CNET Editors' review
Options are few, but this disk-imaging utility effectively creates virtual copies of CDs. Putting it mildly, Circle Virtual CD's interface is dismal. The program first requires a source disk in the CD-ROM drive to transfer to the hard drive. From there, we were able to select the drive letter, and the program created a copy of the CD on our PC as its own virtual CD drive. You can run the copied program from the virtual drive as if a disk were loaded. During tests, the desktop shortcut created to run our virtual CD didn't work, although its folder icon launched just fine. A right click of the application's tray icon gave easy access to its interface and other options, such as ejecting the CD drive door. Although it doesn't offer any file-management features for organizing, copying, or deleting its creations, we are pleased with the results. Any user wanting to end the rotational CD game will find this free program quite beneficial.
Publisher's Description
From Circle of One Software:
Circle Virtual CD creates a virtual CD-ROM drive on your Windows PC. This allows you to make images of your favorite CD-ROMs and use them without inserting a CD into a CD-ROM drive. Circle Virtual CD improves the speed at which you access data and stops you from having to switch disks in and out of your CD-ROM drive. Use the program to easily access your favorite games, music, or software programs. Since Circle Virtual CD uses CircleScan, nearly any CD can be imaged.
What's new in this version: This version is the first release on CNET Download.com.
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All versions:
2.7 starsout of 35 votes
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Current version:
2.7 starsout of 35 votes
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My rating:
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"Wonderful software but does not work beyond WIN XP"
Version: Circle Virtual CD 1.02
Pros
Hekko/Circle Virtual CD copied every CD I gave it including Windows Installation CDs, filed them neatly and allowed me to assign a drive letter of choice to run them from.
Cons
It does not work with Windows Vista or Windows 7 (it is incomaptable with the NTFS file manager, even if installed on and operating from a FAT32 drive) It does crash the GUI on the newer OSs.
Summary
If you're still running XP or older this is hands-down the best Virtual CD software out there... Its the only Virtual CD software to copy ANY CD and make it usable from a virtual drive.
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"This product just works ! No fancy graphics !"
Version: Circle Virtual CD 1.02
Pros
It works on Windows XP disks, Office disks, and many other software disks
Easy to use
I keep it running all the time, zero problemsCons
I've tried it on many game disks, and there are maybe a couple it won't work on, but no other virtual CD software works there either
Summary
For FREE no other product comes close
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"Great Program... When it works"
Version: Circle Virtual CD 1.02
Pros
Great user interface... not pretty but I found it easy to use...
Cons
doesn't always work
Summary
out of the 11 computers I installed it to, 4 didn't work because I didn't realized it didn't work on vista, 3 of the computers with XP didn't work of those 1 had a continous restart almost as soon as windows boots ... had just enough time to uninstall it... the other 2 crashed as soon as you put in a disk and tried to run it..., 1 of the other computers ran fine after a couple of times trying to install it, and the other 3 never had problems
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""THE" program for Netbooks"
Version: Circle Virtual CD 1.02
Pros
Works perfectly on my Acer, running XP Home
Cons
None found
Summary
Been running Circle Virtual CD for several weeks now with no problems. It's great for Netbooks that do not have a CD-drive or for laptops with a broken CD (like my old one). Now, I can travel (to Starbucks) and surf the net or run one of my games from the virtual drive!
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"Unclear and slow"
Version: Circle Virtual CD 1.02
Pros
It reads in the disk.... it's free....
Cons
It took WAY too long to read a disk. Now that I've read the disk, I can't figure out what to do with the image. It's so non-intuitive, I have left it sitting there.
Summary
it sounds like what I want, but I can't understand why it cannot be clearer, especially for a new user. I poked around trying to figure it out, but gave up. I don't have time for arcane programs.
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"what's the true? the editor says its good but the comment says its harmful"
Version: Circle Virtual CD 1.02
Pros
dont know
Cons
dont know........
im afraid to try it
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"You don't need a pretty face to get the job done"
Version: Circle Virtual CD 1.02
Pros
It works (no crashes like other people reported) I'm running Windows XP MCE.
It works by copying the CD to a .hvc format (not .iso) and creating a virtual cd drive. then it mounts the .hvc file to the drive and it runs like a regular cd drive (note: the auto run part of the disc may not work)
Cons
it doesn't look great - but hey it's free!
some other people complained about the virtual drive showing up as "Z" drive, this is do the fact that windows has default letters for drives (A for floppys & C for the main hard drive) but most letters are from the beginning of the alphabet that is why Z is used (to avoid a conflict)
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"Good for copying images, but makes system crash!"
Version: Circle Virtual CD 1.02
Pros
You are able to copy cds that are copyrighted, but other than that nothing too special about this.
Cons
If you try to insert the image you copied, your system will crash automatically. Also you can't do anything about the drive letter "Z." The GUI (Graphics User Interface) is very bad and very boring.
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"MAKE NO MISTAKE - this DOES make your PC crash"
Version: Circle Virtual CD 1.02
Pros
None... made my laptop crash with the blue screen of death in a loop due to the drivers installed by this program
Cons
I had to remove the software from the basic windows settings (f8 on boot) - don't installe this...
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"Pointless"
Version: Circle Virtual CD 1.02
Pros
I had a nice cup of coffee while installing it
Cons
Says it can create and read iso(s), which it can't. Waste of my time.
