Software without the CD?

[leenn]

Hello I have a question, I own a software program that requires the CD to be in the drive at all times in order to use the program. Is there any way around it? I was wondering because I have a notebook that requires an external CD-ROM. So that totally kills it’s portability to always have an external CD-ROM attached and I use the program a lot.
THANKS

[fritzi93]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I should think you could rip it with something like BlindWrite, make a disc image, then mount it on a virtual drive. Like DaemonTools, with all emulation options ON. Mind you I haven't tried it, but why wouldn't that work?

[pip22]

There's another solution which achieves the same end (ie a 'virtual' drive)
http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/xpvirtualcd.html

But first you need to convert the CD contents to an 'ISO' file with this:
http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm

However, if you own nero 6 or higher, that includes an application called
"ImageDrive" which is all you need for what you want to do.

[fritzi93]

Since I was curious, I did a little digging.

Note that breaking copy protection is a touchy subject. I believe that if you own a disc, you have "Fair Use" rights. For example, you may want to backup a rare original for safekeeping, or you may desire a little more flexibility in using something you legally own. The OP falls into the latter category.

It's possible, maybe likely, that there is copy protection on the disc. The fact that it is necessary to run the program off disc is indicative. SafeDisc, Securom, LaserLock, are a few protection types.

In the above case, a simple copy *probably* will not work. That's why I suggested BlindWrite (not free), and you have options as to ripped format, ISO image for instance. BlindWrite can defeat copy protection and produce a bit-for-bit copy. Now, a BlindWrite copy should be usable, but if it is balky for whatever reason, best to use a virtual drive capable of various emulation types, as in the anticopy schemes above. DaemonTools can do it, and it's free.

In extreme cases, the copy protection may include a "blacklist" preventing the disc from being copied or played if it detects the presence of certain software, DaemonTools and Alcohol120% (similar to BlindWrite), for instance. In that case, you'd have to use a software such as Anti-blaxx to hide the programs from the blacklist.

That's starting to sound like more trouble than it's worth, huh? That's precisely the reason for such measures.

[TheFrog]

I have a UK_INFO programme (legal) which requires the data disc to be in the CD drive at all times the programme is being used. This is a pain when using the laptop.
Using Blindwrite I copied the Data disc to the hard drive and setup a virtual drive with Daemon Tools Lite, changing the drive letter as the drive has to be the one the programme was setup on. Works perfectly and now there's no danger of the data disc being scratched.

[fritzi93]

Originally Posted by TheFrog

I have a UK_INFO programme (legal) which requires the data disc to be in the CD drive at all times the programme is being used. This is a pain when using the laptop.
Using Blindwrite I copied the Data disc to the hard drive and setup a virtual drive with Daemon Tools Lite, changing the drive letter as the drive has to be the one the programme was setup on. Works perfectly and now there's no danger of the data disc being scratched.

Well, that's interesting, that little detail about the drive letter hadn't occurred to me. Thanks for that. It's good to know what actually works.

Again, this isn't something I've done. I use DaemonTools on my HTPC to mount images of DVD movies.

[TheFrog]

I'm happy that I've managed to give something back to the forum, albeit a small piece of info.

[Disk_Contented]

Originally Posted by fritzi93

That's precisely the reason for such measures.

Bit pointless since you just gave a tutorial on how to sidestep those measures, eh?
Point the OP to a "no cd" crack and be done with it.

[fritzi93]

Although your tone is rather snide, I'm going to try to give a serious answer. But first two questions: Do you think the OP should:

1) Live with the inconvenience.
2) Put unnecessary wear on the optical drive.

If the facts are as the OP stated, the maker of the software will suffer no monetary loss due to piracy. Such a case would amount to format-shifting. Yes, I implied that the reasons for anticopy measures are to discourage piracy. But it is evident they can also inconvenience people who own legal copies of payware.

I'm not sure how to strike a balance here. I have no doubt some people have from time to time posted similar questions and misrepresented their intentions, when their real purpose was to steal. But even so, there are other sites where they need not lie about it.

Perhaps this forum would benefit from some explicit rules:

1) Warez. What is warez? Intellectual property (IP) obtained in a manner that explicitly or implicitly violates copyright or license for the IP.

Do not ask for warez.

Do not link to warez.

2) Fair Use. What is "Fair Use"? Despite what content providers or lawyers may tell, you, if you legally own IP on digital media, you have legal rights including:
a) Making backups
b) Format shifting
c) Time shifting (specifically applicable to televised content).

Fair Use rights evaporate when you sell the media in question. Fair Use applies only to legally owned media, it does NOT apply to rentals or borrowed media.

I'll give you another example when the efforts of the owners of IP to control access to their IP can unnecessarily inconvenience legitimate customers:

Region Coding, both of commercial DVD_Video discs and of players. I own several videos that are not region 1, they are not available in the US. (One is the Hong Kong version of Hero, region 3, with subtitles in elegant English, not the contemptible colloquial English subs on the US release. The dubbed audio is even worse, give me the Chinese with subs.) To play them I have to do a firmware hack on my DVD players and/or defeat their copy protection, making a region-free copy. Since all of but one of my set-top players are not region-free hackable, I'm reduced to making a backup, not just for safe-keeping, but to play the damn things at all.

