Newbie

[ChrisBaller23]

Im just starting and i was wandering what im going to need to do.

[Charlie]

I think they leave this reply to me! Lesson 1: Search the Forum.

Lesson 2:

Detailed step by step instructions are for you to organise as per my standard advice below. Seeing as my reply is quite lengthy, you can see why nobody is going to post step-by-step details here. You've just got to get through it like the rest of us.
I'll start from the basis that you have an original game to copy such as one you have bought and wish to protect (I couldn't possibly comment on your rental scenario). You will need a modchip for your PS2, copying software and the right PC hardware for the burning job. I recommend the Yamaha 2100S (or E) CD-RW for optimum compatibility for read and write with the recommended copying software.

Go to http://www.megagames.com & http://www.psxcopyworld.co.uk to get detailed advice. The basic principles are as follows:
1/
You will need to get the PS2 chipped to allow backups to play. Go to the website http://www.playstationmods.com from where you can buy a mod. An internal mod is recommended and if you live in the UK, they'll do it for you if you are not a soldering whizzo. You could also visit http://www.modchip.com for their solution.

2/
You will then need copying software and patching software. I recommend just two programs: they are CLONECD and CDR-WIN. The former makes 1:1 copies (you'll need the tutorial from one of the above mentioned sites). Thus if you have an unprotected game (megagames.com lists games for which there are patches and the type of patch required) and if the game is of the same denomination as your PS2 (e.g. PAL), CLONECD does the job perfectly. CDR-WIN stages the CD copy to your PC's hard disk so that you can patch the game as necessary (per PPF-O-MATIC.EXE downloaded from megagames.com together with the patches); then you burn the game back to the CD with CDR-Win.

3/
For the above to work properly, your CD-R MUST be compatible with the burning programs. The sites from which you download the programs list the compatible devices.

4/
If you copy games from one TV standard (like NTSC) to play on another standard (like PAL) then the game may or may not play in colour. There are patches to change this or you could buy a convertor that sits between your TV and the PS2. I have one of these because I hate patching and the patches don't always work.

5/
Your biggest challenges will be DVD games and Protected Games. DVD games can't be easily backed up at present (search this forum under the keyword DVD RIP). Protected games are likely to be an increasing issue. Megagames.com is usually on the ball here but for EA games, go to http://www.eapatcher.com

6/
Finally an explanation of why the foregoing is necessary. Sony have gone to a lot of trouble to stop people backing up their games. Sony accomplish this by going through some clever pre-boot stuff that identifies from the surface of the CD/DVD whether or not the media is original. So we have to boot with compliant media (developed, for example, with the Sony OEM kit), pause the process, swap in the copy game (patched for NTSC/PAL or copy protection defeat), and carry on.

This forum has nearly 18,000 subscribers. I'd bet that the bulk of them started off like you. It's not that difficult when you've done it once, especially with CloneCD.

Good luck and I hope this reply has been helpful.

[Dal]

Charlie,

We all know your the best cut and paster around

ha ha ha

Cheers

Dal

[Warlock]

I would have left it at : Lesson 1; use the search function. ,LOL, We are VERY lucky to have charlie as a forum member! Most of us wont take the time to type all the info that is required to backup games and as you can see from his post it is quite long. Cheers Charlie, you da man lol.

[ChrisBaller23]

Thanks

[R/+9]

I know a really good Cut-and-paster!!!!!

heehee