Disc Dumping Guide (DIC CLI)

From Redump Wiki

Latest revision as of 15:48, 11 November 2024

Note: It is recommended to use the Disc Dumping Guide (MPF) instead. This guide is for the Command Line Interface version of DiscImageCreator.

The purpose of this dumping guide is create perfect copies of CD-based discs using a Windows computer with DiscImageCreator app. For additional questions, support, and reference, use the forum thread here. Do not be shy if you need help!

Disc compatibility with this guide: Any CD based disc or DVD based disc.

IMPORTANT: Compatible Disc Drive Requirement

Please note that submitting discs to Redump, whether these are new dumps or verifications, requires that a drive from the Compatible disc drive list is used. If you are uncertain about whether your drive is compatible or not, please check first - either post in the forums or, if you are a Discord user, join the Video Game Preservation Collective server and ask there.

Submissions made using drives not on the list are likely to be discarded as ineligible.

First Time Setup / Tools

• DiscImageCreator: Download the latest version (should be named similar to: "DiscImageCreator_20180127.zip", then unzip it. Wherever you put the unzipped folder will affect where your roms are written to when you dump the discs.
• Install these Microsoft Packages: [1] [2]
• edccchk.exe: Download. Place this file into your unzipped DiscImageCreator subfolder "Release_ANSI" (doing this will help keep all dumping apps in the same folder so you don't have to cd out).
• psxt001z.exe: Download. Place this file into your unzipped DiscImageCreator subfolder "Release_ANSI" (doing this will help keep all dumping apps in the same folder so you don't have to cd out). This is used for PS1 discs only.

Dumping

CD-ROM

Now you have all the tools, are all setup and ready to begin dumping. Launch the native Windows app "Command Prompt" (Start menu > Windows System > Command Prompt).

• Open the DiscImageCreator folder you downloaded and unzipped (note: in the example "DiscImageCreator_20180127" is the name of the example folder / release version, please update according to the version you have), go into the "Release_ANSI" subfolder, and copy the directory location. For example "C:\Users\YOUR_COMPUTER_USERNAME\Downloads\DiscImageCreator_20180127\Release_ANSI"
• It's time to navigate to this directory inside of the Command Prompt app. Type in "cd" followed by your Release_ANSI directory location in quotes, for example:

cd "C:\Users\YOUR_COMPUTER_USERNAME\Downloads\DiscImageCreator_20180127\Release_ANSI"

• Now you will type the code in the Command Prompt to dump the disc. For example: DiscImageCreator.exe cd d MyGameTitle.bin 8 /c2 /nl This command should be changed for your specifics, "d" is the cd disc drive location, and "8" is the max read speed on the example disc drive model. 8 should be a read speed supported by most drives, but check this list for your drive's maximum read speed to dump much faster. Change the title of "MyGameTitle.bin" to suit your needs.
• Note: Discs with CD-Audio tracks will create multiple .bin files.
• Run edccchk.exe with the following command edccchk "MyGameTitle.bin". For discs with multiple tracks you will need to adjust the command to edccchk "MyGameTitle (Track 1).bin" or edccchk "MyGameTitle (Track 01).bin". Copy the text output from the terminal into a txt file to be submitted with the logs. This command checks for EDC. Some discs with irregular exe's (such as GameShark discs) will require a different method.
• For PS1 discs only, run psxt001z.exe with the following command psxt001z "MyGameTitle.bin". For discs with multiple tracks you will need to adjust the command to psxt001z "MyGameTitle (Track 1).bin" or psxt001z "MyGameTitle (Track 01).bin". Copy the text output from the terminal into a txt file to be submitted with the logs. This command checks for the EXE Date. Some discs with irregular exe's (such as GameShark discs) will require a different method.
• For PS1 PAL discs only, run the following command to check for libcrypt copy protection psxt001z --libcrypt "MyGameTitle.sub" > libcrypt.txt, then psxt001z --libcryptdrvfast d > libcryptdrv.log where d is the disc drive letter.

DVD-ROM

Now you have all the tools, are all setup and ready to begin dumping. Launch the native Windows app "Command Prompt" (Start menu > Windows System > Command Prompt).

