Redump.org: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
From Redump Wiki
Overview
What is Redump.org?
- Redump.org is a database and internet community dedicated to collecting precise and accurate information about every video game ever released on optical media.
What do you mean by optical media?
- CDs, DVDs, GD-ROMs, UMDs, Blu-ray discs, etc. If it spins, is read by a laser and has a game on it; we want to preserve it.
Why is it called Redump?
- A "dump" is a slang term, used as a noun, to describe the resulting data obtained in the backup process. The term can also be used as a verb, as in: "I'm going to dump this game." Many groups in the past have attempted to preserve video game data with varying degrees of success. We believe that our methods of preservation are more accurate at preserving all the information contained on a disc than previous attempts made by other groups. The name "Redump" is a way of saying we need to dump again or redump games that have been dumped by others before us.
Isn't dumping games illegal?
- Redump.org does not provide copyrighted material nor do we condone or encourage software piracy. You will need to consult your country's laws to confirm whether or not backing up the data on your discs is legal. However, "sharing" copyrighted material is definitely a crime and will not be tolerated here. If you want a game; buy it. Video game developers deserve money for their hard work.
What do you provide on this site?
- Our database contains information about copyrighted data such as titles, version numbers and check sums, but not the actual data contained on the discs. We also provide links to tools and guides to assist you in dumping your discs. We do condone and encourage you to join our community and share information about the the backups you create. The Dumping section below will provide you with more information on how to do this.
What's the purpose of this information?
- With the information in the database, the tools provided and the steps in our dumping guides, you can compare a backup you've made to a backup someone else has made. This comparison will verify that you've dumped your disc accurately. The backup you've created can then be archived in case your disc is damaged in the future.
Why preserve game discs?
- Nothing lasts forever. Optical media is especially susceptible to damage in the form of scratches, cracks, heat, sunlight, etc. Preserving these discs now will ensure that future generations aren't deprived of our video game history.
Do you want information about video DVDs or audio CDs that are included with a game?
- Yes, we would like those discs to be preserved as well.
Do you want information about bootleg discs?
- Maybe. It depends what you mean by "bootleg." The information added to the database should be from pressed optical media and not a disc that was burned in a computer. If you are unsure of the difference or think a particular disc should be an exception, please consult the forum.
What sets Redump.org apart from other projects that have similar goals?
- Most other projects encourage you to backup your discs in such a way that data is lost. Our methods of preservation try to backup every bit of data contained on the disc. In this way your dump should be as close to a 1:1 copy as possible. More information about our methods will be covered in the Dumping section below.
Is it true that some data on a disc can't be accurately copied at this time?
- Yes, that is true for some types of optical media. The subchannel data of a compact disc is especially difficult to retrieve with perfect accuracy. Also, certain copy protections can prove difficult to backup as well, but we are working on these issues.
