Tutorial: How to convert .pnach hack to ELF/ISO HEX Edit hack

[ArgonUK]

This process is now automated by PNACH Converter

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How to convert .pnach hack to ELF/ISO HEX Edit hack:

If the address in patch looks like "00xxxxxx",then it can be easily converted to ELF hack (in most cases)

For example:
Siren SCUS_973.55
patch=1,EE,00201718,word,3c023f40

1. open ELF file (SCUS_973.55) with Ps2dis

2. go to the address from patch "00201718"

3. Find Hex Value "3c023f80" and take some nearest values, too. We are interested in "3c023f80" (hex value) at "00201718" (address) only, but other values are required to avoid accidental matches at other addresses.

4. Reverse selected values (marked values on screenshot)

afa20000 = 0000a2af
3c034500 = 0045033c
3c023f80 = 803f023c
260400e0 = e0000426

5. Get ELF hack
Change

0000a2af 0045033c 803f023c e0000426

To widescreen

0000a2af 0045033c 403f023c e0000426

See image for more information.

[mrjared123]

Sweet Jesus... This is good.

[jmjohnson85]

Holy shit I have to try this with Xenosaga series asap. Will report back when I have time to try. YEESSSSSSSSSSS! (hopefully)

Thanks ArgonUK!

[jmjohnson85]

Aw crud. Just took a look at the current PNACH for Xenosaga Episode I:

gametitle=Xenosaga SLUS_204.69
comment=Widescreen Hack
patch=1,EE,20942370,word,3f400000
patch=1,EE,20942380,word,44200000
patch=1,EE,209423a8,word,44200000
patch=1,EE,20942960,word,3f400000
patch=1,EE,20942970,word,44200000
patch=1,EE,20942998,word,44200000
patch=1,EE,20944d00,word,3f400000

So ArgonUK does that mean converting these values to HEX values is not possible since they don't start with 00?

[ArgonUK]

Aw crud. Just took a look at the current PNACH for Xenosaga Episode I:

gametitle=Xenosaga SLUS_204.69
comment=Widescreen Hack
patch=1,EE,20942370,word,3f400000
patch=1,EE,20942380,word,44200000
patch=1,EE,209423a8,word,44200000
patch=1,EE,20942960,word,3f400000
patch=1,EE,20942970,word,44200000
patch=1,EE,20942998,word,44200000
patch=1,EE,20944d00,word,3f400000

So ArgonUK does that mean converting these values to HEX values is not possible since they don't start with 00?

As far as I can see you won't be able to use this method for mentioned game.

BUT:
This tutorial was made from a post of a pc2sx forum member sergx12, who himself learned the information above from someone else. You may contact him and ask for advice.

Personally, I would recommend to convert code with maskfix v3 (look below for adapted code), make one or google for a mastercode, and then launch game backup using any loader + ps2rd software. Hope this method is suitable for you.

Here is code for ps2rd:

//--------

"Xenosaga /ID SLUS_204.69"
Mastercode
???????? ???????? - replace with mastercode
Wide screen
20942370 3f400000
20942380 44200000
209423a8 44200000
20942960 3f400000
20942970 44200000
20942998 44200000
20944d00 3f400000

//--------

Let me know if you need help finding a mastercode. It is very simple process and tutorials are posted, so I don't expect you to have any troubles.

[jmjohnson85]

Aw man

The whole reason I keep asking about ELF hacks for the Xenosaga series is because I want to play it on my backwards compatible PS3 via Cobra CFW.

Basically I just want to play it from the hard drive in widescreen on my PS3. No way to do this without an ELF hack as of yet.

I think if Cobra team added support for Usercheat I could probably use this cheat code method but since they have not the only way to play the Xenosaga series on PS3 in widescreen is from optical disc.

So yes I can still play the games in widescreen, just not exactly how I would like it to be.

I really, really, really, really would like to see ELF hacks for Xenosaga 1-3 and I plan on spending some significant time trying to figure it out on my own eventually when I have the time if no one beats me to it.

Edit:
Thanks for letting me know the source of this method. That's definitely a good place to start if I were to try tackling this on my own. Although I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the original source of this method was nemesis2000.

I have actually asked nemesis directly a couple of times to hack Xenosaga series but I don't think he is interested in this series. He may even have a problem with the series like many others do (which I don't get because Xenosaga is amazing).

