PSX SOFTWARE AND INSTRUCTIONS

Introduction

The following CD-Writer software is capable of making a working backup of an original.

NOTE: In some cases it is better to use the CD-Writer as Source CD-Reader as it is usually better able to read unreadable sectors.

All backup instructions will first make a CD Image on the local hard disk and after that burn the CD. Always make sure that there is enough disk-space to store the CD-Image (some CD-images can be 700 Mb in size!). This is due to the sector size on the disc which is larger than CD-ROM format. It is also possible to perform an On-the-Fly backup but this depends on the quality of the CD-Reader and CD-Writer. If you have a high quality reader and writer (i.e. Plextor or Yamaha) try it, it may save you time. Recommended media are 74min CD-R's. Verbatim blue bottom's are a favorite choice. If your backup copies are not working you may need to try a different media brand, type or color.

Keep in mind that a Mod Chip or Boot Disk is ALWAYS needed to be able to play CD-R backups.
WARNING: It is illegal to make backups of games you don't own.

PC Software:

           CD Recorders
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Cheat Code Managers
    

          Movie Players
    

          Audio Utilities
    

          Misc Utilities
    

Macintosh Software:

           CD Recorders
    

Amiga Software:

           CD Recorders
    

CDRWIN from GoldenHawk

       
Backup Instructions:

Start CDRWIN (3.5 or higher).
In the CDRWIN - CD-ROM Recording Tools window click Backup Disc.
In the Backup Disc window change the following settings (all other settings should be left default):

Main
Backup Mode - Select Copy to Image and Record

Devices
CD Reader - Select Source CD-Reader
CD Recorder - Select Destination CD-Writer

Reading Options
Copy RAW Sectors - Select
Error Recovery - Select Ignore
Jitter Correction - Select Auto
Sub code Analysis - Select Auto
Read Retry Count - 10
Data Speed - 1x (when possible select a faster speed)
Audio Speed - 1x (when possible select a faster speed)

Recording Options
Speed - 1x (when possible select a faster speed)

When ready click Start to create the image file & burn the CD.

CD Wizard from VOB

    
Backup Instructions:

Start CD Wizard (4.5 or higher).
From the Welcome window or from Tool select CD Copy (this will start the Multi-Copy program).
Select for Source the CD-Reader and for Destination the CD-Writer.
Select the No Simulation option.
Click the Details button.
Use the following settings (all other settings should be left default):

Copy Tab
Write method - Select Disc at Once
Write to hard disk first - Select
Ignore read errors - Select

Devices Tab
Data read speed - 1x (when possible select a faster speed)
Audio reed speed - 1x (when possible select a faster speed)
Write speed - 1x

Devices Tab
Mode 1 - Select Raw Data (2352 Bytes)
Mode 2 - Select Raw Data (2352 Bytes)

Click ready click Start to start the copy process.

DiscJuggler from Padus

    
Backup Instructions:

Start DiscJuggler (1.05.238 or higher).
From the action-bar choose View and select Options.
In the Options window select the Verify tab and select the Check data blocks with software generated EDC/ECC... option (if not selected already).
In the Options window select the Defaults tab and change the Max image size to 80 min(s) (for v1.05.238) or 85 min(s) (for v1.05.238-TU RADIUM).
When ready click [OK].
From the action-bar choose File and select New.
In the New Task window select CD Player to CD Recorder and click OK.
In the Task 1 - CD Player to CD Recorder window select the following settings (all other settings should be left default):

Source & Destination Tab
Source - Select Source CD-Reader
Destination - Select Destination CD-Writer (if needed)

Advanced Tab
Read speed - 1x (when possible select a faster speed)
ISRC and UPC - Select
Scan gaps/indexes  - Select
Raw read/write - Select
Ignore read errors - Select

Action
Pull-Down menu - Select Write
Copies - 1

Method
Slower/Faster - Select Save the entire contents of the disc in a temporary file and write a 1X. Save the entire contents of the disc in a temporary file and write a 1X.

When ready click Start to start the copy process.

GEAR CD Replicator

    
Backup Instructions:

Start GEAR CD Replicator.
Gear Replicator will ask you for the original disk. Next, it will ask you what drive you would like to store the temp file on. Only drives with enough free space will be displayed.

