Converting to/from raw save format

[Gamesoul Master]

When I say "raw MC format", I don't mean like .mcr or a similar format (which certainly is raw), but rather, a raw single save. When you convert a single save on a memory card to its own file, it ends up with a header file. To make it usable on a PS1 memory card, the header must be removed. Likewise, to use a PS1 save on an emulator, a header must be added so the file can be loaded into a program like PSXGameEdit and added to a memory card.

The problem (at least for me) arises when I try doing this second conversation. From what I can find, the only current program that can do the conversion to/from raw format is Psx Raw Converter. And for converting to raw format, it works perfectly. But every time I convert *from* raw format, it crashes on me.

Before I continue this thread any further, I'm wondering if anybody else encounters this problem.

[ShendoXT]

You can use this guide, AdriPSX produce raw saves.
Just add .mem extension to the filename you want to convert.

Btw: It only works for one slot saves.

[Gamesoul Master]

Neat program. It certainly does what Psx Raw Converter seems to fail at. The only thing about it is that it creates a full memory card instead of a .mcs file. That actually surprised me, as I was fully expecting a .mcs or .ps1 file to pop out...

Any chance you'll consider adding that extra functionality in the future? I only ask because, without it, it takes me about as long to put a save on a specific memory card with this program as it does doing it manually (the time to convert, load into PSXGameEdit, and export the save is the same for me as manually converting the save, a single step).

Yeah, I know many people have one memory card for each game they play, but I'm one of those people who likes having just a few memory cards so I don't have to switch them so much. And I'm sure by this point you know how to add the simple header for a .mcs file.

I should note... It's quite a nice program. Certainly looks better than the one *I* just made (for doing a simple conversion from raw to .mcs). Mine is console interface, so all it does is take the raw file specified, and outputs a .mcs version by the same name.

You know... I never noticed that AdriPSX used raw single game saves, which is sad because it was the first PS1 emulator I ever used, and I used it for almost 4 out of the 5 or so years that I've been playing with PS1 emulation. I guess that makes AdriPSX the only PS1 emulator so far to support using saves directly from a PS1 memory card without the need for any kind of conversion or anything (beyond maybe adding the .mem extension, which I didn't even bother with when testing your program... it didn't seem to mind not having the .mem extension).

[Gamesoul Master]

Another thought, more simple and practical, would be to have it convert the other way too (.mcr -> .mem). That would be awesome, as we'd then have a complete replacement for that barely operational raw converter that's out there now. Then all that'd have to be done would be to remove the .mem extension after conversion and stick it back on a memory card.

[ShendoXT]

Hm...

I'll make a save converter which will do raw -> mcs, mcs - > raw.
Converter will be based on AdriPSX one but you won't have to use .mem extension.

[Gamesoul Master]

That would be wonderful. And thank you ahead of time for taking the time to do so. Though it's obviously not just for me, I still really appreciate you doing it.

Oh, and if you didn't know or notice, Haldrie has reported problems using multi-slot saves with your converter. Not sure if you'll be able to easily make that work, but I figured it was worth saying.

[ShendoXT]

hoshikuzu said:

Oh, and if you didn't know or notice, Haldrie has reported problems using multi-slot saves with your converter. Not sure if you'll be able to easily make that work, but I figured it was worth saying.

Yeah I didn't bother to implement the feature, because AdriPSX to my knowledge had problems with multi-slot saves anyway.

I haven't had much time lately so converter had to wait.
I'll try to make one as soon as possible.

[ShendoXT]

Ok, I completed the converter.
It converts from raw to mcs and vice versa and supports multi-slot saves.


You can download it here.

Post if you find any bugs or you need help.

[Gamesoul Master]

Gave it a test run on a few files... seems to work perfectly so far. I'll continue testing to see if there's anything I may have missed.

It's very much appreciated. Makes converting go a lot easier these days. Thank you very much!