[charlie_ps2]

Originally posted by mojo2185
...................

2. I have CloneCD 4.0.1.3... but as far as checking how compatible my CD-RW drive is... not too sure. I got a generic one that came with my Compaq (which is around 2 years old). I'm guessing i'll need a better CD-RW drive. (any good ones to recommend?) I'd prefer to use CloneCD to avoid patching, which sounds like a hassle.

I'm considering a DVD-R drive (not a DVD+R, not really sure of the difference, but i hear DVD+R are bad for PS2), but the above post mentioned that they are not good for CD based games? So i would actually need a CD-RW drive, and a DVD-R drive to backup all types of games?
In Windows get the properties of your CDRW drive. That will give you the underlying name. Look thatup in the supported writers section of CloneCD Help. If it specifies DAO-RAW+96 then it's fully compatible. If not, I've made recommendations in the earlier reply. DVD-R drive is no good for CloneCD as it doesn't meet the spec I just gave.

..........EDIT: How can i tell if a game is protected or not? Above post mentioned that DVD games are not protected... are all CD games protected? How do i 'unprotect' them, so i can get an image of them? (with clonecd?)
CloneCD is the answer in conjunction with a No Swap chip like Messiah 2 (which I can supply!!!)

EDIT2: How do i read a cd that i want an image of? Use the CD-RW drive? or use my DVD-Rom drive? does it matter? If i should use a DVD-Rom drive for reading, is there a good one to get?
The reading drive must be DAo-96 compatible. Best to do that in the CDRW; if the DVD-ROM is Toshiba, you's be alright.

Some other random stuff to add:
Ok, is there a place to learn how to install a mod chip? I'd like to learn how to do it, but most likely, i'll have it installed by a pro. I hear there's a good guy in chicago (which is good because that's about 30 minutes away from me).
Give it to Bill at www.freedomlives.com - 30 minus down the road from you! Don't do it yourself.

.........