After copying the CD to the hard drive it will ask you to insert a blank CD. You have the choice to do a test record and a verify after write check.

After the disk is replicated, Gear Replicator will ask you if you would like to make another copy. If you will not make another copy, it will automatically delete the temp file off of your hard drive and close the program.

Nero Burning Rom
From ahead software

       
Backup Instructions:

Start Nero - Burning Rom (4.0.0.5 or higher).
From the action-bar choose File and select CD-Copy.
Use the following settings (all other settings should be left default):

Image Tab
Image file - Enter a Image filename

Copy options Tab
On the fly - Deselect
Drive with source CD - Select Source CD-Reader
Read Speed - 1x (150 kB/s)

Read options Tab
Number of retries before read error - 10
Read media catalog number and ISCR - Select
Ignore illegal TOC Type - Select
Unreadable data - Continue copying
Data mode 1 - Force raw reading - Select
- If it can be changed or it is not ghosted
Data mode 1 - On errors - write uncorrected
Data mode 2 - Force raw reading - Select
Data mode 2 - On errors - write uncorrected
Read audio data with sub channel - Select
Use Jitter correction - Select (for older Readers)
Ignore read errors - Select

Burn Tab
Ignore read errors - 1x (150 KB/s)

When ready click Copy CD to start the copy process.

Snapshot from GoldenHawk

     DOS

Snapshot is the hardest program to use because of the command line control but is simply the best.
Backup Instructions:
Command Line Arguments

The command line for version 2.4c is:
SNAPSHOT CD.CUE CD.RAW /ID=0:2:0 /SUBCODE=AUTO

The command line for version 2.4a and 2.4b is:
SNAPSHOT CD.RAW CD.CUE /ID=0:2:0 /SUBCODE=AUTO

The command line you should use to make a backup for version 2.3 is:
SNAPSHOT CD.RAW CD.WAV CD.CUE /ID=0:2:0 /SUBCODE=AUTO

The main difference is that the 2.4 series merges that data and audio in to a single file, while 2.3 has two separate files. This was done, from what we understand, for preparation of a Windows graphic version of this DOS only program. The program works with WINDOWS 95/98 from a DOS window.

Files with the extension RAW is raw data in version 2.3, WAV is Audio and CUE is the cue sheet that arranges the tracks in the order they will be written. in 2.4, the RAW files contains both data and audio.

You may need to change the /ID=0:2:0 to fit your drive.

The SUBCODE option is required on some CDs, also please Note: that not all CD-Recorders support subcodes!, and those that don't require it will still work with the option set. It basically puts a 2 second "gap" of silence between the audio tracks. Those CDs that do require will lock up if its not used. Now this is mentioned in the text file that comes with the program, many people overlooked it and wasted a few blanks.

Now that the image file is created, we need to write it to a blank CD. The command line for this is as follows:
DAO CD.CUE /ID=0:2:0

Sample Batch File

Here is a little batch file that will automate the entire process for version 2.3. You may have to change it for different versions and you may want to add /SPEED=1 if you are having problems. Select the text below and save it as a BAT file (i.e. CDCOPY.BAT) in the same directory that the program is in:

echo off
cls
echo Put the original disc in the CD writer now.
pause
SNAPSHOT CD.CUE CD.RAW /ID=0:2:0 /SUBCODE=AUTO /NOCONFIRM
cls
echo Take out the original and put in a blank CD now.
pause
DAO CD.CUE /ID=0:2:0 /NOCONFIRM /BEEP
cls
echo Press Control and C to abort file erase
pause
erase cd.cue
erase cd.raw
cls
echo Copy completed.
echo Image files have been erased.

The NOCONFIRM option makes the program turn off any user input. This way all you have to do is type in the name of the batch file, follow the onscreen prompts and nothing else but two strokes of a key after inserting the discs in to the drive and your backup is made and the image files are erased!

2 Data Tracks

CD Have 2 Data Tracks?

Many people claim to have troubles with a CD that has two (or more) data tracks. There is an easy way around this little problem and its very similar to the 4 second problem.

