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  • EXT GAME DATA LOADER by Jay-Jay

      
    by
    Jay-Jay
    Published on 11-19-2011 11:02 PM
    43 Comments Comments
    For those that have multiple external HDDs connected to your PS3 and are using the gameData.pkg (aka: gameDATA tool) (which was released a few weeks ago) this new tool (tweak) may be helpful to you, so you don't have to be swapping USB HDDs in order for the gameDATA Tool app to see your current external HDD as the (1) main ext HDD. So for those that have been enjoying the latest PSN DUPLEX backup games, but running out of internal HDD space, plus those that have more than one external HDD (and don't wish to be swapping the external HDDs so they can be identified as the (1) USB drive, this will help you.


    You will need:


    1. EXT GAME DATA LOADER by JAY-JAY (Download or mirror Click Here
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    2. multiMAN (latest version) TB users use mmCobra Ver 04.00.00+
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    3. gameDATA.pkg [aka: gameDATA Tool (Rev. 2) by andbey0nd]
      click here to read more about it: http://psx-scene.com/forums/f6/artic...ndbey0nd-99167
      go here to download it: http://www.mediafire.com/?0g3azff4c3a4uqk
      (Please note: That I only use this tool to exit EXTERNAL HDD MODE. I don't use it for anything else with my tweak.)
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    4. know how to use multiMAN's file manager or using FTP to transfer a folder.
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    5. more than one external HDD--if you have only one external HDD--they you don't need to bother using this--unless you tend to use a USB stick every now and then to install small files to your PS3.
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    6. Bonus: Here is the game's cover easy to install pkg Click Here to Download. or mirror Click Here
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    7. Check out this PSN Game Compatibility List for EXT GAME DATA LOADER by Jay-Jay
      http://psx-scene.com/forums/f187/com...23/#post944740


    IMPORTANT: To True Blue Dongle users, my tweak works with TB by using multiMAN for Cobra (no dongle version). See Update 4 below.


    Installation Instructions:

    1. Download the RAR file below called: EXT_GAME_DATA_LOADER_BY_JAY-JAY.
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    2. Extract the RAR file until you have a folder named: EXT_GAME_DATA_LOADER_BY_JAY-JAY (see PIC 01)


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    3. Inside that folder get and copy the folder called: 000_EGDL00001-(EXTERNAL GAME DATA LOADER) to your external HDD's GAMES or GAMEZ folder (using either multiMAN's File Manager or FTP) (see PIC 02)


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      • If you have more than one external HDD and you plan on installing PSN Games and etc (like those that are enjoying the DUPLEX releases) than copy this folder to your other external HDDs.

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    4. Copy the game cover named: EGDL00001.JPG to multiMAN's game covers directory: /dev_hdd0/game/BLES80608/USRDIR/covers/ -- you will find this game cover image inside: EXT_GAME_DATA_LOADER_BY_JAY-JAY folder. (see PIC 03)
      **UPDATE: Here is an easy to install game cover pkg (see above) -- simply install this pkg from an external HDD--it's that easy--no more having to find multiMAN's game cover folder to insert this game cover!


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    5. Copy gameDATA.pkg to any external HDD or USB stick (see PIC 04)
      1. Go ahead and install it
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      2. then find the icon it created (should be called: GAME DATA MODE: [HDD] and the icon should look like a HDD.,
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      3. Run it.
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      4. Then Run it again, to make sure it works (The icon should look different, should look like a USB stick and it now is named: GAME DATA MODE: [USB].
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      5. If you ran the icon twice, it should bring you back to normal INTERNAL HDD MODE -- plus when you run it, it should create a special folder in your USB stick or external HDD that you will need later on (Keep reading below).
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      6. Please don't delete the install pkg, keep it around, as you will have to use it again. Please continue with the instructions below until I instruct you to use it again.


      • Note 1: you will only use this tool in order to exit EXT GAME DATA LOADER mode, so you can go back to multiMAN and load other games and etc. You will not have to use this tool to turn on EXT GAME DATA Mode--since this tool only points to whatever external HDD is listed as your USB 000 or USB 001 HDD.
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      • Note 2: If you don't install this tool, then you will have to restart your PS3 in order to exit this mode.



