How to Use an ISO File to Play a Game
 

ISO files eliminate the need for a gaming CD

Keeping up with gaming CDs can be really annoying, especially for avid players. However, with ISO files, it’s possible for a person to play PC games without the original CD or DVD. Take a look at the steps below for more information.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

InstructionsThings You'll Need:

ISO File Maker

Hard copy of the game

ISO File Reader

NO-CD crack (if necessary)

Step 1 Create the ISO. Before an ISO file can be run, it must be created through an ISO file maker. ISO Recorder v2 is a great example of such a program. With this software, ISO creation is as simple as right-clicking and selecting "Create Image from CD." Other ISO file makers tend to work similarly, though there are those that don’t. If this is the case, users may need to read through the documentation provided with the program.

Step 2 Mount the ISO with an ISO file reader. Computers can’t read from ISO files because they are only a copy of a CD’s contents; not the CD itself. So, to bypass this problem, one must use an ISO file reader. These programs create virtual drives which view the ISO as a regular CD or DVD.

Step 3 Daemon Tools is an example of a very common ISO file reader. It is also very easy to use. Once the program is installed, it will insert an icon onto the user’s desktop. This is what will be used to initiate the mounting process. Users simply right-click the icon, then select “Virtual CD/DVD Rom.” From there, they select the drive they want, followed by the command “Mount Image.” After that they click on the ISO file. When everything is done, Daemon Tools will place the ISO in a virtual CD/DVD drive. Now, if a person is using something other than Daemon Tools, they may have to go through more elaborate selections, but the result is still the same; a virtual drive containing the ISO file.

Step 4 Run the ISO from the virtual drive. To access the virtual drive, go to ‘My Computer’ and click on the icon representing it. If the game has an ‘Autoplay’ function, it will begin installing immediately. Otherwise, the virtual drive will simply reveal the contents of the folder. If this happens, the user must look for any file that would help him install the game. Now, if the game is not encrypted, following this step should allow for immediate installation. If it doesn't, the user will need to use a NO-CD crack.

Step 5 Apply a NO-CD crack. Some gaming CDs or DVDs contain encryption which prevents play from a virtual drive. NO-CD cracks override this encryption. To find them, visit sites like Game Copy World. After the NO-CD crack has been downloaded, it can be applied by pasting the NO-CD crack into the game’s executable folder. In some cases, a user may have to delete the original executable.

Step 6 Run the game. After everything is installed, a user can run her games through the cracked executables or the virtual drive, (if the NO-CD crack wasn’t necessary). The original CD or DVD is no longer needed.