[PS2] 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?

How ya doing, buddy?

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).

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Soluzar

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.

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.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by uLaunchELF Documentation

LaunchELF is designed to run in a variety of situations. Most users run the program from either the hard drive or memory card, but it is also possible to run LaunchELF from CD or DVD. Depending on your system setup, you may consider using one of these methods.

* Run LaunchELF directly from CD/DVD
* Use Swap Magic 3.6's USB functionality to boot mass:/SWAPMAGIC/SWAPMAGIC.ELF from USB mass storage device
* Use your modchip's Devolution Mode 1 (DEV1) to allow direct boot from memory card on system startup
* Use your modchip's Devolution Mode 2 (DEV2) to allow direct boot from hard drive on system startup
* Use M.R.Brown's PS2 Independence Exploit to allow boot from memory card when an assigned PSX disc is inserted

The first two options are often used by users who have a Playstation 2 which is incompatible with the exploit and do not have a modchip, but have a Swap Magic. It is less favourable to the other methods since it is harder to upgrade the program, and frequent swaps are required in order to use the program. You can however boot LaunchELF from CD/DVD and use it to copy itself to the desired location on your memory card or hard drive.

The last three options require LaunchELF to be stored on a storage medium generally only accessible from the Playstation 2. Most modchips look for the Devolution Boot Executable in mc0:/BOOT/BOOT.ELF or hdd0:/__boot/boot.elf. The PS2 Independence Exploit looks for the boot executable in mc0:/BxDATA-SYSTEM. The x represents your PS2's region (I=Japan/Asia, A=America, E=Europe).

Oh christ. I have no idea what kind of modchip I have, or if it has that exploit. TIME TO DO SOME RESEARCH.

How ya doing, buddy?