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    6. Now launch multiMAN. And do a rescan (REFRESH LIST) for your game list so it reads your external HDDs for the new game title called: EXT GAME DATA LOADER. (see PIC 05) and (PIC 06)



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    7. If you installed more than once this game title to your multiple external HDDs than you will have more than one. This is normal.
      • What I did after this, was I renamed the game title (using multiMAN's RENAME feature) so it would say which USB HDD it would apply to. (see PIC 07) and (PIC 08)
        For example: I have three external HDDs and I copied this folder to each of their GAMES directory. So I then renamed each game title in multiman as:
        • 001 EXT GAME DATA LOADER (USB 01)
        • 002 EXT GAME DATA LOADER (USB 02)
        • 003 EXT GAME DATA LOADER (USB 03)

        --by default the game title is called: 002 EXT GAME DATA LOADER (USB 02) -- you must rename these so you can understand which external HDDs you want to load using the EXT GAME DATA mode to.




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    8. Now after you renamed them, proceed in going into the game menu once again of multiMAN for each game title you have installed on your external HDDs. Then make sure to check (enable) the EXT GAME DATA feature for each one. (see PIC 09) Once you do this, simple press O to return to the game directory in multiMAN and then just launch the title--like you do when you launch a game in multiMAN.


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    9. Once you return to the XMB (you should be in EXT GAME DATA mode (you will know this is true because all your game XMB icons will be grayed out (like ghost images--and they won't launch). Don't panic! This is normal.
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    10. Now go ahead and install gameDATA.pkg--You will need to do this installation to each external HDD you have connected to your PS3--meaning that you will need to go into multiMAN and launch each different EXT GAME DATA title that is associated with each external HDD in order to install it on that drive.
      • As an alternative: If you don't want to wait to have to install the gameDATA.pkg when you are in EXTERNAL HDD MODE for each external HDD that you own. You can find out which External HDD has a folder named: GDSW00001 inside the GAMEI folder. (NOTE: when you installed gameDATA.pkg in Internal HDD mode earlier, and if you had an external HDD connected to your PS3, it should have create such folder.

        Well then, simply copy that folder to all of your external HDDs using multiMAN's File Manager--make sure to also create the GAMEI folder in the root of each external HDD. So each external HDD should have a directory: GAMEI/GDSW00001 -- It should work great after that.

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    11. Now after installing the pkg, just ignore it for now and go ahead and either install a PSN game to that external HDD or play a PSN game (or any other homebrew that can be installed in the XMB).
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    12. Once you are done playing that game, then find the Game DATA Mode icon (the one that you just installed) and launch it twice from the XMB and your PS3 will be back to normal mode. -- you must run this tool once or twice--you will know when you are back to normal XMB mode when you see multiMan's icon in your game XMB menu back to normal. Please keep in mind this is the only reason why I use gameDATA Tool. It is only used to exit the External HDD mode. That's it.


    Memo:
    • To devs: Hopefully a dev will make this easier for us.
    • To super-noobs: Please don't panic when you are in USB mode and you see all your xmb icons look like "ghost" images. This is NORMAL when you are in USB mode. Only those PSN games or homebrew apps that you have installed to that particular External HDD will show their icons as normal. SO PLEASE DON'T PANIC.
    • To everyone: Do not try to run the "dummy" game on the XMB called ***EXT GAME DATA LOADER (USB***)--that will not load. OK.
    • To the curious in mind. Future pkg game installations (when you are in EXTERNAL GAME DATA mode will be installed in a folder on the root of your external HDD named: GAMEI.


    Download: Click Here

    Video Tutorial README txt: README.txt

    Update: (thanks to HeyManHRU for the youtube upload)



    This an explanation on what you will see on the video.
    **Please note that I have already installed the game folder to my external HDD, plus added the GAME Cover to multiMAN's game cover folder. And I have already ran the "Quick Scan" in multiMAN to fetch my latest installations in my GAMES and GAMEZ folders.


    1. First you'll see that I have my XMB Game icons order "by Album" view--I prefer this method because I don't like seeing the ghost icons for the PSN games I have installed on my external. In case you want to know the Library folders are set as:
      • A1 (Most Useful)
      • Emulators (Retro Games)
      • FAVES PSN GAMES (Internal HDD) -- these are the ones that are on my internal HDD.
      • Loaders -- here is where I keep the Game DATA Mode [HDD] icon that is installed by the gameDATA.pkg
      • PSN GAMES (External HDD)
      • TOOLS
      • Unknown -- each time you install a pkg they are put here, it is your job to later move them to the above folders where they apply.

