AS with all PS2 backup guides/tutorials - you must have a modded console in order to be able to play those backup discs... to learn more about these "mods" see my "checklist" tutorial HERE



This tutorial explains how to make an ISO image file from game files, using Sony CD/DVD generator and Gnie's IML2ISO programs.
If you have Nero burning ROM program, you can follow this guide insteadHere instead.



Ok, to start with you must already have the game files in a folder on your computer, if not then see Here for how to get them.



1. We need to know the order the files should be in to create the ISO image, so here we create a text file of the contents of the disc using Apache3. Open apache3 and insert the PS2 game disc that you want to get the file order from and click the button indicated in the image below.



It will bring up a browse window, for you to select the location and name of the text file, for this tutorial I suggest you use the same location for all files, which in this case is C:\ name the text file and click OK.



You can see below that it has created your text file in the C:\ directory. Open this file as you will need it soon. You can now close Apache3 program as it's no longer needed.




2. Open the Folder where the game files are kept.




2. Open Sony CD/DVD generator program. Follow the pictures below.





Then you should see this window below.




3. So, you should now have 3 open windows, CD/DVD generator, The File folder window and the Text file window.




4. Now we need to follow the Text file we created earlier and DRAG the files/folders one by one from the File folder window TO the CD/DVD generator window.

As you can see from the text file, the first file should be the [b]SCES/b] file, so select that file in the File folder window and drag it into the CD/DVD generator window.








Do the same for the rest of the files/folders in the text file list. When you come to a folder, the text file will show all the files in that folder, you only need to drag the folder over as indicated below... not the individual files.








5. When that is completed it should look something like below, you can see from the comparison between text file and CD/DVD generator that all is as it should be.



Comparison.



You can now close the file folder window as it's no longer needed... leave the text file open as we need the information below for the next step.




6. Now we have to put in some information to CD/DVD generator project. Select the Volume tab and input the information from the text file as below.




Then input the Producer Name




Select the region that you are in. In my case it's Europe.




7. Now from the menu, select Export IML file.




Select the location and name of the IML file, I recommend using C:\ as before.




Once the IML file is saved you can exit out from the CD/DVD generator program.





You can also now close the text file.


8. Now we need to make the ISO file, for this you need to open the IML2ISO program. Then select the Open button




Now select the IML file that we created earlier.






Then click the IML2ISO button.




It will now start to create the ISO file in the same location as the IML file.






Wait for it to finish, around 5 minutes on average and click ok. Then you can close the IML2ISO program. As you can see from the image below, there is now an ISO file created.






You can now burn the ISO file as usual. If looking for a tutorial on burning ISOs, see Here or Here

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Nice tutorial paddymail. Good work, like you say, two hours. Where can I download Apache 3? Also this is a dumb question. But when you've made the ISO back (VIA IML2ISO) Does it rebuild the whole game or split it into 2?

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http://img322.imageshack.us/img322/9507/mysig0ie.jpg

Thanks Jparkes,

Apache3 can be found in the download section under PS2 apps... I also linked directly to it in the guide, hover over the red writing which is a link.. all my links are coded red for future reference.
Yes, it builds the full ISO, not 2 parts... it won't work for a DVD-9 game though as it's too big obviously.

[edit] You have to have a NTSF file structure and not FAT32 to be able to have ANY file over 2GB I think it is, that'd be the only time it'd either split it or not make one at all I believe.. tech has made a tutorial for telling you how to convert to NTSF sytsem, it's very simple to do.

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Very nice guide!! Great job paddy!

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::XSGfX::
::My dA::

Thanks Jamaal

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Apache 3 really is better than IsoBuster. Nice guide Paddy, I'll stick with Nero for rebuilds lol, cuts out about 3 steps. Well done, though.

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Thanks,

Yeah, I just wanted to give people options if they didn't have nero burning rom version... you can't use express.. I agree that it's much easier to use nero burning rom UDF/ISO option if you have it

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Hey there
I just spend the last two days reading and trying out this and the simple nero method and wasted a dozen disks none worked. the disks just read "no data" on the playstation. We have the slimline model. ???? using verbatim disks 16X drives (hp+benq) at 4X and 8X burn times. anybody?
charlie the noob

What type of mod are you using to boot the backups? Mod chip or a boot disc?

Also, you will want to try different media. 16X discs are prone to causing a lot of hassle!

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::XSGfX::
::My dA::

Yeah I suspect that maybe you don't have any type of modification to your console maybe?

If that's the case, i'm sorry you wasted your time/discs on this.. there are loads of tutorials etc floating around the web and here that explain you have to have a modification to your console to play backup games though... so I didn't include that as part of the tutorial.

If that's not the case, make a thread in the ps2 help forum and explain what game it is you're trying to backup, what mod you have for your console etc etc.. and we'll try and help you sort it out.

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