Useful Guides and Links

[RealOne]

This thread contains information on everything of importance. This includes very useful information and useful link to help you get the most out of PCSX2.

Useful Links
PCSX2 Official Config Guide
Small pcsx2 FAQ by blueshogun96
PCSX2 0.9.1 FAQ by CKemu
Nachbrenner's Site for making Patch's
Simple Guide for Video Skip Patches by CKemu
Reichfuher's guide to dumping your Playstation 2 BIOS
CKemu's guide to using the PS2 BIOS
Refraction's guide to common problems and errors.
Why is PCSX2 Slow?
Load US memcard saves on any region version of FFX and FFX-2

[LaserJohn]

Ok... This isnt exactly a tutorial.... But a very informative post... Full of Information obtained from the internet...

(this tutorial might contain stupid mistakes like gramatical errors... didnt have time to go through them all after getting them from the net)
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This is an informative guide about the ps2 bios and it's realated info.

BIOS

Basically, The BIOS is the "basic input output system" of your PlayStation 2. The BIOS is a piece of code & data that is written in a chip inside your PlayStation 2 console. It is accessible by programmable means, as it is mapped in the address space. Starting at 0xBFC00000 you can find its content. The basic image of the bios is 4MB in size up to address 0xC0000000. So, if you read between these addresses, you are actually reading from The BIOS chip


What does the BIOS actually do?
The PlayStation 2 bios is not an OS (that is, an operating system). So the BIOS does not run in the background like the normal computer's operating system. It is quite different.

The PlayStation 2 games have an index file (that is, the ELF file) that contains all the work and jobs that the PlayStation 2 should to do in ASM. And these requests are sent to the IOP, then the (IOP) sends the jobs that is to be done to all PlayStation 2's outputs like the EE, SIF, GIF, VU0, VU1, IPU, SPU2, etc. So, is not like a line of code that can be converted to x86 directly.

And, the part themselves can send data to another, like VU0 to VU1 and SIF and GIF to VU. It is much more complicated than it looks.

The PlayStation 2 has only the single system without having to worry about external processes. They can be "one linear line" And because of this, it needs fewer resources.

The BIOS is a piece of software. It is resident inside the PlayStation 2 Read-Only-Memory (ROM) and it takes the hand when you turn the PlayStation 2 on. It looks for any CD'rom or DVD-rom, and when it finds any one it reads the tracks and loads the tracks contents (some game software) into the memory of the PlayStation 2. Then this software takes the control of the PS2 and your game starts working.

It is said that the game software needs to call the BIOS when it wants to do some stuff like to read the CD-ROM, to get an input from the PAD or to write the video. Most of the time, these are basic input or output stuffs, including any exchange with specific chip inside the PlayStation 2 (like the sound chip). This is why the BIOS is called BIOS, which is an acronym for "BASIC INPUT OUTPUT SYSTEM".


Technical Specifications of the PlayStation 2
CPU - 128-bit Emotion Engine.
System Clock Frequency - 294.912 MHz
Cache Memory Instructions - 16 KB
Data - 8 KB + 16 KB (Script)

So, the PlayStation 2's BIOS, is NOT the PlayStation 2's OS. It isn't in background or in a sub process or anything. Just it isn't there. It is possible to run games on the PlayStation 2 without loading the bios using a hack that jumps directly to the game.

So the only logical way to emulate the PlayStations 2 is to make a working emulation of the PlayStation 2's hardware. And make the code jump from part to part like in a real ps2.

The play station 2's BIOS is a device to execute the Play station 2's code lines.


PCSX2 already dictates where the signal goes etc
PCSX2 sends codes to the sound card, instead of SPU2 on a PlayStation 2 that has certain registers of its own and sends signals back of which the pc doesn't support, same goes for GS and dvd drive etc. the BIOS controls the hardware, meanwhile in the emulator the hardware is totally different.


The main components of the PlayStation 2 BIOS:
ROM0 (zero) - Main PS2 BIOS file [4.00 MB (4,194,304 bytes)]
ROM1 - Language / DVD Player Related [512 KB (524,288 bytes)]
ROM2 - Language Specific (Chinese Characters) [512 KB (524,288 bytes)]
EROM - DVD Video Player [3.00 MB (3,145,728 bytes)]
NVM- Related with the memory card.

