running software entirely from hard drive

i would like to install and run some educational software entirely from the hard drive on an old laptop for our kids as my CD drive is playing up and i'm sick of spending money on it. is this posisble?
sorry if i'm in the wrong area please direct me to where i might find an answer.
many thx
cm

 

What you want is a type of software known as a Virtual CD ROM. It creates a software CD ROM to allow programs which should be run from CD ROM to be copied onto the drive and run directly from the hard drive.

Like any other software, the easiest to find costs money. Here is a freeware. I've not tried it. But I've downloaded the file in case I ever need it. Quite often, freeware goes off the market and it becomes payware.

http://www.dirfile.com/virtual_drive_creator_.htm

 

thanks guys

hi guys,
thx for the tips and the welcome.

PeteC - i did copy one CD to my drive and tried to run it but got a msg telling me to insert the CD into drive C....???? must be something in the code i guess so i'm unsure how to proceed with that one.

RayH - thx also i'll give that one a try.....

cheers
CM