Q: Being a regular gamer, I was interested when a friend told me about software that can create virtual CD/DVD drives. Can you tell me more about it and which program I should use: Alcohol 120% or DAEMON Tools?

A: Using virtual discs has several benefits for computer users who need to frequently switch between discs. Virtual CDs are hassle-free and run much faster than physical CDs spinning in a drive. They allow you to keep your original expensive CDs and DVDs in a safe place to prevent damage. That’s why software like Alcohol 120% and DAEMON Tools have become popular among PC gamers. Plus, virtual CDs are an alternative for no-CD patches which can be hard to find and questionable when it comes to legality.

So how do they work? First you need an image (copy) of your disc saved to the hard-drive. Then you’ll need software to create virtual drives where the image can be mounted (loaded). However, those huge image files can easily eat up your hard-drive’s free space, so watch out for that.

Now there are several virtual CD/DVD programs to choose from, but DAEMON Tools and Alcohol 120% are by far the most well-known. I am quite familiar with both programs, so I’ll tell you about the major (and some minor) similarities and differences to help you decide which one is suitable for you.

[Continue reading Alcohol 120% vs. DAEMON Tools]

[tags]gaming,patch,daemon tools,alcohol 120%,virtual cd[/tags]