USB Flash Drive for Save Backups
 

I saw an ad for the Max Drive, which allows Game Saves to be transferred to a computer by using what looks to be a regular old USB Flash Drive.

Is this USB 'Max Drive' formatted a special way that the PS2 can read, or can you use any regular old USB Flash Drive to transfer Game Saves? If not, can a nomal USB Flash Drive be converted somehow to the point that it could be used on a PS2?

My guess is that there's likely either:

a) software on the USB drive or
b) a small CD that comes with it to load software to transfer.

I don't know personally though. This is just a blind guess.

Probably a software on the USB drive. Are these things reliable? I remember the one for PS1 where you can transfer your PS save files to your PC (Dexdrive, I think), and though it works, I heard people say it fucks up their save files.

Why not buy another memcard? Or is it cheaper with that thing?

I personally use the latest Codebreaker. They sell it at EB/Gamestop.

It's cheaper, and it doesn't have the memory card corruption glitch that Max Drive has. You just have to provide your own USB drive.

I also bought a Codebreaker to do this very same thing immediately after getting the 300/300 Star Ocean 3 trophies, as I'd be crazy NOT to permanently save that fucker.

I can vouch for this method, as I've saved tons and tons of games successfully to my comp with it.

If your PS2 is modded, or has the exploit installed so that you can run uLaunchELF, you can transfer saves to any USB flash drive.

Well, actually, I was looking up some secrets for Godhand on gamefaqs and noticed a 'Game Saves' section, and wanted to try some of them out. I was basically wondering what my options were in pursuit of transferring the saves to my PS2 or memory cards.

I noticed there was a 'PlayStation2 Max Drive Save (North America)' section, as well as a 'PlayStation2 CodeBreaker Save (Japan)' section. I have a mod chip installed, so maybe I'll take a look into this CodeBreaker and/or uLaunchELF thing - but does that mean they will only work on the Japanese version of the game :(?

Still, I think it would be fun to be able to get this to work, as it might be fun to transfer some of my saves to other people, as well as back them up so I don't get anymore corrupt files (however rare that may be).

Codebreaker allows one to transfer PS2 saves to the PC via a USB key?

Yeah. Plug in a USB Flashdrive into either PS2 slot, insert and boot up the Codebreaker. Select Device Manager, and your memory card(s) and the USB flashdrive graphics will be lit up. Select whatever saves you want from the memory card(s), and copy them onto the USB Flashdrive. At that point, you can delete them from the memory card(s).

Remove Flashdrive from PS2, insert into USB port in computer, and move them to whatever location you want on your PC. Permanently saved.

Saves from the Japanese version will only work with the Japanese version, if that's what you're asking. There's a utility available to convert max drive saves into raw saves that you can use with uLaunchELF, or into CodeBreaker saves. Essentially it can convert most major save formats.

It's called PS2 Save Builder, and in case that direct link won't work, it is available from PS2 Save Tools. Look in Downloads->Misc Tools, and it's on the second page. There's tons of useful crap on that site.

If you need any help getting uLaunchELF up and running, please feel free to drop me a PM. I'll do my best.

You should be able to execute the exploit that lets you use uLaunchELF as long as you have a Codebreaker too, I believe it's called the "Independence" exploit.

Been a while since I've done any research on it, the last time I tried it I was able to get it running but couldn't do much else with it. :p

I set my exploit up using Swap Magic, bought a Network adapter for 20 quid, and a HDD for 30. Now I play my imports direct from the HDD. It's great. No loading times, less strain on the laser... I don't know why everyone doesn't do it.

Awesome. That save converter would totally help, since I think that the Max Drive doesn't sound like the most feasible solution, and that seems to be the only thing that GameFAQs is offering. I'm totally going to look into that.

I thought I was all smart and badass when I got a modchip, but now I seriously need to look into this HDLoader thing. I'm sacrificing online play with a modchip, and it sounds like HDLoader works better anyways (with reduced loading times and all).

I have two PS2's - one normal and one modded. Maybe I'll do the HDLoader thing with my normal PS2 and sell my modded one to a friend...FUNDS FOR A PS3 BOO YA.

Hooooooooooooooooooooooooooold It!

You mean as long as you execute the exploit, and have an HD + Network Adapter, you can play imports?

Please tell me how. :D

You found a contradiction in my testimony? Damn it! ;)

Yes. This is precisely what I meant. I use a regular generic 80GB HDD as well, not the official sony one. I think you could probably use the official Sony one, but it's way too small to be much use.

Of course. You just need to download the HDLoader, and use uLaunchELF to install it on your memory card. If you already have the exploit set up, you can just copy it to your exploit folder and then add it to the KeyLauncher menu.

