Moving PSX game saves to the computer

[perfectlibra]

Is there a way to take the save files from my PSX memory cards and get them onto my computer? I attmpted to use Max Media file manager software ( for PS2 ) that ultilizes the PSP but the program would not recognize PSX memory cards or PSX saves that were moved to a PS2 memory card.

[Gamesoul Master]

I haven't tested the ARMAX's capabilities of moving PSX memory card files (though I have moved PS2 saves), but I wouldn't think it was possible. What I can tell you is that you would need a device such as a DexDrive to move the files. I bought my DexDrive for $10 at a local used game store. They can be difficult to find in the real world, but I'm sure they still have them for sale.

Ahh... I just read the manual to my ARMAX (yeah, I don't know why I still have it, but it's been sitting in my desk drawer), and it only mentions PS2 saves and memory cards. It doesn't seem to have any kind of support for PSX memory cards or saves. So... you'll either have to go with the DexDrive option or some other device that has a similar function (all of which you would have to find "used").

[seiferalmasy]

got my dexdrive a few month back on ebay. great purchase.

Then dexter from Neill corlett to save, move, edit the image files into a mem card that emulators can use, or that can go bac on a real mem card.

The 2 do everything you need ps1 save wise

[smegforbrain]

I too have tried using Action Replay Max and whatever other cheat devices I've got that allow direct access to memcards, and it just won't recognize PS1 memcards.

I was really hoping the Codebreaker one would allow it, since it's worked so far in loading in new cheats to the system via a USB drive (which are then saved to a PS2 memcard), but alas, no luck.

[Firehawke]

Just a silly question... I don't have an AR Max to try this with..

Could someone try copying the PS1 saves to a PS2 card, THEN using AR Max with it? I know that while the PS1 mode of the PS2 doesn't support PS2 cards, you can still use a PS2 card to back up saves. The AR Max SHOULD be able to pull them off a PS2 card-- the only problem is.. how do you convert it back to a file format that is usable with an emulator afterwards?

[smegforbrain]

firehawke said:

how do you convert it back to a file format that is usable with an emulator afterwards?

If conversion is even necessary.

PS1 and PS2 saves are, presumably, not in the same format.

However, PS1 saves on a PS2 memcard would still need to be in the same format so as to be readable by a PS1 game... you just can't use the PS2 memcard on an actual PS1.

I'll have to give this one a try today, assuming that any of my PS1 memcards are still good.

Well, the PS1 memcards are still good, and I moved the files to my PS2 memcard.

Unfortunately, Codebreaker's Device Manager will still not recognize PS1 game saves, even on a PS2 card. It won't recognize a PS1 memcard either.

One more update: I went to check out my Action Replay Max with this, and my PS2 refuses to recognize the AR disc. The bonus disc for PS1 codes still works, and the disc surface looks fine for the AR disc, so I have nfc what's going on.

[sleipnir]

Hi

I hit the same issue a few months ago (didn't want to loose my SoulEdge save).
I plugged my PS1 Memcard in my PS2, then used an FTP server running on my PS2 (so you must have the network adapter and be able to run homebrew apps), and I had a direct access to the PS1 saves.
I transfered them to my PC using a ftp client (Filezilla)

I then used a (very crude) software called raw2mcs-conv to convert the raw files to some format support by emus

[Gamesoul Master]

Well, I finally got around to trying the ARMAX on this problem. Not only will the ARMAX *not* recognize a PS1 memory card, but if you try putting a PS1 save on a PS2 memory card, the ARMAX recognizes it only as "Corrupted data" and will not let you do anything with it except delete it. So scratch that idea too...

[m4m]

There are several ways to do this without the use of a dexdrive, but unfortunatly they all require some work......Here they are.....

1: the first way (and maybe the easiest way in the long run) is to create your own memory card reader. the instructions and an app can be found at: moberg-dybdal.dk/psxge/

2: the other method is this, the method I use.... You will need to have installed windows 95/98 on your PC on a seperate partition (the app WILL NOT work in 2k or XP, even combatibility mode wont work) OR, what I do, is to have vmware installed and running windows 98, which is what I do.

