Creating a virtual CD drive with existing files?

Syringer

Lifer
Aug 2, 2001
19,333
2
71
I've tried a few virtual CD apps so far and they all require an image file to create a virtual CD drive. However what I want to do is create a drive with files that are already on my HD. Any utilities out there that will allow me to?
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
50,662
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Originally posted by: Syringer
I've tried a few virtual CD apps so far and they all require an image file to create a virtual CD drive. However what I want to do is create a drive with files that are already on my HD. Any utilities out there that will allow me to?

I've tried to find something like this as well. I use Nero ImageDrive on a regular basis, mostly for games, and it works great as an image reader (iso or nrg). Games load up very quickly, plus you don't have to carry around the disc (I'm on a laptop). Unfortunately, I have yet to find a program that will let you burn to a virtual CD drive. If you happen to find one, let me know.

There are a couple other options when it comes to things like this. One is to create a partition on your hard drive, but that may not be exactly what you're looking for. Another is to create a ram disk, which is a virtual hard drive that resides in ram. It lets you access files very quickly, which is great when you're working on large 2D/3D files or things of that nature. It also has the ability to save the files in the ram drive when you shut down the computer. The program is about $50 and is well worth it if you have the extra ram available and the need for it. I've been using it for a couple of years with excellent results. The site is here:

http://www.cenatek.com/product_ramdisk.cfm
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
50,662
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Originally posted by: igowerf
What's the point of burning to a virtual drive?

I can think of lots of applications for such an application. I like to make client discs with Adaware, Spybot, AVG, and whatnot. Creating an ISO with the latest versions on the fly for burning later would be a great thing to be able to do.
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
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Anyone know if WinISO can do it? I remember playing with it years ago..
 

igowerf

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2000
7,697
1
76
Originally posted by: Kaido
Originally posted by: igowerf
What's the point of burning to a virtual drive?

I can think of lots of applications for such an application. I like to make client discs with Adaware, Spybot, AVG, and whatnot. Creating an ISO with the latest versions on the fly for burning later would be a great thing to be able to do.

Of course that's useful. That's also known as making an ISO file, which you can easily do with Nero or any decent CD burning software for that matter. You tell Nero to burn the files to the "virtual recorder." Other software like WinISO (I think) or maybe ISOBuster will save a bunch of files as an ISO so you can burn later. The OP seems to be asking for a virtual drive like Daemon-Tools that will mount random files on his hard drive.
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
50,662
6,710
136
Originally posted by: igowerf
Originally posted by: Kaido
Originally posted by: igowerf
What's the point of burning to a virtual drive?

I can think of lots of applications for such an application. I like to make client discs with Adaware, Spybot, AVG, and whatnot. Creating an ISO with the latest versions on the fly for burning later would be a great thing to be able to do.

Of course that's useful. That's also known as making an ISO file, which you can easily do with Nero or any decent CD burning software for that matter. You tell Nero to burn the files to the "virtual recorder." Other software like WinISO (I think) or maybe ISOBuster will save a bunch of files as an ISO so you can burn later. The OP seems to be asking for a virtual drive like Daemon-Tools that will mount random files on his hard drive.

Oh, yeah, forgot about that. It would be awesome to have a virtual CD burner on the drive itself, though. If anyone knows of a software app that does that, please post it! Something that would let you burn an ISO from iTunes, the Nero DVD creator app, etc., would be great.