PS2 & Xbox Backup Tutorials & Information

Okay, these are some methods to backup PS2 titles, in order to play a backup you need a method of booting it by modchip of some sort or by official boot discs such as Swap Magic. I have also included a tutorial on multiple boot methods. Follow any one of these instructions to fit your needs and understand that programs change and methods differ as time goes on so a little tooling around as well as some trial and error may be neccessary.

You can tell what format the PS2 title is by looking at the written side of the disc, DVD's are Silver and CD's are Purple. The DVD backup methods here consist of reading the image to the hard drive then burning it to the media for an easier backup, this depends on your PC hardware and its setup. I say that because the proper setup would be to have capable components like enough Ram and a decent CD/DVD Burner; but mainly have the Reader and Writer on separate IDE cables; this allows no cross information when doing Disc to Disc/On the fly copying. But, since most people would not know how to check or fix this, I suggest reading the image to your Hard Drive and then burning from there.

*A little useful trick*, if the DVD backup "image" is small enough in size you can fit it onto a CD-R (80 minute or larger if need be) instead of using a more expensive DVD-R. Some titles have DVD checks so it will not work all the time, but it doesn’t hurt to try it on a CD-R and there are patches on the web to fix the ones that might not work. In addition a DVD Movie backup will play on a PS2/Xbox [bold]WITHOUT[/bold] a modchip, this is also the best way to find out if your system likes that particular media. Plus remember this is just a guideline in which to help you get started, so fiddle with settings and options so as you can learn. As I get more info, I will try to keep this tutorial updated. Oner


[bold]PS1/PS2 CD backup tutorials[/bold]


[bold]Using CloneCD (v4.x.xx) for PS1/PS2[/bold]

1. Start CloneCD
2. Select "Copy CD"
3. Select your Reader, press Next
4. Select "Game CD", press Next
5. Select/Deselect your options here (on the fly, cue or delete) then press Next
6. Select your Writer, press Next
7. Select your burn speed and "Game CD"
8. Press "OK" to begin


[bold]Using Alcohol 120% for PS1/PS2[/bold]

1. Start Alcohol 120%
2. Select “Copy Wizard”
3. Select your Reader & Read Speed
4. Select or Deselect “Copy current disc on the fly”
5. For Data type select which console PS1 or PS2, press Next
6. Select your Image location and Name for it, press Next
7. Select you Writer, Write Speed and anything else you feel you might need
8. Make sure the Data type selected is the same you chose above
9. Press Start to begin


[bold]PS2 DVD backup tutorials[/bold]


[bold]Using Prassi (RecordNow Max is very similar, so this should be sufficient)[/bold]

1. Start Prassi Primo
2. Select "go to full application"
3. Right Click the drive that has your original in it
4. Select "build global image" and choose a path for the image (preferably on an NTFS operating system)
5. After the image is extracted go to next step
6. Choose the 3rd disc icon from the left *or* click file, new job, Global/Other Image
7. Then just burn the .gi (global image) of the game


This next way has one less step which saves some time because once you press record it does everything by itself (if you have a DVD reader and DVD Writer)

1. Start Primo
2. Use the "PrimoDVD Starter" (it's easier, and less confusing)
3. Choose "disc copy"
4. Select your Reader and Also your Writer
5. Select "make a temp image on HD..."
6. Select your burn speed and then record to begin


[bold]Using Nero[/bold]

1. Start Nero, Use the Wizard (for easy use)
2. Select "DVD" then select Next
3. Select "Copy a DVD" then select Next
4. Select your source drive
5. Select or Deselect "copy on the fly" then click next
6. Select your write speed
7. Select either "Test", "Test and Burn" or "Burn"
8. Press "Burn" to begin

This next way is without the Wizard

1. Start Nero, and select "File" then "New..."
2. On upper left side of the window from the drop down menu select "DVD"
3. Select "DVD Copy" Icon
4. Select "Copy options" tab
5. Select or Deselect "copy on the fly"
6. Select source drive and read speed
7. If needed Select "Image" tab to choose image directory and select/deselect "delete image..."
8. Select "Burn" tab and choose your settings
9. Press "Copy" to begin