To use vmware, just sellect the default settings for windows 98 operating system, and then you need to add the parallel port (LPT 1) to the hardware list, and install win98 into it aswell.

You will also need an older psx with the parallel port on the back, and a gameshark pro (mine is a version 3.2, last version produced, but any version of gspro should work).

as for software, you will need the gspro tools (a version that has memcard support, verrrrry hard to find, but it is out there), and an app called PSXGameEdit, which can be found in the link I gave above.

Now, with your psx off, hook up the psx to the PC via parallel cable (25 pin male to 25 pin female). Now, turn on your psx and wait for the gspro to fully load. Now, we are working in VMware/win98, keep in mind. Once loaded, load up gspro tool and click on the detect button in the system information tab. once it says hardware found, click on the GameSaves tab. here you can transfer individual saves to the PC in *.psx format. once you have the saves you want, you can close gspro tools and shutdown the psx.

Now to get the saves to the emu. Load up PSXGameEdit and load in the memcard image. You can now drag-n-drop the individual saves into the app. Once done, save the memcard image and you are done!

3: There is another way to transfer the gamesaves by using a ps2 ( the older, "chubby" one NOT pstwo, the slimline one) which involves the use of a thumbdrive, but it requires the use of a modded ps2, and I am NOT going to cover this here, in a PM, nor anywhere else. sorry. besides, I am not fully aware of how it is done myself, but I have read a website that explains how it works and users that have tried it and it worked for them. The website is.....heh, sorry, due to the exploit reasons, I am not going to give the url out here, PM nor any other median, sorry.

Yes, I know that this is a down-n-dirty way, but these are the only other ways I know of to transfer gamesaves to and from the psx memcard to an emulator and back.

[Gamesoul Master]

In other words, the best solution is getting a DexDrive, as they are cheap and not too uncommon to find.

Creating your own app involves using the ARMAX Media Player or similar PS2 software that can even load the app in the PS2 in the first place. Or a variation of the exploit trick, which would require no modding of the system, but would be a *lot* of work just to transfer a few saves.

[m4m]

welll, depending on where you live, the dexdrive is impossable to get, unless you find it online/ebay. where I live, no place has it in store (new or used), and no place is willing to order it.

also, with the method I described, you are not creating apps, just creating the reader itself. the apps are freely available.

as for using the ps2 to transfer the saves, I cant remember the exact method, but I beleave that armax was not used at all, if I am not mistakin that is.

[pSX Author]

The Xplorer cart can also be used to get memory card saves off a card using a PS1. There is software which still works in Windows XP (I know because I own one myself). It requires a PC with a parallel port though (they are becoming rarer on newer PCs).

You can often find Xplorers on ebay - thats where I got mine.

[m4m]

ty pSX Author. my question is can the rom from the xplorer cart be flashed to a gspro cart? I have heard that they are VERY similiar, just the casing design is whats really different, kinda like flashing the Caetla rom to the gspro (the only reason why I have not done this is for code combatibility reasons).

I would be willing to do this, I have managed to obtain 2 gspro carts, about a year ago I found them in a pawn shop for $3 (US) ea. Heh, the best part is that being that I bought them both, they nocked off $2 (a buck a piece). not a bad deal I thought considering they were $40 when they first came out!

the only reason why I would be willing to do this is because:

1: I have 2, if I do trash one beyond repair, I still have the 2nd.
2: some (if not all) apps dont like the gspro in winxp, while others are supported....go figure.....

[pSX Author]

I don't know if it can be flashed with the gspro rom, but it can definately be flashed with Caetla because thats how I am using mine atm

Using Caetla+catflap you can download memory card saves too (although you need to use a commandline app to do it).

[m4m]

I ment if the gspro cart can be flashed with the xplorer rom, not vice-versa.

just curious, does caetla support gameshark (gspro) codes? If so then I may just do that route (I know that caetla can be flashed onto a V3.2 gspro, but I dont know which version to use).... btw, what version of caetla are you using? 0.34?