Anyone backed up their HDloader disk yet?

[crashwg]

I ask because I tried and failed to do so.

Reason being is that someone decided I don't need to make a copy of the disk so the purposly scratched the inner most ring of the disk with sandpaper or the like so that I get an error every time I try to copy it.

I assume that the PS2 doesn't need to read from that part of the disk though since it reads the disk and works just fine, but I'd still like to make a backup and put the original away for safe keeping.  Pretty soon the disks are going to be pretty hard to find...

[Edgedamage]

Post a pic of the damage.

[crashwg]

As you can hopefully see, the inner ring which seems to be normally two halves of a ring sepperated by a couple 2 millimeter gaps.   The half on the top side of the picture is the one I'm refering to.

My computer reads the disk fine, that is until I try to make a copy of it...

[Edgedamage]

Try this program:
http://trial.alcohol-soft.com/en/alcohol_info.php

Might be able to help you out.

[crashwg]

Try this program:
http://trial.alcohol-soft.com/en/alcohol_info.php

Might be able to help you out.

Ok, so I'm totally confused as to how another program is going to work better than the ones I've tried as this is obviously a hardware problem, but I'll give it a try...

[crashwg]

-

[crashwg]

Ok, perhaps I jumped the gun a little bit with that last post...

I actually didn't let it get past 33% because it had a disk read error at every # from 89458 to 89651.

So I'm still wondering if anyone else is able to make a copy of the disk.

[Edgedamage]

I see your point I would pissed too. I have heard of some disks that have holes in them and there is a program that should help you now keep in mind folks have said that it can sometimes take a VERY long time to work but it does. Look for a program called Clone CD. It can match error for error.

[Dave_K.]

Sorry crashwg, but I'm glad you can't copy (backup) hdloader.   I understand you have only the best intentions for proteting your investment, but it would be far more detremenal to everyone else if this was possible.

I've owned 5 cd based consoles over the years, and have never had a disc go bad on me which I bought brand new.  So I wouldn't worry.  If it eventually does deteriorate, we will be well into the PS3 erra anyway.  And don't worry about not being able to purchase another copy...there are 22 for auction on ebay right now and will probably always be on there for a long time to come.  

[crashwg]

The last time I checked I could have sworn it was my right as a US citizen to make a backup copy of any piece of software that I legaly own...

My quest goes on.

[Dave_K.]

I wasn't challanging your right to make a backup of legally owned software.  More power to ya 'bro.   I was just stating that by you still not figuring it out yet isn't that bad in the grand scheme of things.   Good luck.

[crashwg]

Yay, a successful burn!

Or was it...

I finally got my computer to complete the copying process and my PS2 (with a dms3) loaded the program up to the screen where you select the games from.  But when I tried to load a game, guess what, it hung!  

Pretty much did the same thing it normally does with non-compatible games.  Screen goes black, then nothing...

Is there anyone else out there that has a modchip and the HDloader program???

Could you PLEASE try and copy it?  I just want to know that it's posible!

[crashwg]

HAHA!  Forget that crap!

I'll just load directly from my memory card...

I'm not 100% positive on the defintion of the word Irony, but I'm pretty sure this is ironic:

[crashwg]

Guess what... I can top that too!

So I'm laying in bed thinking.............. "With the DMS3 chip I can hold triangle to boot programs from the MemoryCard.  When it does this it must send the PS2 "signature" to trick the PS2 into thinking there is an official disk in the drive right?"   So I think to myself "What would happen if I put a backup in the drive before I start the console with triangle?  Wouldn't the modchip have already sent the PS2 signature to the PS2?  To the best of my knowledge the PS2 only requires a signature when the disk drive is ejected..."  

I just couldn't hold it in any longer.  I had to try.  I chose Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing because I'm pretty sure it's the smallest PS2 game I own and I didn't feel like waiting 20 minutes.  And guess what... it worked!

Now, I haven't tried this on a game with a high TOC yet, but I don't see why it wouldn't work?  I'll get back to you on that tommorrow night, saturday at the latest.  

[SNAAKE]

Hey Crashwg I had some qeustions for you.What exactly do you need to install a new HD on your PS2 ? Any store bought HD works.All my ps2 games are legal anyway but I am annoyed with swaping the games.I did get my hand on something called "HD loader ps2" so I am assmuming I need that. Also does installing any modchip effect online play like they ban you from PS2 online service ? Also the "PS2 online pack" comes with the 40GB HD or you have by the HD seperate ? I dont have a chip yet and I dont play ps2 online but just curious...

Thanks

[mcdo15]

Hey Crashwg I had some qeustions for you.What exactly do you need to install a new HD on your PS2 ? Any store bought HD works.All my ps2 games are legal anyway but I am annoyed with swaping the games.I did get my hand on something called "HD loader ps2" so I am assmuming I need that. Also does installing any modchip effect online play like they ban you from PS2 online service ? Also the "PS2 online pack" comes with the 40GB HD or you have by the HD seperate ? I dont have a chip yet and I dont play ps2 online but just curious...

