SH4 Gold DVD questions

[StimpsonJCat]

I’m currently using the Steam version of SH4 but I just ordered an affordable copy of the physical Gold version from eBay. This way I can more easily run multi-sh to fiddle with different mods plus it’s an insurance policy just in case there is some future licensing issue between Ubisoft and Valve.

I had read somewhere on these forums (don’t ask me to find the thread again) that the DVD version doesn’t actually need the disc to run. Is that true?

Also, is it possible to copy the installation files to the SSD and run the installer from there, or is a DVD check required to do the install? If not that, how about ripping an ISO?

To be clear I am not trying to pirate the game or anything like that, just want to make sure I have the most secure backup of the DVD as possible. That being said, if this topic is off-limits on the forums I’d understand and mods can go ahead and delete if needed.

[propbeanie]

I took my disk and "ripped" it (plain copy and paste) to a folder and ran the install from that just fine. I eventually "zipped" it up to save some space, since it is only needed occasionally. I have also made archive copies of the disk just fine. The game has not required the disk to run the game for quite a while, and copying the stock game from one folder to another for multiple installs for use with various mods and MultiSH4 works fine. Both my Steam download copy and the Ubisoft download copy have "tightened" their licensing, and at present, I have not found a way to copy and paste those installed versions anymore. I used to be able to use them both that same way as the disk version. I have the various licenses for use on the different computers I have. I still have a WinXP install running, Win7, 10 & 11, and it does run fine on all of the OSes, with varying "tweaks" needed for the SH4.exe "Properties" settings, dependent upon the machine the game is used on. :salute:

[StimpsonJCat]

I took my disk and "ripped" it (plain copy and paste) to a folder and ran the install from that just fine. I eventually "zipped" it up to save some space, since it is only needed occasionally. I have also made archive copies of the disk just fine. The game has not required the disk to run the game for quite a while, and copying the stock game from one folder to another for multiple installs for use with various mods and MultiSH4 works fine. Both my Steam download copy and the Ubisoft download copy have "tightened" their licensing, and at present, I have not found a way to copy and paste those installed versions anymore. I used to be able to use them both that same way as the disk version. I have the various licenses for use on the different computers I have. I still have a WinXP install running, Win7, 10 & 11, and it does run fine on all of the OSes, with varying "tweaks" needed for the SH4.exe "Properties" settings, dependent upon the machine the game is used on. :salute:

Thanks so much. Exactly what I wanted to here. I can rip the installation files and store them in the cloud or on a NAS so I don't lose the game in a house fire or something like that (I know from experience). I luckily found a very reasonably priced DVD on ebay but most people are selling the game at kind of ridiculous prices.

[1Patriotofmany]

Just for the record, if you have the steam version, it runs independently of steam. I lost internet for days and my steam SH4 ran fine, so i wouldn't worry losing it through some ubisoft/valve licensing thing.