Civ 3 conquests CD just broke in half

snoochems · February 6, 2004, 06:36

My computer is on the floor.

My conquests CD was on top of my computer.

I went to grab the cd to put it into the drive to play.

I accidently dropped it on the way to the drive, and when it hit the ground, it broke in half.

Now, i didn't make a back up of this game. What can i do? I live in australia. Does this mean i have to buy a new copy, hunt for a *beep* version, or look for a *beep* crack. Or do you think i can scunge a new copy form firaxis or however (atari?)

Anyways. What a damn flimsy CD. I've dropped cd/dvd's before, and none just broke like this. I've even trown them full pelt at a hard wall, and i've never seen one just brake.

Had to happen to my favorite game too.

What did you do? Has anyone had a legit game just brake before?

DRoseDARs · February 6, 2004, 07:11

First of all, you aren't allowed to discuss pirating or no-cd cracks on this site. You ought to edit that part of you post.

That said, you should try contacting the publisher(?) and see if they send replacement disks (for a nominal fee, probably). Otherwise, you'll have to shell out the money for a new copy. I know nothing of how they do things, but they'll probably ask for proof of purchase (sale receipt and proof-of-purchase code from the box) and a photo of the disk might add a few points in your favor...maybe, you never know.

snoochems · February 6, 2004, 07:19

Hey, i don't know what it is like in the US, but in Australia, it is perfectly legal to have pirate/copied games if you own the original. That means you can even make your own copies.
I have 'backups' of all my games, and for the life of me, i don't know why i didn't cpoy conquests.

I'll edit out what i said, but i still think i have not mentioned anything illegal. I have made it clear i own the original, and what i have paid for is what was on the CD. Not the CD it self. (although that is included). The CD is broken, but that doesn't mean i still don't own (a lisence) the data/game on the cd.

DRoseDARs · February 6, 2004, 07:30

Quote:

Originally posted by snoochems
Hey, i don't know what it is like in the US,

Think: "Jack boots" and "Goose stepping"

Copyright holders are REALLY sensitive when it comes to their "intellectual property." Apolyton prefers to avoid the whole messy discussion all together. Safer that way.

Quote:

but in Australia, it is perfectly legal to have pirate/copied games if you own the original. That means you can even make your own copies.
I have 'backups' of all my games, and for the life of me, i don't know why i didn't cpoy conquests.

Fair-use laws I believe allow us to do the same, but currently it's still foggy legality.

Quote:

I'll edit out what i said, but i still think i have not mentioned anything illegal. I have made it clear i own the original, and what i have paid for is what was on the CD. Not the CD it self. (although that is included). The CD is broken, but that doesn't mean i still don't own (a lisence) the data/game on the cd.

Indeed, I agree. Anyway, I've said all I can so good luck.

Gunter · February 6, 2004, 07:57

You can send it back to Firaxis,but beside loosing a great amount of time before having a new one you will also have to spend money for the double expedition.

Moreover I am quite confident they won't perform such a replacement.

I'm afraid you have to buy a new one,an original new one.

Civ deserves an original suite

Gunter

WarpStorm · February 6, 2004, 10:30

If you send your disk to Atari, I'm fairly certain they will replace it for a nominal handling fee to cover shipping.

Don't send it to Firaxis or Breakaway, they'd have to go to a store to get a copy to send out (unless they happen to have a couple laying around).

BTW, Atari does allow backups for this purpose.

The details on this are in the Readme.txt in your Civ3 directory. Read them or they will send your package back unopened.

asleepathewheel · February 6, 2004, 11:21

man that sucks

I imagine that sending it in for the replacement will take a while. Does atari have an oz address even? Yikes.

maybe you could get lucky and find it at a used game store or something.

vmxa1 · February 6, 2004, 13:59

Sorry to hear it. I use a virtual CD app to avoid exposure to that sort of thing.

It is common for companies to replace a defective Cd for the cost of shipping. I am not sure if that constitutes a defect, but I would hope the will honor it anyway.

If it is honored it will take weeks.

Inverse Icarus · February 6, 2004, 18:26

Quote:

Originally posted by vmxa1
Sorry to hear it. I use a virtual CD app to avoid exposure to that sort of thing.

It is common for companies to replace a defective Cd for the cost of shipping. I am not sure if that constitutes a defect, but I would hope the will honor it anyway.

If it is honored it will take weeks.

link?

vmxa1 · February 6, 2004, 19:59

Deleted

asleepathewheel · February 6, 2004, 22:05

does that use up much ram vmxa1?

GhengisFarb™ · February 6, 2004, 22:18

"This Conquest, should you choose to accept it, will be difficult. As always the President of Atari will disavow any knowledge of your actions should you or you fellow game players be caught. This CD will self destruct in 5 seconds............."

Inverse Icarus · February 6, 2004, 22:31

it costs monies? bah!

vmxa1 · February 6, 2004, 23:54

Yes it cost about 50 US, but it is a bargain. Considering no damaged CD's, no listening to the CD spin, no need to do full installs for the video. Let it ise the Cd as it is on the HD anyway.

vmxa1 · February 7, 2004, 00:01

Quote:

Originally posted by asleepathewheel
does that use up much ram vmxa1?

