is there any free cd emulation software that works with secure rom

[andreasaspenberg]

i got a new laptop which did not come with a cd-rom drive and i want to play games that runs with cds. i have the actual cds myself but without a drive i can not use them. i have an external drive but that uses 2 USB ports and the laptop only have 2.(the built in mouse is a mess so i need an external mouse). my only choice is therefore to create disc images and run them through software but daemon tools lite costs money to handle secure rom. is there any programs that does it for free?

 

[Deathcom3s]

I personally use Virtual Clone Drive. We use it here at work as well, and have never had any issues at all.

https://www.redfox.bz/en/virtual-clonedrive.html

 

[andreasaspenberg]

then i have tried that and it does nothing.(it can not mount the disc images i created properly and as such windows is unable to use them). it is no longer is development either.

 

[Deathcom3s]

Believe me, it works properly. You must be doing something wrong somewhere when creating the .iso.

 

[IcemanBo]

Since win8 there is already an integrated iso mount function provided when you open explorer, so you actually don't need extra software if you use win8/newer.

 

[andreasaspenberg]

it is not iso but mdx. all of my images was created in mdx format.

 

[General Frank]

MDX is a model format and not an iso.




It seems you try to troll again.

 

[IcemanBo]

You sure you have not used demon tools then? But try to convert to .iso

 

[andreasaspenberg]

it is both a model format and a disc image format. i never try to troll. all of my disc images was created in mdx format. iso is the format for downloaded disc images. i created my disc images with daemon tools lite but those are not compatible with some copy protections like the one in universe at war earth assault. it is also not compatible with secure rom whoch is used by the lego games. i have now tested virtual clone drive with universe at war earth assault and it does not enable me to play it because it can not emulate the dvd well enough for the game.

 

[Chaosy]

it is both a model format and a disc image format.

Riiiiight.

 

[andreasaspenberg]

just try creating a disc image in daemon tools lite and you will find mdx as the preferred format. about my issue: i need a program that can emulate discs well enough to fool the more extreme copy protections as i do not have cd-rom drive in my laptop. it is also very difficult to bring lits of cds with me so it is easier to create disc images of them and then run them through an emulator like daemon tools lite. that thing however costs money if i want advanced emulation. i want something free.

 

[IcemanBo]

That's why I asked if you used daemon tools, or not. Because there can be set a default format to mdx maybe.
This can be changed to iso btw, but actually as said it's not needed as there should be a default mount function in the explorer in new OS. Google might be a good friend here.

 

[andreasaspenberg]

then i have tried that but i got the same result. the game still can not find the dvd.

 

[pyf]

You say all your images are in mdx format. According to this page, only Daemon Tools Lite and CDemu support this disc image file format.

Universe at War: Earth Assault is a 2008 game. Therefore, I suggest trying an older DT Lite version, preferably a 4.xx one.
Also, maybe some 4.xx version has free SecuRom emulation suited for your Lego games (whichever they are) ?

Since version 4, DT uses the SPTD driver. While uninstalling your current DT version, I suggest you also uninstall the SPTD driver. This will require a restart. Then you can install an older DT Lite 4.xx version.

All 4.xx DT Lite versions come with a version of the SPTD driver. You may update said driver independently afterwards, if required.
http://www.duplexsecure.com/downloads

To check at binary level the files inside an image, against the files from an original CD/DVD, I suggest giving the antique CDCheck a try. CDCheck does not check the CD/DVD structure (like subchannels etc...).

To do things properly, you must install your games from your emulated drive.

 

[andreasaspenberg]

i found another solution for the lego games but that is not available for universe at war earth assault.(not allowed to discuss it here though). i always install from the emulated drive as i have no real cd-rom drive to install from. the SPTD does not work in windows 10. universe at war earth assault still does not work. it still asks for the dvd even with daemon tools 4.

 

[andreasaspenberg]

is there any ways to create a disc image from alien crossfire or dungeon keeper 2?

 

[pyf]

then i have tried that and it does nothing.(it can not mount the disc images i created properly and as such windows is unable to use them). it is no longer is development either.

