How do I alter software/games code to run without a cd?

Hi I am a newbie programmer I have an hdn in software development(I no all
this means is that im still a newb :-) ) and after getting a bit of a
sickner with some of microsofts products(which I purchased) I moved to
gentoo linux .......anyway I have a good few games and other original apps
and ive always wanted to be able to take a look at exes and dlls and figure
out how to run these produvts without having my cd in the drive .......I was
wandering where I can find well structured ........non spyware riddled
documents that will inform me which software I need and also hasa good
dummies guides on how to use it and maybe even goes into how and what dlls
are used for and gives some examples

If anyone could point me in the right direction that would be great
.........maybe someone that already makes home made patches to run there
software in the way im talking about

Thanks :-)
redwing


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