Not sure about the RAM, if you mean memory. I have 1GB so, it should not matter.

The big space requirement is for the images. They are 1:1 copies of the CD. So they can be up to nearly 800MB.

Oneof the smallest is MooII at less than 300MB. The smallest are the two expansions for Hom4 at less than 200MB.
I filled up a 36gb drive and had to start using my Fat32 drive of 80GB.

I could delete the installation stuff, but then you won't be able to reinstall.

For DiabloII you need all three disk. The Cime disk is used when you go to a new act.

Anyway I love it. I did not care for Daemon Tools, but it was a few years ago.

asleepathewheel · February 7, 2004, 00:09

cool

I don't have the hd space for that though

(my 40gig slave drive is filled with my cd collection converted to wma)

vmxa1 · February 7, 2004, 02:44

Get another drive they are cheap now.

okblacke · February 7, 2004, 04:28

Quote:

Originally posted by vmxa1
The big space requirement is for the images. They are 1:1 copies of the CD. So they can be up to nearly 800MB.

Huh. I thought CDs maxed out at 680MB. Looking at my list, my biggest is Diablo II, right around 680MB. I use GameDrive, though, so there may be some compression factoring in.

Quote:

Oneof the smallest is MooII at less than 300MB.

Hmmm. I don't need the CD to play MOO2. I've got Robotron X at 31MB!

Quote:

I filled up a 36gb drive and had to start using my Fat32 drive of 80GB.

Yeah, my buddy's got over 100 games in GameDrive. It comes to about 40-45GB--but the games are installed on the same drives as the images, which in many cases means you're doubling the space used. He's filled 100GB of his 120GB drive and is looking at a pair of 250s.

For me GameDrive is a convenience. For my bud, with a passel o' kids, it's a survival issue.

Before he got it, he ended up re-buying copies of games when the kids scratched 'em up. And just try replacing some of these games anymore.

[ok]

vmxa1 · February 7, 2004, 15:38

I quick look shows WarlordsIV at 764MB. Several list at 750 or better. Ihave one at 769 called INSTALL. I think that is DiabloII, but I am not sure.

You can set the INI for MooII to point tothe hard drive. I have had that work at times and at other times not, so I just slap it in with Alcohol and forget it.

snoochems · February 8, 2004, 13:28

Well, to calm my civ addiction, i've just got a cd crack as the game is already installed on my computer.

Not having a CD just means i won't be able to reinstall it.

So, i'll look in to getting a cd replacement in the meantime.

cool.

MrWhereItsAt · February 9, 2004, 05:09

Well that's lovely, but you should really think about editing THAT post too. In the FAQ, discussion of cracks is not looked on favourably by the admins here. When I say 'not looked on favourably", I mean 'punishable by death from gigantic gorilla-induced injuries'. You get the picture.

snoochems · February 9, 2004, 10:26

give me a M!
give me an E!
give me a H!

whaddya get "MEH!!!"

bongo · February 11, 2004, 08:30

Discussing copy protection and such in vague general terms is not that dangerous but once you start to get too specific ( vmxa1, submitting that link is close to the edge) you may very soon be rewarded with an one-way ticket to Mingapulco.

Check the readme, FAQs etc on www.atari.com , then try to send them a mail and wait for instructions. Most companies will replace a broken CD for a nominal fee (you may have to send in the broken one first). Slow but safe.

Personally I stay away from the no-cd crack of security reasons. Paranoia is part of the my job requirements btw.

vmxa1 · February 11, 2004, 12:52

I never mentioned any crack or no cd. Only legal apps that you have to buy and use for legal copies of your own products.

If that is over the line, then I am sorry. I don't see how it is.

bongo · February 11, 2004, 13:29

I don't view that link as over the edge either, but the moderators may disagree.

In fact, both the product you described, and the use of it would be perfectly legal where I live. That law takes precedence over whatever the licence agreement may say about such products as well...

vmxa1 · February 11, 2004, 17:20

I removed it so that should be the end of it.

vee4473 · February 11, 2004, 19:41

gimme a break, nothing that was said by vmx is illegal.

All software allows the legal owner to back it up.

Aqualung71 · February 12, 2004, 03:57

Quote:

Originally posted by snoochems
What did you do? Has anyone had a legit game just brake before?

Similar thing happened to my PTW copy, though it was due to my sloppy storage (ie, carrying it around loose in my laptop case). Luckily C3C was just around the corner so I went back to patched vanilla Civ to feed my addiction until then.

I recall I wrote to Atari but they basically told me to p*** **f.

With regards to replacement, I think you may find that they won't even consider it if you're not in the US. I've had even worse frustrations trying to buy software and music online only to be informed that they won't accept credit cards that emanate from my country, so the "online registration" becomes "write us a letter and enclose a mail order"....like, wtf is the internet for guys?

vmxa1 · February 12, 2004, 12:58

I have not run into it, but many have posted about a game CD breaking in their CD drives. I have seen several callers to Tech TV mention this, so it must be possible.

bongo · February 12, 2004, 13:15

If it happens when it is in the drive, it don't just break, it literally explodes!! I have seen it happen.