Can we discuss backing up PC games and if so....

[Rudyard]

Can we discuss backing up our games much like our DVDs? Games cost me up towards $70-100 and are much more valuable to back up than a DVD or CD.

Im just curious when a PC game asks for the original CD and I put in a backup (im talking of my fav series here - Civilisation which I made a coaster copy backup of the disc as it only read the original - NOT A PIRATED GAME) how does it know its different?

I always assumed if you copy a disc you take whats on disc A and copy its contents to disc B. I understand when we backup DVDs they have systems which block you copying it i.e. something on the disc tells the PC - do not copy. But when a disc copies, does it not copy all that is on the disc? And if so how does it decide what not to copy?

Again if this is in breach of a rule, please delete and accept my apologies but I can provide proof of purchase if need be - Im hooked on the civ series and have bought all games since Civ1 on my ms dos machine with my soundblaster that had adlib compatability!!!

[Abbadon]

Hi,

If you make a copy of your original game, legally purchased, for backup purposes, I believe you are OK (someone correct me if I am wrong).

There are forums dedicated exclusively to games copy protection, and they even provide step by step instructions, links to tools necessary, etc. Do a search in Google.