I purchased the Sims complete collection. At each time the game starts, the first cd (of 4) is required to be in the drive. I am afraid that the original will become damaged (due to the fact that I have kids and I installed this on 2 computers)

I did exactly what is written here http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=140075

When I put the backup cd in the drive and start the game, it puts the splash screen of Sims up, but then it crashes and asks if I want to send an error report.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The ability to make a working back-up copy of a safedisc protected cd is hardware dependant. What burner/s and other ordinary cd/dvd rom/s do you have?

I'm not 100% of what information you need.

But I have a cd/dvd drive and a cd/dvd burner

My pc is a Dell Dimension 5150

^ Makes and models of your drives please?

This is the info from Dell for what is my removable media storage devices.

HLDS GWA-4164B HH 16X DVD+/-RW
M-Systems LF T5 128/256/512MB Memory Key
NEC ND-3530A HH 16X DVD+/-RW
SMART LF G3 128/256/512MB Memory Key
Sony CRX217E HH 48X CDRW - Lead free
Sony DDU1615 HH 16X DVD ROM LEAD FREE
TSST TS-H352C HH 16X DVDROM


Hope this is the info you are looking for

Try using your Sony CRX217E HH 48X CDRW to make the back-up copy using alcohol with safedisc datatype settings. Install and run the back-up copy from one of your non-burning dvd rom drives.

If that doesn't work, try with safedisc 2/3 datatype settings.

I have never used Alcohol 120%. I have the trial version of it ~ can you give a quick tutorial on how to use it?

The Sims has safedisc 4.0 on it ~ if that means anything when using Alcohol 120%

See here.

[Note: The section dealing with alcohol is equally applicable to safedisc v.4]

I followed the directions for Alcohol, and it still isn't working. I did it both ways and neither one works. Instead of crashing, now it brings up the splash screen and just sits there. The lights flash on the reader, but nothing else happens.

I give up lol, I've wasted more cd's trying to make a back up and none work. I just really am afraid the original is going to get scratched and ruined.