copying PSX Games

[bundy_girl]

I`m new at this and i was wondering if i could get some help on what programs i have to run to copy PSX games and how to actually do it. I have a Ricohmp 7063a burner with the cdr win program.

[Duh]

"Copy" games? hmmm.. maybe you mean "backing up" games. Also helpful if you can tell some of us helpers what kind of reader/writer you have.

[Hairy Lemon]

First you need to fit a modchip to your playstation in order to play backed up games - you can buy them from e.g. http://www.modchips.com fitting is kinda tricky so if your not confident with soldering find someone who is.
Then you need CDRWin can be found on the net or from me if you cant get it elsewhere. Then follow these instructions.
This FAQ is spilt into 3 sections:
Section 1: Creating A Disc Image
Section 2: Writing An Image To A CD
Section 3: Frequently Asked Questions
The first rule when it come to Playstation games is to never try to backup a game on the fly (reading and writing at the same time), an image should always be created on your hard disk first. This will ensure that the master CD is correctly read before you attempt to write to your blank CD.
Before attempting a backup there are a few key rules to abide by.
#1 Always ensure the master CD is clean and scratch free
#2 Never use cheap media stick to TDK, Verbatamin or Kodak discs.
#3 Check if the game requires a patch (Download the Gamefreaks database from the Utils section)
Section 1: Creating A Disc Image
On loading CDRWIN you will be presented with a screen that has ten buttons. The one we need to create an image is the third on the top row (Extract Disc/Tracks/Sectors). This will display the Extract Disc screen
Step 1: Click the "Disc Image/Cuesheet" option button.
Step 2: Select your CD reader from the dropdown list. It is advisable to read from your CD Recorder
Step 3: Enter the image filename.
Step 4: Click the "Copy Raw" option button.
Step 5: Set Error Recovery to Ignore.
Step 6: Set Jitter Correction to Disable
Step 7: Set Read Retry Count to 50
Step 8: As a rule set Data Speed and Audio Speed to 1X. This can be higher but you will lose quality.
Step 9: Press the Start Button and the image will be created.
A few things to keep in mind, there should never be an error capturing an image. This is why you have error recovery shut off. Even "bad blocks" or other things that are used to copy protect cds should not appear as an error. If you see an error, it is a physical read error, and you should re-extract the original. An error free extraction will insure an error free back-up.
Section 2: Writing An Image To A CD
If the game you are backing up requires a patch, this should be done before writing to a CD. Refer to the Patching FAQ for instructions of how to do this.
From the CDRWIN main menu select the first button on the top row. This will display the record disc screen.

Step 1: Select your CD Recorder from the dropdown list.
Step 2: Press the Load Cuesheet button and select the image file you have created.
Step 3: Set Record Speed to 1X. This can be higher but you will lose quality.
Step 4: Press the Start button and you CD will be created.


Section 3: Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I have backed up a Playstation game with no errors but the game will not boot.
A1. You need to have a Modchip fitted to your PSX to play backups, refer to the Modchip FAQ.
A2. The game may require a patch, refer to the Patches Section.

Q. My backup plays OK but the Audio/Video within the game jumps.
A1. You are using cheap media
A2. You are trying to record the disc at too high of a speed.

Q. I keep getting "Bad Medium Detected" when reading/writing disc.
A1. You have a bad crack of CDRWIN.
A2. You are using cheap media
A3. You are reading/writing at too high of a speed.

Q. Can I make a copy of a copy?
A. Yes, as long as you have created a good copy to start with. Reading/Writing at 1X will help.

Some games are copyright protected and need to be patched/cracked before they'll run - these are available on the net.
Unfortunately even if you follow all the instructions your game backup still may not run - this could be because your CD burner's not up to the task/the crack is wrong/the original was damaged/blank cd was unsuitable etc.
If your are encountering problems it might be worth playing the back up on your PC using virtual game station which seems to play uncracked backup's.