Problem copying a game CD

I have recently purchased Microsoft Train Simulator. I have made a copy of its 1st disk (which needs to be present in the CD drive when playing the game) using Nero 5.5 (copying from CD to hard disk first and then burning CD from hard disk).

However, the game doesn't run with my copied CD. It only runs with the original CD.

When I tried to do a CD-to-CD copy using Nero, it says that there is an error in the source (original) CD.

So, my question is, are they using any sort of copy protection technique? If yes, what sort of? I heard that in game CDs, often manufacturers deliberately create bad sectors in CD so that it can't be copied.

Is there any way to really copy the CD? I searched over the net and some people suggest that it may be possible using Alcohol 120% program which creates a virtual drive on harddisk with CD's image.

Any help?

Thanx

[PS: Please don't start discussing about legal issues of copying. If my original disk goes corrupt somehow (which is not so uncommon in todays CDs), I don't want to spend again purchasing another version.]

The orginal disc is fine if you can install from it and play off it.

You shouldn't discuss these topics here because they breach the forums rules, which may lead to you being banned.

Thanks for the info. But as per EULA, a personal backup copy is permitted by law.

If you got a lots of free hard drive space (or can spare ~700mb) download the Alochol 120% Trial.

Then grab DAEMON Tools (free)
Official Website download: http://www.daemon-tools.cc/dtcc/port...Download&id=34

Make a image with alcochol 120% (the default format is file) save it some where on your hard drive. (btw: the default format generates two files, you need them both)

Install Daemon Tools (this software adds a virtual cd rom drive to your computer)
Restart, as per instructions.

You will now see a Red-lighting bolt icon in your system tray (icons by the clock).

Right click on it and select Virtual CD/DVD Rom > Device 0: (drive letter) > Mount

Now find the files you created with alochol 120%. Now just run the game from the virtual cd rom drive in my computer

its copy protection. depending on the protection they're using... it could be this:
they purposely burn errors on the disc, which the game will ignore. When you try to copy this, your burner automatically tries to fix the errors and then burns the disc (or fails to burn in your case?). If you manage to burn the CD without the intentional errors, when you run the game, the game will know that it's a copy :)

what <ABX said should help enough. you should get enough help here, but if not this is a really good forum regarding burning/cds/dvds and whatnot: http://club.cdfreaks.com/ :)

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Originally Posted by sbasak

Thanks for the info. But as per EULA, a personal backup copy is permitted by law.

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True.
So would that mean that Microsoft is breaking the law by not allowing persons to create personal backups? :confused:

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Originally Posted by Valleysboy1978

True.
So would that mean that Microsoft is breaking the law by not allowing persons to create personal backups? :confused:

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No, they are your terms of use for using their software, I think you'll find that some countries allow you to make 1 backup copy legally, not all do, so if you're in one of the unlucky countries, you're still bound by the EULA.

That's a bit unfair.
Even if I was in one of those countries where I could make 1 backup, I wouldn't be able to anyway :ehh:

This is why I never did law :p

You missed the point, in Australia, apparently you're allowed to make 1 personal backup which overrides the EULA, apparently.

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Originally Posted by Ideas Man

You missed the point, in Australia, apparently you're allowed to make 1 personal backup which overrides the EULA, apparently.

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My point was even if you are allowed to make a backup, you couldn't because of the copy protection in place. :confused:

Well, that's what you get. There are good things you can do, but all it takes is one bad person to stuff it up for the good people.

Indeed. As the phrase goes "Evil is easy and wears many faces"

Its not really a problem as people can copy them anyway :)

You can copy them yes, but sometimes the copy protection will stop the copy from executig properly. This would technically be a breach of copyright laws but I doubt it is challenged very much

I live in england where u are allowed a personal backup, so if a company does prdoce a cd that has somesort of protection on it you are legally allowed to do break that protection, such as using vertual drives or no cd cracks. but only if u own an original copy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rocky_Lad

I live in england where u are allowed a personal backup, so if a company does prdoce a cd that has somesort of protection on it you are legally allowed to do break that protection, such as using vertual drives or no cd cracks. but only if u own an original copy.

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You live in England? So this does not apply to Britain then? Only England? ;)

The whole problem with these EULA's is that they are full of grey areas that are open to interpretation. :rolleyes:

Thanks mate, I succesfully made an image of it using Alcohol 120% :-)

A mute point now that you have done it, but for years I have always used CloneCD.
I believe it was the first (certainly one of the first) copiers to do 1-2-1 copying including bad sectors, to allow you to copy Game CDs