Do PSX Backups require a GS2 to play?

[Miyuki]

I got mine chipped this year too....i dont know which is the best chip around though.

[DJB14336]

As I've come to understand it, only the Messiah chips can boot without a GS2/AR2 disc and a swap method of some sort. Supposedly, you can basically rip any CD based PSX/PS2 game with a good clone utility (CDRWIN or CLONECD) with supported CDRW Drives (RAW DAO and SubChannel reading, among other features must be supported). Some games may need patching because of encryption (less likely with CloneCD) or anti-mod chip detection schemes. The Messiahs can basically "cold boot" just about anything, the other mods require GS2 "cold booting" and at least one swap for nearly every backup. The trick to the DVD-R ripping is dependent on the quality of the media the disc is ripped to-- i.e. the cheaper $5 Generic DVD-R at Circuit City may not work, but the $9 name brands will. The same consideration should be given to the CDR media as well--you need high reflectivity. You also need a slow burn as well--over 4X may fail miserably with cheaper media, best to read and rip at 1x or 2x.

I highly reccomend getting CloneCD--I can rip PS2 CD games straight off and swap them with no problem. If you have separate reader and writer drives, you can set it to copy image to hard drive first, or copy on the fly (burn-proof drive required), load the media, click a few buttons and walk away. Unfortunately, it seems you will need a mod chip and the LATEST GS2 to run the PSX games and DVD-R rips--UNLESS you get the MESSIAH. 23 wires to hook it up, not for the novice, but the no wire and 3 wire solutions may suffice so long as you don't mind the extra steps to get them running.

One thing I would suggest, to help save your system--buy PSX titles from Electronics Boutique. They carry just about every title as "previously owned dirt cheap". Got a mint copy of FF7 for 12.99 locally--with instructions, seen FF8 and FF9 for 14.99 as well. They have a website also (ebworld.com) if you don't have a local store. Also, Wal-Mart has started carrying the classic PSX games for $15-$20 NEW. Video stores are also selling them dirt cheap, with a short term guaranty of 5 to 10 days. Nabbed Spongebob for my daughter for $7.99 at Hollywood Video. The Messiah's can hit you for up to $100 with shipping, the other GOOD chips around $30, and you will void warranty once the box is opened--just a thought.

Good Luck!