Thanks

Oh, i'm helping someone..woohoo
anyway

Snaake, to instal HD, you need sony offical network adapter (30-40, ebay cheaper)
Any HD will do.  I sugesst nothing bigger then 120... once you format it for ps2, it will default to 127 or 137 gigs  (i forget) if you brought a larger HD.  For online play, you turn off the modchip.  Not sure about online play for games loader on HD.  No, you don't neat to buy a HD if you buy that pack but that is small.  If you plan on using this all the time, i would go bigger.  I use it everyonce in a while.  It's not great, but it's helpful to but from HD.  

Good Luck....  

[crashwg]

Hey Crashwg I had some qeustions for you.What exactly do you need to install a new HD on your PS2 ? Any store bought HD works.All my ps2 games are legal anyway but I am annoyed with swaping the games.I did get my hand on something called "HD loader ps2" so I am assmuming I need that. Also does installing any modchip effect online play like they ban you from PS2 online service ? Also the "PS2 online pack" comes with the 40GB HD or you have by the HD seperate ? I dont have a chip yet and I dont play ps2 online but just curious...

Thanks

Wow, about five million questions all rolled into one...  

What is needed to install a harddrive:
The official sony network adaptor and a PS2

What drives work:
The most recomended brand as of today would be maxtor, they are a perfect fit and the PS2 has no problems with them that I know of.   You can do a search on google or whatever for "HDLOADER compatibility" and you'll find more info on what HDs work and which don't.

In order to use the HD for backing up your games and playing them without using the original disks you will need to purchase the HDloader program or HDadvance which is basically the same thing.

Also, if you get your playstation modchipped (DMS3 is the only one I KNOW works) you can download a free (hacked) version of the HDloader program and transfer it to a memory card.

The above (memory card thingy) is what I'm doing.  I'd recommend it to anyone because it is awesome.

Explination:
The original program (HDloader) must be in the drive when you boot the PS2.  You will be brought to a screen with all the installed games and this is where you choose what you want to play.  Now if you just go ahead and play the game, the HDloader disk will spin THE WHOLE DAMN TIME that you play that game.  To stop it from spinning you may either choose "install" and then cancel it before you start the game or you can eject the disk after the game starts.  Who the heck wants to have to remember to do that all the time... Not me, that's for sure!

Fortunatly someone was nice enough to hack the program so that you can transfer it to a memory card and load it from there.  In order to take advantage of this you will need a modchip that can boot from the memory card though as the PS2 doesn't natively support this feature.  The way you start the program is just by holding triangle when you start the PS2, simple as that!

In case you were wondering the program only takes up something like 300kb of 8mb which isn't too bad.

Oh, and you don't need to try and convince me that you won't be putting illegal copies of games on the HD either... I know you will, everyone does.  Heck for $7 I can buy a $50 game so why not!  However, there are some difficulties copying copies to the HD.

I have successfully copied a copy of a 256MB game to the HD by inserting it while the HDloader program was booting (off the memory card of course) but when I tried a 3gig game it said it was an invalid game or something like that, and it was an original...  That was with the free memory card HDloader though and the one that I bought worked fine.  Thanks, again is due to some great programers out there that are willing to share their work for free as someone has come up with a program that allows you to install the PS2's HD into a windows based PC and install not only copies of games but even images (nero, clonecd, alcohol, more...)

Oh yea, about interupting online play... I realy don't know.  I can only say that I have successfully played ATV offroad fury 2, from the HD, online.

I hope that was enough information to convince you to go out and get this together as it is definitly worth the $$$!

[SNAAKE]

Allright great thanks to both of you.Last question,is there anyway I can transfer files from PC to PS2 using FTP or something ?

[mcdo15]

Allright great thanks to both of you.Last question,is there anyway I can transfer files from PC to PS2 using FTP or something ?

i believe you can but the best idea is is to image game on pc (on the ps2 HD) and then move it back into ps2. they is a program..i link u once i'm home

[Dave_K.]

Thanks, again is due to some great programers out there that are willing to share their work for free as someone has come up with a program that allows you to install the PS2's HD into a windows based PC and install not only copies of games but even images (nero, clonecd, alcohol, more...)

What about thanking the original programmers of hdloader, for which none of this would have been possible?  Lets all thank them by running a cracked version of their program for free!  Yeah that'll show 'em!  Better yet, lets thank those great programmers who put in one solid hour of hex editing to lay a stupid message over the top of hdloader, and then release it for FREE!  Woohoo!

[crashwg]

Thanks, again is due to some great programers out there that are willing to share their work for free as someone has come up with a program that allows you to install the PS2's HD into a windows based PC and install not only copies of games but even images (nero, clonecd, alcohol, more...)

What about thanking the original programmers of hdloader, for which none of this would have been possible?  Lets all thank them by running a cracked version of their program for free!  Yeah that'll show 'em!  Better yet, lets thank those great programmers who put in one solid hour of hex editing to lay a stupid message over the top of hdloader, and then release it for FREE!  Woohoo!

No, I think I'm happy with the list of people I thanked...

[Sephroth57]

crash i know a place where u can DL a copy od HD Loader Disc and burn it if u have a DVD burner.. PM me if u need info