Burning Software

How to create a backup copy of your original Disc

Many of us burned CDs before, and one of the problems that we encounter are data error few years later when you want to access the data that you backup.

There are basically 3 key points to note when creating a self made CD.

1) Burn slowly at 1X speed

    [ 1X compatible CDs are hard to find these days]

    Currently, it is difficult to find a program that allows a user to burn at                1x setting.   Iwould recommend SLYSOFT Clone CD  

2) Burn with the same brand that is similar to your CD recorder Drive ,
     Use Sony disk for sony drive
     Use HP disk for HP drive

This is just the preferred situation, other brands will work as well. However burning at high speed with discs of another brand have a higher chance of write error.

I would recommend Verbatim , Maxell and Sony as 3 of my top choice if I intend to do a backup that would last a life time.

For casual burning. any brand or speed will suffice.

Finding a CD-R that supports a 1x write speed and from a reliable brand is getting more difficult to find in your local neighborhood IT store.  However with minimum effort, anyone can find them in online web stores.

3) Use of proper burning software.

All of us properly use Nero burning rom software.  This is usually bundled with the purchase of a CD writer.  This is a user friendly, reliable and easy to use burning tool.  I have no negative comments about this program. 

Now for the main focus..  

How many times we purchased a game disc or music CD and we accidentally scratch the surface or damage the nice Artist CD case.  Wish you could copy into a blank CD-R and leave the original safe away from harm..

For those who have tried using Nero to burn and failed.  The good news is that there is a way to create an exact duplicate of your original..

** Note... Users are only allowed to burn a backup provided that you own the original.  Do not end up committing piracy. 

SLYSOFT Clone CD

This program is able to burn at RAW mode.  It means it photocopies an exact replica of the original.  It has a simple user interface and does not require an expert to use it.

This is very unlike conventional burning programs which tend to rearrange the files on the disc based on filename, date and time or file size.

Although copies of backup burned in such a manner are usually still readable on a your PC, usually it won't work on stand alone players, or in some cases, it is unreadable in another computer.

Deamon Tools

This program is a Disc Drive emulator.  It means it makes your computer believe that it has got extra CD Drives.  So what is so good about that?

If you ask me, I frequently use this feature when ever i have to use a particular CD often. 

Example, I am playing Command and Conquer.  Everyday I need to insert the CD, hence my precious original Disc is spinning inside the drive everyday.  

I do not want to end up having to cry if take out the disc one day to find that the surface is scratched.

All you need to do, is to use any burning software and copy the CD into a image.  Provided the software has image writing capability.   Don't start scratching your head, image writing?

Nero is a burning software every one should be familiar.

Here's a screen shot of how to burn to image.

Notice that instead of choosing a drive, there is the image option.  After choosing that, you will be prompt to save as a NRG file. This means to say that the entire CD is copied to your drive.

However, copying a CD using Nero is not possible as it will indicate that the disc is copyrighted and will not proceed to copy.  

That is why the use of slysoft clone cd  software comes in handy.

Mounting of a burned image using Deamon Tools.

The term mounting a image is just run the disc that you just copied in simple terms.

It can be done in just 2 easy steps, set how many drives you need, and choosing the file.

Right click on a deamon tools icon at the lower right corner of the task bar, 

The File to be chosen will be your CD file.  Once done, your original disc can be kept safe from harm.