Mod The Sims - Taking the disc out

Josepina

25th Apr 2012, 1:02 AM

I think the op means taking it out when not playing to preserve the condition of the disk. I never take mine out with no issues so far. The game is very cheap now so buying a replacement wouldn't be that much of a sting. There is a no-cd crack which I know zero about. Maybe that is a good idea too.

Of course you could inadvertently damage the disk while removing it thereby making the safe practice redundant. ;)

maxon

25th Apr 2012, 1:36 AM

I think we're not supposed to discuss the noCD cracks.

Mootilda

25th Apr 2012, 1:58 AM

Selly_2009

25th Apr 2012, 2:01 AM

I leave mine in 99.9% of the time. I only remove it if I want to put a different one in (usually a DVD as most of my games are on the computer anyway and don't require a disc).

The only issues I've had are the occasional crash, but I don't think it's the disc as it usually works fine the next time I load up the game.

Simonut

25th Apr 2012, 2:24 AM

I've heard that the CD / DVD can be taken out of the drive once you're at the neighborhood selection screen; however, I've never confirmed this. You'll have less wear and tear on your CD / DVD if you take it out. It can be really difficult to get a replacement disk now, so it makes sense to try to keep your disk in good shape.

I agree with "Mootilda about less wear and tear on your CD if you take it out after a game. Not only that but "Just In Case" your Computer CD player get stuck or broken where you can not open it. Then you are in real trouble that may mean the computer will have to go to the repair shop with your Sims CD inside of it. Who knows if those tech people will handle yout Sims CD with care after taking it out, of your computer player.

Better to be safe than sorry, Also like Mootilda said it is getting hard to replace a Sims 2 disk. That is why I went a head and order an extra copy of Seasons on Amazon to start up my game just incase my first copy of Seasons that I purchase at the store a long time ago go bad. I put that extra copy of Seasons away for those just in case moments.

Also to bring up another point that Mootilda mention one time I did by mistake take out my CD at the neigborhood screen and the game just kept on playing like the CD was in the player. But I always play with my CD and always take it out after each Sims game. :blink:

Peni Griffin

25th Apr 2012, 3:19 AM

Anonymous101

25th Apr 2012, 3:50 AM

Hiya

Does anyone take their disc out and put it in each time they play?

I just leave mine in the laptop, as I play twice a day.

But my sister said I should take it out.

Is she right?

I personally do not find it convenient to leave the disc in. So, I always take the disc out when I'm done playing. If I leave the disc in, then the computer will probably always run the game, as if I want to play it EVERY DAY. :P

What I mean is, the terrible noise it makes when the computer runs the CD. Tried it before. Didn't like the sound.

Alijah

25th Apr 2012, 6:18 AM

I personally leave the disk in my laptop 99.9% of the time, if only because I am incredibly lazy and I often use my laptop on my couch in the living room, and my CD holder is in the office.

Yes, Im being serious, no, I have no shame.

zumppe

25th Apr 2012, 9:47 AM

I leave my disc in. I play every day, and when I want to play, I want to play, not start fiddling with a disc. I also think I would scratch it easier, if I'd keep putting the disc in and taking it out all the time (and, chances are it would get lost). My disc has been in for like three years in a row (taken out only for like one reinstall on my laptop, and one install on my new computer), and it's still in perfect condition. If I'd keep touching it every day, I'm sure it wouldn't be.

I also have another copy of AL that I've never used, I bought it just to have a backup if the one I currently use breaks.

rubberdukiey

25th Apr 2012, 12:15 PM

I leave my disk in the drive all the time. It's even still in there when I take the computer to LAN parties and I've had no issues what so ever.

RowenaLupin

25th Apr 2012, 12:41 PM

Certain games can cause your computer to freeze at startup, (Fable III) But I've had no issue with the Sims 2 doing that. I leave it in unless I'm playing another game that requires a disk. Its not the most healthy, but if I lay my disk down for even a second then I'll lose it. I have two copies of Pets and two copies of Double Deluxe because of that.

treeag

25th Apr 2012, 1:28 PM

My husband says that if there's a disk in our drive, the computer will try to run it on boot-up, creating unnecessary wear on the disk and the drive, so that leaving disks in (game, music, whatever) is frowned on in our house.

This will only happen if your computer's BIOS boot order has the CD/DVD drive listed before the hard drive. Otherwise it won't try to boot from the CD at all.

Dizzy-noodles

25th Apr 2012, 1:30 PM

Thanks everyone! You've all given me something to think about. I might buy another copy of Pets, sounds like a good idea.

Dizzy-noodles

25th Apr 2012, 1:36 PM

This will only happen if your computer's BIOS boot order has the CD/DVD drive listed before the hard drive. Otherwise it won't try to boot from the CD at all.

Thanks, how do I check that? I don't think the laptop tries to run the game when I turn it on, it whirs a lot but just goes to my desktop page or whatever it's called.

treeag

25th Apr 2012, 4:44 PM

Thanks, how do I check that? I don't think the laptop tries to run the game when I turn it on, it whirs a lot but just goes to my desktop page or whatever it's called.

