External CD/DVD multi-disc changer to PC

[KeithTalent]

Ok, here is my 'issue'. I have about 6 or 7 different games installed on my computer and there are often times where I will play several of them over a relatively short period (a couple hours). The annoying thing is, every time I want to switch games I have to eject the one disc from my drive, put it away, then open the other game and insert the new disc. It kind of drives me nuts

So I was wondering if there would be a way to hook up a multi-disc changer to my PC and just have it switch over any time I want to change games.

Probably a stupid idea, but I thought it might work and save me having to fumble with the discs every time.

Any help will be appreciated, but also feel free to comment on my lack of intelligence for posting such a silly question

Thanks, KT

 

[Rommel44]

If you have enough space you could save their ISO and use Daemon Tools to switch them.

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: Rommel44
If you have enough space you could save their ISO and use Daemon Tools to switch them.

Well space is not a problem (I think I have like 240GB free); knowledge on the other hand....

So what you are saying is I can essentially take the whole folder that gets thrown on my PC when I install from the disc, use MagicISO or something to make an ISO of it and leave it on my PC to easily switch between games? Am I understanding correctly?

 

[elkinm]

That is one of the coolest ideas I have ever heard. Nothing stupid about it. Unfortunately I have never seen one for a PC other then those huge external drive racks that can burn read multiple disks at once.

How would want the changer to know this disk to use? Can in-car CD changers know or do you just select the disk?

The problem with imaging is that the latest copy protected disks cannot be imaged or copied exactly so the original disk may still be needed.

 

[Auric]

Even better than mounting a full ISO 9660 image is a MDS/MDF mini-image (where the full game is installed on the hard drive anyway and the disc is only used for authentication). This can be done with Alcohol 120% free trial then mounted with free Daemon Tools (rather than suffer Alcohol 120% nags). Google for guides and/or sources to download ready made mini-images to avoid the hassle of having to make them yourself. This is all perfectly legit of course since you are a licensee.

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: elkinm
That is one of the coolest ideas I have ever heard. Nothing stupid about it. Unfortunately I have never seen one for a PC other then those huge external drive racks that can burn read multiple disks at once.

How would want the changer to know this disk to use? Can in-car CD changers know or do you just select the disk?

The problem with imaging is that the latest copy protected disks cannot be imaged or copied exactly so the original disk may still be needed.

Well thank you

I would assume you would have to press the disc forward button or whatever to make it work unless someone was able to code software to do it (not likely).

It still would save me having to manually switch the disc, plus the discs would be less likely to get damaged from the constant changing.

I kind of wondered aout the ISO thing as I assumed the copy-protection would stand in the way of that.

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: Auric
Even better than mounting a full ISO 9660 image is a MDS/MDF mini-image (where the full game is installed on the hard drive anyway and the disc is only used for authentication). This can be done with Alcohol 120% free trial then mounted with free Daemon Tools (rather than suffer Alcohol 120% nags). Google for guides and/or sources to download ready made mini-images to avoid the hassle of having to make them yourself. This is all perfectly legit of course since you are a licensee.

Hmm, I guess I will look into that. Sounds like kind of a pain (probably just because I do not understand it), but it may be worth a shot.