|
common problem? ps2 backups w/ mac OSX
|
|
|
frostsnow
Newbie
|
2. September 2007 @ 00:54 |
Link to this message
|
No matter how many threads I read, I can't seem to find a working solution to my problem. I just bought swap magic 3, and it boots fine on my slim. Original games boot properly from the swap magic DVD load screen, so I know that the swap disk is good. My problem lies with getting the backups to work. I'm running mac OS 10.4 on a superdrive equipped macbook, and have attempted using both Toast 8 and Disk Utility to do the burn. I tried to first back up my copy of FFXII, and after that failed I also tried to burn some random downloaded isos to see if they would work out. I have used three types of media so far: Sony DVD-R, Verbatim DVD-R, and Fujifilm DVD-R. I can't help but hope I'm just an idiot and am burning them incorrectly, and any assistance would go a long way to easing my frustration.
Help, please and thank you.
|
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
|
Senior Member
|
2. September 2007 @ 07:27 |
Link to this message
|
I am unfamiliar with Mac programs, so please go easy on me.
What programs do you use to burn these DVD's?
I know for windows, there is a program called DVD decrypter. What is the equivalent for Mac?
Also, within DVD decrypter it shows you what the media ID code is for you blank discs. Do you know what it is for your media? I would like to see what class they are, if possible.
Anyway, the process is once you have your iso, you burn the iso with your favorite dvd burning software. Ensure you burn at half the rated speed of the max rated speed of the dvd blank. If 16x max, burn at 8x and etc.
I backed up a copy of FFII few days ago, and it works great, no skips or anything, so I will try to help anyway I can. I am using swap magic 3.6.
****
Out of curiosity, you said you just got SM. Where did you get it from exactly? Seems impossible now to find more copies.
|
|
frostsnow
Newbie
|
2. September 2007 @ 09:37 |
Link to this message
|
I grabbed my swap disk from gocybershop.ca
---
I burnt the dvds using Roxio Toast Titanium 8, as well as Disk Utility (which comes with every mac). I initially had trouble burning the isos with Toast, but I believe I figured it out as the burns seem to have all the proper data. The only problem is that they wont play. I can't test the burns on another console because no one I know has one, so I'm kinda left scratching my head.
Sony DVD-R: SONY16D1
Verbatim DVD-R: MCCRG20
FujiFilm DVD-R: RITEKF1
Is the media I'm using just junk? Should I try using DVD+R?
Also, since I can mount the isos on my mac I've been poking around inside them a bit. There are a few DUMMY files. I opened them with a hex editor and they're all zeroes. Should I overwrite these files? I know it'll free up space, but does it matter for playability?
I think I may be confusing myself a bit, hehe.
|
|
purplrain
Newbie
|
2. September 2007 @ 10:38 |
Link to this message
|
hi, a Mac user here. (PowerBook G4 with 8x SuperDrive)
grab Fast DVD Copy 4 ( www.fastdvdcopy.com ) to back up originals.
you can use any disk imaging software you want to back up imports & copies.
use Burn ( http://burn-osx.sourceforge.net ) to burn images to DVDs.
write backups on quality DVD-R media at MAX 4x speed ! that's important. (select 2.4x or 2x when possible, but not 1x)
i've also been using memorex branded DVD+R's for a while, i burn'em at 2.4x with Burn.app and they play great on my modbo750-chipped slim PS2..
|
|
frostsnow
Newbie
|
2. September 2007 @ 10:50 |
Link to this message
|
|
Thanks, I'll give it a try. Any advice on what to do with DUMMY files? Overwrite 'em or leave them be?
|
|
purplrain
Newbie
|
2. September 2007 @ 11:19 |
Link to this message
|
if it fits on a single DVD5, leave them alone, otherwise you can replace them with 1-byte dummy files. (create a file with only a hex 00 as content and use it as the dummy file) but you will most probably have to rebuild the image structure, which I don't know how to do in OS X.
you can burn 1-to-1 copies of DVD9 games, but you have to install a modchip to run them.
by the way don't waste money on +R discs, just spoiled a 10-pack iomega +R for a MGS3 iso from the web, still no luck..
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 2. September 2007 @ 11:24
|
|
frostsnow
Newbie
|
2. September 2007 @ 11:47 |
Link to this message
|
Well... Burn didn't work. I used a Verbatim DVD-R: MCCRG20, I wonder if I should waste another Sony DVD-R... so many coasters (weeps!)