It depends on your system, but usually by pressing F12 or F8 during start up. Do a google search for "change BIOS boot order" for a detailed guide.

Josepina

25th Apr 2012, 5:08 PM

Could you disable the cd drive between loads somehow? Then neither the disk nor drive get worn. In device manager you can disable it right? I'm no expert here just surmising an alternative. Then you'd never have to take it out.

Josepina

25th Apr 2012, 5:23 PM

I think we're not supposed to discuss the noCD cracks.

Oh, I just saw the term the other day in the help section I think and this thread jogged my memory. It didn't click it had potential undesirable uses.

Peni Griffin

25th Apr 2012, 5:57 PM

Dizzy-noodles, that whirring is the machine going to the disk and asking: "Any boot files on here? Can I start the OS from you? No? Okay, then, bye, I'll use what's on the hard drive." So, yeah, you probably want to either change the orders in BIOS, or take the disk out.

Julieryc

25th Apr 2012, 7:07 PM

Very stupid question: If you have all EPs/SPs and are thinking about getting a spare disk in case the current one wears out, should you purchase another copy of AL or M&G? Given that M&G is the disk that has to be in the drive, I'm guessing that one, but would love it if someone could confirm.

Bellasaurus

25th Apr 2012, 7:14 PM

I agree with "Mootilda about less wear and tear on your CD if you take it out after a game. Not only that but "Just In Case" your Computer CD player get stuck or broken where you can not open it. Then you are in real trouble that may mean the computer will have to go to the repair shop with your Sims CD inside of it. Who knows if those tech people will handle yout Sims CD with care after taking it out, of your computer player.

All disk drives have a pinhole at the front that will manually open the drive bay if the drive itself fails - you just push a pin in it at the bay pops out. You don't even need power.

Tempscire

25th Apr 2012, 7:42 PM

Given that M&G is the disk that has to be in the drive, I'm guessing that one, but would love it if someone could confirm.
M&G, yes. I believe the answer would be different if you had any of those collection packs they came out with, but otherwise, M&G is it.

Peni Griffin

25th Apr 2012, 7:49 PM

I can never get the pinhole trick to work, myself; but if you tell your computer techy guy you want to get your disk out before he does things to your machine he'll be an expert at it, and honestly he'd rather not be responsible for keeping track of your disk, either!

So ultimately the answer to the question is yes or no, depending on your contingent circumstances. If you're sharing the drive, I say take it out for the sake of family harmony, if nothing else; but if you're not, it's really a personal preference thing.

Simonut

25th Apr 2012, 8:30 PM

All disk drives have a pinhole at the front that will manually open the drive bay if the drive itself fails - you just push a pin in it at the bay pops out. You don't even need power.

Well, well, now you just made me get down on my knee and look for a "Pin Hole", I never knew about that. (thanks ) But knowing me I will not mess around with things on my computer I do not know about. For example to me it would be just like messing around in the "Registry" and I do not know what there that if I take it out could mess with my system.

No, No, and a zillon Nos again I will say better safe than sorry I will stick with take it out after playing each game, but everyone have there own method of doing things that cool it's your Sims CD not my's so carry on. ;) Do what make you feel happy.

Bwinney43

25th Apr 2012, 8:34 PM

My husband says that if there's a disk in our drive, the computer will try to run it on boot-up, creating unnecessary wear on the disk and the drive, so that leaving disks in (game, music, whatever) is frowned on in our house. There's also the factor that if one of us takes out the other's disk, there's no telling where it'll wind up! I do have a problem with disks cracking around the hole in the center if I keep taking them in and out of the case, so when we turned up a portable CD case with soft vinyl sleeves recently I started putting my boot disk in that.

I think I may start taking my disc out before I shut my computer down for the night. And I might possibly invest in a nice CD holder since you make a good point about the discs cracking around the plastic holes.

I know the game can run without it. I was playing once and dropped my pen. When I reached down to grab it my hand brushed the CD drive and it opened. The game continued playing no problem but I still left it in anyways.

maxon

25th Apr 2012, 11:48 PM

I think I may start taking my disc out before I shut my computer down for the night. And I might possibly invest in a nice CD holder since you make a good point about the discs cracking around the plastic holes.

I know the game can run without it. I was playing once and dropped my pen. When I reached down to grab it my hand brushed the CD drive and it opened. The game continued playing no problem but I still left it in anyways.
It will run without the disk in while running, it just won't start without the disk unless you use another method to get it to start or run it off Origin.

gazania

28th Apr 2012, 3:28 PM

A little late here .... I fully, fully agree with Simonut. I've had a CD get stuck in the computer. Something happened with a piece of hardware in the unit, I couldn't get the disk out, and had to send the whole unit for repairs with the CD in it. I never got the CD back. It someone got "lost". Yeah. Right.

Now that I know that you can get the CD out without power, that's consoling, but still, like Simonut, I'm not fond of messing around with things I don't know about.