(This is an example for an American version)

The SCPHxxxxx® does in no way represent the BIOS used; the SCPH serials represent the combination of components (Drive unit, Bios, Case, and Mother Board). Often two different SCPH numbers can be using the same BIOS.


PS2 VERSIONS/MODELS
There are many type of models of the PlayStation 2, Some of which are given below:

SCPH 10000 - Jap
SCPH 10001 - Jap
SCPH 30003 - Pal - west Europe
SCPH 30004 - Pal
SCPH 39004 - Pal
SCPH 39001 - Usa
SCPH 50001 - Usa
SCPH 50004 - Pal
SCPH 50006 - Pal
SCPH 70004 - Pal
V07 - SCPH 39004 ICE-V0.94
V09 - SCPH 50001N ICE-V910-kit
V10 - SCPH 50004 FINAL ICE Code
V10 - PS2 SCPH 50004 Crystal-chip Boot Manager
V11 - SCPH 50006 Matrix Infinity Dev1/Dev2

Of course, dumping the BIOS from any model will have the same resulting files. I.e. rom0, rom1, rom2, erom and the NVM file


Bios exceptions:
You should avoid using the Japan v01.00 (17-01-2000) Console (SCPH10000). As this BIOS lacks some features, that some games and those which PCSX2 uses. But if you have the scph-10000 model of the PlayStation 2... Then you will just have to drop the idea of dumping your bios. Scph-10000 has been declared "too old" to be used for PCSX2.

So, you may use any other BIOS. (Note: Remember you have to use a BIOS which you dumped from your own PS2)


Compatibility issues:
If you try to emulate a game (that is playable in PCSX2) without the rom1, rom2 and erom... you wont find any compatibility problems. That is, until now, there is no compatibility difference between using rom1ect and without using rom1ect.

rom1, rom2 and erom might be vital in the future, but for now it is not a vital element in the emulation.

And, it doesn't matter if you have an NTSC version or PAL version, it all means the same when it comes to emulation


Methods of dumping your PlayStation 2 BIOS:
Up till now, We have currently 4 Ways of Dumping the Bios. They are:

• Naplink
• Using USB memory sticks and Swap Magic
• Using LAN
• Pukklink
  

The first 2 ways are the most basic and easiest ways to dump your BIOS. But they require a modded PlayStation 2. To get information on the mod chip search on google. For it is inadvicable to discuss about it as it goes a bit into gray market. Beware, modding a PlayStation 2 console in some countries like Portugal is illegal while it is legal in other countries like Spain.

The other 2 are quiet hard and require a few things. But they don't need a modded PlayStation 2!. Before attempting to dump your PlayStation's BIOS using the LAN method, check whether you have a ps2 slim model or not. (that is, a thin PlayStation 2 having the model SCPH-7xxxx, where x is any number). If you are attempting to dump the bios of one such PlayStation 2, then you better try one of the other 2 methods because the LAN method doesn't work with the PS2 Slim Model.


1) Using USB memory sticks and swap magic:
By-Rmotters

Things need for this method:

• Swap magic 3.6
• Launch ELF
• Dump BIOS
• A USB memory stick
  

Method:

First of all, format your memory stick. Then move the hacked version of the dump bios to the root folder of the memory stick. And after that move the launch ELF utility to the SWAPMAGIC directory and rename it SWAPMAGIC.ELF. Boot the Swap magic DVD that initiates the Launch ELF program. Then finally use the Launch ELF program to execute Dump bios utility. And at last (hopefully), you will end up with 5 files i.e.rom0, rom2, erom and the NVM file inside the memory stick.


2) LAN method:
By-Reichfuher

Reichfuhers Guide to Dumping BIOS


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Hope that it was useful. tell me if you find anything stupid to correct.



Edited by RealOne: Revised the Information/Guide, Grammatical errors found and corrected, made more attractive so that it looks good on the eye , Last Edit: Removed the quote tag.

