EDIT - Don't be shocked if you see the PICS disappearing soon. My Picture server has locked me out of my account. Too much bandwidth used...

The Guide will be posted on XBOX-SCENE shortly.. and console-gods soon.. and a mirror or two.


With so many requests for ISO Burning info... and the lack of decent documentation, I present the text version of my Guide. Due to my temp host for the site being shittycities I thought it was time to get the guide to the masses. Maybe it can get PINNED!

If the Pics don't load.. no worry. Guide was written as a a COMPLETE PLAIN TEXT GUIDE!

also... you can try connecting to HSDEMONZ- Complete Guide to XBOX ISO Burning but it isn't always up.

EDIT: 1/31/03: Xantium has now posted a copy of this guide at http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/iso-bac...ackup-guide.php which we will try to keep up to date. It will get updated periodically.. and need arises. For the most up to date info.. keep an eye on this thread.

The Complete Guide to Producing , Extracting, and Burning XBOX ISO Image Files

By HSDEMONZ

Revision: 0.07 (01/04/03) Added New GDF Gui Info
Revision: 0.06 (12/12/02) Downsampling section added
Revision: 0.05 (12/11/02) Beta Modchip Patch section added.
Revision: 0.04 (12/10/02) Firmware section added
Revision: 0.03 (12/06/02) Added Bad Burns and Troubleshooting sections
Revision: 0.02 (12/01/02) Added 1:1 Backup your Backup section
Revision: 0.01 (11/21/02) Original Guide
Newest sections added (01/05/03)

Many additions have been added to this guide.. as info became available... be patient.. and read the entire thread before jumping in head first!

Disclaimer:

The author, and/or the Web Sites which Host this document in no way indorse or condone any type of software piracy or copyright infringement whatsoever. The guide was produced as an exercise of thought… and is only to be considered for educational purposes only. No warranty or guarantee is given or implied. The following is a consensus of thoughts and experiences by a group of individuals, who shall remain nameless. The purpose of this document is to help legitimate owners of XBOX games to back-up their investments.

DO NOT ASK FOR PROGRAMS LISTED THAT WERE DEVELOPED USING SDK/XDK. DO NOT ASK FOR THEM IN THE XBOX-SCENE FORUMS, and DO NOT PM ME, or ANY MEMBER OR MODERATOR ON THIS SITE FOR THESE FILES.

Summary:

This document, will detail with step-by-step instructions how to perform the following actions:

1) Produce a perfect working XBOX ISO Back-Up Image
1.1) Produce a perfect working XBOX ISO backup of a Burned ISO Backup 1:1
2) Produce a perfect working Burned Copy of the XBOX ISO Back-Up Image (All Media: CDR, CDRW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW
2.1) Exception #1 over-sized Games.
3) Explains How to Extract the Files and Directory Structure from an acquired XBOX ISO Back-Up Image.

4) BURN to CDR! Misconceptions Dispelled!

5) UDF Burning. (Pros and Cons!)

6)“BAD BURNS” They do happen! <NEW>
7) Trouble Shooting <NEW>
8) Firmware for DVD-Burners (hacked or otherwise <NEW>
9) Beta Modchip Patch <NEW>
10) Downsampling <NEW>


For the sake of Argument, this Entire Guide is PC Based. For Win2000 / WinXP users. Linux Rocks! Just not in this Guide!

<next Post>[/B]

Hardware and Software Tools Required for this Guide:


-XBOX – Modded and Functional. Modchips can be found at the following Online Retailers: Easybuy2000, Genomods (author doesn’t endorse any of these sites.. and only makes the pointers available as an option.) and Developers / Manufacturers: Xodus-chip, X-ecuter (Team X-ecutor Rocks!)

-PC with DVD Burner (Dedicated CD works fine for smaller titles) Recommended Burners Include Pioneer A04 / 104 and the Sony DRU500A. Any DVD Burner will do.

-Blank Media (at least one of the following… CDR, CDRW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW. Some Retailers include: Rima.com, Meritline

-DVD Burning Software (for CDRW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW) Stomp Inc’s / Veritas Record Now Max / Prassi PrimoDVD and optionally Ahead’s Nero Burning ROM, elby CloneDVD

-CD Burning Software (for CDR) elby CloneCD 4, Fireburner and optionally CDRWin

-ISO Image Mounting Software. Daemon Tools, or most any program that will mount ISO Image formats.

-XBOX ISO Image Builder Software. GDFIMAGE and/or ISOMAKER 1.21. These are the recommended tools. No direct pointer will be given, as GDFIMAGE is a proprietary MS XBOX Iso Premastering tool, included in the XBOX SDK/XDK. ISOMAKER, is actually a Front-End + GDFIMAGE. You can find both on IRC and in the Newsgroups. IsoMaker’s Author can be contacted at CDRSKULL / X-FORUMS DO NOT ASK FOR THESE PROGRAMS IN THE FORUMS, ON XBOX-SCENE, and DO NOT PM ME, or ANY MEMBER OR MODERATOR ON THIS SITE FOR THESE FILES.

-XBOX ISO Image Extraction Software. XDFSExtract v0.5a or newer (Recommended) Developed and/or released by IPS/Team PS2Ownz. No pointer given.

-XBOX Replacement Dashboards. EVOLUTION X dashboard is the most useful, stable and feature complete replacement for the stock MS Dashboard. It is actually a requirement for many steps in this Guide. Produced with SDK/XDK by Team EVOX.

NEXGEN and XOS are not quite ready to be used as a RELIABLE dashboard... but with improvements, they soon will be. NEXGEN by TEAM GOTMOD/EXECUTOR has alot of potential, but still lack 100% reliable FTP services. No Pointers given. DO NOT ASK FOR THESE PROGRAMS IN THE FORUMS, ON XBOX-SCENE, and DO NOT PM ME, or ANY MEMBER OR MODERATOR ON THIS SITE FOR THESE FILES.


