Sometimes we faced a problem that looks real pain in the ass, but somehow the solution is just a piece of cake. The key here is, if all the logical explanation failed, think simple. Not all problems require 100 steps to complete. Believe it. Well, I’ve talked about it long time ago here, but I’ve just encountered the similar situation recently, so I’m going to write about it again.

Anyway, have you guys play Need for Speed: Most Wanted yet? It’s an incredible racing game for the PC. Not for those who want serious car racing simulation though as the control is much easier than any other car racing game, but if you’re looking for some fun and challenge, you should try this game.

In here, the game comes in CD package with 4 disc total. Whenever you want to play, you have to insert the CD #1. It’s part of the SafeDisc protection embedded into the game. Well, I’m one of the quickies, and when I want to play a game, I want it to be ready as soon as possible. So having to insert a CD in order to play is a big NO for me.

I then made an image of the first CD using Nero. Since it uses a SafeDisc protection, I also search for an “anti” SafeDisc protection on the web and found the one (sd4hide.exe) that will do the job. Using Daemon Tools 3.47, I created a virtual drive, mounted the image, executed the sd4hide, and run the game. It worked!

Unfortunately, only once. The day after, I tried to play the game using the same method, and it won’t let me too. It kept asking for the original CD location. Searching the internet, it seemed that many people were facing the same problem, and there was no solution about it yet. Well, except using the original CD of course. But I didn’t want to, and I were thinking of uninstall the game.

But then I try to give a visit to Daemon Tools website. I just thought maybe they have some hints about this problem. Upon browsing their site, I found out that the new version of Daemon Tools was already released, v4.0. Maybe this will fix the problem?

So I downloaded the new version, installed it, and tried to run the game. Damn, it worked! Even after I closed the game or restarted the computer, it still worked! Guess the game will be safe in my hard disk for the next couple of month. Or at least until I buy the Black Edition.

To round-up, here’s the solution for playing image copy of the games with SafeDisc CD protection:

1. Search the internet for sd4hide.exe file and download it.
2. Get the latest Daemon Tools (DT) program from www.daemon-tools.cc. I’m currently using v4.03 x86 Edition.
3. Run DT, and mount the image. It doesn’t matter which emulation option you choose on the DT submenu. I turn off mine, and it works like a charm.
4. Now run sd4hide.exe. Click on HIDE. Play the game. Everything should work fine.
5. Once you finished playing, click on RESTORE and close sd4hide program.

Simple, isn’t it? All I have to do is upgrading DT into the latest version. Nothing else. So for those whose looking for a way to solve this, I hope this mini tutorial would help.

Have fun!

April 29th, 2006: You can download SD4Hide v4 here. If this file is considered as a cracking/hacking tool, please let me know, and I’ll remove it immediately.

Update: Not really an update. Just for those whose searching for SD4Hide and wrongfuly type “sh4hide” instead, there. Now you’ll eventually reach this page