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Main => Everything Else => Topic started by: Richardgregory on March 23, 2016, 07:50:52 pm

Title: Old CDs - video games
Post by: Richardgregory on March 23, 2016, 07:50:52 pm
I have tons of old PC games on CDs....just trying to think what the heck to do with them.  I don't want to necessary have them end up in a landfill....

Thoughts anyone?

Title: Re: Old CDs - video games
Post by: Slippyblade on March 23, 2016, 07:53:23 pm
Depending on the games, most of them won't work anymore.  I've got a whole binder full of kid's games from when my spawn were younger and hardly any of them work anymore.  They tended to use dated and proprietary technologies that no longer exist.
Title: Re: Old CDs - video games
Post by: shponglefan on March 23, 2016, 08:22:52 pm
There are recycling centres that may take old media.  I got rid of a whole lot of old disks and VHS tapes that way.

Alternatively, use them as coasters?
Title: Re: Old CDs - video games
Post by: dmckean on March 23, 2016, 08:54:29 pm
Depending on the games, most of them won't work anymore.  I've got a whole binder full of kid's games from when my spawn were younger and hardly any of them work anymore.  They tended to use dated and proprietary technologies that no longer exist.

I bet between DOSBox and compatibly mode in Windows, around 50% would work.
Title: Re: Old CDs - video games
Post by: Howard_Casto on March 23, 2016, 11:01:23 pm
Anything circa 1998 and beyond should work. 

The thing is it often takes a bit of effort to install archaic libraries that are no longer included in windows and most people aren't willing to do that. 
Title: Re: Old CDs - video games
Post by: JDFan on March 23, 2016, 11:15:04 pm
Many times the problem is that the games themselves are 32 bit and would work fine but they are packed with a 16 bit installer --- Once you figure a way around the installer the games usually still work fine.
Title: Re: Old CDs - video games
Post by: nexusmtz on March 24, 2016, 02:59:52 am
DOSBox or VMWare (with es1371 in the .vmx) to play

Use binders for what you want to keep (if anything), then use media recycling or offer them up here to get rid of the rest.
Jewel cases are a pain though. I doubt anyone would want to pay to ship jewel cases. See if your town or school library still use them.
Title: Re: Old CDs - video games
Post by: Howard_Casto on March 24, 2016, 07:33:45 am
Jewel cases are a pain though. I doubt anyone would want to pay to ship jewel cases. See if your town or school library still use them.

umm... Collectors would.  Let's be honest here, the only people that are going to be interested are collectors of old pc games and to them, if you throw away the Jewel case you might as well throw away the game.
Title: Re: Old CDs - video games
Post by: smass on March 24, 2016, 08:47:39 am
I have a large amount of PC games in original retail boxes in my basement.  I guess I am waiting for the nostalgia train to make them into collectibles, but that's probably wishful thinking.

As far as making them work, most of them can be by using dosbox and other software, but its often a PITA.  I still like to play games like Baldur's Gate and Master of Orion on occasion, but I have gone and bought them on gog.com.  Its a great way to have your classics on any of your computers and not have to worry about compatibility or complicated installations.

Title: Re: Old CDs - video games
Post by: nexusmtz on March 24, 2016, 04:02:20 pm
umm... Collectors would.  Let's be honest here, the only people that are going to be interested are collectors of old pc games and to them, if you throw away the Jewel case you might as well throw away the game.
The shipping comment was more about recycling than collecting, but sure, having the whole unit makes the item. For me, the booklet, j-card, and CD are enough. I don't care about the plastic, but still have plenty of it. Even back when it mattered to me, if a jewel case broke, I simply replaced it with one of the same type. I suppose some collectors would say that if it's not boxed, it's not a game, but I don't have the boxes anymore either.

I could afford to pay someone to ship me 300 games on spindles with the j-card and booklet (if the person were willing to do that work for a few bucks extra.) The jewel cases would put the shipping weight way up and I'd have to pass.

I was more like a half-dozen-buckets PC game guy than a storage unit one, so I can't call myself a collector (https://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=95256847#post95256847).
Title: Re: Old CDs - video games
Post by: pbj on March 24, 2016, 04:17:57 pm
I'll pay you $5 to set it all on fire and post the video to Youtube.

LMK

Title: Re: Old CDs - video games
Post by: Slippyblade on March 24, 2016, 05:15:19 pm
...but I have gone and bought them on gog.com. 

I've handed GOG a decent amount of money just for this purpose.  It's totally worth the few bucks to me to not have to screw with getting an old game config'd and setup to work on a modern system.  I've been playing Dungeon Keeper 2 and Sacrifice a lot lately, man those were great games!
Title: Re: Old CDs - video games
Post by: Howard_Casto on March 24, 2016, 07:12:13 pm
Is anyone offering a updated version of Crusader:  No Remorse?  It was one of the first PC games I got.... I played the crap out of that game. 

Hmmmm.......  I wonder if I still have the disc. 
Title: Re: Old CDs - video games
Post by: shponglefan on March 24, 2016, 07:28:57 pm
I still like to play games like Baldur's Gate and Master of Orion on occasion, but I have gone and bought them on gog.com.  Its a great way to have your classics on any of your computers and not have to worry about compatibility or complicated installations.

Yup, ditto.  And with their sales, it's possible to get a lot of titles for mere dollars a pop.  Definitely worth it for the convenience factor.
Title: Re: Old CDs - video games
Post by: shponglefan on March 24, 2016, 07:35:28 pm
Is anyone offering a updated version of Crusader:  No Remorse?  It was one of the first PC games I got.... I played the crap out of that game. 

Hmmmm.......  I wonder if I still have the disc.

GOG has it for sale, although it's the same game.  Comes with dosbox I believe and configured to run on modern PCs.
Title: Re: Old CDs - video games
Post by: ark_ader on March 29, 2016, 02:40:39 am
I have all my games backed up as ISOs, the insides and covers are stored in plastic crates and put into deep storage.  Cheap portable hard drives are your friends in this endevour.  They all cost you money.  Quit throwing your money away.   ::)