Then there's region-coding enhancement (RCE), which prevents region 1 discs from playing on region-free players. This is on WB and Columbia releases. So, to play DVDs on my solitary region-free player, I'm in a bind. I back up the DVDs first, making a region-free copy.

I could give other examples, but that should suffice. Just because the owner of the IP puts restrictions on the media doesn't mean I have to roll over and accept them. I offer no apologies.

Now, any more questions or constructive comments?

[leenn]

Hmm.. an ISO file, I didn't think of that one. Thanks I will give it a shot right after these stupid finals are over.

[Disk_Contented]

No questions. I'm well aware of the methods of copyright evasion thanks.

Excuses, excuses. Try and justify all you want. You crossed the line in no uncertain terms:

In extreme cases, the copy protection may include a "blacklist" preventing the disc from being copied or played if it detects the presence of certain software, DaemonTools and Alcohol120% (similar to BlindWrite), for instance. In that case, you'd have to use a software such as Anti-blaxx to hide the programs from the blacklist.

Try PM if you can't be sure of the "balance".

[fritzi93]

You don't have the faintest idea what you're talking about. If you think "Fair Use Doctrine" is clear, you're mistaken.

But some specific limitations of copyright are quite clear. Section 117 of the US Copyright Act in regard to computer programs:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limitat...puter_programs

The summary:

-----------------

Section 117 is a limitation on the rights granted to holders of copyright on computer programs. The limitation allows the owner of a particular copy of a copyrighted computer program to make copies or adaptations of the program for any of a number of reasons:

1. Utilization of the program. The user is allowed to install the software to his hard disk and run the software in memory.
2. Making backup and archival copies. The user is allowed to make copies of the software to protect himself from loss in the event of the original distribution media being damaged.
3. Making copies of software in order to repair or maintain machines, provided that the copies used in repairing the machine is destroyed after the repair or maintenance is complete.

The law allows any copies that are created for the above purposes to be transferred when the software is sold, only along with the copy made to prepare them. Adaptations made can not be transferred without permission from the copyright holder.

---------------

The only thing unclear, if you read the above carefully, is the definition of "owner". That is, whether you own software you've purchased, or merely license it, and whether the latter claim is enforceable.. The courts are split on this.

[leenn]

I got it working, thanks everyone!

[Disk_Contented]

Originally Posted by fritzi93

You don't have the faintest idea what you're talking about. If you think "Fair Use Doctrine" is clear, you're mistaken.

But some specific limitations of copyright are quite clear. Section 117 of the US Copyright Act in regard to computer programs:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limitat...puter_programs

The summary:

-----------------

Section 117 is a limitation on the rights granted to holders of copyright on computer programs. The limitation allows the owner of a particular copy of a copyrighted computer program to make copies or adaptations of the program for any of a number of reasons:

1. Utilization of the program. The user is allowed to install the software to his hard disk and run the software in memory.
2. Making backup and archival copies. The user is allowed to make copies of the software to protect himself from loss in the event of the original distribution media being damaged.
3. Making copies of software in order to repair or maintain machines, provided that the copies used in repairing the machine is destroyed after the repair or maintenance is complete.

The law allows any copies that are created for the above purposes to be transferred when the software is sold, only along with the copy made to prepare them. Adaptations made can not be transferred without permission from the copyright holder.

---------------

The only thing unclear, if you read the above carefully, is the definition of "owner". That is, whether you own software you've purchased, or merely license it, and whether the latter claim is enforceable.. The courts are split on this.

Ok, If you say so, but I, and many others don't live in the US for One thing, so that argument is void, and it's not the first time I've have US law that has no meaning to me, forced in my face!!!
I am so sick of hearing it when it is not rellevent to all.
Try and remember this board, many others, and the net overall caters for anybody.

Second, while I have no aversion to anyone using legal backups for their own use, your answer wasn't general. You gave specific instructions on how to circumvent a secondary measure of anti copying protection.
The fact is inescapable.

[fritzi93]

Look, pal, you have a history of disrespectful, bullying posts. Debate the issue without getting personal.

There are many US members here. For you to say something's illegal with the implication it's illegal EVERYWHERE and for all forum members is plainly false.

There are also many European members here. In 2007, the European Parliament specifically excepted copying for personal, non-commercial usage from the 2001 European Directive on Copyright.

Unless or until there are definitive test cases or legislative enactments resolving the mass of conflicting copyright laws, the issue is NOT settled. The DMCA and 2001 EU Directive merely added another confusing layer upon existing laws and precedents.

The one item I'm willing to concede is this: it may not be in the interests of this forum to discuss specifics of DRM circumvention. The Tool will have the final say on that.

But for the sake of peace, I'll try to be more circumspect. [shrugs] Happy now?

Have a nice day.