• Open the DiscImageCreator folder you downloaded and unzipped (note: in the example "DiscImageCreator_20180127" is the name of the example folder / release version, please update according to the version you have), go into the "Release_ANSI" subfolder, and copy the directory location. For example "C:\Users\YOUR_COMPUTER_USERNAME\Downloads\DiscImageCreator_20180127\Release_ANSI"
• It's time to navigate to this directory inside of the Command Prompt app. Type in "cd" followed by your Release_ANSI directory location in quotes, for example:

cd "C:\Users\YOUR_COMPUTER_USERNAME\Downloads\DiscImageCreator_20180127\Release_ANSI"

• Now you will type the code in the Command Prompt to dump the disc. For example: DiscImageCreator.exe dvd d MyGameTitle_Dump1.iso 8 This command should be changed for your specifics, "d" is the dvd disc drive location, and "8" is the max read speed on the example DVD drive model. You can Google your DVD drive model to find out it's max read speed, but 8 should be safe otherwise. Dump the game twice, "MyGameTitle_Dump1.iso" and "MyGameTitle_Dump2.iso", changing the title to suit your needs.

Game Copy Protection

Some (mostly PC computer) games use copyright protection that requires additional commands at the end. If you are unsure when to use these, Scan for Copy Protection or consult this thread[3].

• /nl is for LibCrypt (some PSX PAL discs, just run on all PSX discs to keep it simple)
• /ns for SecuROM (some PC games)
• /sf for for PC copy protections that can be detected. This can also be used for reading unlicensed PS2 discs, but use with caution since it can cause excessive read times.
• /ss for other PC protections with c2 errors.
• Do not mix the modes, use the correct one for the disc you are dumping.

SecuROM data is in the subintention .txt (when /ns parameter is used and the disc is in fact SecuROM-protected) and should be included with submitted dump info when this protection is used.

Collecting Information about your Disc

It is recommended to use MPF.Check to assist with generating submission info. Otherwise, create a separate file based on Submission Template to fill in the following information:

• Game title: Most obvious, is located everywhere. Please include subtitle.
• Disc title: Some games stored on multiple discs may have discs with titles. Examples: Armored Core: Nexus (Disc 1) (Evolution) and (Disc 2) (Revolution).
• Game languages: Start the game and look for "Language" menu in options.
• Version:
  • For PlayStation 1 games, leave this blank.
  • For PlayStation 2 (CD) games, find the file on your disc named "SYSTEM.CNF" and open in Notepad app, "VER" = version number.
  • For PC games, the game version is either located in files like INI, CONFIG, README and or can (only) be obtained from in-game main menu.
• Edition: Some games were re-released in different packages, for example, "Platinum", "Greatest Hits", "PlayStation 2 the Best" series. If game was released in original package, post edition as "Original".
• Media: Should be "CD" for all dumps. Prototypes would likely be "CD-R".
• Barcode: Submit the numbers from under the barcode: EAN / UPC code, usually printed on the back cover of the packaging or disc case. If there are multiple barcodes present (e.g. on outer sleeve/inner jewel case) then add all of these and comma separate them. Please submit exactly as printed on the item. Examples
• log files: DiscImageCreator will generate .txt, .dat, .cue, .c2, .ccd, .sub files. psxt001z and edccchk output text copied from the terminal should be submitted as well. Attach these files to your post when submitting. Also generated, but should NOT be submitted to redump are .bin, .img, .scm files. The .bin files are your game. Files .scm and .img files are another copy of your game in deprecated formats - these can be deleted.
• Serial number: Usually printed on disc itself.
• Ring code info: stamped on the inner ring. Check both sides for any ringcodes (small stamps may require magnifying glass to see). For PlayStation discs with black dye, use this method to obtain any hidden ringcodes if possible.
• PC CD-ROM GAMES ONLY: It's possible when dumping a PC Game that DIC will out put a file ending in "_SubIntention.txt". Copy and paste the contents of this file into your submission. If it doesn't exist, then do nothing.
• Primary Volume Descriptor (PVD): Not all discs have this, most will though.
  • Open IsoBuster app.
  • File > Open Image File.
  • In the left hand side of the app, right click on "Session 1" > Sector View.
  • In the box at the top input "16".
  • Scoll down and highlight lines 0320 - 0370 > click on the notepad-looking icon (when your mouse hovers over it, it says "Copy").
  • Paste this info into your submission, it's the "PVD" info. Here's an example of how it should look:

0320 : 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20  20 20 20 20 20 32 30 30                200
0330 : 38 30 32 31 32 30 30 30  30 30 30 30 30 24 30 30   8021200000000$00
0340 : 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30  30 30 30 30 30 30 00 30   00000000000000.0
0350 : 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30  30 30 30 30 30 30 30 00   000000000000000.
0360 : 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30  30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30   0000000000000000
0370 : 00 02 00 55 4C 55 53 2D  31 30 33 33 39 7C 31 39   ...ULUS-10339|19

Submitting Info to Redump.org database

See Disc_Dumping_Guide_(MPF)#Submitting_Info_to_Redump.org_database