[bold]Using Alcohol 120%[/bold]

1. Start Alcohol 120%
2. Select “Copy Wizard”
3. Select your Reader
4. For “Separate Image file every:” choose “Never Separate”
5. Select or Deselect “Copy current disc on the fly”, press Next
6. Select your Image location and Name for it, press Next
7. Select your Writer, Write Speed and anything else you feel you might need
8. Select or Deselect “Delete image file after recording”
9. Press Start to begin


[bold]Using DVD Decrypter[/bold]

1. Start DVD Decrypter
2. Select Mode, go down to ISO Read
3. Select your Reader & Destination
4. “Decrypt” the ISO Image to the Hard Drive
5. Wait for the ISO Image to be made
6. Select Mode, go down to ISO Write
7. Select the ISO Image file you made, click “Open”
8. Select your Burner, Write speed & Burn the ISO


[bold]Using Toast Titanium 5.01 or 5.02 for Mac[/bold]

1. Start Toast
2. Select Image Copy
3. Insert DVD title
4. Save as Image
5. Record Image (Use Burnproof if needed)

OR

1. Start Toast
2. Select Image Copy
3. Insert DVD title
4. Click on Record
5. It will ask for a blank DVD-R when it’s ready (Use Burnproof if needed)


[bold]Modded PS2 with or without Action Replay/GameShark CD & DVD backup booting methods[/bold]


[bold]PS2 with NeoKey/Sbox modchip & AR/GS, PS1 CD backup booting[/bold]

1. Turn on PS2 and NeoKey/Sbox
2. Press Eject
3. Insert PS1 CD backup
4. Press reset
5. PS2 tray will close
6. PS1 CD backup will now boot


[bold]PS2 with NeoKey/Sbox modchip & AR/GS, PS2 CD backup booting[/bold]

1. Have AR/GS dongle in a memory card slot
2. Power on your PS2
3. Insert AR/GS disc
4. At the AR/GS menu, select Start Game, With/Without codes
5. Eject and swap to your PS2 CD backup and press X.
6. Screen will change and game will now boot

* Note - Neokey/Sbox will not play DVD-R!

* Note - Old versions of AR2/GS2 you might need to press R1+O instead of X to boot games

*Important* You have to have the correct version of AR/GS in order to boot backups


[bold]PS2 with Neo 2.2 modchip, PS1 CD backup booting[/bold]

1. Turn on PS2
2. Press Eject
3. Insert PS1 CD backup
4. Press reset
5. PS2 tray will close
6. PS1 CD backup will now boot


[bold]PS2 with Neo 2.2 modchip & AR/GS, PS2 CD backup booting[/bold]

1. Have AR/GS dongle in a memory card slot
2. Power on your PS2
3. Insert AR/GS disc
4. At the AR/GS menu, select Start Game, With/Without codes
5. Eject and swap to your PS2 CD backup and press X.
6. Screen will change and game will now boot

*Important* You have to have the correct version of AR/GS in order to boot backups


[bold]PS2 with Neo 2.2 modchip & AR/GS, PS2 DVD backup booting[/bold]

1. Have AR/GS dongle in a memory card slot
2. Power on your PS2
3. Insert AR/GS disc, close tray
4. Power off your PS2, wait a few seconds
5. Press and Hold Reset button to load AR/GS
6. At the AR2/GS2 menu, press EJECT while still holding Reset
7. Swap AR/GS disc for an Original-TOC-DVD* and wait 10 seconds
8. Select "AR/GS Codes"
9. Highlight "Add new code" and press X to get to the next screen
10. Press X three times. You will see "Updating code list please wait" each time)
11. Press "Start" on controller
12. Select "Without codes", press X
13. Then Press X again, and immediately release the Reset button, you will see "Updating code list please wait"
14. The PS2 tray will eject allowing you to swap Original-TOC-DVD* for DVD backup and then close on its own
15. Screen will change and game will now boot

