making backups of install disks?

You can use disk utility to create disk images (.dmg files) from the install CDs, and then burn those images to CD-R in order to make back ups. It's actually quite simple. Just insert the CD you want to copy, open disk utility (in your Applications -> Utilities folder), click on the CD icon on the left side, and then go to the Images menu, then New, then "Image from <disk>" where <disk> is the name of the CD you want to copy. A box will pop up asking what you want to call the disk image, and has a couple options. Type whatever you want for the name, and change the image format to "DVD/CD Master," then hit SAVE. When the disk is done being ripped, eject it and insert a blank CD. Select the disk image you just created in Disk Utility (if it doesn't show up in the left column, just drag it in their from wherever you saved it), and hit burn. It'll give you some options for the burn (self-explanatory), which you can change if you'd like. Click burn, and wait for the disk to burn, and you're done!

I hope you enjoy your new Mac. I switched 6 months or so ago, and can't imagine buying another Windows PC again.

 

If the CDs are copy protected, then trying to rip them and burn a CD will not work. There is at present no commonly known way to successfully copy protected game or software CDs on the Mac. The PC is a different story.

There may be some underground knowledge about how to do it, but I have not found it and I have looked very hard for just that thing.

FYI I have tried Toast and Disk Utility to copy protected CDs and it doesn't even get started before an error stops the process.