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General discussion

Desperate Newbie Needs Help With MS Virtual CD-ROM Utility

Jan 12, 2011 1:30PM PST

So "newbie" that I lost my 'preview' of post! Have Acer Aspire One netbook without optical/cd/dvd drive, so located this utility, but am totally lost/confused and quite embarrassed. Searched further online instructions from various sites, but leaves me more confused. First, do not know whether to 'save' this or 'run' when downloading this utility. If I 'save' will likely not know where to locate it anyway. If I 'run', I do not know to which folder I should pick to extract folder before unzipping and closing. Do not know how to 'copy' the VCdRom.sys file, nor where the "C:/Windows/System32/Drivers" folder is to copy it to! Also, further along instructions are the"Add Drive' section as am unsure about 'changing' the letter (although, assume this file will not be preceded with a 'C'). Apologize for the extent of my ignorance and appreciate the assistance--basically, I guess I need someone to 'hold my hand' through the whole process, step by agonizing step right through to how to use this thing once I get this Vcd-rom installed! Thanks to anyone and all!

Discussion is locked

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Re: virtual cdrom utility
Jan 12, 2011 4:42PM PST

First, can you tell from what site you downloaded what? Then we know what you're talking about. I do know of other virtual CD programs like deamon tools, ISOdisk or VirtualCD, but never a Microsoft one.

To answer your questions:
- A browser should have a default location (folder) to store downloaded files, but most have the option to change that default to a place you like more. As you didn't tell what browser you use, that's all the help that I can give at the moment.
- Why do you think it's a zip-file? I've never seen a Microsoft utility come in a zip-file. Microsoft only uses msi (their own installer).
- What's your OS (Windows XP, Vista, 7)?
- When unzipping a file to be on the safe side always unzip to an empty folder (create one if necessary) as temporary storage unless you know exactly what files you're extract and where you want to put them.
- If you don't know how to copy a file in My Computer, go and start studying a basic book about Windows.
- If you don't know how to find a folder to copy to: same advice.
- As you didn't tell what instructions you're trying to follow I can't help with that.

Two general remarks:
- Why not buy an external drive? That's plug and play. No difficult installs.
- What are you going to use your virtual CD for?

Kees

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MS Virtual CD-Rom Utility
Jan 18, 2011 4:01AM PST

Thanks, Kees. Hope using correct method of replying on this forum, that's how inexperienced this newbie is. My OS is XPsp3 and main problem with attempting to extract iso files (which I downloaded on the net) is that when opening/using this Virtual Cd-rom utility, I could not copy to the Windows/System32/Drivers file as I could not find where this file is located. Aside from learning the 'basics' of 'copying' files (which I'm sure I can learn without handholding on this forum) I need the most help locating this System32 Drivers file on my computer. I certainly tried to located this file, but searching my computer has yielded no results (although I have found other "system" files, but not this specific one). So, basically, even when I do learn how to 'copy' files, I can't open this iso file using this utility as can't find the sys file to copy it to! Note: I downloaded this virtual cd=rom drive just recently while querying on how to open iso files and 'stumbled' upon this free utility from Microsoft. However, because this utility is no longer supported by Microsoft, cannot be found on their 'Download'area. (This utility is found on multiple sites on the net). I have found another free utility, "7-Zip" which purportedly extracts lots of other files like 'rar,' etc., so will give this a try. Again, thanks for trying to help and apologize for my ignorance

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Re: copying
Jan 18, 2011 5:02AM PST

The c:\windows\system32\drivers is a folder inside c:\windows\system32, which is a folder in c:\windows, which is a folder in the c:-drive. Nothing special about it, although it might be hidden. Then set the folder options to show hidden files and folders.

Let me mention 2 other ways:
1. You burn that .iso-file you download as an image to a cd. Can be done by a free program called imgburn, or with your regular burner. Then it has become a normal data CD.
2. Try another program to open iso-files as a virtual disk. I use a program called isodisk. Works well enough.

Kees

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Here is a link to a hand holding explanation ...
Jan 13, 2011 10:42AM PST
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newbie help w/MS Virtual CD-Rom
Jan 23, 2011 3:43AM PST

Thanks to all; found that hidden file which was main problem; the 'simple and straightforward' instructions which yes, are, in fact, pretty simple other than (for me) finding that file mentioned; sys32drivers-- also,have found another utility as stated, 7zip which doesn't require the copying of anything to this sysdrivers file and works well for this ignorant newbie.I guess we all are 99.9999999% ignorant of everything there is to know but, once again, I thank all of you less ignorant in this 'cyber universe' for your attempts to assist.

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(NT) Good to see you got what you needed. Thanks for telling.
Jan 23, 2011 3:47AM PST
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Just use
Jan 19, 2011 1:37AM PST

Just use alchohol 60% which is the free version of 120% it is easy and works everytime...