I purchased CIV 4 a while ago and have had no problems, as I do with all games, OS's and important bits of other software, I made a backup CD...

Luckily I did, after an accident (I say and accident it was a violent attack against myself and my father, I have the crime reference number) I have lost the CD and needed to use my backup copy. I have tried and tried but despite windows seeing the CD and allowing me to browse it, copy it, verify it etc it won't let me run the game off it for some reason...

How do I get this to work?

If you didn't use a program like Alcohol 120% odds are you didn't copy the copy protection bits and are going to have to use a no cd crack.

Thanks I will look into this.

The support email system wasn't very helpful, they told me that you can't use backup discs etc despite English law (where I purchased and play the game) saying something completely different! I've emailed them back...

They claim it's to prevent piracy, well they will be loosing one paying customer who has every version of Civ (2 is still my favourite :) ) instead I shall download a pirate copy as I know this will work without the CD.... If they don't follow the law, why should I?