    2. Now I quickly take you to see the PSN GAMES (External HDD) folder so you can see that all game icons are in ghost mode--because though these games are installed in my PS3 system, they are in my external HDD and my PS3 can't find these folders until I run the EXT GAME DATA LOADER in multiMAN. -- now you know why I like grouping them here, so they can't clutter my PS3 in Internal HDD mode.
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    3. Now I load multiMAN.
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    4. I then highlight the EXT GAME DATA LOADER game cover in multiMAN (I've already installed this folder and put the game cover on my External HDD--so this is what you'll see when you install it--currently I am just showing that one external HDD has this game icon--I didn't want to confuse you if you saw more than one, but I do plan to install two more of them for each other external HDD so I can also install and load PSN games from them also.
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    5. Since I am in 4x8 game view in multiMAN. I press the SQUARE button to enter the GAME MENU for the game highlighted.
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    6. Once in GAME MENU, I then show you that I have enabled the feature called: EXT GAME DATA in multiMan for this particular "dummy" game. (I call it a dummy game, because it's not a real game, I just fooled multiMAN into thinking it is so I can go to the next step.
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    7. I now exit the GAME MENU by press the CIRCLE button.
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    8. I then launch (press X) the dummy game: EXT GAME DATA LOADER (with the EXT GAME DATA enabled)--you only have to enable it once, multiMAN will remember your settings the next time you decide to launch it.
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    9. Now I am returned to the PS3 Game XMB Menu, notice that I don't scroll up to launch the dummy game--please don't! It's not a real game. OK!
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    10. Instead I scroll down and (notice that now the other folders have ghost icons--that means I am in EXTERNAL GAME MODE.)
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    11. I then open the folder: PSN GAMES (External HDD Only). Now all the icons that used to have "ghostly" icons are now shown correctly and I can launch any of these games sitting on my external HDD. (In this mode, you can also install PKGs and they will be installed on your external HDD.)
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    12. I launch a game, just to show you that it works.
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    13. I exit the game.
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    14. I then go to the folder: LOADERS and run the GAME DATA MODE [HDD] icon so I can return my PS3 back to Internal HDD mode (sometimes you have to do this twice--or until you see that multiMAN's icon is back to normal--in this video I only had to do this once as you can see.)
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    15. I quick show you again the PSN GAMES (External HDD), so you can see that they now go back to the "ghost" icon look--which is normal, since now I am in Internal HDD mode.
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    16. Have fun!


    from Jay-Jay @ psx-scene.com

    Update 2:

    Tutorial: How to move PSN Games installed on your internal HDD to external HDD
    This method is for those that are lazy (like me) to have to reinstall the pkgs to the external HDD.

    ** First and foremost you should be well versed in knowing how to copy or move files in multiMAN's File Manger (or other tool that does the same thing.)



    Instructions:


    1. Open multiMAN's File Manager (or your preferred PS3 File Manager).
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    2. On the left window pane of file manager go to: [/dev_hdd0/game] folder (that's your Internal HDD's game folder (Don't confuse this with the GAMES or GAMEZ folder (see attached picture above).
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    3. On the right window pane of multiMAN's file manager go to: [dev_usb00X/GAMEI] folder (X will be the number of your USB HDD (examples: usb001, usb002, and etc. If you don't have a folder in the root of your external HDD named GAMEI , then please create one (all CAPS). (see attached picture above). ** keep in mind that every time you install a pkg to your external HDD when you are in EXTERNAL HDD DATA mode that will be the folder where your PSN games or other homebrew pgks will get installed to that particular external HDD.
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    4. Now if you are familiar with multiMAN's copy or move functions, simply highlight the folder you wish to copy or move. Press O button and select Copy or Move--I tend to use Copy for over 500+ MB folders and I use Move only for smaller sized folders. If you do use the copy function, then after it has finished copying, be sure to then delete the folder in the Internal HDD after--the Move function will automatically delete the folder after it has transferred it.)


