I found a way to get VERY CORRUPT cds to work

[TrinireturnofGamez]

actually this will work in this case only... i had UT2k3 demo on my HD and
I just got the full version. CD 1 had a corrupt file that the demo came with [file icon] so i copied the   corrupt cd to my hd and overwrited the bad file. CD 1 is installing fine now... i hope the others are good.

my God given intelligence is finally being useful..                    

[cdx2k1]

I did the same with a busted UT CD and copied HDD files to fix it.Das a good idea                    

[Flippant]

please note, this fix is not really a fix, as windows can copy the file becuase it think its crc checksum is correct, but the installer knows from its stored values that the file is broken. This would result in the game most likely running until it needs a resource from the part of the file that is broken, and then, error. for ut2k3 this may not be a big deal, but if you try this with more story given games you will cuss when you reach real far and the game keeps crashing.                    

[TrinireturnofGamez]

errrrr.... say that again??? actually it was some icons in the WEB folder that were corrupt..i went into the folder and the icons had no size or icons... so i copied it all to the HD and used demo icons                    

[Waggy]

....and overwrited the bad file.  
my God given intelligence is finally being useful..

HAHAHAHAHA!!!                    

[vinion2000]

errrrr.... say that again??? actually it was some icons in the WEB folder that were corrupt..i went into the folder and the icons had no size or icons... so i copied it all to the HD and used demo icons

CRC = cyclic redundancy check.
checksum = the total calculated hexidecimal value
 
a cyclic redundancy check checksum is basically the hexidecimal value of a file. since a file is just a bunch of bits its simple to check if a file is corrupt or tampered by checking its value. even the smallest of changes or omission may result in a new value. the only way to have an exact value is to get an exact copy. CRC values are used in verifying compressed files (.zip & .rar) as well as in cd protection. together with creation time values manufacturers use both to verify a cd's authenticity. the CRC values are accurate and most executables (.exe) will check to see a file is correct to prevent overall program/system instability. a damaged file will most times cause the game to crash especially if it isnt a texture or graphic image.

basically what you did will work in most games provided that the file isnt a marked file. if the file is marked then the date of creation will also be checked. most times it has an iratic value ( eg 10-07-1974 ) which isnt known to the public or figured by means of mental elimantion. most times that same file may be hidden or obscure to aid in copyright protection. most cd protections use this together with sub-channel encryption to difuse copied cds (thus why some games will do a cd read at execution and then never use the cd again). flippant is right this isnt a fix simply a means to an ends (hope i explained it properly). once the top of a cd is damage parts of the data get erased theres no real way to fix it other than getting a new one.                    

[unimatrix001]

yuh sure is nuh a bunn copy yuh get                    

[Osiris]

waz ap wit de bard languige uni                    

[pandemonium]

but men doin that to currupted files real yrs now