How to properly back-up PS2 games

[Dwyreaux]

I realize that some of my questions will seeme elementary to most of you but I am fairly new to this and I would like to cover my bases before I begin to make coasters out of my media.

I am curious as to the best/easiest method of backing-up my PS2 games? I have searched this and other forums and found some dissention amongst the posts.

The method I have tried was to dump/rip my PS2 DVD game with DVD Decrypter in ISO mode and the burn it back to a disc is ISO write mode. I have a few questions about this method:

When I rip my PS2 game, it gives me two files, an ISO and a smaller MDS file. When I write the back-up, do I just write the ISO file or so I somehow include the MDS file?

Also, I have scene in some places that people say to change the booktype of the DVD to DVD-ROM. This can't be done with DVD-R's, correct? Does it have to be a DVD-ROM to play a back-up or can it be any type of booktype format? Does one work better than others?

The other questions I have involve DL PS2 games and CD PS1/PS2 games? Do they make a PS2 game on CD format? What's the best way to make a back-up of a CD format PS1/PS2 game? How do I make a back-up of a DL PS2 game? Someone said something about a Toxic patch to the ISO file, what is that? How is it done? What's the easiest way to make the DL back-up, I don't download the files, I own the games so I need to know how to do it myself.

I have read through the Nero sticky on this forum and was wondering if that is the best method of making back-ups of my games? I still haven't found out how to do it with Nero. Do I just go to the Nero Burning Rom and select ISO, what do I do with the other options? Is it somehow easier with the Nero SmartStart?

If there is any other questions I have failed to ask that I will need to know in order to make back-ups of any of my games (DVD, CD & DVD-DL, or any other format I have missed) then please feel free to volunteer the information. Thank you so much for your help, it is greatly appreciated.

[timberlandman]

I have found the best/easiest method in backing up games is using DVD Decrypter as you stated later in your post.

The .MDS file is like a .cue file for a bin. It basically tells the program what to do with the ISO file. With DVD Decrypter, you need not worry about the .MDS

DVD+R's are the only discs you can set the booktype to DVD-ROM on. I have yet to do this to any of my discs and have yet to encounter a problem. I heard it helps compatibility when burning with DVD+R discs.

They do make PS2 games on cd's (kinda far a few in between nowadays) They are blue in color on the read side of the disc. The easiest way that I have found in backing up cd based games is using AnyCD. It lets you make an image file of the disc and also lets you burn said image onto a cd. DVD Decrypter can handle dual layer games backing up and burning. Which boot method do you use to boot your games? Most modchips support dual layer games without having to patch them.

I don't really use Nero all that often for game burning, but when i have, all i do is just burn as an iso and haven't had a problem.

Hopefully this is enough info for you to start with.

Chris

[Dwyreaux]

So can a PS2 play a game backed-up on a DVD-R disc? I don't mind buying DVD+R media if I must, but if I don't then all the better.

As far as DL games, I guess I wouldn't have to do any patching if I burned the game to DL media would I? I believe what I saw was dealing with shrinking a DL game onto SL media. If I do back-up my DL games, does it matter if I use DVD+DL or DVD-DL? And do I need to convert the booktype to DVD-ROM? If so, does it need to be DVD+DL in order to be converted to DVD-ROM?

Does the same apply, concerning CD based games, if I am trying to back-up PS1 games? Can this be done another way besides AnyCD, like Nero (I already have that program). What is the filetype on a CD based game, like ISO is for DVD based games?

I haven't decided on a mod method yet, but I am leaning towards a modchip because I just want to be able to place my back-up in my system and play, just as if it were original. I don't really know much about modchips so I will be posting a thread on the modchip forum to ask some questions about those as well. So if you have any helpful info on that front, please let me know that as well.

DVD Decrypter seems to be by far the easiest method so I will stick to that for now. Thanks so much for your help.

Justin