The RTW CD: "To use or not to use..."

[Domitio]

Hi !
I have been wondering if it is absolutely necessary to have the RTW CD "loaded". Is it possible to copy it to the hard drive and run it that way ? If so, how would I go about doing that ? Any feedback would be appreciated

[pezhetairoi]

Now why would you be wondering that?

You can bypass it if you have the CD image. There are programs and such on the net I believe that will make a CD image which, when loaded onto a virtual drive like Daemon Tools will fool the computer into thinking the disc is still in the drive. But you don't actually need the disc to be playing. All data is already in the comp.

[Domitio]

Now why would you be wondering that?

You can bypass it if you have the CD image. There are programs and such on the net I believe that will make a CD image which, when loaded onto a virtual drive like Daemon Tools will fool the computer into thinking the disc is still in the drive. But you don't actually need the disc to be playing. All data is already in the comp.

Thanks Pezhetairoi. I just checked "Daemon Tools" and I see what you mean. Nevertheless, don't you need to load the CD in order to start the "EB" process ?

[The Persian Cataphract]

*sighs*

You know, I'm not really supposed to say this, since there is some sort of a zero tolerance against "piracy"-related issues, when it all really comes down to protecting your investment, in these fora. But I know many, if not outrightly most users actually resort to the usage of cracks. There I said it. They are not really illegal for usage, and just doing a search on google or perhaps even wiki the article to find out more isn't that hard. I bought my copy, I reserve the right to protect my investment, as much as I reserve the right to make a back-up copy for personal usage.

But I can't help you out, because it can potentially harm EB's reputation and standing in the community. You will simply have to find out more by yourself. Perhaps some generous soul will help you out by PM, who knows.

[pezhetairoi]

Which was why I asked my initial question, because this question is a little suspicious.

Still, for people who have reasons, and who do own the disc, I don't see why not. I used to use a cd image even though I own the game discs (two sets, in fact, one with BI) because I kept my Diablo II play disc in the drive since that one, I couldn't find an image for, and I draw the line at cracking the .exe outright. Then I finished D2, so now the RTW Gold DVD is in my drive all the time now.

Nevertheless, to put my neck on the line because I don't like to leave questions unanswered, to Domitio, you do not need the disc to start the process. The computer has all the files required to start the process in the hard disk, it only checks for the presence of the CD to ensure that you actually own the thing and are not doing an act of piracy. Hence the concern about why you would need to know that information, since between piracy and my solution, there's only your honesty. So, with the virtual disc the computer would sense the presence of an RTW disc, and give the go-ahead to start the program.

Now perhaps you can explain why you needed to know that? And more importantly, do you own a copy of RTW yourself? It would forestall any possible recriminations about piracy etc from the other less tolerant members of the forum when they see this thread.

[Domitio]

Which was why I asked my initial question, because this question is a little suspicious.

Still, for people who have reasons, and who do own the disc, I don't see why not. I used to use a cd image even though I own the game discs (two sets, in fact, one with BI) because I kept my Diablo II play disc in the drive since that one, I couldn't find an image for, and I draw the line at cracking the .exe outright. Then I finished D2, so now the RTW Gold DVD is in my drive all the time now.

Nevertheless, to put my neck on the line because I don't like to leave questions unanswered, to Domitio, you do not need the disc to start the process. The computer has all the files required to start the process in the hard disk, it only checks for the presence of the CD to ensure that you actually own the thing and are not doing an act of piracy. Hence the concern about why you would need to know that information, since between piracy and my solution, there's only your honesty. So, with the virtual disc the computer would sense the presence of an RTW disc, and give the go-ahead to start the program.

Now perhaps you can explain why you needed to know that? And more importantly, do you own a copy of RTW yourself? It would forestall any possible recriminations about piracy etc from the other less tolerant members of the forum when they see this thread.

Well, I do appreciate the benefit of the doubt man - I seldom post in the internet so I am not up to speed in what "shouldn't" I ask about. My naive question (wondering) was absolutely innocent. I bought RTW and BI at a "Fry's electronics" store and I also purchased the AE over the internet - like I ALWAYS DO. I asked my question out of interest in possibly speeding the load up process and possibly the game itself (my CPU is below my desk and I can't easily see how often the CD is accessed). I never thought about the game checking the CD to ensure that I "actually own the thing..." - You see, Half-Life 2 (Which I also bought like I ALWAYS DO ) does not check for a CD when I play - STEAM might, yet I play offline half of the time...

Look, I might as well take the opportunity to say something I have been wanting to say for a while: I LOVE EB ! I also think that the vast majority of people posting here are alright - I have read some really cool and helpful posts - I really love reading about the 1000BC - 1000AD period on my own. My current Romani campaign is an "experiment" of sorts: I extended the peak roman empire in the east to a border between the caspian sea and persian gulf - in the north east to a border from the vistula to the black sea. The north west, all Britain and Ireland - The south west, all Morocco. Finally, an imaginary "not so Great Wall of Rome" from the bug river east of Moldavia securing lines of communication with the possesions of Crimea and the caucasus. I say an experiment because upon achieving this territory I shifted my attention to minimizing expenses and maximizing military effectiveness without bulk - It is also "imaginary" because this empire would be more of a United States of the mediterranean: Kelts, Germans, North Africans, Mesopotamians and the rest of the bunch would have equal rights (no slavery/serfdom) in goverment, military, religion, etc... - The capital would be rotated through the 8 superstates, etc... Yeah, I know - idealist dreams - It would have been a lot nicer and durable than what actually happened though, in my opinion Anyway, I did not intend to ramble off in a tangent...

Going back to the original concerns: I hope that my naive questions do not arouse any more "little suspicious" feelings among the "less tolerant members of the forum" or anyone else - my honesty should be obvious and... I do appreciate Pezhetairoi and the Persian Cataphract for putting their "neck on the line" - I really do.

Peace and Love, brothers and sisters, Peace and Love

[lobf]

I always lose my CDs, and they're inconvinient to sort through and put in my drives, so i almost always use cracks.

[Maksimus]

Today, I just can't imagine that even in some Very Rich EU countries - RTW is very hard to find! Really, and If you want to use just EB you must get one Eras or Gold edition and pay and you only need RTW patched to 1.5

And if you live on in Serbia like me where only new games are around - You are forced to use ''crack's'' and torrent's if you want to use EB 1.1 that is comming! There are no stores in Belgrade that sell RTW gold anymore - maybe there could be some ''lost'' edition's but not on the Net!
I am sure that this is the same in many many countries with EB fan's

note: legal issues are not the place for these forums

[Foot]

Well this thread has served its purpose, and will now be closed.

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