Dual layer and HDLoader RB2 in this case

[muffinhands]

evening all. noob here. ive ripped the iso but i dont see the 3-4-5 arks anywhere. any ideas. thanks

[sonic_blue]

Read the disc out with Imgburn or Ultra Iso as Standard Iso File.
Extract with Apache 3 both layers to a empty folder.
All ARK files must be in the GEN folder.

With Ultra Iso chose from file menu "New > PS2 DVD Image".
If requestet choose the SYSTEM.CNF file from the extracted stuff.

Go to the file menu and choose Properties.
Select "Media > 8.5(7.95)GB".
Save as Standard Iso File.

Install it to HD with disable DVD9 Support (Mode 2).

I can confirm the above procedure works on a V7 ps2 with HD Loader 0.8c.
Songs that were causing the game to freeze are now loading fine.

evening all. noob here. ive ripped the iso but i dont see the 3-4-5 arks anywhere. any ideas. thanks

3-4-5 are on the second layer. You need to use Apache to rip everything from both layers (see above instructions).

Was using DVD5 version fine, until I tried Colony Of Birchmen by Mastodon, gets about 30 seconds into the song then hangs. Is this just me, should I try rebuilding the DVD9 again?

You're not supposed to make a DVD5 version. All that needs doing is moving the .ark files (which are on the 2nd layer) into the GEN folder and then rebuilding this as a new PS2 DVD9 in UltraISO.