- FTP Programs. For older Versions of Evolution X, you’ll need F l a s h F X P, but never versions will let almost any FTP program connect. Some notables are : WS_FTP, FTP Voyager, CuteFTP, 3D-FTP.

- Some XBOX Specific Programs: XBCOPY, BOXplorer. DO NOT ASK FOR THESE PROGRAMS IN THE FORUMS, ON XBOX-SCENE, and DO NOT PM ME, or ANY MEMBER OR MODERATOR ON THIS SITE FOR THESE FILES.


*XISO 0.71 - 1.10 and newer and XBOX Iso Toolkit Release 1.1 and newer will be mentioned, and briefly detailed. However, NEITHER of these tools are recommended, as both are Buggy, and may produce Bad Images, or Bad File Extractions. Use at your own risk!

ISO – What is it? ISO is an file extension, used to denote a single Binary file primarily used to backup the entire contents of a Floppy Disk, HD, CD or DVD disk. Name after the Industry Standards Organization who was/is responsible for produce and maintaining specs on standards for industry. I will use it throughout to denote both proper and improper XBOX Image backup.

Section 1: Producing a perfect working XBOX ISO Back-Up Image.


Assuming you have acquired all of the tools necessary, producing a perfect working back-up image of almost any XBOX Game is easy. (Only exception is BURNING an Image that is over 4.7 GB, which will be covered later) However, you will need to do a little work upfront. You will need a copy of EVOLUTION X Dashboard Installed on the XBOX Hard Drive before we can continue. DO NOT ASK FOR THESE PROGRAMS IN THE FORUMS, ON XBOX-SCENE, and DO NOT PM ME, or ANY MEMBER OR MODERATOR ON THIS SITE FOR THESE FILES.

I won’t waste space here boring you with the install setup, especially when a perfectly good guide written by Xantium of Xbox-Scene can be found here: Evolution X DashBoard Setup. Basic networking is also needed… follow this guide to Connect the XBOX with your PC: Basic Networking Using EvolutionX if you are having problems. Getting Evolution X onto the XBOX assumes you have had at least some success using some method of burning to get a copy on a disk that would boot the XBOX. If you have a copy of Evolution X in ISO form, but don’t know how to burn it yet, jump ahead to BURNING! Then hope back here.!

With the Networking properly set up on Both the XBOX Evolution X Dashboard, and the PC, you are now ready to start backup-up! With Evolution X Pre-Installed on the XBOX HD already, boot (turn on) the XBOX with no DISC. Once you see the familiar EvoX Dashboard, place a RETAIL XBOX GAME or Previously Burned Backup in the drive. Wait for EvoX Dash to report “GAME”. (Default EvoX installs will show this… customized Skins may not)

Start your copy of FLASH FXP. For the sake of this Guide, FLASH will be the FTP Program of choice, however, almost any will do. You’ll need to either setup a SITE, or use the Quick Connection Options, to connect to the XBOX.

Click on SITES, the SITE MANAGER (F4).



From here, you can create a new SITE using the New Site Button at the bottom left. Enter MY XBOX or whatever you like…



…enter the IP of the XBOX (you should know this from EvoX Dashboard setup), and setup the User Name: XBOX and Password: XBOX (assuming you haven’t changed either). Port 21 should be set (default). Click Apply. Next click the OPTIONS Tab, and ensure that “USE PASSIVE MODE” is left UNCHECKED.



All other settings can be left at defaults, although changing them will have no adverse effects. Now click APPLY and CONNECT.

In FlashFxp, you will see 7 folders in the right panel. Marked C D E F X Y Z. The DVD Drive of the XBOX is Drive D.



Double-Click on the D Folder. You will now see a Directory listing of the Game Title in that drive. The number of Files and Folders doesn’t matter.



Some games have all of the files (sometimes hundreds) in the ROOT of the Disc, while others have a hierarchal organization using folders. Regardless, you will want set up a DIR on your PC to receive these files. I’d recommend x:XBOXGAME, where “x” is a Hard drive on your PC. We’ll use C:XBOXGAME as an example. In the left panel, select the C Drive…



Right-Click, and choose MAKE FOLDER.



Name it XBOXGAME. Double-Click on the new folder called XBOXGAME.

It will appear empty. Now select “DRAG” all of the files and folders from the XBOX “D” Folder to the PC “c:XBOXGAME” Folder. This is the DIRECT RIP method.

This may take 1-10 minutes depending on the speed of your PC Network card, and other issues like current load on the PC, other Network activities, etc. It isn’t uncommon to see speeds of 5000+ KBps or higher on larger files. When it is complete, you will have a complete FILE for FILE backup of all GAME FILES from the XBOX Game disc. (Note: FILE for FILE is currently the only working method of copying XBOX Game Discs, as the Original Retail Disks are only partially readable in the PC. If interested, check here on the XBOX DVD format, and current findings.)

Optional Verification (RECOMMENDED, ) but not necessarily required!

Optionally, you can verify the contents of c:XBOXGAME against the original manually, file for file. I prefer to do 2 more RIP methods, and compare the contents from all three. You can however skip this, and jump to CLOSE FLASHFXP. Still with me.. good. This is where the optional XBOX specific programs come in. Since you have the Disc in the XBOX still, run XBCOPY, and COPY the XBOX game to either E or F Folder on the XBOX. DO NOT ASK FOR THESE PROGRAMS IN THE FORUMS, ON XBOX-SCENE, and DO NOT PM ME, or ANY MEMBER OR MODERATOR ON THIS SITE FOR THESE FILES.

This will take 2-10 Minutes. Now, Find the XBCOPY00x Folder (“x” will be a digit, starting at 1 for each game you rip this way) on the XBOX. With FLASHFXP, “DRAG” this folder to your PC, to a new Directory… like c:XBOXGAM2.