Ugh. Never again. Granted, it happened only once in last ten years, but it CAN happen. Just sayin'.

And yes, the game runs perfectly well without the CD once you start it with the CD. I've popped it out a few times after starting the game. (I was curious.)

LauraBurrow

28th Apr 2012, 8:37 PM

I've always removed the disk after loading the game and it works perfectly

LuvSims2011

28th Apr 2012, 10:57 PM

I used to just leave my disc in...and then I downloaded Apartment Life from Origin and I no longer have to use the disc :)

Mootilda

28th Apr 2012, 11:06 PM

I downloaded Apartment Life from Origin and I no longer have to use the disc :)... But, you had to agree that EA can scan your hard drive and is allowed to sell whatever it finds to whomever it chooses. No thanks!

LuvSims2011

28th Apr 2012, 11:08 PM

... But, you had to agree that EA can scan your hard drive and is allowed to sell whatever it finds to whomever it chooses. No thanks!

Really? I don't remember agreeing to that. :|

Mootilda

29th Apr 2012, 12:46 AM

Yeah, most people just agree to the EULA without reading it, assuming that they aren't actually selling their first-born.

Reference:
http://pc.systemlink.me/2011/10/origin-knows-if-youre-gay-or-have.html
Synopsis: EA scans your hard drive for evidence of certain medical conditions and evidence of your sexual preference, among other things.

... or just google for "origin eula".

Aegagropilon

29th Apr 2012, 1:08 AM

My main Sims-playing computer is a laptop that isn't -- and never has been -- connected to the internet, so the SecuROM demons cannot leap out into the ether. I tend to leave the disk in all the time because, instead of a nice tray, Hewlitt-Packard saw fit to fit it with some hellish contraption that you have to push the CD/DVD onto and pull it off of. I could see repeated instances of that being far more harmful.

I do have a question about the Origin downloads: do they have to be installed on the computer they're downloaded from, or can they be transferred to another computer via a flashdrive? ...and just typing that I know I probably have my answer, given EA's stance on piracy... even if it's just to move it from one computer to another in the same house.

Croutonian

29th Apr 2012, 3:50 AM

Well, since I accidentally spilt my bowl of cereal over my Mac while waiting for Sims to load, the disc has been permanently stuck in the drive...was the only bit I couldn't get into to clean the milk out of. So...no, I NEVER remove the disc!

And although it's a pain to no longer be able to watch DVDs on here and having to use someone else's comp to transfer music off CDs onto my mp3 to then put on my Mac, it was just a relief that my sims disc still actually loads! I love my Mac 'n' Cheese...

Bellasaurus

29th Apr 2012, 4:56 PM

Well, well, now you just made me get down on my knee and look for a "Pin Hole", I never knew about that. (thanks )

You're very welcome! I was wondering how many people would kneel down to see it - I had visions of simmers all over the world leaning down and going 'Oh! I never noticed that before' :rofl:

katalina522

29th Apr 2012, 11:12 PM

Not all new laptops have a pinhole anymore, though.

I take my disc out because I play on a laptop that gets transported and tossed around a lot, and if there's a disc in it that puts extra wear & tear on the optical drive. (And the disc can get damaged, obviously.) Plus the disc spins up occasionally even when it's not in use, and that runs down the battery.

ALSO, if I constantly leave the disc in then I have no reason to stop playing and I never get anything done around the house! ;)

RebaLynnTS

29th Apr 2012, 11:31 PM

A bit of a technical note. If you go into the Bios of the computer, you can tell it to ignore the CD on startup, and boot right from the hard drive. However, if you ever need to reinstall the operating system, from a CD (Or you want to upgrade it) you will need to go into the Bios, and turn in back on. How to inter the bios, is different for each computer maker, so you will need to look it up.

mr_db1

30th Apr 2012, 12:06 AM

I read this question and decided it needs an answer:
Could you disable the cd drive between loads somehow? Then neither the disk nor drive get worn. In device manager you can disable it right? I'm no expert here just surmising an alternative. Then you'd never have to take it out.

yes you can turn the cd-rom off between loads but choose the wise option for that
there are 2 ways to do it

disable (as you mention) is not the one I would go for, that way will turn it off so that the game, or any other program, can't use it anymore if it needs it
this option also has a bit of a problem for you, re-enable could trigger a reboot (depending on driver/windows type)

you can however also choose to go into power management to make the drives
"power down" when they are not used, this way any drive not being read from will be ready to use on demand and not spin when it is not needed
it makes all the parts of the system go low power when not needed if you choose to go for the full "laptop" options
this option can also be found in the control-panel (the icon of the battery and power plug)
and it was made for this task
(that was my 2 cents worth)

smellincoffee

1st May 2012, 1:53 AM

I usually have two or three games active on my computer at any given time. When I'm ready to play one, I just click on it, and later alt-tab out. Once a game is started I usually put the CD back in its case. At the moment I have Sims 2, Sid Meier's Railroads, and GTA San Andreas up.