The Sims

[Wolfsbar]

Does anyone have any help that they can offer for me to make a backup copy of the Sims? I have tried with my burner to make a copy of the game for a backup but haven't been able to do so. Has anyone succesfully made a copy? Is it possible?

Thanks,
Wolfsbar

[Gabe]

I don't know for sure, but I know my friends were not able to do it. Sorry for the lack of info.

[HAL9000]

CloneCD worked perfectly for me.

[freptide]

Your Cdrom and Cdwriter must be able to handle DAO-RAW. I use
CloneCD for backups.



Here are the instructions to make a working backup of most Protected CDs using CloneCD in combination with a CD-Reader/CD-Writer which can both can handle DAO-RAW.>>>Instructions for Backup below>>
Create the following directory:
: C:\TEMP\CD
Create a CD-Image using CloneCD with these settings:
Set Read Speed to 1x (176 kByte/s)
Select Read SubChannel Data from Data Tracks
Select Read SubChannel Data from Audio Tracks
Select Fast Error Skip
Set Read Retry to at least 5
Set Error correction to None
UnSelect Don't report bad sectors
UnSelect Intelligent Bad Sector Scanner
When ready burn the CD-Image a CD-R using CloneCD with these settings:
Set Write Speed to any desired speed
Select RAW DAO
Select Don't Repair SubChannel Data
UnSelect Simulate Writing (if available)
Select Burn Proof/Just Link (if available)
unSelect Perform Laser Power Calibration
unSelect Wait until Buffers are full
Select Always close last Session

[Wolfsbar]

Are there any problems with having CloneCD and Nero 5.5 on the same system.... I know that Nero isn't compatable with some other softwares? If not I will try the CloneCD. Thanks,
Wolfsbar

[freptide]

Nero is also good for making backups. I think it has settings to ignore
Illegal table of Contents and errors on Original Cds that are part of
the copy protection scheme. I dont think it will conflict with Clone.
If you Have Roxio or easyCd it will most likely Conflict. I had to do a
format after Installing Easy Cd creator because it was conflicting with
Sony software that was coupled with a USB burner which surprisingly
enough made good backups.

[Iman74]

When wanting to do a "backup" I suggest refering to www.gamecopyworld.com. They specialize in "backups" and sometimes all you need is a patch. Remember this is for "backups" and not to do multiple copies for purpose of distribution. That's illegal.

[Jenni]

CloneCD works great, and won't conflict with Nero or EasyCD. Just check your copy, I've had some problems lately with copies playing fine, but not installing. What I mean is you have to install from the original, but then you can use the copy to play the game. Which, if you are just making backups and the original is on the shelf, is not really a big deal. If, however, someone "borrowed" the original and it's miles away, it can be a pain...

[Iman74]

Originally posted by Jenni CloneCD works great, and won't conflict with Nero or EasyCD. Just check your copy, I've had some problems lately with copies playing fine, but not installing. What I mean is you have to install from the original, but then you can use the copy to play the game. Which, if you are just making backups and the original is on the shelf, is not really a big deal. If, however, someone "borrowed" the original and it's miles away, it can be a pain...

You said "What I mean is you have to install from the original, but then you can use the copy to play the game." Well if you have to install from the original then what's the point of making a backup? The whole point of backup CD's is to have a backup CD so you can install, play/use the backup CD without ever having to refer to your original. Which can be done 99% of the time. For instance what would you do in this case where the orginal got a gauge/scratch it so badly that it was useless. Well you would refer to the backup but if they work the way you said it with having to use the original to install then in that case you SOL.

[Jenni]

Well, to me the whole point of making a backup is to save the original from everyday wear and tear. Pulling it out every 6 months or so to do a reinstall, and then putting it back on the shelf isn't gonna scratch it at all. I have some games for my kids that are like that. I install of the original, then hand the copy to them and say "try not to scratch it"---yeah, right. When it gets unplayable (which, most of the time, takes a remarkable amount of scratches BTW), I get the original down and make another copy.

[HAL9000]

I have run Easy CD Creator 4, Nero, and CloneCD all on the same machine without incident. Since I recently switched to Windows XP, I have dropped using Easy CD Creator completely. Clone CD is used for all of my duplicating as it works flawlessly and Nero is used for all my general recording.

[Orcmonkey]

Thanks for those cloneCD settings... Helps alot.

[freptide]

Originally posted by Jenni What I mean is you have to install from the original, but then you can use the copy to play the game. Which, if you are just making backups and the original is on the shelf, is not really a big deal. If, however, someone "borrowed" the original and it's miles away, it can be a pain...

Good point. This method has worked for me on the game 'No One Lives Forever'
I prefer this over some of the registry patches which can do more harm
especially when you go to reinstall the game. I use Regcleaner when I have
stuff like demos and stuff that has been uninstalled still lurking in the computer. More and more new games are using the 2 cd install method which is just more of a challenge.