[schattenberg]

Creating Game Saves from GameFAQ and other sources for PCSX2
Microsoft Word And PDF Version snf have photos to go along with them

You must have a PS2 formatted memcard. (NOTE: This also works for Memory Card Dumps from the PS2)
Boot.ELF and PS2 Save Builder are located in the "memcardsave.rar" file

This was made for PCSX2 v0.8.1 so if it doesn't work on the latest release you can try it with the previous release. If it works with the latest release, then more power to you!

1. Find the game you want from www.gamefaq.com, www.codebreaker.com, www.gameshark.com, and download the save file. In this tutorial I am using a Kingdom Hearts Save.
2. Open PS2 Save Builder.
3. Click Open, and then locate your save file that you just downloaded.
4. Remember the "root/ID" Number.
5. Now Create a folder containing that number.
6. Back in the PS2 Save Builder, Highlight all the File Names, right click and tell it "Extract".
7. Find the folder you just created, and tell it save. You should now have the save files in the folder.
8. If you want to do more saves, then now is the time. Repeat above steps.
9. Now close PS2 Save builder.
10. Open any CD Burner Program, Put the folder on the CD and create an ISO containing that folder. (Note: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BURN A DISC, also you can add more than one folder to the ISO.)
11. Now Put the ISO in the same folder as Boot.elf.
12. Now Open PCSX2.
13. Set the CPU to Interpreter.
14. Set the Graphics plugin to GSsoft or GSdx9 (Software Mode).
15. Set the Sound to Null.
16. And CD-ROM to CDVDbin.
17. Tell CDVDbin Configure, and locate your ISO you created. (SAVE.ISO is what we are using here)
18. Click Close, and then OK again
19. Now go to File Open ELF File
20. Locate Boot.elf and open it
21. If you get an Error Message. Just click "OK" and continue.
22. You should see a screen around FC:74.
23. Press any key assigned to the controller. I prefer pressing "Select"
24. Under "DEFALT" tell it Edit
25. Scroll down to "MISC" and tell it "OK"
26. Select File Browser, and tell it "OK"
27. Select "OK" again at the bottom of the screen
28. Press Down, Select "Defalt: FileBrowser," and Press "OK"
29. Go to "CDFS" and tell it "OK"
30. Locate the file you created titled "BASLUS-20370-02" (Could be different)
31. Select it, but don't click "OK"
32. If you have more save files, Press "X" to "Mark" the file and keep doing that. Once done press "R1," Select "Copy," and tell it "OK."
33. Go up one level, by pressing "Triangle"
34. Select "mc0:/" and tell it "OK"
35. Press "R1" and tell it "Paste."
36. This should take a while. So please wait a couple minutes. Once you’re done, you have a memory card with save files!

Most corrupt files are either due to the SaveGame Host or closing the emulator before it could finish.

Enjoy!  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

[RealOne]

Dumping Your PS2 BIOS

Things You need:

• USB Mass Storage Device (Flash Drive with atleast 10MB)
• Blank CD-RW
• Modded PS2 (Else, A way to load up homebrew apps)
  

So, you got what you need. Great, Lets Move on to the Next Step


What To Do:

Step 01 : Downloading And Extraction

• First of all Download the attachment
  
    DumpBios-USB.rar (Size: 231.13 KB / Downloads: 3339)
• Extract the file Using WinRAR
• You Should Have an ISO with the name DumpBios-USB.iso

Step 02 : Burning ISO to CDRW

Remember that DumpBios-USB.iso which you extracted in Step 01? Now all you gotta do is Burn the ISO to a CD-RW. Use a Software such as Nero, DVDdecrypter or similar.

Now, do you want me to make a guide for Burning an ISO.. Now way

Step 03 : USB Mass Storage Device

Your Flash Drive should :

• Have atleast +8MB Storage Space
• Be Formatted into FAT/32
• been allocated the Maximum Space Available. i.e, Have No partitions

Step 04 : The Real Dumping

• Insert the Burned CD-RW from Step 02
• Insert the Flash Drive from Step 03
• Start Your PS2 (P.S Only a modded PS2 could load a CR-RW)
  

Now It should load up like the following Screen
On that screen press SELECT


On the Next Screen, The pointer should be pointed to Defaults, Just Press O.


Note: This is an Important Step, Scroll Down to mass:/ and Select O.