The first thing you have to do is manually convert each track in to its own file. First you must look at the number and type of tracks (data or audio). Use a program called TOC.EXE or Table Of Contents, run it with the PlayStation disc in the drive and it will list each track and will tell you if its a data or audio track. Example:

TOC /ID=0:2:0

Once you know how many tracks there are and what they are use the program CDCLIP.EXE to make an image file of each track. If you had a disc with 5 tracks, the first two are data and the last three are audio. For this disc we would do the following:

CDCLIP track1.raw /DATA /ID=0:2:0 /TRACK=1
CDCLIP track2.raw /DATA /ID=0:2:0 /TRACK=2
CDCLIP track3.wav /ID=0:2:0 /TRACK=3
CDCLIP track4.wav /ID=0:2:0 /TRACK=4
CDCLIP track5.wav /ID=0:2:0 /TRACK=5

Next you will have to make a CUE file by hand! This is one for the above example:

FILE TRACK1.RAW MODE2 2352
TRACK 01
INDEX 01 00:00:00

FILE TRACK2.RAW MODE2 2352
TRACK 02
INDEX 01 00:00:00

FILE TRACK3.WAV AUDIO 2352
TRACK 03
INDEX 00 00:00:00
INDEX 01 00:02:00

FILE TRACK4.WAV AUDIO 2352
TRACK 04
INDEX 00 00:00:00
INDEX 01 00:02:00

FILE TRACK5.WAV AUDIO 2352
TRACK 05
INDEX 00 00:00:00
INDEX 01 00:02:00

You'll want to use a text editor to make your cue file. Then you can run DAO.EXE like normal and make your backup! The above example of a cue file does put the SUBCODE 2 second gap for each audio file. For those that do have this problem, this solution is all you'll ever need. If the disc has more than two data tracks, just make any adjustments as needed.

4 Second Problem

4 seconds is the minimal length of a track per CDR standards, that is the standard your CD Writer uses to make CDs. That's not the standard for CD manufacturers! You'll get an error when trying to convert the image file to a blank CD when this situation arises. So how do you backup a CD with an audio track that is less than 4 seconds in length?

The first thing you have to do is manually convert each track in to its own file. First you must look at the number and type of tracks (data or audio). Use a program called TOC.EXE or Table Of Contents, run it with the PlayStation disc in the drive and it will list each track and will tell you if its a data or audio track. Example:

TOC /ID=0:2:0

Once you know how many tracks there are and what they are use the program CDCLIP.EXE to make an image file of each track. If you had a disc with 5 tracks, the first a data and the last four are audio. For this disc we would do the following:

CDCLIP track1.raw /DATA /ID=0:2:0 /TRACK=1
CDCLIP track2.wav /ID=0:2:0 /TRACK=2
CDCLIP track3.wav /ID=0:2:0 /TRACK=3
CDCLIP track4.wav /ID=0:2:0 /TRACK=4
CDCLIP track5.wav /ID=0:2:0 /TRACK=5

You can see from TOC.EXE which files are less than 4 seconds with a little match or you could make a note when getting the errors. For this example, lets say that track 5 is the short wav file. Well need to load it in to a WAV editor. You can use the Sound Recorder that comes with Windows. It may say the length of the file is 5.5 seconds while DAO.EXE says it less than 4 seconds. With the Sound Recorder loaded, press the record button with no mike plugged in to the sound card. Make a recording of about a second. Save this file as BLANK.WAV

Now load TRACK5.WAV (our example of a file less than 4 seconds) and play it. You'll be at the end of the file now. Select EDIT from the menu and then INSERT FILE. Insert the BLANK.WAV and repeat it until the length is at least 7 seconds long. Now save the file!

Well have to make a CUE file by hand now! This is one for the above example:

FILE TRACK1.RAW MODE2 2352
TRACK 01
INDEX 01 00:00:00

FILE TRACK2.WAV AUDIO 2352
TRACK 02
INDEX 00 00:00:00
INDEX 01 00:02:00

FILE TRACK3.WAV AUDIO 2352
TRACK 03
INDEX 00 00:00:00
INDEX 01 00:02:00

FILE TRACK4.WAV AUDIO 2352
TRACK 04
INDEX 00 00:00:00
INDEX 01 00:02:00

FILE TRACK5.WAV AUDIO 2352
TRACK 05
INDEX 00 00:00:00
INDEX 01 00:02:00

You'll want to use a text editor to make your cue file. Then you can run DAO.EXE like normal and make your backup! DAO.EXE will make any corrections necessary to the file size to make it fit perfectly in the allotted sectors. The above example of a cue file does put the SUBCODE 2 second gap for each audio file. This can be a lengthy process. I've seen one disc that had over 8 tracks with less than 4 seconds of length!