* Note - "Original-TOC-DVD" is an original DVD that is a larger file size than the backup

* Note – For a shortcut make a few “Add new codes”, or use any title you know you don’t need (you can always reset the dongle) and after step 8 just highlight one of the “newly” added codes or unnecessary ones and press square to delete it, then proceed on with step 11

*Important* You have to have the correct version of AR/GS in order to boot backups


[bold]PS2 without modchip, using GS/AR/Swap Magic with a Swipe/Slide Card or Flip Top, PS2 CD backup booting[/bold]

1. Have AR/GS dongle in a memory card slot (if needed by your disc)
2. Power on your PS2
3. Insert AR/GS/SM* disc, press Reset
4. At the AR/GS menu, select Start Game, With or Without codes
5. Use Flip Top or Swipe/Slide Card to open PS2 tray
6. Swap/Insert your PS2 CD backup
7. Close Flip Top or use Swipe/Slide Card to close PS2 tray then press X
8. Screen will change and game will now boot

* Note - For Swap Magic just insert the CD boot disc, press Reset and when "Insert Disc" is shown on screen proceed from step 5.

*Important* You have to have the correct version of AR/GS in order to boot backups


[bold]PS2 without modchip, Using GS/AR/Swap Magic with Swipe/Slide Card or Flip Top, PS2 DVD backup booting[/bold]

1. Have AR/GS dongle in a memory card slot (if needed by your disc)
2. Power on your PS2
3. Insert AR/GS/SM* disc, press Reset
4. At the AR2/GS2 menu, press EJECT
5. Swap AR/GS disc for an Original-TOC-DVD* and wait 10 seconds
6. Select "AR/GS Codes"
7. Highlight "Add new code" and press X to get to the next screen
8. Press X three times. You will see "Updating code list please wait" each time)
9. Press "Start" on controller
10. Select "Without codes", press X
11. Press X again, you will see "Updating code list please wait"
12. You will hear Original DVD stop spinning
13. You will have about 10 seconds to do the following 2 steps
14. Immediately after disc stops spinning open Flip Top or use Swipe/Slide Card to open PS2 tray
15. Close Flip top or Use Swipe/Slide Card to close PS2 tray then press X
16. Screen will change and game will now boot

* Note - For Swap Magic just insert the DVD boot disc, press Reset and when "Insert Disc" is shown on screen use Swipe/Slide Card for swap and follow on screen directions.

* Note - "Original-TOC-DVD" is an original DVD that is a larger file size than the backup

* Note - For a shortcut make a few “Add new codes”, or use any title you know you don’t need (you can always reset the dongle) and after step 6 just highlight one of the “newly” added codes or unnecessary ones and press square to delete it, then proceed on with step 9.

*Important* You have to have the correct version of AR/GS in order to boot backups


[bold]Swipe Card Info & Basic Template[/bold]

The only modification is the front tray cover has to be taken off. On the bottom of the tray (when ejected) remove the little screw and with a quick tug (holding the faceplate on both sides) the cover will pop off. If the little clip(s) break it is okay you can always glue it back on if needed.

I made my card out of some spare sheet aluminum but you can use an old credit card, discount card (Petco, GNC, Blockbuster etc.) or something similar. [bold]Do not[/bold] use the picture to "trace" onto a material; it is not to scale! It is just to give you an idea of the shape and look it should be when completed. Use the measurements given to make the card as that is what is accurate for use.





[bold]Attached picture is the Pin that is needed to be moved. Make sure it is all the way left or right when you are swapping discs in or out[/bold]





[bold]PS2 with Messiah modchip[/bold]

1. PSX Backups will boot directly.
2. PS2 CD-R Backups will boot directly.
3. PS2 Unpatched EA backups will boot directly.
4. PS2 DVD-R Backups will boot directly.


