Is there a way to play Civ III without the CD?

Mateo1041 · January 2, 2003, 14:00

The reason being, my CD drive doesn't work all that well. I know I can edit the CD drive location in the Windows registry, but when I copy all CD files to C:\CivIII\Data and change the start path (in the registry) to point to that, it still says I need the CD in the drive. :-(

Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks.

Mateo1041 · January 2, 2003, 14:11

I just figured something out. I kept my game path at C:\CivIII\Data. I need the CD in the drive when I first go into the game, but after that, I don't need it anymore. Still not the best solution, but it'll work.

Jahi · January 2, 2003, 16:10

you can find various no cd patches at gamecopyworld i had to use it for PTW because my combo dvd/cdrw has a hard time reading safedisk2 copy protected cd's

Mateo1041 · January 2, 2003, 16:45

EDITED

Jahi · January 2, 2003, 16:52

np. sometimes you gotta dig a little to find the right patch. also realize that everytime a new civ patch comes out you'll need a new no cd patch as well (most of the time.). i'd swap out cd drives but its a pain to do so in my laptop and i'm kinda annoyed that i have to replace hardware for someone elses crapy attempt at copy protection.

Mateo1041 · January 2, 2003, 17:16

EDITED

Carver · January 2, 2003, 17:27

This thread isn't closed yet?

bobbo008 · January 2, 2003, 19:24

You can always download the game from a site such as Kazaa... the games may not work perfectly, but since you own the game already, I don't see a moral problem with it...

CiverDan · January 2, 2003, 19:30

Yeah, we hasnt this thread been closed and the No CD link removed?

chequita guevara · January 2, 2003, 19:31

Cuz they're too buzy moderating elswhere.

Mateo1041 · January 2, 2003, 20:27

What's wrong with a no CD link? I don't see a problem with it and no illegal links have been given. Heh, lets all go cry about it now.

alva · January 2, 2003, 20:36

A no-cd exe is illegal.
Don't blame me, I don't make any laws.

You would do better to edit it out

Mateo1041 · January 2, 2003, 21:12

I just edited all my replies if that makes everyone happy. My solution as mentioned above works fine. A no CD patch would be easier, but hey, it really doesn't matter all *that* much if it's going to cause people to be up in arms about it.

Jahi · January 2, 2003, 21:14

well, legalities aside, i figure if it really bothered people gamecopy world would have been taken down long ago. but since its been up for at least 3 years, seems fine to me.

they can do what they want to me, i own the game and expansion, and its not like a google search would not turn up the same info. the expansion does not work in my drive (or it does, with lots of problems), its even kept the machine from booting a few times since the o/s cant mount the volume to continue with the boot process. since i'm not going to spend the cash to mod my working laptop, guess i gotta fix the cd.

i understand the rules are the rules, and i'm not complaining about that or about any of you. i just think the rules might need to be reexamined. not like i'd ever get anything other than the canned reply if i asked firaxes tech support for help.

alva · January 2, 2003, 21:42

BTW: in case of problems , you can contact FIRAXIS, they will supply you a no-cd if needed.

And yes, some of my best friends use them too..

Jahi · January 2, 2003, 21:47

really? now that is interesting. i may have to try that then. i guess since i've had such bad experiences with tech support i tend to think the worst. i buged them once about random crashing problems on a non moded game and got a canned responce, but i suppose i can try again.

Mateo1041 · January 3, 2003, 02:05

Nice to hear I'm not the only one. :-)

Boney · January 3, 2003, 04:18

This no-cd thing should be included with the disc. I used to love playing civ2, disc problem could not play any more.

same thing happened to ctp1 and ctp2, okay ctp2 is still on sale here but ctp1 and civ2 are now not available so two games unplayable, and now deleted from my hard drive.

Anyway I bought ctp2 again 'cos of the wicked mods, but in reality why should I have had to do this. The companies use crappy cds that bugger up easily just so that sales increase. Then a website like this which is excellent for almost everything cannot even help registered members.

I know about copyright but until there is some sort of replacement service for f@cked up discs info should be given for nocd cracks.

Conqueror · January 3, 2003, 06:52

Isnt the no-cd use only illegal in USA ? Atleast its 100 % leagal in Finland as long as you own original copy of the game.

To my understanding its pretty much leagal in other parts of EU too. Its not piratism as long as you own the game.

(btw, i had problems with starting civ3 v.1.17, contacted infogrames tech support, and NOTHING happened, no reply, no help. downloading no-cd was the only option, i guess i would have been a criminal in U.S for making my leagal purchase work, then

)

MarkG · January 3, 2003, 07:07

http://www.ina-support.com/faq/civ3question_pc.asp