WinOnCD from CeQuadrat

    
Backup Instructions:

Start WinOnCD (3.6 or higher).
In the New Project window click Copy and click OK.
In the CD-Copy window select the following settings (all other settings should be left default):

Fixation
Close CD - Selected (can't be changed)

Test Write
Write Immediately - Select

Output
Speed - 1x (when possible select a faster speed)

Write mode
Disc/Session at once - Select
Unreadable data - Continue copying

On the fly
Write 'on the fly' if possible - Deselect

When ready click Record to start the copy process.

XcheatED - Click here to Download

         
XcheatED is a very powerful cheat code manager which makes it possible to easily create and maintain large collections of PlayStation Xplorer, Xploder, GameShark, Pro Action Replay, etc. compatible game cheat codes. XcheatED works with the Xplorer/Xploder (TXT) file format and it's own XCC file format which allows some extra features. GameShark and Action Replay files (TXT) are also supported via the flexible import and export features.

One of XcheatED most powerful features is the "Export To HTML Document" feature which makes it possible to easily generate a web page directly from XcheatED - this is useful if you want to publish your own cheat collection on the internet or just want to make a nice printout.

XcheatED is a 32bit freeware utility and runs on Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT 4.0

PSX Movie Player - Click here to Download

         
Play any movie files located on your PSX game CD. Watch the movies you could never see before.

PSX Audio Tools - Click here to Download

         
A very complete set of PSX Audio tools. A must have if you are into Playstation Audio! You can even find and listen to sounds and fx that you have never heard before from your games !

Speak - Click here to Download

         
Make your Playstation Talk, great to play around with!

CD-Copy from Astarte
Toast from Adaptec

    
Backup Instructions:

Start Astarte CD-Copy (2.0 or higher).
From the Edit menu select Select All.
From the File menu select Save.
Now select a temporary destination folder to store the tracks.
Wait for the tracks copy to complete, when ready quit Astarte CD-Copy.
Start Adaptec Toast (3.5.5 or higher).
From the Format menu select: Multi-track CD-ROM XA
In the Adaptec Toast window click the Data button.
in the CD-ROM XA Tracks window click Add to add all tracks which are in the temporary folder. Keep in mind that the track order is VERY important, Track 01 (Data track) should ALWAYS be on top of the list then the Audio Track 02, 03... tracks should follow (if there are any).
When ready click OK.
Click Write CD... and set the write speed to 1x.

When ready click Write Disc... to start the copy process.

NOTE: The Macintosh Backup Instructions have not been verified.

MakeCD from MakeCD



Backup Instructions:
Start MakeCD (3.2 or higher).
Select the menu item Tools - Copy CD...
In the MakeCD: CD-Copy window change the following settings (all other settings should be left default):

Options
Base dir - Enter/Select a CD-Image Directory
Temporary Images - Use image file
Audio file format - CDDA (= only data, no header)
Delete file - Immediately or Never
Write Mode - Disc-at-Once
Data Format - Format of the Writer
Scan for indices - Checked
Read ISRCs - Checked


When ready click Copy CD... to read the CD info.

NOTE: If you are backing up a multiple track PSX CD and you are not sure whether the format of your writer is "raw block contents" or "cooked user data" make sure that the Data Format is set to Raw Block Contents.

When the CD-Writer does not support this mode by default, it will take a fair amount of CPU power as Make CD has to emulate this mode internally.

Now the CD information is gathered. This may take some time to complete!
In the Make CD: write window change Write mode (DAO) to Test mode off and change Fix to CD-R.

When ready click Start to create the image file & burn the CD.

NOTE: It is also possible to set the Write mode (DAO) to Test mode on, when the Test burn is finished change it to Test mode off and press Start to burn the CD-R for real.

" PlayStation"  is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment and "Dreamcast" is a trademark of Sega Corp. to which we have no affiliations. Our company is not affiliated with Sony or Sega in any way. The modifications, MOD chips, Stealth Game Enhance or any other item's listed on this web site was not produced, manufactured or endorsed by Sony Corp., Sega Corp. nor any of its affiliates or representatives, therefore they hold no responsibility for the use of this modification with their product.