How to Use a BIN File

Level of difficulty: Intermediate

Binary files or those with BIN file extension are computer files containing any type of data encoded using binary forms. BIN files have various uses but the most common is for processing and storage like image files, formatted text files, sounds, videos, compressed files, or gaming data. The most common use of a BIN file is as a CD image similar to an ISO file.

Materials Needed:
- CD-ROM drive or Virtual CD-ROM drive
- compact disk
- Burning applications (Nero Burning ROM
- CloneCD
- Fireburner
- MagicISO
- or Blindwrite)
- Notepad or other plain text programs
- CUE file
Step 1
The BIN file used for CD images is always partnered with a CUE file. Make sure that this file is correct by opening it with MS Notepad or any similar plain text applications. The CUE file is correct if it contains something similar to this: FILE 'image-name.BIN' BINARY TRACK 02 MODE2/3498 INDEX 03 00:00:00. The important part here is the contents inside the quotations. The 'BIN' there should be spelled this way. Correct the file extension if it is not 'BIN'.
Step 2
You are given two options on how you could use the BIN file. You can either burn it to a CD using a burning application or use a virtual CD drive.
Step 3
Proceed to Step 4 if you choose to burn it to a physical CD. Proceed to Step 11 if you want to use a virtual CD drive.
Step 4
Open a CD-burning application that can support CD images or ISO files. Some of the programs you can use are Nero Burning ROM, CloneCD, Fireburner, MagicISO, and Blindwrite.
Step 5
Choose the command 'write CD' or any other similar command.
Step 6
Select the CUE file you checked earlier. This will be burned on the CD. Burning programs usually allow this through selecting the FILE option in the main menu. In Nero, for example, you can select the CUE file by choosing File, Burn Image, and Browse.
Step 7
Modify the CD burning settings like the burning speed, the type of CD, and name of the CD.
Step 8
Click 'burn,' 'start,' or any other similar option to mark the start of disk creation.
Step 9
Wait until the burning process is done.
Step 10
Insert the burned CD in the CD-ROM to check if it works similar to the original copied CD. You will know if the BIN file works fine if the produced images while the CD is in use is working perfectly well.
Step 11
Load the CUE file on a virtual CD drive or a daemon. This option will allow you to use the BIN file even without the commonly used compact disk and burning program.
Step 12
The virtual CD drive imitates the real CD drive and the images loaded in it will work as if they were saved in physical CDs.

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