Convert CD-ROM to ISO

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kiwifidget

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#319511 1-May-2025 15:14

I am starting to field questions from people who are facing having to purchase a new computer due to impending end of life for Windows 10.

One question specifically, is how to be able to continue using CD-ROMS in an age where devices typically dont have an optical drive anymore.

To clarify, these people are old-time genealogists who have a wealth of resources stored on CDs.

One obvious method is to purchase an external USB optical drive.

Another is to convert the CD to an ISO file and not have to worry about an extra bit of kit.

Storage isnt quite the barrier it used to be!

I know I've ISO'd a fair few CDs in my time, but it was long long ago and I cant even remember what program I used.

What would be the recommended FREE utility for doing this nowadays?

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Behodar

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#3369561 1-May-2025 15:20

I've used ImgBurn.

kiwifidget

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#3369562 1-May-2025 15:22

Behodar:

I've used ImgBurn.

That looks very familiar! Thanks.

That was at least 2 computers ago, and that particular PC is no longer of this world :(

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ZL2DanF

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#3369582 1-May-2025 15:57

Alcohol 120% used to be my go-to back in the day, followed by Daemon Tools - Not sure if either are still a thing

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nedkelly

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#3369586 1-May-2025 16:06

Personally I used to use I think MagicISO.

davidcole

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#3369587 1-May-2025 16:12

Wouldn't you just push all the content onto one harddrive (or 2) in one operation? as with isos they'll have to mount an unmount all the time, when really there's not reason apart from "because we've always done it that way"

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mentalinc

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#3369591 1-May-2025 16:30

Agree with the just save them into a folder on an SSD and can always have access to them and search etc, you can probably get a 500GB SSD cheaper than an external CDROM

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kiwifidget

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#3369608 1-May-2025 18:04

davidcole:

Wouldn't you just push all the content onto one harddrive (or 2) in one operation? as with isos they'll have to mount an unmount all the time, when really there's not reason apart from "because we've always done it that way"

Indeed some of the CDs I have seen you can do just that with them. Copy, paste, done.

Others however wont run unless they are being a CD, even if its just a virtual one.

Quite annoying really. Probably some attempt to prevent sharing of information back in the day.

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nztim

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#3369616 1-May-2025 18:35

use a linux box and DD

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fe31nz

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#3369649 2-May-2025 00:27

nztim:

use a linux box and DD

Definitely not dd as it does not handle retrying dodgy sectors and using the CD error correction data properly. Use the "readom" program for optical media.

Ragnor

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#3372354 11-May-2025 22:53

imgburn, daemon tools wow this is bringing back some nostalgic memories for me

roobarb

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#3372356 11-May-2025 23:47

On Linux you can use dvdbackup with the -M option

Then create an ISO again with genisoimage

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SpartanVXL

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#3372392 12-May-2025 12:20

A USB reader is the easiest option. Best solution is to copy all the data asap since cdroms don’t last forever either. The discs that are actually applications you can use the mentioned tools to make into iso and mount as needed.