Virtual CloneDrive is still being developed
https://www.redfox.bz/download/changes_vcd.txt

You sure you have not used demon tools then? But try to convert to .iso

Bad idea, if protection can not be emulated by a virtual CD-Rom

iso is the format for downloaded disc images.

Not specifically.

i found another solution for the lego games but that is not available for universe at war earth assault.(not allowed to discuss it here though). i always install from the emulated drive as i have no real cd-rom drive to install from. the SPTD does not work in windows 10. universe at war earth assault still does not work. it still asks for the dvd even with daemon tools 4.

You did not mention you were using W10 in OP.

There is a SPTD version for W10
http://www.duplexsecure.com/downloads


It seems SecuROM and SafeDisk protections will give W10 users a hard time
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SecuROM#Windows_10
http://uk.ign.com/articles/2015/08/19/windows-10-wont-run-games-with-safedisk-securom-drm
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/08/17/windows-10-safedisc-securom-drm/
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/08/windows-10-wont-run-games-with-securom-drm-says-microsoft-2/


First, try to look for official solutions from Sega / Petroglyph Games
I assume you already use Patch 3 (which seems to be the latest)
http://www.fileplanet.com/183154/180000/fileinfo/Universe-at-War:-Earth-Assault---Patch-3
http://www.petroglyphgames.com/game?id=3


If there is no official solution for W10, then I believe your issue is not against the Rules imho. You are facing outstanding compatibility issues here
Rule #10 does not apply here imho
Rule #20 is about map protection only
Rule #19 does apply (my common sense tells me it is OK)
Only broken rule here is Rule #4, because of me

In France, you are entitled to one backup copy, and one only, of the software you legally bought. You must create that single backup copy yourself. You can use 3rd party software to do it. That backup copy must remain private. A backup copy does not entitle you to more installations/activations than allowed. Please refer to your product's manual, to know the number of machines/installations/activations your EULA entitles you to. Technically you do not buy/own a software, you just pay for the right to use it for a finite (or indefinite) period of time.


Universe at War: Earth Assault uses SafeDisc 4.85.
http://fileforums.com/showthread.php?t=83488
http://www.cdmediaworld.com/hardware/cdrom/cd_protections_safedisc_v4.shtml


Some clues / solutions seem to exist, at least for other OSes
http://forum.daemon-tools.cc/f20/safedisc-4-85-a-21519/index2.html (please read post #19)

http://club.myce.com/f80/fluenz-mandarin-1-2-safedisc-4-85-a-254258/
http://club.myce.com/f80/calling-all-experts-need-experienced-advice-safedisc-4-85-a-266522/

I would *not* recommend in any way SafeDisc 4 Hider (SD4Hide) nor the likes, for your software / OS


Hope it helps, with clues and directions

 

[The_Silent]

I remember installing Deamon Tools, and it thinking wc3 models were disc image files, so I can vouch for that.

 

[pyf]

is there any ways to create a disc image from alien crossfire or dungeon keeper 2?

If you mean a working disc image on W10, then please check first whether or not these games use a copy protection, with ProtectionID

Some official / unofficial patches may change / remove copy protection.

Sometimes, applying an official patch may allow you to successfully use protection emulation afterwards (ex : Outcast, after applying official Patch 3)

 

[andreasaspenberg]

dungeon keeper 2 is likely using a very simple cd check and alien crossfire is also likely to use a very simple cd check. they are however protected so that i can not create disc images directly as it is. i am simply looking for a way to create disc images of those 2 games and possibly also alpha centauri if that is required for alien crossfire.

 

[Deathcom3s]

dungeon keeper 2 is likely using a very simple cd check and alien crossfire is also likely to use a very simple cd check. they are however protected so that i can not create disc images directly as it is. i am simply looking for a way to create disc images of those 2 games and possibly also alpha centauri if that is required for alien crossfire.

Those disc protections measures are there to prevent fraudulent copying of the discs. Regardless of your supposed intention for why you wish to bypass them, discussion of how to do so is not allowed here.

Pyf provided you with some fantastic answers, and we have all worked to help you through your issues with mounting virtual discs (which should be resolved, as Windows 10 provides a utility for mounting ISOs as part of the OS).

However, the discussion has moved towards cracking disc copy protection, which is strictly prohibited by the site rules. As such, I am closing this thread.