Well, I'll try burning this other ISO I downloaded, see if that one'll work. If only I had a proven working backup to test on my console, I hope my laser isn't kicking the bucket.
All subsequent burns failed. Bummer.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 2. September 2007 @ 13:09
|
Senior Member
|
2. September 2007 @ 14:45 |
Link to this message
|
Confirmation: Your sony and your verbatim are top notch first class media.
The ritek guy is second class media, but still proven to work so no worries there.
I really don't know what to say, its tough to say at this moment what is wrong. You followed all the steps from purplerain?
|
|
purplrain
Newbie
|
2. September 2007 @ 15:03 |
Link to this message
|
Can your SwapMagic disk be a fake?
Download http://rapidshare.com/files/24315830/ps2prg3.rar
Unrar, burn to a CD-R disk at 8x, and try to boot it. LaunchELF should come up.
If it won't, your SM disk may be a fake one, but if it boots, then maybe modchips boost the PS2's backup booting ability, but I'm not sure about that, never had a swap disk..
edit: also try to boot a DVD movie from the PS2 browser without the swap disc on the same media. if it boots, then it's a swap disk issue.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 2. September 2007 @ 15:07
|
|
frostsnow
Newbie
|
2. September 2007 @ 17:44 |
Link to this message
|
LaunchELF loads no problem. The swap disks are legit. And I burned the ISO to the CD exactly as I've been burning the DVD ISOs (using Copy>Image File in Toast 8). So this confirms that the CD laser is working, and that my products are genuine. The Swap Magic DVD also boots up fine, which means the DVD laser should probably be ok too. I'm using top-tier media, so that shouldn't be an issue. The PS2 does not boot up any of my burnt DVDs (what a shame, with all their iDVD customized menus), however it does boot retail DVDs. I bought a pre-owned console though, so I can't get the DVDs past the parental control feature since I don't have the password the previous owner set up (is this normal? Really stingy parents or a hardware issue?).
So the conclusion I'm left with is that my pre-owned PS2 is trying to be ironic by making me waste the money I saved when I bought it (you should see how many shiny coasters I have! Yay.)
The only thing I haven't tried is DVD+R. And it probably isn't possible to use RW disks, huh? Save myself some wasted disks.
Thanks much to all you guys for your help, I really appreciate it. Any more ideas?
|
Senior Member
|
3. September 2007 @ 09:37 |
Link to this message
|
|
Just want to iterate that DVD+RW/-RW may or may not work on the ps2. And if they did, they are very bad for your laser, it will decrease lifetime dramatically.
|
|
frostsnow
Newbie
|
3. September 2007 @ 11:51 |
Link to this message
|
Yeah, I wasn't going to bother trying RWs. I had someone do a burn using Alcohol 120%, thinking that maybe my mac had something to do with it, but that didn't work either. I think my Slim's laser just doesn't like blue media. Which makes it kinda useless to me. I'm on the hunt for a new laser/console right now.
Thnx again for all the help everybody.
|
|
purplrain
Newbie
|
3. September 2007 @ 12:31 |
Link to this message
|
|
If your console is a used one, probably the laser is worn, thus it can't read from hard-to-read writable media.. Try to boot your backups on a modded PS2, or you can grab a USBAdvance disk (or disk image) and load your backups to a USB harddrive if you have one..
Modding the PS2 would be the best option. Get a cheap-o modchip (modbos are ok if you don't mess with them) and a new laser from ebay, install them and you're ready to go. I wouldn't recommend buying another 2nd hand PS2, used consoles (especially from eBay) often have laser problems with them.
|
|
purplrain
Newbie
|
3. September 2007 @ 13:07 |
Link to this message
|
|
edit: umm, server error. sorry for double post..
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 3. September 2007 @ 13:08
|
|
frostsnow
Newbie
|
4. September 2007 @ 06:50 |
Link to this message
|
|
I'll look into your suggestions. I suppose if I found a new laser the swap disk should potentially work like its supposed to. And all I would need is an image of USBAdvance, not an actual disk? That is intriguing. Thanks.
|
|
purplrain
Newbie
|
4. September 2007 @ 11:16 |
Link to this message
|
|
You should be able to boot a USB Advance CD-R backup through SM..
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 4. September 2007 @ 11:17
|
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
|
frostsnow
Newbie
|
4. September 2007 @ 19:46 |
Link to this message
|
|
I'll give it a shot, I've been meaning to buy a USB drive anyways.
|
