PS2 Mod 2016-19: USB & HDD Loading, PS1 via POPS, Emus

[Jagosaurus]

For whatever reason my Windows 8 PC wouldn't let me rename that .bin file. I'll try again after rebooting. I believe I ran into the same issue with some PS2 .bin files but was eventually able to rename them after some tinkering.

Thanks for the input as always!

[nightrnr]

I think that you can rename files via ulaunch, but haven't tried it in a while. If memory serves, you can change a file name (but not the extension), which is really all you need.

Worth a shot...

[Jagosaurus]

Okay, two updates I'll be putting in OP below. My next step is to start ripping .isos on my PC, then transferring to HDD. This will save on my laser versus HDL.

1/7/2017 Project Updates:
1. I did successfully rip a retail game within HD Loader & then load up within OPL.

The transfer typical rate was 941KB to 1000KB per second & it spiked up to 1454KB/s.

A 3GB DVD disc was ripped to HDD in 19 minutes.

For those of you familiar with the oXbox scene. This would be similar to using DVD2Xbox.

Thanks to Ziggy (via PM) and Joe Awesome (in an earlier comment) for letting me know this should work with no tinkering with HDD files paths, partitions, etc.

2. I upgraded to OPL/Open PS2 Loader version 0.9.3 (from 0.9.2).

There's a default new skin that looks really slick out of the gate. Also, increased compatibility and features reportedly.

PS2 Home Thread with Download Link:
OPL Project - v0.9.3 Official Release (link)

Other recent and helpful links:

Worth noting PS2 Home URL has changed:
http://www.ps2-home.com/forum/app.php/portal

PS2 Compatibility List has a new dedicated site & easy to search GUI:
http://sx.sytes.net/oplcl/games.aspx
Worth noting it is mobile friendly.

View compatibility thread on PS2 Home
http://www.ps2-home.com/forum/page/opl- ... ity-list-1

[Sarge]

You'll see slow transfer speeds to start, and as the PS2 reads data further out on the disc, the data rate will increase. It's because it's reading optical media with a fixed spin rate, the data flies by faster the further out on the disc that it's located.

[Jagosaurus]

You'll see slow transfer speeds to start, and as the PS2 reads data further out on the disc, the data rate will increase. It's because it's reading optical media with a fixed spin rate, the data flies by faster the further out on the disc that it's located.

Yeah, makes sense. It was running 1400 kb/s towards the end of the rip.

I PMed Ziggy this but on second thought, wanted to see what everyone is doing for this/has done in the past & share on the thread:

I was checking out your ripping guide [referring to Ziggy's disc burn tutorial] & it's primarily for transferring a PC file to disc. Do you also use ImgBurn for the opposite? Looking to rip my PS2 games to the PC HDD. Seems a lot of folks use DVD Decrypter program. Just curious what you're recommendation is there. Appreciate it!

[TSTR]

ImgBurn is just fine for that purpose (disc to file) in my experience.

[Ziggy]

I PMed Ziggy this but on second thought, wanted to see what everyone is doing for this/has done in the past & share on the thread:

I was checking out your ripping guide [referring to Ziggy's disc burn tutorial] & it's primarily for transferring a PC file to disc. Do you also use ImgBurn for the opposite? Looking to rip my PS2 games to the PC HDD. Seems a lot of folks use DVD Decrypter program. Just curious what you're recommendation is there. Appreciate it!

I PM'ed you back, but I'll post it here as well.

PS2 games aren't encrypted so you don't need DVD Decrypter, but you can use it. ImgBurn is the continuation of the engine that DVD Decrypter used, minus the decryption function (the author continued his work after DVD Decrypter was served with cease and desist).

I think a lot of guides say to use DVD Decrypter because they were written before ImgBurn existed, or they're just copying the info from another guide.

Yes, my guide is primarily for burning, but there's a lot of ripping info in there as well. It walks over how to use the read/write modes, as well as shows you how to rip a mounted disc image (process would be the same for physical discs).

PS2 DVDs are easy:
1) Go into read mode (create image file from disc).
2) Under source (top left), select your optical drive (you wont have to do this if you only have one drive).
3) Under destination (just below source) click to browse to where you want to save your image. Type a name, and make sure that ISO is selected for "Save as type".
4) Click read (bottom left). You can leave the speed on max.

[Jagosaurus]

Thanks guys! Appreciate the detailed response.

Finally was able to make out those icons & descriptions in Imgburn from screenshots/tutorial videos and saw the "create image from disc" option. Then saw it on Ziggy's guide also under Step 3.

Great guide Ziggy. I scrolled through it twice last night while half asleep . Not sure how I missed ripping existing disc in there a few times. Going back through today using using CRTL F, saw the icon I mentioned above under the PS1/CCD section & Step 3: Let’s Look at ImgBurn. Will read back through in its entirety.

Awesome in depth info on more obscure info as well such as patching Saturn disc & GCN burning.

Also, I would've just DLed the latest version of Imgburn with unwanted programs attached. Thanks for the older version links in thread. I'll stop being lazy & DL imgburn it today ... Got sidetracked yesterday testing new images in OPL & ripping in HDL.

Started researching POPstarter more also. Compatibility appears to be at about 80% or so. Tempted to get an entire second HDD dedicated to PS1 games ...

[Ziggy]

Just FYI, you can install the newest version of ImgBurn without installing the Open Candy adware, it's just a tricky son of a bitch.

A lot of people bitched at the ImgBurn dev for including Open Candy. I really didn't mind when ImgBurn included the Ask.com toolbar, it was just a simple uncheck during the install. In fact, I'm glad the dev can make some money and still offer the program for free. But Open Candy is very sneaky the way it's included, and THAT'S what I have a problem with. I don't think it's right to trick people into installing adware on their computers.

[Jagosaurus]

Just FYI, you can install the newest version of ImgBurn without installing the Open Candy adware, it's just a tricky son of a bitch.

A lot of people bitched at the ImgBurn dev for including Open Candy. I really didn't mind when ImgBurn included the Ask.com toolbar, it was just a simple uncheck during the install. In fact, I'm glad the dev can make some money and still offer the program for free. But Open Candy is very sneaky the way it's included, and THAT'S what I have a problem with. I don't think it's right to trick people into installing adware on their computers.

100% agree. I went with version 2.5.7.0 you had linked in the thread on iso zone. It also has everything to burn Dreamcast CDI images so nice bonus.

As an update, I did successfully use ImgBurn to rip my retail DVD copies of Resident Evil Code Veronica X and Primal. I tested both. Cut scenes and gameplay ran flawless with OPL 0.9.3.

Will update OP with that info. Thanks for the help all.

Worth noting, RECVX got hung up at 92% complete while ripping. I think there was some error with my PC & the app versus the game itself. This was directly after installing ImgBurn. I restarted my PC (which I normally do after installing app) & Primal ripped no issues. The .iso I got out of RECVX seems fine though. That's one of my favorite games so my disc isn't going anywhere if that file gives me trouble down the road. I will eventually try to rip it again for testing purposes.

Now to decide if I want to bother with FTP or keep using the IDE to USB adapter. The oXbox FTP server/client set up has me spoiled