How
do I make PSX backups?
There is no simple answer to this question. You will,
however, need to make sure that you've got all the right equipment first:
#1: A PlayStation!
#2: An IBM PC, probably 486DX or Pentium-class (depends on your CD-R).
#3: A CD-R drive.
#4: A few blank CD-Recordables.
#5: A good bit of patience.
If you have a MAC - check this site out. He
doesn't answer any questions you might have about coping, but I'll do my best to help you
along if you do get stuck.
Now for some details...
To be able to use a backed up PSX game, you either have to
"Mod chip" your PlayStation, or use other methods of tricking the PSX into running your backup.
Why? Because Sony, in an attempt to keep the piracy of their games to a minimum, has
created "region code" (America, Europe, or Japan) which is written on each CD
that they make. This "region code" is looked upon as bad data to any CD
drive (except the PlayStations'), and is not 'read' by CD-R or CD-ROM drives.
Thusly, it is not written back to any backup made of a PSX game, so therefore when the PSX
looks for these codes when it 'boots up' the game, and your backup doesn't have it, you
will end up with the CD Player popping up (same as if you didn't put a CD in at
all). But people found ways around this, of course. And that's what this site
is all about!
Once you've got the equipment, you're going to need the
software. I recommend CDRWin. This is by NO means the only program that will
work, but the only one I've ever needed for anything. Although people will always
prefer one program over another, be careful about junking up your system with a bunch of
CD-R software. Some of them don't get along too well with the others, and you'll end
up having to re-install Windows if you're not careful.
Keep in mind that this is not a 'cut and dry' process.
Many factors contribute to the overall product (a PSX game backup), and I can't possibly
hope to cover all of the problems one might encounter. But with a little luck,
you'll be burning backups in no time!
Ok. On to the good stuff!
Let's start with your computer.
I'm going to assume that you're running Windows 95 or Windows 98 in this FAQ.
These aren't the only (or the best, for that matter!) Operating Systems you can
use, however. Windows NT is very similar, but check here
for system settings under NT. DOS users aren't excluded either, but I'm not going
there. And if you run Unix/Linux, please e-mail
me. I'd love to hear from you - but I can't help you with the backup process
on that platform!
The first thing you need to know about your computer
settings is this: when you're burning a CD, LEAVE THE COMPUTER ALONE! Don't try to
do anything. You're asking for trouble (as in making a coaster) if you ignore this
advice. Now... technical stuff:
Here are the things that you'll need to check on your
computer:
--- Disable Windows Auto-Insert
Notification
--- Change Win95 VCACHE
settings
--- Disable Microsoft Office Find
Fast
--- Defrag Your Hard Disk
--- Disable Any Event Utilities
--- Keep Your CD-R Cool
--- Use a Fast Hard Disk
--- Shut Down Other Applications
Many of the above suggestions will also help you keep away
from the dreaded buffer underrun errors you may encounter.
Once you've got all that done, you're ready to get started
on making a backup! So when you're ready, go on
to the next section, how to make PSX backups.
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