Gaming without CD/DVD

[Dullstroom]

A number of years ago I purchased Caesar IV which came on two DVD's. All was fine until I bought a new laptop which does not have a CD/DVD reader. It also only has only three USB ports and my external DVD drive requires two (will not work when connected to a hub). Is there any way whereby I can load the two DVD's to my laptop's hard drive (I believe the game only checks the DVD for a 'code') and not use the external drive ? I normally need at least two of the USB ports at any time so currently have to disable something to connect the drive.

 

[Suspect99]

Caesar™ IV on Steam

Starting as governor of a newly formed province in the Roman Empire your goal is simple: advance up the empire's political ladder to become the next Caesar.

store.steampowered.com

Buy it on steam. Its R159

 

[My_King]

Try entering the code you have to activate on Steam.

Unreal Tournament 2004, Red Alert 3 and Fable worked for me when entering the codes.

 

[AlphaJohn]

Waaay back in the day's before Steam (Yes I am old k) we use to use Daemon Tools to mount virtual CD's (ISO's)

Dont know if this is still a thing?

 

[My_King]

Waaay back in the day's before Steam (Yes I am old k) we use to use Daemon Tools to mount virtual CD's (ISO's)

Dont know if this is still a thing?

I still use it....once a year

 

[ponder]

Create ISO images from the DVD's you keep on the hard drive which you simply mount with new drive letters.

9 Best Free DVD to ISO Maker Software For Windows

Use these DVD to ISO maker software to quickly convert DVD disc data and files to ISO disc image file format.

listoffreeware.com

 

[PhireSide]

Waaay back in the day's before Steam (Yes I am old k) we use to use Daemon Tools to mount virtual CD's (ISO's)

Dont know if this is still a thing?

Alcohol 120% crew checking in

 

[AlphaJohn]

Create ISO images from the DVD's you keep on the hard drive which you simply mount with new drive letters.

9 Best Free DVD to ISO Maker Software For Windows

Use these DVD to ISO maker software to quickly convert DVD disc data and files to ISO disc image file format.

listoffreeware.com

Problem with most imaging software is that they don't work with copy-protected DVD/CD's
Daemon tools (and I suspect Alcohol 120) use to work around this and image/emulate them without breaking copy protection.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

create an image (imgburn) from the DVD on another PC, copy the ISO to this PC,
power ISO FTW, and your up and cooking.

 

[ponder]

Problem with most imaging software is that they don't work with copy-protected DVD/CD's
Daemon tools (and I suspect Alcohol 120) use to work around this and image/emulate them without breaking copy protection.

Seeing as he owns the physical media I would just download the a drm free version...

 

[Cius]

I managed to convert all my old cd games to steam, or blizzard online for those titles with a bit of effort. I have not used my external DVD reader for a while.

 

[AlphaJohn]

I managed to convert all my old cd games to steam, or blizzard online for those titles with a bit of effort. I have not used my external DVD reader for a while.

Haven't owned a CD/DVD for over 11 years, hell even both my consoles (Xbox Series S and PS5 DE) don't have drives

Had to borrow an external DVD drive to rip my PS2 games last year.

 

[wbot]

I normally need at least two of the USB ports at any time

For what? Can't you just connect your external drive for a couple of minutes to install the game?

Also I've never seen an external dvd drive that requires 2 usb ports

 

[Rickster]

Waaay back in the day's before Steam (Yes I am old k) we use to use Daemon Tools to mount virtual CD's (ISO's)

Dont know if this is still a thing?

Windows 10 supports ISO's natively.

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

I need glasses
I read the thread title as Gaming Without Covid
LOL

 

[orkoza]

For what? Can't you just connect your external drive for a couple of minutes to install the game?

Also I've never seen an external dvd drive that requires 2 usb ports

 

[wbot]

View attachment 1228960

Mine looks like that too but I've never had to connect both at the same time for it to work. Works perfectly fine with just one plugged in. But I guess it varies from drive to drive

 

[Smokey888]

For what? Can't you just connect your external drive for a couple of minutes to install the game?

Also I've never seen an external dvd drive that requires 2 usb ports

Mine looks like that too but I've never had to connect both at the same time for it to work. Works perfectly fine with just one plugged in. But I guess it varies from drive to drive

Contradicting statements?

 

[wbot]

Contradicting statements?

No? Mine doesn't require both to be connected at the same time. Never seen or had one like that. Even the pic says connect both for best performance, doesn't say always connect both.

 

[Smokey888]

No? Mine doesn't require both to be connected at the same time. Never seen or had one like that

Mine looks like that too but I've never had to connect both at the same time for it to work. Works perfectly fine with just one plugged in. But I guess it varies from drive to drive