Re: making a copy of encrypted data cd

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"-keevill-" <keevillus@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:OcbSpsATIHA.5164@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I have bought a database of names and addresses which consists of 2 cds. One containing the front end software and one containing the data. Of course it is encrypted to prevent unauthorised duplication .

That is NOT what encryption does. Nothing prevent anyone from copying a file regardless of whatever arrangement of bytes are contained within. That the file is encrypted is irrelevant to copying it. Encryption means that someone without the key cannot *use* the contents of that file.

How can I make a backup in case the data cd becomes damaged or lost.

Just go copy it. If the file(s) was(were) encrypted, that doesn't prevent you from copying the CDs. If, however, what you really meant is that copy-protection is employed on the CDs then you will need to go Googling on copying software that cracks whatever copy protection scheme was employed on those CDs.

This is the 2nd one I have had to buy since the first one - data disk became damaged and could not be read by any pcs.

Yeah, so if the file wasn't encrypted then a damaged disk would still be unreadable. You're saying that this marketing firm from where you bought your database doesn't provide for sending out replacement CDs? Well, then you are not dealing with a legitimate marketing firm and are instead talking about some cheapo spam lists that you paid for, and you really were naive to believe you would get any support from that outfit. Just order replacement media for the database to which you subscribed.

I have tried to use Nero to make an image of the data cd and burn that image onto a cd but it does not work when I test it .

Probably because COPY PROTECTION was employed, not encryption. It really sounds like you need to have your IT crew handle the database and saving backups.

You could look into using something like CD-Clone or DVD-Clone by Elaborabytes (or something close to that). It isn't free anymore after they decided to sell it (to someone that starts with an "S" in their business name). However, for a reliable copy, you need to ensure the CD-R/DVD-R drive supports *hardware* RAW mode. Not many optical drives list that spec anymore. Maybe they have a utility to determine the features of your optical drives to determine the likelihood that you can make backup copies of the copy-protected CDs.

.

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