RIP 3 use BOXxplorer. Use BOXplorer, select the D folder on the XBOX, then select “HIGHLIGHT” all files and folder on the “D” Folder. (BIG EDIT HERE thanks to [SDK]Devilman) and copy them.. using BOXPLORER.. to a location on the XBOX HD. With the Files now in there location on the XBOX HD... use FlashFXP to place this third RIP on the PC, in a folder name c:XBOXGAM3

With 3 RIPS, you can use almost any FILE/FOLDER Binary Comparison Tool you can find. Check all 3 folders against each other, if one doesn’t fit, try RE-RIPPING that method. If it still out of whack do some detective work. In the end RIP 1 Method is best, the others are redundant backups.

If all is good… Continue.

You can Close FLASHFXP. Now that we have a known GOOD Rip of the game (you verified right?) we can now proceed to the production of the Perfect ISO for burning. (note: Don’t call it xiso’s… it causes confusion, simply call it ISO, or GDF’ed ISO, or XDFS ISO)

Now you will need GDFIMAGE. DO NOT ASK FOR THESE PROGRAMS IN THE FORUMS, ON XBOX-SCENE, and DO NOT PM ME, or ANY MEMBER OR MODERATOR ON THIS SITE FOR THESE FILES.
Run your copy of GDFIMAGE, execute it from the command line. You’ll see the following:

To produce the Proper XDFS ISO, what I call a GDF’ed ISO, we’ll use the following syntax:



GDFimage c:XBOXGAME c:XBOXGDF.ISO

Alternatively, and preferably, you can use a popular Front-End for GDFimage call ISOMAKER 1.1 or 1.21. It uses a nice simple Windows GUI to point to the “sourceroot” and “targetfile” options. It will help prevent mistakes. (New section added later in this guide... )

Click on ISOMAKER.EXE. In the Window that opens, choose the “First” Window, and point it to the location of your RIPPED files… c:XBOXGAME. In the “Second” Window, select where you want the GDF’ed ISO to go. In our case “C”.



In the blank at the bottom, enter in the name you want to call it. Type XBOXGDF.ISO and click MAKE. It will then launch the Command Line Util GDFimage, and you will see it building the folder and file structure. When it “disappears” it is done!

This will produce a file, called XBOXGDF.ISO, in the root of your PC’s “C” Drive. As always.. this will take from 2-10 minutes. See… pretty easy. You are now the Proud Owner of a perfect working GDF’ed ISO for Burning to CDRW, and all the DVD Types of blanks. CDR Covered later

*NOTE: Errors runnning GDFIMAGE or ISOMAKER…

GDFimage gives - GDFimage.exe files is linked to missing export kernal32.dll getfilesezeEx

Isomaker gives - runtime error 5 invalid procedure call or argument

This occurs because GDFIMAGE is expecting to see some VB runtimes files on your system that it requires. They are included in WIN2000 and WinXP installations. Generally, you will need one of these versions of Windows to do most anything with the XBOX. Exception is LINUX, covered in other Guides!

If you really can’t find GDFIMAGE or ISOMAKER.. and want to use XISO to BUILD an ISO (not recommended) use this older but excellent XISO Build ISO Guide

Section 2. Produce a perfect working Burned Copy of the XBOX ISO Back-Up Image
(All Media: CDRW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW)


So… now that you have a perfect working GDF’ed ISO, you want to Burn it to CDRW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW. This part is Pretty Easy, and chances are the software came with your burner.

Open RecordNowMax. Disable the Start-Up Wizard. We won’t use that method. Click on the IMAGE button.



Click on the ADD FILE button. In the Window that appears, Navigate to the location of your GDF’ed ISO…

In our example c:\ . In File Type, Scroll from Global-Image to Image [*.iso], and select your ISO file. Then click OPEN.



You are bounced back to the main Windows again. In the Drive Window Panel to the left, Double-Click on your Burner. This will place a RED arrow pointing to that drive indicating Burner Selected.

The Window on the right has some options… set copies for 1 (or more), Speed at 1x or higher for DVD types (preferably 1x to start). Set any speed for CDRW.



Click on the Options Button, the DISC IMAGE OPTIONS window will pop up.



Make sure the RECORDING TYPE is set to Disc at Once (DAO), Closed, and that MODE is set to CD MODE1 (Blocking 2048) – DVD. Optionally, place a check on the POST-GAP option. Click OK to return to main window. Click the RED Button to start Recording.



RecordNow gives an optional 5 second count-down gives you time to abort if necessary. Time to burn is determined by the X speed of the Blanks and the Burner, plus the current load while burning. Try to let DVD burning run dedicated.

When Finished, Close STOMP’s RecordNow Max, and Enjoy your XBOX Backup in the XBOX.

*Note… if RecordNow Max complains about the Post – Gap setting, just change it. This time it will burn fine.

If you got this far, but didn’t use a GDF’ed ISO image as source, but instead used an XISO or XBOXIsoTool produced ISO, or a downloaded ISO from the Internet / IRC / Newsgroups, you may still have a successful burn. However, RecordNow Max is more or less burning the image blind, and will report a successful burn regardless. You may only find out about potential image problems once you start playing. Or Worse.. on that day when you need to make another backup from the backup.

If you Don’t have RecordNow Max, and must use NERO, follow Xantium’s Guide to Burning Iso's with NERO

Section 2.1 Exception #1 over-sized Games.


Some XBOX Games can NOT be backed up as is to a single disk. You have a few options though.

1) You can take the files, and spread them across 2 disks! The games will usually not be playable using this method, but you will be able to use XBCOPY (DO NOT ASK FOR THESE PROGRAMS IN THE FORUMS, ON XBOX-SCENE, and DO NOT PM ME, or ANY MEMBER OR MODERATOR ON THIS SITE FOR THESE FILES.) to read both Disk to the XBOX HD, where you can rebuild the directory tree, and play the title just fine! (Currently, SHENMU2 and Metal Gear Solid 2 Substance fall into this category. The 2 disks can be burned using GDF’ed ISO format, or UDF. It doesn’t matter cause in the end this is only an archive.. and not a playable set of disks.