I asked him to hack Half-Life and he posted an ELF hack like the next day so I know he's gotten my requests. Like I said I just think he's not interested in this series which makes me very sad

[ArgonUK]

Aw man

The whole reason I keep asking about ELF hacks for the Xenosaga series is because I want to play it on my backwards compatible PS3 via Cobra CFW.

Basically I just want to play it from the hard drive in widescreen on my PS3. No way to do this without an ELF hack as of yet.

I think if Cobra team added support for Usercheat I could probably use this cheat code method but since they have not the only way to play the Xenosaga series on PS3 in widescreen is from optical disc.

So yes I can still play the games in widescreen, just not exactly how I would like it to be.

I really, really, really, really would like to see ELF hacks for Xenosaga 1-3 and I plan on spending some significant time trying to figure it out on my own eventually when I have the time if no one beats me to it.

Edit:
Thanks for letting me know the source of this method. That's definitely a good place to start if I were to try tackling this on my own. Although I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the original source of this method was nemesis2000.

I have actually asked nemesis directly a couple of times to hack Xenosaga series but I don't think he is interested in this series. He may even have a problem with the series like many others do (which I don't get because Xenosaga is amazing).

I asked him to hack Half-Life and he posted an ELF hack like the next day so I know he's gotten my requests. Like I said I just think he's not interested in this series which makes me very sad

You are very lucky to have a PS3 with BC. As far as I know, Cobra USB supports PS2 OPL. OPL has a function to launch apps from memory card and, I suppose, from other locations as well (like from network, USB, etc). So all you need is to find a way to install ps2rd to OPL apps menu. Jay-Jay wrote an instruction how to do it on PS2, so you could adapt it for your need or look for help in PS3 thread.

Add ps2rd wide-screen hack to OPL Apps menu
http://psx-scene.com/forums/f150/jay...v0-9-a-104891/ (Jay-Jay's Themes for OPLv0.9)

[jmjohnson85]

You are very lucky to have a PS3 with BC. As far as I know, Cobra USB supports PS2 OPL. OPL has a function to launch apps from memory card and, I suppose, from other locations as well (like from network, USB, etc). So all you need is to find a way to install ps2rd to OPL apps menu. Jay-Jay wrote an instruction how to do it on PS2, so you could adapt it for your need or look for help in PS3 thread.

Add ps2rd wide-screen hack to OPL Apps menu
http://psx-scene.com/forums/f150/jay...v0-9-a-104891/ (Jay-Jay's Themes for OPLv0.9)

Thanks for trying to help me out here ArgonUK, I really do need all the help I can get Thing is, I've already been through all that

http://psx-scene.com/forums/f293/wid...-users-110486/ (Widescreen hacks for PS2 Games for PS3 with BC for Cobra dongle Users)

[ArgonUK]

I see that you have done a huge amount of work already. OK, let us have a discussion.

First, I pointed out the necessity of making two type of hacks (.pnach and .elf), mentioning PS3 systems as well, about a week ago at pc2sx forums. Sergx12 told me that he will try to make both types of hacks for each game when it is possible.

Second, PS2 OPL SMB setup is not so bad option. I agree that loading times are about 30% longer, but it in not end of the world. The FMVs stuttering is much worse, but personally I have noticed it only in 2 of 10 games tested. I am very happy with my network setup and it is currently the only option for many games that is available for PS3 BC Cobra Users.

I suggest to create two more threads for ongoing process reports, discussions and tutorials, since I see that the discussion is going out of scope of this thread:

1. Widescreen hacks for PS2 Games for PS3 with BC for Cobra dongle Users
2. Widescreen hacks for PSN PS2 Classics for PS3 with or w/o BC

Let Jay-Jay decide if these threads can be located under "Official PS2 Widescreen Hacks Forum". I think they could as they share similar platform & methods.
First thread may be created from latest post of jmjohnson85.
I could create and contribute a bit to the second thread, as I have PS3 without BC. I did some research and got some results, but haven't found testers yet.

Jay-Jay, what do you think?

[Jay-Jay]

I think it's a good idea. Go ahead and start the new thread with the recommended titles above and I will then assist you guy in updating them and also sticky them so everyone can spot them.

Yes, I think it will be good to make these threads under this section of our forum, since they relate to PS2 games.