers nor the lag that would occur, I am pretty pissed that they make it so hard to do something that should be legal and easy. :mad:

Just do the ISO method. It's not illegal, because you own the game.
 

chrislo

New Member
Just do the ISO method. It's not illegal, because you own the game.

I assume this software is free and will walk me through the process? Is it possible to transfer the files without a Thumb Drive? Mine is full at the moment. The computers are networked so I could just drag and drop the files? :confused:
 

voyagerfan99

Master of Turning Things Off and Back On Again
Staff member
I assume this software is free and will walk me through the process? Is it possible to transfer the files without a Thumb Drive? Mine is full at the moment. The computers are networked so I could just drag and drop the files? :confused:

I sent you a PM.
 
Last edited:

Punk

Moderator
Staff member
I don't know if it's ok here (just delete my thread if not), but you can find NO-CD patches online.
 

SuperDuperMe

New Member
Yeah no cd patches are generally a violation of eula. Only example i know where it wasnt the case was in terms of r6 vegas 2 where ubi actually messed it up so bad they suggested downloading a patch off a torrent :p That went on for a while but then they came out with a fix and basically deleted everything they said about getting it :p

Uber stupid as it was said so people obviously knew so no matter how much they try to hide it its still out there :p
 
Top