How to make a CD backup of BF2

[Toothless]

How I made a back up "Instal Disc 1" of BF2: (run cd to launch the game)

To my surprise, this actully worked! I had many coasters from failed attempts. These results may or may not work for you because each pc system is different.

Programs/software used:
1-Alcohol 120% v1.9.5 (build 2802)
2-Windowns XP Pro SP2 Build 2600
3-Burner: Plextor PX-708A firmware v1.10 04/08/05
4-Blank CD: Imitaion CD-R
5-Game: BF2 (3 CD version) updated to patch v1.02
Note: this is original store bought BF2 without any no-cd exe.
Note: begin this process AFTER a reboot of your system.
Note: dont use your pc other than what is listed below.

Step A: Change Alcohol settings:
1-open Alcohol 120%
2-click on "file" then "options"
3-on left side of window is options. Click on "Reading" and check off/correct the following:
check "examine the accuracy of date to read from physical devise"
check "Eject source disc after dumping/recording is completed:
"Number of retries before reading error" "0"
"8 continous bad sectors"
"Default A.S.S.Jump Factor: 100"
"Default DPM Measuring Precision: Normal"
Check off "Lock the device while getting DPM data from the media"
4-on left side of window is options. Click on "Recording" and check off/correct the following"
"check off Eject disc after Recording is completed"
"check off Eject disc after Erasing is completed"
"check off Fill memeory before recording discs"
"Memory buffer size (MB): 128"
"CPU Priority Level High"
5-left side of window is options. Click on "Date type setting"
"Disc type:Audio CD"
in "Reading Options" tab:
"Max Reading Speed: 1X(150KB/Sec)
check off "Skip reading errors"
In same window click on "Recording options" tab:
Max Writing Speed: 1X (150KB/Sec)
Available Method: leave blank
You must press "OK" to verify and changes to these settings.
clicking ok closes the window, go back to "file" then click on "options"
6- on left side of window is options. Click on Emulations:
All 3 boxes are "checked off" (Ignore media type, Launch CD/DVD etc, and RMPS.)
on left side of window in options. Click on Extra Emulation:
All 3 boxes are "checked off"(Bad Sectors Emulaton, Sub-Channel Data etc, Laser Lock Emulation)
Click "OK" to exit Options window.

Step B Image Making Wizard
insert original BF2 CD 1 into your burning drive. Dont launch the game.
1- click on File, click on Image Making Wizard.
CD/DVD select your Burner
Read Speed 1X (150KB/Sec)
In session window your should see detail of the BF2 CD if you selected the correct CD/DVD Device
check off "Skip reading errors"
check off Fast skip error blocks"
IMPORTANT "Datetype: SafeDisc 2/3"
click on "Next"

Step C Select Destination Directory
You select where you want the image placed on your Hard Drive
Image name: "BF2 CD 1"
Image format: "Media Descriptor Image file (*.mds)
Click "Start"

Step D Making Image File
IMPORTANT DO NOT check off "Close this dialog box after process finished."
Check off "Auto scroll the log window"
You will have tons of "Read data examination error at: XXXXX" (this is normal)
Your Block/Speed: will show around "4.0X-4.1X"
Your Elapsed Time for the Making Image File will be around 19:06 minutes (depending of your system)
When Making Image File is completed, click on "Finish" and original BF2 CD 1 will eject.

Step E Open Alcohol if not already for the Images Burning Wizard.
Insert blank CD into your burning drive
Click on "file" click on "Image Burning Wizard"
Select an Image File you would like to record. (this is location of your image you just created on your hard drive "BF2 CD 1" MDF File)
Do not check off "Delete image file after recording.:
Click on "Next"
Prepare your CD/DVD Recorder window. (note I used my Plextor burner for BOTH my image making and image burning process)
CD/DVD Recorder this is your burning drive
Write Speed "4X (600KB/Sec.)
unchecked Using Multiple CD/DVD Recorders
Write Method: "RAW DAD"
Check off "Write"
Unchecked "Simulation"
Number of copies. "1"
Check off "Enable Buffer Underrun Technology"
Uncheck "Dont close last session of current disc"
Check off "Rectify Sub-Channel Data"
IMPORTANT check off: "SafeDisc 2/3"
Click on "START"
Block speed should be around "3.5X-4.5X"
Your Elapsed Time for the Recording Image File will be around 20:12 minutes (depending on your system)

Click FINISH!!

Using your back up CD of BF2 CD 1

My Plextor Drive has trouble "reading" the newly created back up CD. 50% of the time I get the following error:

"Bf2.exe error window: BF2.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close....."

I can sometimes get Plextor drive to launch the game successfully when the drive is in the middle of its spinning cycle (hold down left shift key) and click on the desktop BF2 icon to play the game.

My other Drive: Sony CD-RW CRX216E has NO trouble reading and running the newly created back up CD. This drive works 100% of the time.

I see many many posts of "how do I?" with out any details of actually making the settings changes. If these instructions help make the changes in Alochol and you are successful in making a back up of the BF2 CD1, then........ENJOY THE GAME!!

Toothless