I keep reading at websites (I'm not sure if I'm misunderstanding this), is it true you can make and boot backups with the newest Viper chip? If so, then how? If not, does the Qoob allow you to make backups of games? If so, how? If not, is there a good method to backup GC games other than the BBA/Phantasy Star method?
Yes, Viper GC Extreme allows you to make back-ups, as does both the qoob SX and qoob Pro. All three of them use BBA to back-up games, but the Viper GC Extreme also has the ability to use USB functionality to back-up games. Also, pretty much all up-to-date methods are better than the PSO method.
So which modchip would be the best to use? I don't want to get a BBA, so would that leave the Viper? And how long would it take to backup a game (ex. Super Smash Bros., Metroid Prime, Mario Party 7, etc.)? And then how do you load a backup using the Viper modchip? Can you run emulators/homebrew using the Viper chip (and how)? What is the best mini-dvd media? If I get the Viper chip professionally installed, do I have to do anything with the laser to make it read backups?
1. As of now, the Viper GC Extreme has the most potential, and since you don't have a BBA, I'd just get that. The qoob Pro and SX have better BIOS though, since they support the full functionality of the chips. Viper GC Extreme's BIOS doesn't support all of the chip's features yet, and I have no idea how long it'll be until they do. 2. Yes. 3. Don't have a Viper GC Extreme, so I couldn't tell you. However, I'd assume it'd have a decent transfer rate. 30 minutes tops? You might have to ask Brewgod23 since he's actually done it before. 4. Since you don't have a BBA, you'd just have to burn the games to DVD to play them. 5. Yes. Check Boki2002's link topic that's stickied on the topic list for information on how to get it up and running. There's also another topic where a few people have successfully prepared a disc with emulators and ROMs on them. The only one really worth using though is the SNES and NES ones since those have save support whereas all the others don't as far as I know. 6. There is no best. Just a bunch of good brands. Verbatim, Ritek (popular on this board), Fujifilm, and Maxell all work well. I'm sure I'm missing some, but that should give you a good idea of what to look for. Just be sure to stay away from Memorex, since those are crap for games. 7. You shouldn't have to open the GC at all. The only thing you'll need to do is flash the Cobra BIOS to it via USB and you'll be ready to play.
Thanks for all the help. What do you mean by this? As in, what features aren't supported yet? What features does the Qoob provide that the Viper doesn't and vice versa?
I saw that you can upgrade the Qoob BIOS through USB, does that mean you can also create backups through USB? If not, then is the BBA the only way to backup with the Qoob (I'm asking because it has quite possibly the best BIOS)? If so, then where can I get the BBA for cheap? And if I want to get my Gamecube modded with a Qoob (professionally), then do I have to send my Gamecube w/ the BBA?
One last question: Where can I get the Qoob Pro modchip, Ritek G04 mini dvd-r's, BBA, and modchip installation service for cheap? I'd like it if it were from 1-2 places (b/c of shipping & handling). I know about www.mod-chip.com, which is what I'm kind of leaning towards, but if I get the Qoob Pro, then I'll need a broadband adapter to backup games.
Viper GC Extreme has all the features of the qoob Pro with the added capability to back-up games via USB. Unfortunately, the Viper GC Extreme's BIOS doesn't have support for it's onboard flash yet, whereas the qoob Pro does. The Viper's BIOS also doesn't seem to be able to force video modes either (playing PAL games with NTSC TVs for example). qoob Pro can only back-up games with the BBA. The USB is only meant for flashing it. I have no idea where you'd be able to find a new BBA, since I got mine back when Walmart still sold it. You don't need it unless you want to back-up games anyway, since the qoob Pro doesn't need it for anything else. I installed my qoob Pro myself, so I have no idea what site would be good for installation services. As for DVD media, try http://www.meritline.com/ritek-mini-dvd-r-media-4x.html
Thanks, and I already found a place that sells BBA's. So how long would it take to backup a game through the BBA? Would it be faster or slower than through USB? If I'm getting the chip to play backups and make them, would the Viper be better? I don't even know the purpose of the flash memory or if I would even use it (if it's for stuff like emulators/.elfs/etc then I can just use my PS2 for that).
I store GCOM, GCOS, and ninjamod on my onboard flash alongside it's default qoob BIOS 1.3c and backup of 1.3a. Basically, if my qoob BIOS 1.3c won't play it, one of the others will. Also, GCOM is a GC game ripper that uses the BBA. If I wanted to, I could store emulators and such in the onboard flash, but it's much easier to just play them on my Xbox since I have a 60 gigabyte HDD in it. I don't know the transfer rate of the Viper's USB ripper, but with GCOM it usually takes around 30 minutes. You'd be better off getting the Viper GC Extreme since it's going to surpass the qoob Pro eventually. Not to mention you won't need to buy a BBA to rip games.