    Important:
    • Don't delete the game icon in the PS3's Game xmb menu. Doing this will stop the game from working in your external HDD. The game icon will show as a white "ghost" icon. This is normal. This just means that the icon is on your external HDD, and once you are in EXTERNAL GAME DATA mode, the icon should look normal.
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    • I have come across a few PSN Games that don't work on the external HDD. So in case they don't work. Simply move them back to your internal HDD (following the reverse order on the instructions above--and those games will now only appear normal in INTERNAL HDD mode (default PS3 mode).
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    • If for some odd reason, some games won't work. You may just have to install the pkg of the game or perhaps just the crack.pkg.

    Update 3:

    IMPORTANT: To TB users, my tweak will not work. Please read more below: -- Fixed! See Update 5 below)

    I just wanted to follow through and update about the functionality with TB and my tweak EXT GAME DATA LOADER by Jay-Jay. Apparently it does not work anymore with TB. The game option feature (EXT GAME DATA) in multiMAN seems to be grayed out. Plus when I tried to launch my dummy game it just takes me to normal (Internal HDD mode).

    I just sent a message to deank (creator of multiMAN). Hopefully he can figure out a way to enable this feature in multiMAN.

    Meanwhile, the gameDATA Tool (Rev 2) By andbey0nd works well with TB. So right now, we must connect and disconnect external HDDs in order to load the external HDD we have that has our games and homebrew to be able to use this feature.

    Go hear for gameDATA Tool (Rev 2): http://psx-scene.com/forums/f6/artic...dbey0nd-99167/

    Update 4:
    mmCobra ver 04.00.00 (without Cobra dongle version) brings back to life MM's EXT GAME DATA feature for TB users! So now my tweak above works great on TrueBlue!

    For more details on mmCobra (multiMAN Cobra) http://psx-scene.com/forums/f192/mul...tml#post946791


    Have fun! Jay-Jay @ psx-scene.com

    [You can VOTE FOR THE ENTRY, in PSX-Scene's Monthly Contest]
    Categories:
    1. PS3 Accessories
    2. PS3 Apps
    Tags : ext game data loader, gamedata.pkg, jay-jay, multiple external hdds, scene
    Comments 43 Comments
    1. tthousand's Avatar
      tthousand - 11-19-2011, 11:07 PM
      Interesting project Jay-Jay. Nice work, thank you for sharing!
    1. Pretzel729's Avatar
      Pretzel729 - 11-19-2011, 11:17 PM
      I didn't know Jay-Jay knew how to do this kind of stuff. Good job
    1. videogamerevie81's Avatar
      videogamerevie81 - 11-19-2011, 11:29 PM
      i read it fully and still dont understand what it does...
      does it install psn on external hdd?
      does it install retail game data on external hdd? please explain...
    1. Jay-Jay's Avatar
      Jay-Jay - 11-19-2011, 11:41 PM
      Thanks guys for the nice remarks.

      @videogamerevie81, my "tweak" helps capitalize a feature that is already built-in with multiMAN. Feature called: EXT GAME DATA.

      When you switch this feature on and then load this "tweak" dummy game I created above, it makes you be able to install a pkg into that external HDD instead of your internal, plus it also now loads those PSN DUPLEX games or any other pkg homebrew on that external HDD.

      Plus you can now pick which external HDD you want it to do this with, which if you only use gameData.pkg, this will not be the case because you have to unplug USB external HDDs until the HDD you want to be identified as the "one" to proceed. And since I am lazy to get off my rear end to go to my PS3 and yank and pull USB external HDDs in order to achieve this, now I can just have all three external HDDs to have this feature.

      Wow! I hope that helps you understand why I did this. -- also I use the gameDATA tool, so it can return me back to normal mode--instead of having to turn off/on my PS3--another lazy issue of mine!

      I didn't know that this "project" would gain me a slot in the monthly contest. If I do happen to win anything (which I doubt, since there are a lot more nicer projects out there than this one), I promise to donate all my earnings to deank--creator of multiMAN.