[bold]PS2 with DMS3 modchip[/bold]

1. PSX Backups will boot directly.
2. PS2 CD-R Backups will boot directly.
3. PS2 Unpatched EA backups will boot directly.
4. PS2 DVD-R Backups will boot directly.


[bold]PS2 with Magic 2, 3 or 3.5 modchip[/bold]

1. PSX Backups will boot directly.
2. PS2 CD-R Backups will boot directly.
3. PS2 Unpatched EA backups will boot directly.
4. PS2 DVD-R Backups will boot directly.


[bold]PS2 with Apple modchip[/bold]

1. PSX Backups will boot directly.
2. PS2 CD-R Backups will boot directly.
3. PS2 Unpatched EA backups will boot directly.
4. PS2 DVD-R Backups will boot directly.


[bold]Mod Chip Comparison[/bold]





Updated 11/27/04 - Oner

 

chuck_81 It depends on how much you want to spend for the burner and the media while factoring in how long it takes to burn a DVD-R.
Example:

a) 1x burners are cheaper now and the media is the least expensive (under .50 cents ea. in bulk), they take about 1 hour for a full DVD-R

b) 2x & 2.4x burners are below $200 (even less if you search really good) on average the media is not that expensive (around a dollar ea. but a lot less in bulk), these take 30 minutes or slightly less for full DVD-R

c) 4x burners are above $225 (with an ocasional deal around $200 (but an oem package with no software etc. usually), the media can be pricey (2 dollars and up depending on brand, bulk purchase etc. you could find slightly better deals on the net but be wary) and these do a full DVD-R in 15 minutes

d) 8x burners are on their way in a few months, $$$ don't know, Media $$$ don't know, speeds below 10 minutes

So you have a few options (remember these are rough estimates on pricing). I personally went with a Pioneer A04 and flashed the firmware to 2xforall so I can use inexpensive .75 cent unbranded (Princo non label) 1x media at 2x, with no problems ever, so far. I didn't see spending the additional price for a 4x burner and the higher prices for 4x media, just to save 15 minutes. Especially when 8x's are on their way and prices will have to drop later on. Dex

 

shlynsai

Sounds like the chip or install


haider83

Seems like a loose wire or similar problem as above


redninja

Prassi only does DVD backup, RecordNow Max *I think does both*


GiggyNigg

Only newer PS2's read "+" type media (some v4's & up). As for the Xbox go to the Xbox forum.


scanx

You need a modchip to boot backups.

 

You need to mod the PS2 in some way or another, either by

chip

fliptop w/ Swap Magic Discs

Swap Magic & Swipe/Slide Card

You cannot do a 1:1 exact copy of the title because of the encrypted boot sector info that a burner cannot duplicate (that is the easiest explanation).

As for the software you purchased, if it is DVD Decrypter then you can use it for DVD's (Not sure about CD's). The Veritas program, if it is Prassi then I don't think it is compatible with the Sony DRU-500a but RecordNow Max is (made by same people).

If you want to know which chips are good, then go up to my chip comparison table above and do some research. I think I have given enough info so you could do some searching on, that will help you find your answers.

 

Select or Deselect is for the preference that you decide upon.

Example :

Select or Deselect "copy on the fly"

Explanation :

If you know your PC can do "on the fly" copying then you select it, BUT if you do not know then deselect it.

The best program depends on your hardware, I use different programs for different things.

Nero for MP3's, DVD Movie Backups and Data Backup

CloneCD for PS1 and PS2 CD based games

RecordNow Max for PS2 DVD based games

But these are just my preferences. Some people use Nero for all the above. So it is up to you, try some out to see what you like best.

 

Azra b

I am unsure what your problem is. Find out what EXACT version of GS/AR/??

If it is GS2 version 2, GS2 version 1.7, 1.9 etc.


Gsus

You have to remove the faceplate off the PS2 tray first to see/move the white pin.