Alternatively.. you can use a new FLIP SIDED 9.2GB DVD-R disk.. which is essentially just a DVD-R that allows recording to BOTH sides of the disk. Only caveat here is that the XBOX can't read both sides at the same time! You will need to FLIP the disk to use what is on the other side. (these are quite costly)

2) You can Max Compress the Source Image, in which case it will be USUALLY small enough to fit on a single DVD blank. This works, but you will need a PC to decompress the Archive, and then FTP back to the XBOX.. UDF may be preferred for this situation.

3) Tearing out files (commonly called RIPPING or RAPING) like DEMOES, Downsampling Movies and Audio, and removing XBOX Online Directory. What you will be left with is hopefully playable from the burned disk. This method will likely require Trial and Error to get a working copy. UDF / GDF both acceptable..

Section 3. Explains How to Extract the Files and Directory Structure from an acquired XBOX ISO Back-Up Image


So… someone has given you an ISO. Or you felt adventurous, and found out how to find XBOX games on the Internet / IRC / Newsgroups. So you have this ISO (likely it was RAR compressed) For a Quick Primer on Newsgroup based XBOX Backup, read Lumbrax’ Post HERE. We’ll call our example iso NOTGDF.ISO.



Well… here is your first problem.. you have no idea what the other guy used to produce the ISO files. He could have used XISO, XBOXIsoTool, WinRar, Adaptec Creator, WinIso, IsoBuster, etc. They all produce ISO files. Some better than others.. but NONE of them do so in the same manner as GDFImage or Isomaker! What you will need to do, is use XDFS Extractor v0.5a or newer, to pull the Files and Directories out of the acquired ISO.

I’ll steal some instructions now from IPS/Team PS2Ownz who developed XDFSExtract.

Usage: XDFSExtract <iso file> [extract path]

Notes: Don't put spaces in the filename or extract path. Extract path is optional. If it isn't there it'll use the current running directory.

So… we’ll make a folder/Directory to dump it to. C:\OPENISO

We’ll need to open a command prompt, so we can use XDFSExtractor. Click START, Run, and type CMD (win2000/XP) or COMMAND (Most others) Our command, to properly extract the downloaded NOTGDF.ISO to C:\OPENISO would be…

XDFSExtract NOTGDF.ISO c:\OPENISO



After a few minutes, you will have the best possible version of extracted files from this source ISO. However, because of the unknown original Tool used to produce this acquired ISO, you won’t know it it’ll ever be 100% reliable!

By using XDFSExtractor, you have done your best in a bad situation.

If… you find that XDFS cannot pull files out.. and gives an Error… you will be left with no choice but to use one of the other Tools like <gulp> XISO, XBOXIsoTool, WinRar, Adaptec Creator, WinIso, IsoBuster, etc.

An Extraction error can also occur, if you are using Fat32 or older fats. This is more of a problem with BUILDING ISO than with EXTRACTING from and ISO.

If you are unable to find XDFSExtractor, and must use XISO (not recommended) use the Xantium's XISO Extraction Guide.

Section 4. Burning to CDR: Misconceptions Dispelled!

POST MARKER: BURNTOCDR

In the scene, it is either widely accepted that XBOX cannot read CDR at all, or does so unreliably. Many make broad statements like “All Thompson Drives can’t Read CDR, and only a rare handful of Phillips can read CDR, but CDR is still a bad idea because it is likely too slow, or unstable and error-prone”

That is NOT my experience. 70% of all units I have come in contact with CAN and DO read CDR burns fine, regardless of DRIVE Installed. Is the XBOX DVD Drive picky? YUP! Will it Run all Media from all Manufacturers.. NOPE! However, many units will read a Properly Burned CDR, they just need to be burned in a different method than that used for ALL other media.

The following Method for Burning working CDR, is loosely based on the guide produced by Mark “gAm3 Fr3aQu3” of PrecisionMods.com. His Guide found here promises to work on all XBOX with Phillips Drives installed. I make no such promise. I’ll summarize his method, then show you mine! Both Work.. but I prefer mine! Also, he makes the assumption that you have mastered burning to CDRW, and that you now want to burn CDRW to CDR. I assume you just want to burn straight to CDR.

Marks Method: Load CDRW in in PC, use CDRWIN with specific settings, and it creates a BIN/CUE file combination. Load Fireburner, burn BIN/CUE using specific settings. Enjoy!

HSDEMONZ Method:

I’ll assume you’ve now mastered SECTION 1: Section 1: Producing a perfect working XBOX ISO Back-Up Image. Well… we will now take that image (one small enough to fit on an 74-99 Minute CDR) and produce a new CDR Burning Image. You will need to have already installed DAEMON-TOOLS, or another quality IMAGE Mounting tool. Mount your XBOXGDF.ISO image using Daemon.



(Do not be surprised if MY COMPUTER doesn’t show it mounted, or give you access to it, as long as DAEMON says it is loaded you are fine!)

Once it is Mounted with Daemon, you will need a recent version of CLONE CD, preferably v4.



With CLONE CD, Click on the READ TO IMAGE FILE button. Select your CD Reader (in this case the DAEMON drive).



Click Next, then Click Data CD,



…then click Next.

<continued next post>

Section 4. Burning to CDR: Misconceptions Dispelled! Post 2


Then, make sure you have Create “CUE-SHEET” checked.



Click OK or Next. Now sit and wait….



…while it produces the new CDR Image Files.



When complete, you will have 4 new files, XBOXGDF.CCD, XBOXGDF.SUB, XBOXGDF.IMG, and XBOXGDF.CUE.



Double-Click on XBOXGDF.CUE. If Fireburner is already installed, it will open, showing FIREBURNER – STATUS…



…Click OK.



You will see that it is loaded as TRACK#1, MODE1/2352. Check the Total Time… as long as it shows a time here that will fit on the CDR you are using, you will have no problems.

Click on the Options Menu…



…Select your Burning Device by scrolling down.



Then select the Recording Options TAB. Under Recording Method, only have DISK-AT-ONCE 96 checked. Under Mutli-session, only have CLOSE CD checked. Under OTHER… make sure AUTOCORRECT SUB-CHANNEL and AUTOCORRECT EDC/ECC is checked. You may want to enable BurnProof if you have it! Click OK, and return to the main Fireburner Window.

