[tutorial] Backup original AoK/AoC CDs (no cracks needed)

[BugA_the_Great]

Thanks for noticing, images reuploaded, try to setup everything as explained, and see if it works.

[Skimmey]

Thank you the images work now. However when i start the conquerors with the back up disk it starts the loading screen but does not get any farther than that but the warning that says to enter the correct disk does not pop up so i guess it recognizes the disk but maybe i saved it wrong. It gave two options for the disk that i could use
(D:) HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GT32N (0:1)
or
(E:) VCHQ 96FOHIF81 (1:0)
I chose the first option (D:) is that the correct one? also i doubt this matters but when i made the image i used 4X reading speed and when i burned the image the lowest option it gave was 10X.

Lastly the only other thing that i could think that could be a problem is that I only backed up the expansion i did not back up the original disk since it isn't needed to play the game on an computer that has already downloaded it.

[Skimmey]

Another problem may be the disk im trying to burn it on. I am using a Memorex CD-R w/ 52X & 700MB is this an appropriate disk to use?

[seejay1120]

I have used this before, but IIRC you have to edit AoC's registry keys to point to the virtual drive you want to use.

[BugA_the_Great]

lol, good point seejay1120, I completely forgot about that

Skimmey, just to confirm - you did install the game from the copied disc (drive), right? Or you installed it from some other disc (or virtual drive), and you`re just trying to run it from the copied disc?

In first case it should work, in second it won`t work - unless you change the registry entries as suggested, OR uninstall the game completely, then reinstall from the copy disc.

[rmcoo]

Why so much job...just go to thepirateboy.com and torren............OH NOooo FBI is in my house................R.I.P Rmcoo 2012.04.24

[BugA_the_Great]

This is not about software piracy and sharing illegal content, but about preserving data you already (rightfully) possess and preventing it from potential damages

[Hortenso]

Hello, I have a AOE Collector's Edition original DVD, and no way to make a backup with Alcohol 120%: ( Has Securom.

[Audun]

So I just backed up my Conquerors disc using "Daemon Tools Advanced Edition." It took about 42 hours for it to copy the image to the computer. Used MDS/MDF image format, not iso, not sure if that's why it took so long. After I created the disc image burning it (also using Daemon Tools Advanced) only took a minute or two.

Thought I'd share my info

If you want to use Daemon Tools you need to have the Advanced Edition. Daemon Tools Lite will not work for this type of CD. You can get a 21 day trial of the Advanced Edition here: http://www.daemon-tools.cc/eng/products/dtproAdv

Options I used were:
Reading speed=24.x
Output format=MDS/MDF
Profile=Safedisc (under the device tab)

Nothing else was selected.

Happy duplicating.

[BugA_the_Great]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Audun