When You selected the mass:/ directory, it should go in to the device and should be able to be explored as in the following Screenshot. If you are not able to do so, you must check whether it has been formatted to FAT/32. If it is try changing the Flash Drive into the second USB hole.


Now press X and go back. Browse to cdfs:/. This is the Directory of the Inserted disc. Inside the CDFS Directory you should have, DUMPBIOS-MASS.ELF. Select It and Press O


Once You Have pressed O. You would have come to the Second Screen But slightly different Which you would notice. The DUMPBIOS-MASS.ELF would be selected in the Default Boot


Now Press up twice, or a lot more times down and at the OK function press O. Now you should come up with this screen


All you gotta do now is wait for 1 - 5 minutes and If you did it correctly Your Bios would be Dumped.



Still Having Problems?
You are bound to have problems on the first try. So, try again and make sure you havent missed out any step. Specially the one where you have to go to the mass:/ directory.

If you still have problems try the other ways of Dumping BIOS which are listed above and here and then ask for help if you couldnt do it anyway


Special Thanks:
DarkZeros AKA TWave: For his guide at NGemu which lead to the making of this guide


Edit: I know that the change in contrast of each picture would be difficult to keep up with.. I'll chanage them laters

[emwearz]

Ripping PS2 Games - The Easy Way
(For use of iso files)

First you will need to download and install DVD Decrypter, a simple search of google should find you a download link.

Open DVD Decrypter with your (As in you own it) PS2 game in your DVD Drive, select the Mode from the top bar, go down to ISO, now select Read.

   

Select where you want DVD Decrypter to place the .iso file by clicking the folder icon in the Destination section.

   

Click the Decrypt Button, wait for the program to finish, and your done, that easy.

[RealOne]

Making/Ripping An ISO

Now, You should have come to PCSX2 Forums Because you have PCSX2. That means you should also have all the Plugins that came with it. Those are What We need here

Things You Need

• PCSX2 Emulator
• EFP Iso CDVD Driver 0.6.0 Plugin or higher
• The DVD of which you want to make the ISO (it should be your own)
  

What To Do

• Insert the DVD/CD
• Run PCSX2
• Go to Config > Configure
• At Cdvdrom Choose EFP Iso CDVD Driver 0.6.0 (+)
• At the bottom of Cdvdrom Plugin there is a Configure... Button, Hit it...
  
• At the Next Dialog Box, Hit the Button Get From Disc
  
• The Following Dialog Box should Come up.
  
• Type in the Drive Letter of the DVD/CD-ROM To which you inserted the DVD/CD Disc
• At the Iso File: Hit Browse, and Browse to the Directory you want to save the Iso, and Type in a name (i.e, XXXX.iso) and click Open
• Choose the Compression mode, if you want
• Multiple Files (all under 2GB]: that is if you want to split the files if the file Size increases from more than 2 GB.
• Now hit Make File
• Wait Untill 100% completion. And your ISO Is made
  

Warning

• Dont remove the Disc while the ISO is being Made
• Dont Close the PCSX2 Program
  

Having Problems?

• Make Sure you followed all the Instructions Correctly
• Try the DVD Decrypter Method above
  

Thanks

• The PCSX2 Developers
• Developers of the Plugin EFP Iso CDVD Driver
  

EDIT : Use the CDVD Laucher

For What??

• Its faster &
• You Don't need to Open PCSX2
  

What you need to Do

• Download this --> CDVD launcher.zip
• Extract the Zip
• Copy EFP Iso CDVD Driver 0.6.0 (+) into the 'Plugins' Directory of the Extracted Prog
• Open the Launcher
• and You are good to go
  

The Rest, See the above guide

Having Probs??
Prolly, you have got too many plugins in there.. You would only need the EFP Iso CDVD Driver 0.6.0 (+)

Still?? Post about it

Thanks
Shendo: For his Great CDVD Plugin Launcher
and Ofcourse the Plugin Devs

[Techseabourne]

I have a original playstation 2 If i Dump my playstation 2 with the iso cd & UsB will it harm my PS2

[This Dude]

No, it will not harm you PS2 if you dumped your bios using the CD and USB method. Just make sure you have a modchip in your PS2 already or a way to boot homebrew apps and make sure you use a good quality brand CD.