Place a BLANK CDR in the Burner… wait for it to settle. Click the CREATE CD MENU, a confirmation box appear, click Yes. The Burn process has started. CDR burning will take from 3-45 minutes for a full CDR, depending on the Burner X rating. (On my Plextor 24x… a 700MB CDR take 3.5 minutes) When Done, click OK, close FIREBURNER, and ENJOY your CDR BACKUP in your XBOX.

Section 5. UDF Burning. (Pros and Cons!)


UDF – What is it? A specification that describes the Universal Disk Format, a file system defined by OSTA. This specification, fully compliant with the ISO 13346 standard, is intended for developers who intend to implement UDF to enable file interchange among different operating systems. Specs available here. For the Purpose of this Guide, UDF will be used to discuss an alternative to ISO burning.

UDF Burning can be an excellent method of Burning DVD media. The Disk that results from UDF Data Burning is Readable on almost all modern computers and OS’s, including PC’s, MACs, and Alternative OS’s like Linux. UDF is also a readable option for XBOX Burning, and a viable alternative. UDF however, has some pros and cons which should be considered before opting to burn with it.

Pros: It’s Simple! Easy! Quick! And almost all DVD burning software can Burn it. (Should be all.. as OSTA DVD is written in native UDF format). You can also take your XBOX UDF Burn, and do future 1:1 copies using only a PC equipped with a DVD Burner. This alone makes it valuable as an Archival Backup Format.

Cons: UDF has a number of drawbacks… most notably it is slower to boot than a properly prepared GDF’ed ISO Burn. The Physical layout of files and directories differs enough that some games don’t just Boot slower, they has seek issues as well. Movies may skip, the drive may thrash expecting files to be in one place, and having to look elsewhere. Best example is Game Titles released by SEGA, having far too many files in the root. SEGA title in UDF Burn exhibit some of the worst load times, especially when compared to properly prepared GDF’ed ISO Burns.

A recent users experience:

Mad_Catz Posted: Nov 21 2002, 03:28 AM (DVD/CD Burning)

QUOTE

“I also just noticed that in "HUNTER: The Reckoning", the games audio and video aren't synced when I burned the game at 2X and UDF, I will try it again as an ISO this time... I am going to have to go back and reburn all my games from UDF to ISO I think. What they call "Thrashing" on here is probably killing my X-box DVD drive... Some games like Burnout do it so much that I hear a clicking/grinding noise... I also noticed that Outlaw Golf loads about (literally) 10 times faster since I reburnt it as an ISO instead of the UDF format...”

This is an EXTREME case of UDF’s drawbacks. Others swear by it though!

Still want to Burn with UDF… Here is a simple Primer.
=====================================

You will need an Extracted Image, preferably one extracted with XDFSExtractor. Open RecordNow Max, and Click on the DATA button at the top. Now Drag the files and folders from your Extraction Directory into the DATA Window of RecordNow Max.

Once that is complete, click on the OPTIONS Button.



Set PRE-MASTERING CACHE and FILE DATA and TIME to whatever you like. Larger Cache wouldn’t hurt systems with more than 256MB of RAM. Larger RAM Cache may help your burner to avoid using it’s BurnProof or JustLink or other similar technologies.

For CDRW Burns set RECORDING TYPE to Disk at Once (DAO), Closed. Mode1, with FILE SYSTEM TYPE set to “UDF – Up to 128 in Filename Length, any char, plus 8+3 Bridge”

For DVD Blank Media types set RECORDING TYPE to Track at Once (TAO), Closed or Disk at Once(DAO) Closed Depending on Burner used. FILE SYSTEM TYPE set to “UDF – Up to 128 in Filename Length, any char, plus 8+3 Bridge”



That’s it… you can fill in other fields… with no adverse effects. Click OK to continue. I’d recommend setting Burn Speed to 1x, but if you have faster media… try it. Worse thing that can happen is you produce a shiny new coaster. Select a Recorder by Double-Clicking on a Device in the Left window. Then Click the RED Record Button, sit back.. and enjoy a Beer!

When Finished.. you have a brand new UDF Burned XBOX Backup. Now go play that puppy in your XBOX!

Greets and Appreciation


There are a lot of people I’d like to thank, because without you guys we wouldn’t be here today enjoying the fruits of our collective labours.

Bunnie! Your MIT research opened the Door a crack.. just enough to let the light in.

Project X – Your Massive Flood took the scene by storm… hell.. without the original 50 PX releases…no one would have bother making the modchip in the first place.

And speaking of Modchips… ENIGMAH, XTender, Team X-ecutor. Without which none of this could happen.

EVOLUTION X Dashboard Team / Team X-ecutor: Dashboards.. BIOS cracks… Utils like In Game Reset. You guys ROCK!

XBOXHACKER, XBOX-SCENE, XBOXMOD08 and too many others who spread the word.

SiliconIce, Xantium, BenJeremy, NOObvin, CDRSkull and others too numerous to list here.

… and last but not least all of the un-named souls who tried the different methods of CDR, and provided Valuable feedback in the development of the CDR portion of this Guide.

The Plain Text version of this Guide will hopefully be hosted on www.GOTMOD.com... While the full HTML version will be hosted by Xantium on XBOX-SCENE.com.

That's it.

Original is here... HSDEMONZ- Complete Guide to XBOX ISO Burning <--- Usually Outdated.. Read THIS Thread for additions and updates!

I'll do some editing tonight...

In the days to follow...I'll add...

Multi-Game Disk Making (multiple methods.. including BenJeremy's)
XISO complete Guide.. (yes... I'm almost done)
XBOXISOTOOL complete guide

and more.

This WILL be the Complete Guide to Burning for XBOX! Just give me a little time.

Awesome guide... should be a "must read"!!!

Thanks NOOBVIN... more to come shortly...

Troubleshooting:

Make sure the disc is "bad" by characterizing the quality of the disc....