      P.S. I'd like to add a video tutorial for the above release, but I need someone to host it for me. I don' trust youtube and etc.
    1. Tranced's Avatar
      Tranced - 11-20-2011, 01:23 AM
      Very nice Jay-Jay. +LIKE
    1. BahumatLord's Avatar
      BahumatLord - 11-20-2011, 01:37 AM
      Very nice. Didn't know you had it in you Jay-Jay. I'm all about having options. You got my vote
    1. Jay-Jay's Avatar
      Jay-Jay - 11-20-2011, 01:39 AM
      I've included a video tutorial (more like a visual show of how it operates once it is installed). You can find the download link above (way at the bottom of the tutorial)--if someone wants to host it in their youtube channel? You have my permission, as long as I can attach your youtube video clip on the post release above. Thanks in advance!
    1. Jay-Jay's Avatar
      Jay-Jay - 11-20-2011, 01:49 AM
      Thanks guys. I also would like to inform everyone that this tutorial may looks a bit difficult or long-winded, but once you do the process, you will notice it's a very simple procedure. I guess I tend to write too much or like to be thorough with my explanations.. lol!
    1. The Central Scrutinizer's Avatar
      The Central Scrutinizer - 11-20-2011, 02:49 AM
      hey good stuff, Jay-Jay. Good Luck in the competition.
    1. AlchemistBrasil's Avatar
      AlchemistBrasil - 11-20-2011, 07:16 AM
      i not liked this!
    1. Jay-Jay's Avatar
      Jay-Jay - 11-20-2011, 06:41 PM
      Update 2:

      I've had a few members ask me how to copy installed games from the internal to the external HDD without having to reinstall the pkgs. I've included my method above (See Update 2 below the youtube video instructions.) I hope my methods helps. If there is a better method, do let us know.
    1. Jay-Jay's Avatar
      Jay-Jay - 11-20-2011, 08:41 PM
      Update 3:

      I've added some pictures to some of the instructions in the tutorial. Enjoy!
    1. Player1's Avatar
      Player1 - 11-24-2011, 06:57 PM
      Only for multiman??
    1. Jay-Jay's Avatar
      Jay-Jay - 11-25-2011, 04:21 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Player1 View Post
      Only for multiman??
      Yes.

      Since I don't use any other backup manager, I don't know if they have the built-in feature called: EXT GAME DATA. Go ahead and check to see if it has that kind of feature, and if it does, I guess it can work as long as you turn on that feature for the "dummy" game I created.

      This is why I listed in the tutorial the "items" that you will need in order to be successful with this "tweak" I developed.
    1. Jay-Jay's Avatar
      Jay-Jay - 12-22-2011, 07:33 PM
      please read UPDATE 3 above.
    1. Jay-Jay's Avatar
      Jay-Jay - 01-02-2012, 01:01 PM
      UPDATE 4:

      Check out this PSN Game Compatibility List for EXT GAME DATA LOADER by Jay-Jay
      http://psx-scene.com/forums/f187/com...23/#post944740 (Compatibility List: Playing PSN Games on a USB HDD w/gameDATA Tool)
    1. Jay-Jay's Avatar
      Jay-Jay - 01-12-2012, 09:58 PM
      Update 5:
      mmCobra ver 04.00.00 (without Cobra dongle version) brings back to life MM's EXT GAME DATA feature for TB users! So now my tweak above works great on TrueBlue!

      For more details on mmCobra (multiMAN Cobra) http://psx-scene.com/forums/f192/mul...tml#post946791 (multiMAN - multifunctional tool for your PS3 (Game manager/File manager/FTP/AVCHD/BDMV))
    1. ANDEEZY's Avatar
      ANDEEZY - 01-15-2012, 03:13 PM
      From what I've been reading, this tool allows the user to save .pkgs to the external but my question is, does this also work for the game data installations?
    1. Jay-Jay's Avatar
      Jay-Jay - 01-15-2012, 06:24 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by ANDEEZY View Post
      From what I've been reading, this tool allows the user to save .pkgs to the external but my question is, does this also work for the game data installations?
      Well initially, deank had put that feature inside multiMAN for this purpose alone. It's been reported in very few compatibly charts that it works with some games. I think the problem is that there isn't much testing whether it works with more retail PS3 game that we run from our external HDDs.
    1. sketchdesigner's Avatar
      sketchdesigner - 02-22-2012, 06:19 PM
      could someone please pop the files back up somewhere please as obviously I cant get them anymore and could do with getting this installed soon as running out of space quickly, lol

      :0.
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