Exploring old shovelware CDs - need help with .bin files

[NoXion]

So for after taking a look at Maximum Doom, I've developed a taste for rooting around in these things. The janky designs and primitive layouts that I encounter make me feel oddly nostalgic for a time that, as someone who was over a decade late to the classic Doom party, I never experienced.

However, in beginning my explorations of the CD collection at archive.org, I've encountered an issue. I assume that the .bin files are disc images, but Windows 10 only recognises .iso files. I'm guessing I'll have to download third-party software to mount the .bin files, but it's been a while so I have no idea what's good and what's trash in terms of free software for this purpose. What does Doomworld recommend?

[Old-Doomguy]

Back in the days when I regularly needed to read disc images I always used Daemon tools, but that's a really long time ago, so I don't know how riddled with ads it is today. 

 

I have a vague memory of being able to read them in Winrar as well. 

[eharper256]

Daemon Tools Lite is indeed recommended; its one of those you need to watch EACH STEP of what the installer is doing very carefully though. You absolutely cannot click through it; be sure to customise the install, and un-check all the other crap it will attempt to install.

 

If you can make it through the scary installer, though, its a useful tool.

[Doomkid]

Maybe this plugin for 7zip will help?

 

Quote

My new plugin for 7Zip: Iso7z.
7-Zip with Iso7z can quickly extract files from a NRG, MDS/MDF, CUE/BIN, ISZ disc image without mounting it.

 

 

https://sourceforge.net/p/sevenzip/discussion/45797/thread/38fb8079/?limit=25

 

I've been using WinRAR for as long as I can remember, but version 5.40 which I'm using, which granted is 4 years out of date, does not seem to have .bin support.

[taufan99]

I'd recommend using WinCDEmu. It hasn't been updated for a long time, but it works flawlessly, easy and simple to use.

[Andromeda]

I second WinCDEmu - doesn't get any easier to use than that!

[NoXion]

Thanks for all your suggestions everyone. I've decided to go with WinCDEmu; this dead simple, free to download open-source software with no advertisements ticks all the boxes for me.

The Shovelware Cinematic Universe awaits me!

[SiFi270]

Speaking of, I've been trying to run the three versions of H!Zone available from archive.org, and they've all given me the same error: "Runtime error 005 at 0000:45E9." Does anyone have any advice?