Can you navigate to the disc using Boxplorer or Xbox Commander? Can you see it via FTP? Does Evo-X see it as a game disc?

If you see the contents from Boxplorer or Commander, try to launch the default.xbe


The disc boots to the dashboard
1) The disc may have been created incorrectly. Is there a default.xbe in the root? Was it created in XDFS or UDF formats?

2) the disc may have been a "bad burn" - most likely the media is poor quality and can't be read by the Xbox, even if it CAN be read in a PC.

The disc appears to boot, but gets a 'dirty disc' error or locks up in a black or other game screen
1) Most of the time, this is a bad burn. See "Bad Burns" below.

2) There are missing files. Double check to make sure the backup was complete.



Bad Burns

Try to reburn the disc. If you have had great success with the media, another reburn should fix the problem. If it is new 'untested' media, you may continue to have problems. Different Xboxes have problems with different media. Sometimes a pot tweak (mostly with old Thomson drives) will help this situation out....

Excellent...

I love everything but the POT TWEAK!.

Consider POT TWEAK an EXTREME solution! One that could end up ruining a perfectly good RETAIL DVD reader!

Investigate using BenJeremy's Troubleshooter above!

BENJ... when you get the time.. think you can cross-post your MEDIAX and MENUX Guide into this topic? It would defintely add to it's completeness!

SECTION 1.1 Produce a perfect working XBOX ISO backup of a Burned ISO Backup 1:1

POST MARKER: ONETOONEBACKUP

It has been a common misconception that a properly BURNED ISO BACKUP could only be duplicated by placing the existing BACKUP in the XBOX, and using FTP to Draw the contents to the PC, and REBUILD using recommended methods. This is simply not so.

UDF Method has long held the advantage of being the only way to burn an XBOX Backup that will RE-READ in a PC. Which is still TRUE… in UDF you have full READ access to the files, to do with as you wish (such as make a duplicate backup). Well… you can Burn your PROPER GDF ISO’s, and even your alternative ISO formats like XISO formatted ISO’s, and make a copy using only the PC.

In the past… MY COMPUTER would scream…



One of these ERROR MESSAGES…and that would be enough to keep us from duping our backups! Some assumed since we saw the same error messages with RETAIL XBOX Disks, the same Read Issues would apply to our backup!

It is actually a fairly EASY process to duplicate your existing backup without the use of your XBOX. The Process is essentially a 1:1 process. (1:1 RecordNowMax will Read in RAW Mode, and Write in Raw ISO Mode)

You will need RecordNowMax (others may work… untested for this feature)

Place the XBOX Burned Backup in the PC, in one or your DVD readers. Then open RecordNowMax (or earlier versions), and RIGHT-CLICK on the drive that contains the BACKUP DISK



And Select EXTRACT TRACKS… (ISO/WAV/MP3). In the next Window, you will see the drive properties open, and details about the backup! Click on 01 – ZONE. (for DVD) or 01 – Data track One (for CDR) Then Select a Path, as you will need to tell RecordNowMax where to put your new ISO file.(make sure the place you send the new ISO is big enough!)



Read Speed… well… set it to MAX. If you have problems… then by all means drop it. I’ve done plenty of Re-RIPs, using MAX speed setting, and have had No Problems. When you are ready… CLICK EXTRACT Button…
(if you have alot of scratches or blemishes on your disk.. you should lowers your READ SPEED to reduce errors)

You will now see that the Bottom part of that window is showing the STATUS of the track EXTRACTION



This will take a few minutes! Enjoy a coffee! Do NOT be surprised if it doesn’t READ (RIP) at the full rated speed of your PC DVD drive. It’ll get faster toward the end of the disk, unless of course your have marred or scratched the disk!



When done.. close RecordNowMax, remove the BACKUP DISK from the PC. You now have a Perfect copy of the Backup Disk!



This works for DVD-R, DVD-RW, CDR, CDRW. There is no reason it wouldn’t also work with DVD+R and DVD+RW. From here.. you can simply re-burn with almost any ISO burning program! Or, you can play around with the Files, by using any number of file extractors.. the best being XDFSExtractor!

NOW... I've chosen to detail the method so that you would have a NEW ISO on the HD of the PC. However.. it is just as easy to place your BURNED BACKUP into a DVD ROM Drive on the PC, place a BLANK in the DVD BURNER.. and do a striaght COPY! Work fine! I chose to not speel this out in more detail.. because I'd rather give you a chance to not produce a bad copy.. incase there is something wrong with the original! Any serious scratch.. etc.. and you could end up with a buggered copy on DIRECT COPY! By all means.. save a step if you want.. and do the direct copy! However... everything in the GUIDE is about producing the BEST Possible BACKUPS Possible! I've also assumed that anyone with any Burning software knows how to do a basic COPY. So I won;t DETAIL that process! 'nuff said!

Go have a Beer… It’s Miller Time!

*Note: to be fair.. a burned disk prepared in UDF format is Fully and easily readable on ANY PC. This method of Backing Up a backed up ISO will NOT give you the same seemless access, but will give you the same options… with a little more work!

Some NOTES:
=========

POST MARKER: BACKUPBURNDUDS

Many people have problems getting SOME of their burns to read PROPERLY in the XBOX. They may burn dozens of disks, and find a % of the simply don't read 100% fine in the XBOX.

After even more research.. both personal, and in the forums... I investigated further. Finding some interesting facts regarding the readability of apparent DUDS. I was fortunate that I throw out almost nothing!

As an afterthought to the RE-READ / DUPE of DUPE section just added... I found I had more questions. Turns out that MOST "NOT PERFECT" burns... ones that would work kinda sorta sometimes were burned JUST FINE. Problem is two fold... quality of blanks, tolerance levels of the various XBOX Readers. All of the DUDs I've ever produced, that were iffy but playable, and even some that wouldn't boot in XBOX at all... were all PERFECT Burns by PC standards.

