Is ESR GUI enough?

[jins0nic]

I'm having free mcboot installed on my memory card thanks to pepsi2k with esr installed too.

With ESR r9b, I get three elf files, but I don't know how to use them. I've looked at some posts, searched and read stickies but I don't know how to patch with these files. for example do I make a new image of a backup and copy the elf file to the root of the new image to run it?

With the ESR GUI it's pretty straightforward - I click on patch, or drag and drop the iso image on to the patcher and it will patch the iso for me, ready to burn and boot, right? So is using the GUI the only method I need to know to boot the iso? Once I have free mcboot, I have it in slot 1 on the PS2, then when the ps2 powers up it will have the option of booting the disc?

If you could suggest any links for further reading I would welcome it.

thanks in advance

[H4ndy]

FMCB volunteers usually install ESR dvdv direct off as default ESR launcher.
Check if you can find an file named ESR.ELF in your boot-folder (MC?:\BOOT\)

If not, rename "ESR beta r9b dvdv direct off.elf" to "ESR.ELF" und copy it with uLaunchELF to MC?:\BOOT\ (where MC? is the Memory Card with your FMCB installation).

After this, restart FMCB und insert an ESR-patched Game. After few seconds FMCB should start ESR automatically. "dvdv direct off" has approx. 98% compatibility, so it's widly used.

Please read the included ESR "readme.txt" for more info.

I'm attaching set of three applications. One is intended for launching games directly from dvd (but can also launch homebrew apps from DVDV discs, just SYSTEM.CNF and proper elf is needed) - "dvd direct" version . The other is to launch elf files in either mcx:/BOOT/BOOT.ELF or mcx:/B?DATA-SYSTEM/BOOT.ELF - "mcard" version. The third is "dvd direct off" version, which is almost the same as the "dvd direct" but will disable ESR after first full successful IOP reset (think about it as "mode 3" in hdloader. All should have similar compatibility (with obvious limitations for "off" version).

[Scrapy]

FMCB volunteers usually install ESR dvdv direct off as default ESR launcher.

"dvdv direct off" has approx. 98% compatibility, so it's widly used.

hey H4ndy,
ya confused me a bit....
are sure about that?

i thought the direct *non off* version was best, and that the *off* version was to be used with certain games that don't work properly.

i know compatibility is almost the same in the two versions, however i think the *off* version can cause problems with some games... games that have more then one elf. when trying to launch the 2nd elf the console will just freeze because esr is no longer activated to recognize the disc.

i think all multi-disc games would be effected unless they used a save/load point before the disc change, aswell as all demos/multiple games in a single disc.

so i always use the direct *non off* version for my installs, just in case the person receiving the card might have problems due to the *off* versions limitations.

I'm not sure what the other installers are using though.

correct me if im wrong mate

-tried to find the beer glass smile, i couldn't... but the fencing looked cool -

[Scrapy]

With ESR r9b, I get three elf files, but I don't know how to use them. I've looked at some posts, searched and read stickies but I don't know how to patch with these files

you don't use any of these files at all to patch your backups.... these are the files that get launched by FMCB on your ps2 in order to allow your backup to play.

and you should not need to worry about any of that, as when your card arrives with FMCB installed, esr should already be installed aswell... and once you put in a patched backup, esr should launch automatically.. if not simply select ESR from your ps2's main menu to launch.

With the ESR GUI it's pretty straightforward - I click on patch, or drag and drop the iso image on to the patcher and it will patch the iso for me, ready to burn and boot, right?

that is exactly right.. aslong as esr is installed on your card *which it should be by default with all installs*


also have a look at this site, there are some tutorials and apps aswell. http://sksapps.com/

[dlanor]

I have to vote with Scrapy on this, as my understanding of ESR variants is this:

1: "ESR beta r9b dvdv direct.elf"
This is the most generic non-GUI version. Compatible with most games.

2: "ESR beta r9b dvdv direct off.elf"
This is intended for some problem games, who need part of ESR turned "OFF" after init.
But it has problems with some other games (particularly multi-ELF games).

3: "ESR beta r9b mcard.elf"
This is not intended for game booting, but for accessing burned DVDs from homebrew.

4: "ESR_GUI_test2.elf" (name may vary)
The GUI version is the most generic one when it comes to game/homebrew compatibility.
But it has the drawback of requiring user interaction to proceed with a boot.
This is especially bad for those who play games with non-standard controller (eg: Guitars)


@jins0nic:
Here it is important to realize that in the above I am talking about the "ESR GUI" elf program to be used in running games on the PS2, whereas you were talking about a different "ESR GUI" program, to be used in patching a game ISO on a PC, before burning it to a disc for use with ESR booting. So we are talking about entirely different programs here.

The programs to ESR-patch an ISO on a PC should all be equivalent, but I prefer using the one developed by ffgriever (the creator of ESR), which is originally named "ESRDiscPatcher.exe" and uses the name "ESR Disc Patcher v0.24a" as window title.

Best regards: dlanor

[jins0nic]

thanks for the information and explanations. It doesn't seem so daunting now.

thank you