Good luck!!!

[cyclonmaster]

Transfering pcsx2 save game to PS2 Guide

I had transfered my pcsx2 save files to my PS2 memory card. Very nice It work.
This is usefull in case you experience stuck in game with pcsx2 and there is no way to bypass that part. So you want to continue the game without replaying it again on PS2.
Still, after that you can still continue playing it on pcsx2 again by converting the save file to pcsx2 format with this guide

This is my guide using Kingdom Hearts I save file.


Open MCExtract100.

Open your pcsx2 save file(*.ps2).

Then right click on the save file you want to convert and extract.

The extracted file will be generated in MCExtract100 folder

Close MCExtract100.

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NOTE: I'm showing pcsx2 screenshot just to capture the screen, Use PS2

Using Launch ELF 3.41 (Download)
source file
(Others info on PS2 exploit can be read on this PS2BIOS Dumping Guide or here)

Copy your generated save folder(Example BASLUS-20370-05) into your USB pendrive
Then, Plug in your USB pendrive to the PS2.

Now, insert and boot your LaunchELF CD in your PS2.

Press select

Select Default>Misc>FileBrowser




Select OK and Press O to enter

Select Default: FileBrowser

Select Mass:/ (This is your USB pendrive) and press O to enter

NOTE: some USB pendrive not detected. Try another USB slot or use other pendrive. I'm using PSP in USB mode.

Select your save file (BASLUS-20370-05)

Press X to Mark your save file

Press R1 to open menu, select copy

Press triangle to go up

select MC0 or MC1, press O to enter

Press R1 to open menu again, select paste and wait.

FINISH

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NOTE: I'm showing pcsx2 screenshot just to capture the screen, Use PS2

Using Codebreaker 9.0 or above

Open Ps2 Save Builder (Download)
source file

Copy the folder name (Example BASLUS-20370-05) to the PS2 Save builder Root/ID

Then select all content in BASLUS-20370-05 folder and drag and drop the files to the PS2 Save Builder

Save the file as Code Breaker Save(*.cbs)

To check the save file you had created, try open it then you'll see(as in picture with icon)

Copy your save file(*.cbs) into a USB pendrive.

Plug in your USB pendrive to the PS2.

Now, insert and boot your Codebreaker 9.0 CD in your PS2.

Select Device Manager.

Select source USB(obviously)

press X to select file
press triangle for action menu
select copy
select your destination



FINISH.
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Thanks to yi for MCExtract v1.00
yi-ps2
MCExtract100 attached below. Hopefully this is usefull. Enjoy

[devkid]

COOL!

[redlofredlof]

please help
I need to learn how to make a patch of kingdom hearts, I got the code from ngemu.com but I don't know how to make a patch for the game.
the link for making patches does not work.
"Nachbrenner's Site for making Patch's"

[LEO_]

its amazing info

thanks man

[Kcorb-Nhoj]

Ok so I have tried this and wasted 7 disks.... I really want to get my bios off of my PS2 so I can run this emulator and stuff... I have tried 2 different programs for pulling BIOS and I have even cleared out hard drive space for me to install NERO.... IT JUST WONT WORK! Im getting amazingly frustrated and dont know what to do. I am at a total loss..... PLEASE HELP ME FIGURE OUT WHAT I AM DOING WRONG............

[RealOne]

The Burned CDRW can only be loaded by a PS2 which is modified.

and make sure you burn the CDRW/DVDR in the slowest speed.

RFA Guide to dumping bios over lan --> http://forums.ngemu.com/pcsx2-forum/8360...http://forums.ngemu.com/pcsx2-forum/83608-rfs-guide-dumping-your-ps2-bios-ove

Also the time taken would be more than 10 secnds.. approximately 1-5 minutes

[ben13]

well i need help because my pcsx2 0.9.4 is not working
when i use it with CDVD null driver 0.6.0 or with Linuzappz Iso CDVD 0.6.0 it gives the error "error opening GS plugin "
when i use it with P.E.Op.S CDVD (CDDA mode) 1.30 my pcsx2 terminats

grapic sating which i m usins is ZeroGS KOSMOS Open GL 0.96.7

please tell i realy want to play thanx