They could all easily.. and FLAWLESSLY.. be read and REREAD perfectly using RECORDNOW MAX to produce a new WORKING ISO! (*NOTE: ISO produced in this manner by RNM will be BYTE Identical to the original, so if it was original XISO produce, the new one is XISO'd, and if it was GDF'd, the new one is GDF'd!)

From there... the files can be extracted with listed methods, then safely FTP'd to an XBOX. All games and EVOX duds would play properly 100%.

So.. next time you think you have burned a DUD / Coaster.. keep it. It may not be your IDEAL backup... but at least you will be able to send it to the XBOX via FTP and play there!

Worked with ALL Media Blanks! Multiple Brands, multiple original burn techniques!

question about burning to cdr, I have a sony cdrw that doesnt deem to write via DAO with fireburner (I get a sense error of some sort). Will this method work using track at once?

Excellent question...

Don't Know! Let us now if it works!

I just got this PM.. and thought I'd share the answers with ALL....

QUOTE

PM:[tagnetti] Hi , I want to thank you for your great guide, I have been thinking of doing something similar and I know its a good bit of work.  I have burned over 100 dvd's with games and am using the UDF technique. I had a few questions if you don't mind , based on some great points you made in your tutorial. The reason I use UDF is to put more that one game on a DVD, Is that possible with creating an ISO?  Would I just create an ISO from data as you demonstrated with CLone CD?

Sure... place all of your games for your multiDVD in a common DIR, and GDFIMAGE it to a proper ISO. You can also use XISO or XBOXIsoTool to do the same. GDF is preferred and RECOMMENDED!

QUOTE

Also, you mentioned the seek times with UDF. I notice this and it is with SEGA as you said and Hunter the Reckoning in horrible. Is there a way for me to evaluate the potential for this by looking at the files. Is it just tons of directories you think?

100's or 1000's of FILES would be a GREAT benchmark in determining a POOR choice for UDF burning. However, please consider that now we know that Burned ISO's CAN BE READ in PC's (mention earlier in this GUIDE) so there is little reason to continue using UDF. A proper burned ISO simply provide the BEST game Experience PERIOD!

QUOTE

One last thing, In Shenmue II. AS you said it is too big 4.9 gigs. Is there an easy way to split this on 2 disks? I was kind of confused in your TUT on whether or not this was a good or bad example of splitting and if so where should I split., In the scenes directory perhaps?

Hmm... It really doesn't matter how or where you split.. as long as you rebuild it properly later! If you rebuild a game, but don't put the files in the proper DIRs on the XBOX.. it'll never work anyway! Now if you're asking what to remove, or how to downsample to make it fit on ONE disk... there are plenty of threads that have covered this at some level.

QUOTE

Listen , In know you are busy, but I too am way into this and have a great time working with it. If you have a few minutes I'd appreciate it. TOM

No problem.

Hi

You recommended the Pioneer DVR-A04/104 to the Games, is the Pioneer DVR-A05/105 better in any way. It's the updated version but sometime that not always better. Also did you recommend using a 3rd party firmware updated (hacked)

I recommednthe AO4 /104 even over some of the new burners. It was my Hope that A05/105 would continue the path that started with the A03...

However.. some early indicators seem to point to a firmware issue. I would wait a few weeks to see what happens with the A05, and see if it's current problems are fixable with the NEW firmware.

I would still recommend the A05.. if only because PIONEER has an excellent rep.. and they will release FIRMWARE updates to fix problems.

As for Hacked Firmware.... I've used hacked firmware for many devices for years now. Sometimes it pays off.. sometimes it doesn't. You also run into the problem of screwing things up completely by using a cracked/hacked firmware.

EX. Had a Toshiba DVD Drive that was flashed with a hacked BIOS (corrupted) and the drive wouldn't take a reflash to fix! Toshiba wouldn't fix it under warrant...

Like anything... I can tell you how it's been sucessful for me... andf 1000's of others... but if it doesn't work, you may not be able to roll it back.

My A04 has been flashed and reflashed over 8 times now no problem. Your mileage may vary.

HSDEMONZ, question to your awesome guide. I'm playing around with doing the daemontools iso->CloneCD method to try cheaper media for DVD-RW, but I cannot get CloneCD to read my mounted image. I get error like: Generic STEALTH DVD is not compatible with CloneCD Read Mode "Normal"! and Reading failure errors (STEALTH DVD is the default name, I just left it). Any ideas? Have you tried this combination? Would this be possible or is CloneCD bailing because my source iso is mucho bigger than a standard CD?

CloneCD Version is 4.2.0.2, and Daemon-Tools is 3.26.

I honestly don't know HOW you are getting this error...

Do you want to produce CDRW? or DVD-RW? DVD+RW?

The Daemon Tools method is for CDR burning ONLY! To Burn to CDR, use the GDF>DAEMON>CLONE>FIREBURNER Method as I noted.

If you want to do CDRW, DVDRw, etc use the standard methods noted in the guide!

BTW... Unless you are running the CLONE DVD software.. and I doubt you are... CLONE is for CD SIZE files.

well, marks method for burning cd-r's does NOT work on imations...xbox1.0

In YOUR case! Imations worked fine for me on both a PHILLIPS and a THOMPSON!

People posting MEDIA LISTINGS that "work" or "don't work" is just plain USELESS!!!.

Each XBOX is it's own beast.. with it's own set of likes and dislikes!

QUOTE (HSDEMONZ @ Dec 11 2002, 04:36 AM)

In YOUR case! Imations worked fine for me on both a PHILLIPS and a THOMPSON! People posting MEDIA that "work" or "don't work" is just plain useless. Each XBOX is it's own beast.. with it's own set of likes and dislikes!

you keep saying this, is it really true? and if so? HOW!? cause last time i checked there were 2 different versions of the xbox, link me to something that tells me otherwise cuz i'm confused when you say that;)

There ARE 2 different "VERSIONS".. but each one has some variations within! Different HARDdrives, DVD Readers, and Fans / NO Fans.. etc.

Not really appropiate to this forum tho...