In order to play imports you first need to rip your games on your PC using DVD Decrypter or any other program that will let you make an ISO image from your games. Once you've done that, you can either connect your HDD directly to the PC and use WinHiip to install your games, or you can send them over the network using HDL_Dump. Sending them over the network is slow, but it doesn't involve opening your PC.

Get HDL_Dump and WinHiip here!

If you wanted to play domestic titles from the HDLoader, to save wear and tear on your laser, you can rip them by putting them in the PS2. That won't work for imports, though, because the PS2 won't recognise the disc.

When you come to the HDLoader menu, all the games you've installed will be bootable no matter what region they are from.

I'm having difficulty finding the URL for the actual HDLoader program, but as soon as I do, I will post it.

EDIT: OK So I got it. You can download version 0.7c (fully patched) from that same site, but on a different page. There's actually a version 0.8b out now, but I'm still using 0.7c and there aren't many games it won't run.

Since HDLoader requires you to rip your games to ISO format, it is often accused of being a tool for piracy. It can be used as such, of course. It can also be used to play legitimate imports. If anyone is going to criticise me for enabling software piracy, all I can say is that I've heard the arguments before. I enjoy this level of convenience.

Can you use any particular HD or is there an established list of what you can and cannot use? I have a Western Digital 100GB ATA/IDE HD that I'm not using at the moment.

Also, the last thing I'm gonna do is criticize your methods, especially something like this lol. The mere thought of Suikoden V Japanese is more than enough for me haha.

Here's the thing: While most IDE hard drives will work, there are some that won't physically fit the connectors on the network adapter. Some Western Digital models are problematic like that, but not all. Seagate drives are reputed to be incompatible with certain models of the network adapter, but other than that... you can use anything else. I just grabbed the first HDD that I saw that wasn't a WD or a Seagate drive. It happened to be Hitachi.

There's a non-exhaustive list of compatible drives here. On the off chance that you're interested, that site sell discs that will boot HDAdvance in an unmodded, unexploited PS2. HDAdvance is essentially HDLoader minus some of the newer patches, and of course you can't skin HDAdvance. I wouldn't go for it, but I know people who have.

It wasn't you that I was thinking of. In the last thread on GFF in which I discussed HDLoader, it was criticised as being for downloaders, not importers. I don't really care about that, but I wanted to forestall the argument, in case anyone was feeling pugnacious.

I'll PM you about the new patched version.

Well, this WD1000 IDE/ATA barely misses the mark and doesn't fit. :(

That sucks. I suppose I could try to find a cheap HD somewhere at like Best Buy to put in, 80GB-100GB IDE/ATAs can't be too expensive anymore.

Damn... I heard that it's possible to mod the adapter in some way, but it doesn't seem worth it to me. Considering how cheap hard drives are.

You shouldn't have to pay much more than 40 bucks. Based on my recent experiences, I recommend Hitachi. I have two in my computer, one in my xbox, and one in my PS2. They are great drives. :D

Oh, and check your PMs.

I suppose I'll grab one from Newegg then, since most B&M retailers have HDs priced through the roof.

I saw the PM. :p I'll reply to it momentarily.

EDIT: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822145091 would that one work?

Ahh, sorry. Since I found out today there was a new version, I've been in slightly hyper-mode, installing and testing and whatever. I didn't mean to be impatient... The new version is much nicer for us PAL users, since it now actually fills the whole screen, so I've been quite excited.

I'm so easily excited like a kid when it comes to stuff like this. :D

It's actually specifically mentioned on the compatibility list, and it's the same range as the one I use, just a higher capacity. You'll be fine with that. It's pretty large, considering that PS2 games take up an average of 2GB. You'll be able to install your whole colection. :D

I don't know about my whole collection, considering I have 100+ PS2 games. A great deal though I imagine. I have a couple of imports (my LE copy of Suikoden V Japanese) and some other things I'd like to try out and as long as it stops the wear and tear on my laser it's all good.

Ah, that. I used the independence exploit to install a bootloader onto my PS2... I don't use it much though.

This thread has inspired me to pick up my own copy of codebreaker. I have so many saves that I simply cannot afford to lose.

The DVD drive stops spinning as soon as the HDLoader is booted, so it's pretty kind to your laser. It cuts down wear to just a few minutes per playing session, instead of hours. It also means that there's no chance for you to scratch up your originals.

Just came back from CompUSA in a failed attempt to find a Hitachi drive there, I guess I will have to wait out Newegg on that one I linked. Which is all good of course, I have way too much to do anyway.

Soon as I get that HD I'll let you know.