PS2 managing memory card save data and backup to PC the safe way
Why are other ways not safe?
I say the safe way because most other ways can corrupt some game data e.g. from games like GTA San Andreas that is well known for getting corrupt with alot of backup methods, this does not even come close to all game data just a select few games GTA SA being one of the well known ones
This needed to be said from the start to save any posts of other ways to backup save data
Whats needed - 2 options
A PS2 Codebreaker and a USB stick that works with Codebreaker [Not all do]
A PS2 Codebreaker and a USB stick that does not works with Codebreaker and uLaunch.elf
Codebreaker can be an original disc an elf file or even a hacked elf file, it doesn't make any difference as the part of the software we are using does not require it to be hacked for any reason
Because the 9.2 patcher gives you no options anyway I just posted the pre patched version for you lot.
Feature list in spoiler, including paths used
Spoiler warning:
* All of the original cracked ELF features (no Anti-mod chip, disable CD/DVD check). ~ PS2TG
* HDL patch. Can load any ELF from the usual paths. ~ ffgriever
* RSA patched to allow loading of unsigned .cbc files, no upgrade.bin required. ~ Credits to misfire for the RSA work, patched by bfoos
* Domain changed to www.thegshi.com for retrieval of Day1 and game save files. ~ Patched by bfoos, Day1 server script by misfire, Day1 server setup by LiquidManZero of GSHI
* IRC server and channel lineup changed. ~ Patched by bfoos, DNS redirect provided by LiquidManZero and GSHI, permission granted by Jupi
The ELF will load any ELF file in the following paths, instead of launching CD/DVD...
hdd0:/__boot/CB_launch.elf
mass:/BOOT/CB_launch.elf
mc0:/BOOT/CB_launch.elf
hdd0:/__boot/boot.elf
mass:/BOOT/BOOT.ELF
mc0:/BOOT/BOOT.ELF
mc0:/B?DATA-SYSTEM/BOOT.ELF
mc1:/BOOT/BOOT.ELF
mc1:/B?DATA-SYSTEM/BOOT.ELF
"?" means region code.
HINT: You can rename the elf file you want the above to start up to BOOT.ELF or CB_launch.elf
I will keep the unpatched versions of 9.2 up though for those that wish to patch them yourself or use it without patching
How do I boot up Codebreaker
Originals can just be booted normally
Backups + Modchips (boot normally or via a FAT formated USB if the chip has USB elf booting supported)
Backups + Swapmagic (boot normally or via a FAT formated USB device from a sub folder called SWAPMAGIC and the elf file in that folder called SWAPMAGIC.ELF stored in the sub folder)
Backups + FreeMCboot (boot ELF file via uLaunch or setup the FreeMCboot keys to include Codebreaker/setup the gui to include Codebreaker)
Backups + ESR (the same as above but if you also have it setup with ESR you can set it to boot via any ESR patched game and patch Codebreaker to boot ESR)
Method 1. A PS2 Codebreaker and a USB storage device that works with Codebreaker
Boot Codebreaker by whatever method works for you
Tap right twice on your D-Pad to the Device Manager and Hit X (You will know at this point if your USB device is being recognised by CodeBreaker)
Hit X again to select Memory Card 1
Select the saves that you wish to backup via the D-Pad and X
Hit Triangle to chose an action
You want Copy at this time so just hit X
You now want to select the destination of the save data with the D-Pad and then hit X (if there is only one device you only need hit X, as the D-Pad has no use)
That was simple eh now you can move that save to a PC with ease via USB (Files are named easy enough for you to recognis and they are in cbs format)
Method 2. A PS2 Codebreaker and a USB storage device that does not work with Codebreaker and uLaunch.elf
Boot Codebreaker by whatever method works for you
Tap right twice on your D-Pad to the Device Manager and Hit X (You will know at this point if your USB device is being recognised by CodeBreaker)
Hit X again to select Memory Card 1
Select the saves that you wish to backup via the D-Pad and X
Hit Triangle to chose an action
You want Compress at this time so tap down twice on the D-Pad & hit X
You now want to select the destination of the save data with the D-Pad and then hit X (if there is only one device you only need hit X, as the D-Pad has no use)
Next boot up uLaunch by whatever method you like
Hit O
D-Pad to the Memory Card you Compressed the data to mc0 or mc1 & Hit X
D-Pad down to CBDM and Hit X (this folder has all the Compressed saves in it)
D-Pad to the saves you want and Hit O to highlight them (they start with BESLES-#####/BESLUS-##### and vaious other codes #=numbers)
Once you have every save you want highlighted Hit R1
I would use the copy option here so just hit X (just think if you use move instead and something does go wrong you will of lost your save data)
D-Pad to ../ and Hit X and again D-Pad to ../ (../ is at the very top) and Hit X
D-Pad down to mass:/ (this is your USB device) and Hit X
(Skip this if you want to just use the root folder of your USB device) D-Pad to the folder you want the save to be stored and Hit X
Hit R1 (Paste should already be selected) and Hit X (Do make sure Paste is selected)
Slightly more complicated but it still works just fine and now the saves can be moved to your PC from USB for backup, these do not have a file extand are named by the games code.. e.g. SLUS15552 for Tomb Raider Anniversay NTSC version, might be an idea to store those in a folder named the same as the game the saves are from
Copy PSone-PSX-PS1-Playstation Saves
Boot the PS2 normally with no game inserted
Hit X on Browser
Hit the D-Pad to select the PS1 memory card (the gray one) and Hit X
Hit the D-Pad until you have selected the save you want and Hit X
Hit X again to slect the Copy option, and X again to select the Memory Card (PS2)
Easy enough then all you do is one of the above to backup the PSone save data ;)
There is a 3rd method I may or may not add at a later date that uses the PS2 network port/adaptor instead of a USB storage device but runs much the same as the 2nd method to ensure there is no data loss/curuption when you copy the save
