Solved Software to back up data discs to hard disk files

[droseman]

Hi,

I'm looking for advice on good software to back up data CD / DVD discs to my hard disc. I would like to be able to make an exact copy, which would then let me run the application as if I had put the disc in the drive.

Could anyone suggest software to do this type of archiving, or can I just simply do a copy in windows explorer (perhaps with some way to find every file which may have been hidden)

Thanks
Dave

 

[seavixen32]

I have done that with several of my applications, and it was just a question of creating a new folder for each application, and then copying the files from the disc to the new folder in Windows Explorer.

I'm sure others will chip in if there is a better way.

Two big benefits are that you preserve the disc (less wear and tear) and the install completes a lot quicker.

 

[jumanji]

Make an ISO image of your Data CDs and DVDs using Windows native Image Burner http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/548-burn-disc-image-iso-img-file.html or any other burning software you may have/like ( say ImgBurn, CDBurnerXP)
Mount the image on Virtual CloneDrive - SlySoft Virtual CloneDrive - and run it as if you are running it from an actual drive.

 

[droseman]

Thanks jumanji, that is precisely what I was trying to acheive, just never heard of a virtual drive for windows before.

--dave

 

[jumanji]

Glad that it helped.

I have all my Bluray discs and DVDs as ISOs on my external hard disk and use Virtual CloneDrive to play them on my Media Center PC. I rate Virtual Clone Drive as one of the best.