Cannot extract .cab files from new PC games, getting error messages

Hi all. I've been trying to extract .cab files from PC games so I can find the audio files from the games and import them to iTunes (and convert them to .wav if necessary). I have two brand new games. The discs are in great shape, no scratches etc... When I try to extract the data from the .cab files with not just WinRAR or WinZip but literally any extraction program, I get a message that says something like "the archive file is in either an unknown format or is damaged", or "cannot open archive" etc... I am wondering if by chance, both discs somehow have corrupt files on them, or if there is some kind of protection being placed on the files to keep them from being opened? The games are from 2001-2003. They run perfectly fine when I play them, but I can't get to their files. I do have auto-play disabled on my computer because I rip other standard audio CDs with a specific program. Does that play a role?Thanks for any assistance!

Many of the games I hear of problems with are coded so as to prevent copying or reverse engineering such as you wish. If only the sound is wanted I use Total Recorder, can set it to record ANY audio coming out of the speakers or headset. I just hit Record then start what I want to get the audio from.

Thanks all. The reason why I haven't been just recording the music is that I've wanted to get the music just as it was recorded for the game. I've been under the impression that when you record the music from your sound card, the best you can get is whatever your sound card is capable of reproducing, and not the original sound of the music files.

joeyc410 said:

Thanks all. The reason why I haven't been just recording the music is that I've wanted to get the music just as it was recorded for the game. I've been under the impression that when you record the music from your sound card, the best you can get is whatever your sound card is capable of reproducing, and not the original sound of the music files.

Who's to say what you hear is what was actually recorded when the game was created, still at the mercy of the quality of the sound adapter/card in the computer.

For most uses Total Recorder works fine but it does have some adjustments in it one can make on the output.