-=PCTechTalk=- Re: Riven CD question

Sammi,
    A scratch going around a disk usually indicates that the disks are being 
cleaned improperly.  With nearly ALL data storage media, the bits are stored 
and read by writing/reading around the disk, very similar to a vinyl LP 
album.  Optical disks are one of the few that can, and sometimes should, be 
cleaned.  But the only method that should be used is to wipe form the center 
hole to the edge, perpendicular to the path of the stored data.  If cleaning 
happens to produce a scratch, it will only affect a tiny bit of the stored 
bits and the drive can usually figure out what they are.  If it finds a 
scratch running across a long length of a bit path, this recovery will 
become impossible.  So, always wipe from center to outer edge when cleaning 
and be sure to use a VERY clean, scratch free cloth.  If you wash the disk, 
use lukewarm water and a mild detergent like Ivory along with that cloth. 
As long as you don't have calluses, you might be able to get away with 
gently using your finger to wipe away any gunk when washing them, but again, 
only wipe across the disk, never around it.

    You're in luck, m'dear.  I have all of the original MYST games right 
here (but no special editions).  Tell me the name of the bad file and I'll 
send it to you.  Of course, this only works because you have that method of 
copying the files to your hard drive and running it from there.  If you 
couldn't do that, you MIGHT be able to get away with copying all but the bad 
file to the drive, adding the missing file that I'll send you and then 
reburning, but then again, many games have security that won't allow that, 
especially if it's the first disk in the set.

Peace,
G

"The only dumb questions are the ones that are never asked"

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sammi" <sammi@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, May 30, 2008 4:29 PM
Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Riven CD question


> Hi,
>
> I have a game, Riven, which has one file that I cannot use or copy from 
> one
> of the 5 CDs that make up the game. Is there away to copy this  file from
> the CD that does not take an expensive ap to do it?
>
> First I tried gently cleaning it to make sure no 'smog' was keeping it 
> from
> being read. But that did not help; nor did trying to copy it on another 
> pc.
> I am only asking here as a last resort before figuring out how to work a 
> new
> game into my limited budget. 8-}
>
> All of the other 4 CDs look to be in mint condition. Disk 3 has a flaw or 
> a
> scratch (which cannot be felt) that runs almost all around the disk. When
> you get to a certain place in the game, it freezes up completely.
>
> Last week, after a dry spell of about 8 years, I was able to run my old 
> Myst
> Masterpiece game on XP with little to no trouble. It ran much better than 
> it
> did on W98. It was wonderful to 'visit' those remarkable images once 
> again.
> I know I could purchase another Riven game, and most likely on DVD; but
> having paid for this one, if it is possible, I would rather not have to do
> that.
>
> Since I am actively retired, at last I have more time to fool around with 
> my
> old pc games. I also came across a forum that explained how to run the 
> game
> off the hard drive instead of swapping out the CDs, but you have to be 
> able
> to copy the CDs to your hd dr. And there is just that one file on Disk 3
> which must be right smack on that flaw/scratch. It is the only one I 
> cannot
> copy to my hd dr. And it is a big one...334 MBs, so I am pretty sure I
> cannot find just that one file anywhere.
>
> Nor do I know of anyone locally who ever played it or who kept their old
> games. If I did, I would borrow their Disk 3 and copy just that file.
>
> TIA
> Sammi 


---------------------------------------------------------------
Please remember to trim your replies (including this sentence and everything 
below it) and adjust the subject line as necessary.

To unsubscribe or change your email settings:
http://www.freelists.org/webpage/pctechtalk

To access our Archives:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCTechTalk/messages/
http://www.freelists.org/archives/pctechtalk/

To contact only the PCTT Mod Squad, write to:
pctechtalk-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
---------------------------------------------------------------

Other related posts: