Patching CD games?

[shawnji]

Ooh! Yay! You've made me very happy, sir.

Also, I've got it in bin/cue now, so we'll see how well Mednafen handles it... ogg would definitely be nice, but hopefully this won't work too bad for now.  At least I didn't notice any major differences between it and the iso/wav/cue version when I tested both briefly in Magic Engine.

EDIT:  HOLY CRAP THAT FALCOM STORE!!!  It was in Yoyogi?  Geez, I wonder when it closed.  I used to go through Yoyogi all the time when I was an exchange student in '03.  It would suck if it was still open at that point and I never knew about it.

[Bernie]

I use bin/cue on my Wii with Mednafen.  It works fine.  I also have links in my Dropbox for prepatched games.  PM me in interested, 


Sent from my iPhone using your mama

[NightWolve]

There would be no difference between ISO/WAV/CUE and BIN/CUE, both are 100% original data with no compression. It's just a matter of splitting the BIN file into separate track files (data and audio) or not which allows for all the options I mentioned.

ISO/OGG/CUE or MP3 obviously throw away lots of audio data to achieve the lossy compression/encoding rates that they do, so you might notice a drop in sound quality depending on the bitrate that's chosen. But if you choose the default bitrates and keep it stereo, it's usually hard to tell the difference between MP3/OGG and the original raw, redbook audio data.

[Bonknuts]

Bin/Cue is fine as a format (probably the best format so far)

I think on that question, CloneCD is truly the best since BIN or ISO/WAV/CUE did not account for the R-W subchannel data which means they cannot duplicate any CD with CD+Graphics data like Karaoke CDs... But when it comes to BIN/CUE versus ISO/WAV/CUE, they can both accomplish the same thing, but I think a file-per-track rip is superior given all the options it allows for. If I want one binary file, I'll still have the option to ZIP the whole thing up afterwards.

 From a hacker perspective, ISO/CUE/WAV is the best format. And technically, if ripped correctly, should still make a 1:1 functional working game (minus CD+G). But Old Rover ran into that problem with Nero (I think) that refused to adhere to the CUE sheet to burn the ISO track in a specific mode. It changed it without any warning. He only figured it out after analyzing the disc. When he mounted the ISO/CUE set with daemon tools and re-ripped it back into a Cue/Bin (all software here, mind you), then Nero burned it correctly. While I've haven't had this problem (that I know of) personally, it makes me skeptical now. I mean, his flawed copy did run on the PCECD - just kinda crappy. It was the pressing house version of that flawed CD-R he sent them, that didn't work on the real console.

 Anyway, the format is fine but I'm now skeptical of burning games (I analyze them now after burning).

 If you update TurboRip, maybe you can put in a feature to analyze CD-R copies? At least report if the data track mode/form is wrong?

[NightWolve]

Anyway, the format is fine but I'm not skeptical of burning games (I analyze them now after burning).

If you update TurboRip, maybe you can put in a feature to analyze CD-R copies? At least report if the data track mode/form is wrong?

Was it that the data track had to be in raw format or it got wrongly burned as MODE2 and not MODE1 ?

You can read the header bytes of a sector header to detect if it's in MODE 0 (never used), MODE 1, or MODE 2. And if it's MODE 2, you have to analyze a few nearby bytes to determine FORM 1 or 2, etc. CD-I uses MODE 2 and somewhere in the TOC it'll have a flag set for CD-I to aid detection of what you're dealing with. The main byte is offset[16] - if you read a raw sector in 2352 mode, byte 16 will have either a 0, 1, or 2 to indicate the mode. MODE 0 is legal according to the yellow book standard, but it's dumb to just burn zeroed out sectors with different forms for no reason, so I don't think anybody ever used that, so 99% of the time you should just see 1 or 2 for that byte.

I'd need more specifics as to what went wrong here based on what you're describing, though. If the mode is 2, TurboRip will already report that in the CUE file as well as rip it raw because there are a lot of issues with ripping mode 2 data sectors and doing it in cooked mode is tougher and can't be done with Microsoft's SPTI - you gotta rip it raw. The only way to effectively read in 'cooked' mode is only possible with the fact that MODE2 CDs will have a ISO9660/Sierra file system, in which case, you simply dir the CD, and open/read every folder and file, etc.

You can have an ISO/WAV/CUE file set where the ISO track was ripped in raw 2352 form and as long as it's reflected in the CUE file, it'll burn fine. They don't always have to be ripped in cooked 2048/per sector form, but it's better I think since it indicates you let the drive run the EDC error checks on each sector and ripped every sector correctly, byte for byte. When you read data sectors raw, I don't think the EDC and ECC algorithms are run by the drive's BIOS - it's just like ripping a redbook audio track, bytes could change and you'd never know it... Mednafen's author seems to indicate she uses those EDC codes if the CUE states it's in raw sector form to check for bad sectors.

Anyway, I'd need more details on what you're asking for exactly. I have a new update I'm readying for TurboRip days away, mainly to fix it for Windows 7 - currently, security blocks are placed on SCSI command packets, that is, reading sectors are policed and blocked. Windows 7 demands you do read commands via the SPTI prescribed way, you can't build up a SCSI command packet and send it directly to the drive as I found... So by the time that's ready, I'll also be throwing in a favor for Andrew to block ripping attempts against his homebrew CD games cause somebody asked me a couple of days ago how to rip his Insanity game. So it's conceivable to add something a little further by the time I wrap up these changes/fixes.

Turborip is the best, definitely a blessing from the Gods of Obey.

Does that mean Nightwolve is a god?

How about just a Turbo Titan ?

[Bonknuts]

IIRC, the ISO was specified as mode 1 in the cue but Nero burned it as Mode 2 Form 1. I can't believe his duo could even read the data track (mode 2 form 1 didn't come out until 1991), but the mcu could have a different firmware than original CD units (no one has ever dumped the firmware/code inside that z80-ish mcu. Charles Macdonald tried, but no dice).

 So check or report if any data tracks are not mode 1?

 Anyway, like I said he solved the problem by forcing Nero to burn a cue/bin version (which is not open to interpretation... even though I didn't think CUE/ISO was either).

[NightWolve]

Ah, OK, I think I see the rule that you're asking for then.

If 1) there is a TOC that matches a PCE/TG-16 CD from a CD-R, and 2) the data track is MODE2, then error out... I think what would happen now is I force it to read in raw mode (like I do for PSX CDs) and the CUE file will get a MODE2/2352 entry for that data track without telling you anything.

This would be an easy, small thing to trap then, I should be able to add it for the next release.

[NightWolve]

Ooh! Yay! You've made me very happy, sir.

Also, I've got it in bin/cue now, so we'll see how well Mednafen handles it... ogg would definitely be nice, but hopefully this won't work too bad for now.  At least I didn't notice any major differences between it and the iso/wav/cue version when I tested both briefly in Magic Engine.

EDIT:  HOLY CRAP THAT FALCOM STORE!!!  It was in Yoyogi?  Geez, I wonder when it closed.  I used to go through Yoyogi all the time when I was an exchange student in '03.  It would suck if it was still open at that point and I never knew about it.

Ah, you have translations for the onscreen info ? And how do you know that the Falcom store closed ?

[MNKyDeth]

Just caught up on this thread. Thanks for the responses. I will be trying to get the Y's4 and DraculaX ripped and patched for myself a bit later today.

I will let you know if I have any issues.

This is my plan.

1. Rip them to ISO on my Linux machine.
2. Transfer over the network to my server and then mount the ISO on my windows machine with Daemon Tools.
3. Patch the games per the instructions etc.
4. Transfer the data back to the Linux machine for the final burn.

There is just no chance of me putting an optical disc in my windows comp.... My HTPC is the only computer I have left with an optical drive... well unless I count the Laptop but that is Linux as well. Just makes it a little more difficult for me.... But I hate using windows... I went like 8-9yrs without using any sort of Windows OS maybe a little longer. And when I finally tried Win7 and kept it on one of my machines I thought it was very hard to use. Linux is just a lot easier for me as I know what is going on. With my windows box I have no friggin idea besides it plays games that my Linux comps cant.

[Bonknuts]

If you have mounting software like daemon tools, then TurboRip can be used to easily convert/rip into iso/cue format.

[shawnji]

Ooh! Yay! You've made me very happy, sir.

Also, I've got it in bin/cue now, so we'll see how well Mednafen handles it... ogg would definitely be nice, but hopefully this won't work too bad for now.  At least I didn't notice any major differences between it and the iso/wav/cue version when I tested both briefly in Magic Engine.

EDIT:  HOLY CRAP THAT FALCOM STORE!!!  It was in Yoyogi?  Geez, I wonder when it closed.  I used to go through Yoyogi all the time when I was an exchange student in '03.  It would suck if it was still open at that point and I never knew about it.

Ah, you have translations for the onscreen info ? And how do you know that the Falcom store closed ?

I'm actually a Japanese Translator / Interpreter by trade, so I just read the text when it came up.  I just kind of assumed it had closed, but I guess it could still be open.  I'd love to go if it is.  I've been to the Square-Enix store and headquarters in Shinjuku a few times, but that's the extent of my video game related travels outside of Akiba.

Are you wanting translations for the text?  I could do it up really quick after I get home fron work if you want.  Although I think it was just the address.  I don't remember any other text outside of the credits.   

I was really curious about the Laserdisc because the runtime was listed as 60 minutes, so I assumed there was a lot more content on there.  I guess it's just those three videos worth on the DVD, then?

[NightWolve]

Are you wanting translations for the text?  I could do it up really quick after I get home fron work if you want.  Although I think it was just the address.  I don't remember any other text outside of the credits.   

I was really curious about the Laserdisc because the runtime was listed as 60 minutes, so I assumed there was a lot more content on there.  I guess it's just those three videos worth on the DVD, then?

Yeah, cool, I would - I could add them to the description box and then later, if the mood ever arises, add annotations into the video itself using them.

I added full annotations (for subtitling) to this one:

And here I was testing, just added Adol's name over the Japanese.

https://youtu.be/lBfSPrnL_Iw?t=1m39s

Youtube's system is pretty sucky though and frustratingly so... What you see in the video editor to set up annotations is not the same as what you'll see when the video plays. You have to make the text boxes somewhat bigger so you'll get the right results, or your text will get shrunk when it's played. I'm surprised they still haven't improved the bugginess of the system, not to mention there's no automatic centering; all alignment is manual movement with the mouse.

As for the DVD, nah, there is more video content as I didn't upload everything on it.

[shawnji]

Whew!  Just back in from work.  Boy, was it a rough day.

Anyhow, here's some quick notations on the video that I jotted down real quick:

0:23 - "Falcom Original Character Shop" appears just below the company logo and to the left of Lilia on the sign.

0:26 - The yellow text box on the map just shows "2F [2nd Floor] Yoyogi Falcom Shop," and the address just below the map reads:

"〒151 Tokyo-to, Shibuya-ku, Yoyogi 1-37-2  Show-A Building 2nd Floor
TEL. 03-3379-7723
Business Hours : 10:00 A.M. ~ 6:00 P.M. (Closed Every Wednesday)"

A short poke at Google Maps makes it pretty clear that the store isn't there anymore:

https://goo.gl/maps/2b4cuENC3NA2

According to the Japanese Wikipedia article on the shop, it was originally opened on the 5th floor of the Yamato building on November 3rd, 1989 and was about the size of a classroom.  It was later moved at some point in 1990 to the 2nd floor of the Show-A building, which is the location shown in the video and the Google Maps link I provided above.

They closed down in March of 1998, which the wiki attributes to the rise of the internet and mail order shopping.  It also says that in 2009 it had become a site for a branch of the "Watami" restaurant chain; which also looks to have been replaced by Saizeriya.

0:35 - The cover of the book reads:

"Ys IV Prologue
A Portrait of Those With Wings
by Ooba Waku"

0:51 - There's a handwritten sign stating that these are their CD Best Sellers with the top five demarcated below that with 1st Place, 2nd Place, etc.

1:01 - I found this really interesting, having just recently finished Popful Mail; but the handwritten sign on the right says, "Gaw Beachball - 1300 Yen."  XD

1:15 - From left to right, the titles of the books are:

Ys Table-top RPG
Ys II Table-top RPG
Brandish Storybook
Popful Mail Handbook
Advanced Lord Monarch Handbook
Lord Monarch Guidebook
Lord Monarch Perfect Guide
Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes II Handbook
Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes II
Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes
Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes Memorial
Ys Memorial

1:27 - It goes straight into the credits with, "Original Work - Nippon Falcom" and... Yeah, I'm not gonna' do all the credits...


Anyway, that's what little I felt was worth extrapolating from that.  Names are a pain, as they can often be read a variety of ways, so unless you really, REALLY want the credits, I'm gonna' stop there.  Hope it helps!

[NightWolve]

A short poke at Google Maps makes it pretty clear that the store isn't there anymore:

https://goo.gl/maps/2b4cuENC3NA2

Hah, cool! I hadn't ever thought of using Google Maps to actually peek at the location on the ground like that!

Thanks for the history/translations! I'll work them into the description box now.

EDIT: Eh, it's better to get that info in annotations now! I got your first 3 added:

[shawnji]

A short poke at Google Maps makes it pretty clear that the store isn't there anymore:

https://goo.gl/maps/2b4cuENC3NA2

Hah, cool! I hadn't thought of using Google Maps to actually peek at the location on the ground like that!

Thanks for the history/translations! I'll work them into the description box now.

You're most welcome! (^_^ )  I go "ga-ga" for anything Falcom-related, so it was really cool for me to look into.