So, after having a total blast playing with the recently released ISO files for the Earthsiege titles, it occurred to me I could very well backup all my remaining game cds in ISO form while waiting for GOG to release them in proper form, so I could mount and play my games without having to carry the cds around

The problem is, some of these games are CD-protected so, if I mount my ISO copy of, say, Age of Empires Collection, it installs just fine, but then it won't recognize the mounted ISO as a legit cd and it shows the "insert CD" message. I know there are plenty noCD patches and I am well aware of where to find them, but I'd rather use a non-crack solution if possible.

Any help?

Depends on what you call cracking, but I know this little place called Voobly that has a no CD patch out that MS is aware of and hasn't DMCA'd. Might wanna check that out for AoE2.

I don't think ISO is a good format to have a backup of game CDs. You should download Alcohol52% (it's free) and use in-build DRM analazyer to recognize DRM and best dump menthod. It's usually saves game as a pair of mdf/mds. In addition you will have your CD-Audio copied as well (AFAIK ISO doesn't support that)

Thanks both for your answers. Regarding ISO, I am not an expert at all in backup formats and stuff. I used ISO because it's the only format I am familiar with and, most importantly, I can mount it natively on Windows 10 without needing additional software. Does W10 recognizes MDF images too?

I think not. But Alcohol52% comes with virtual drive and you can mount mdf/mds there.

Thanks, I'll have a look at it and let you know.

Others already mentioned that using ISO wouldn't support e.g. audio CD tracks, if the game has that.

I sometime had a similar idea as you (making CD image backups of my retail games), but when I tried it with a few of my retail games (I think I was using Alcohol or some other similar more advanced CD imaging software), it seemed to me that:

- For DOS CD games, no problem whatsoever. It seems DOS era CD games didn't have much of copy protection that at least those CD imaging software can't easily overcome.

- For Windows games, it seems much trickier. I tried with e.g. Heavy Gear, and I was unable to make a fully working CD image (that would run fine without any cracks or noCD patches). I googled for instructions, and somewhere I found very specific instructions how to make a working CD image of Heavy Gear. The instructions were so complicated I decided to just keep playing the original CD version.

So I got an impression that in order to make 1:1 CD images of your protected Windows games, you may need to know what exact copy protection method the game uses, what exact options to select in the CD imaging software... and even then it may fail, at least with the more advanced copy protections.

As others have given good ideas above I will just add my thoughts. Firstly, only do this if you own the game, as far as I am aware its technically on the fence as to whether you can create a backup (and probably varies between product), however if you own it, and its just for you I doubt there would be that many problems. I personally do it for the older games, DOS era, as I get a lot second hand and the disc is quite damaged by then already. I use a tool called Slysoft CloneCD. It works ok. Do note that most discs later on have drm on them which is a real problem. The mentioned alchohol above, be careful with, I installed it to my win 8 machine and it removed or replaced a driver which win 8 didn't like, and i got blue screen of death for a couple of boots until I reinstalled that driver. Might just be the 32 to 64 bit of course, never really investigated it. As for NoCd patches, yes, almost all these I find are blocked by virus checkers, so I wont recommend that approach, and those sites always seem quite dubious.

Also keep in mind that some games are available here, and other sites to save you that whole effort.

Thanks, I already do that, as soon as one of my physical games is available here I purchase it and give away my CD. About other sites, I am afraid GOG has totally spoiled me and I can't honestly stand the thought of installing an online client or stuff like that; if that's the only alternative, I very much prefer keeping the hassle of using the physical disk.

Well, technically speaking if you then give away or sell your disc then you no longer have any right to keep the image. If the case only contains a cd, consider getting a cd holder, I have on which is about the size of a washbag, which holds.250 cds, and I chuck the dvd case. Only with originals or ones with good manuals or other bits do I keep the dvd.case and things. Most new games are steam client only on the cd, so can be thrown away as worhless.

I guess I didn't make myself clear, I give away my game disks whenever I purchase them again from GOG. I am also fully aware of that, thanks to my purchasing a CD which I naively assumed contained the full Dawn of War 2: Retribution game (man was I pissed off)

If it helps, this is the CD wallet holder I got, 520 CDs for around the size of one boxed game.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/WALLET-STORAGE-HUMLIN-BRANDED-CAPACITY/dp/B00HKVVAZG/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1446809792&sr=8-1&keywords=CD+WALLET+DVD+DISC+520+STORAGE+HOLDER+CARRY+CASE+WALLET+HUMLIN+BRANDED+520+CD+CAPACITY

I never thought of throwing away the cases, that would certainly save up a lot of space, thanks.

Only do it for ones which aren't collectible or have anything good inside them. For instance all the "Essentials" range, and those re-release style ones are just a CD in a standard case, so no point keeping the case, just the CD.

I use IsoBuster, and have created ISO's of Games that include Music (IE Mechwarrior 2: Mercenaries) and yet to get a ISO without music