As for the MEDIA... like I said... you can have the same 2 READERS.. and get 2 different results from the same SINGLE burn! Some people have so much trouble with this.. they go and TWEAK the DVD reader (not recommended)

Do some reading... the facts about the variations are all over these forums.

Hi all,

I would like to share with all of you my experience from the guide of burning a .mpg-file to CD-R media.
My xBox: Thomson dvd-drive and evolution-x

I've tried 5 different brands of CD-R and none of them works. I've followed exactly the instructions and programs from the guide with no errors/conflicts. I've tried the same procedure to a CD-RW with successful result. So, I'm one of the owners of a bad-CD-R-compatible-Xbox.

So, those of you who haven't got any success of burning to CD-R, you´re not alone...

By the way, the guide IS excellent. Unfortunately, my goal of producing a readable CD-R-media failed... Maybe, all the five CD-R media are bad quailty, I don't know.

Question: Is there another method of burning a video-file (.avi, .mpg) to CD-R for Xbox to read ? If so, please share your knowledge.

Thanks.

QUOTE (HSDEMONZ @ Dec 11 2002, 04:19 AM)

I honestly don't know HOW you are getting this error... Do you want to produce CDRW? or DVD-RW? DVD+RW? BTW... Unless you are running the CLONE DVD software.. and I doubt you are... CLONE is for CD SIZE files.

Yes, I was working at doing DVD-RW. My point here is to try to get the image file to be more "stable" than using the normal Recordmax/ISO combination.

Clone DVD is not available yet generally from Elaborate Bytes, so you are correct in that I was trying to use Clone CD to read DVD sized ISO images. It might sound stupid at first, but frankly I was trying to see if it would work. Experimentation is the name of the game.

QUOTE (BenJeremy @ Nov 30 2002, 05:05 AM)

2) There are missing files. Double check to make sure the backup was complete.

Any suggestions on this step?

I have a recent burn that I made that goes to a blank screen, but it is readable via the dashboard and as far as I can tell all of the files are there.

I could post the listing of the files, but I don't want to get in trouble for board policy on making b**kups

Experiments are how we all got here!

I was just getting up this morning... heading off to work when I got a PM from XANTIUM... regarding my last messeages to him...

Quote Re:Complete GUIDE Dec 12 2002, 04:15 AM

XanTium
Group: Admin
Posts: 1240
Joined: 17-May 02

QUOTE

your guide can stay.

Just thought I'd share it here in the GUIDe.. and in the CENSORSHIP Thread. Thanks to all who may have helped to keep it alive.. and thanks to XANTIUM for keeping it intact.

Hey HSDEMONZ great computlation work.... Thankx for all u'r time spend on it....

I was just wondering if u ever got around to add what u learned about "Multi-Game Disk Making (multiple methods.. including BenJeremy's)" I am getting into Multi-Game DVD's but I still have not found an uptodate tutorial for it...

I guess the best prog to use is the Latest Media X Menu.... If u have any links to tutorials or info on it.... or u could shed light on this please let me know.... here or PM me... Later

Additions are coming. Problem is reformatting them.. and uploading PICs to my WEB SITEs.. Time consuming.

Meanwhile... BenJeremy has made MANY posts regarding the multi game situation... do a search and I'm sure you'll find his posts comprehensive.

HSDEMONZ,

I just wanted to thank you for doing such a high quality job on your documents. Kudos!

Thanks... it's nice to be appreciated.

Consider the GUIDE my way of giving back to XBOX-SCENE and XBOXHACKER. Both are driving forces in the "scene", and are great gathering points for both NEWB, HACKERS, and DEVELOPERS alike.

Lurking in these sites in the early days gave me an incredible amount of info, and inspiration. So many members were so helpful in the compilation of this info.. I'll never be able to thank them all.

Take the time to thank XANTIUM for a great SITE/FORUMS... and maybe consider saying thanks to the hard working MODS. Without the board.. and the mods maintenance.. this guide surely wouldn't exist.

hey HSDEMONZ, i really want to try using gdf'ed images cause i hate xiso files (the sound never works on my backups). but i keep getting those error messages on your tutorial (runtime 5...) i put up a thread a few days ago and everyones answers didnt get me anywhere, i still get the same error. this is a last resort to try using gdf'ed images. please help!!! (even if u dont no the answer, maybe just guessing that something might work, that would help to)

Well.. Using both WIN2000 or XP.. these error DON"T seem to show up.. an as reported before.. they are VB runtime errors. Have you tried using these OS's? Have you tried downloading VB libraries from MS?

i have windows me and i tried downloading new vb files from MS.

QUOTE

i have windows me and i tried downloading new vb files from MS.

Windows ME...

hmm.. I 'd have a clue then... everyone else either seems to run this stuff on 2000/XP.. or quickly upgrades to it!

Post back in the OTHER thread where you started this discussion.. I'm sure more people will see it.. and someone can help us both.

Iam using w2kserver with srv3, isomaker v1.21, Record now max.

I copied some games from my xbox to my server then i made .rar files off them.
I just bought a aopen dvd+r/rw. I want to make dvd copies from these games

I extracted these rar files to a directory on my pc and then use isomaker v1.21 to make a iso. Then i use recordnowmax to burn the iso to a dvd+rw. I do this exactly like in the guide from HSDEMONZ.
When the games (size +3 Gb) are written to the dvd+rw it is succesfully completed.

I put the dvd+rw in my box and nothing happens, used xbexplorer to look on the dvd drive and it seems nothing is on it ?

When i copy the games to the harddrive from my xbox i can play the games just fine ?

A friend of my gave some a 'original' isos (size 600Mb - 750Mb ), i have burned these also on a dvd+rw and put in my xbox and they work ??

HSDEMONZ: Do you know what the problem is ?

Hmm.. this is a good Question...

Can you navigate to this DUDS using BOXPLORER?

Does EVOX see the GAME disk as all?.. or does EVOX see KNOWN or OPEN when the DUD is in the Drive (this asume EVOX DASH is installed.

What speed did you do the burns at? try lowering them to 1x.

Tried different media? just cause some work don't mean all does... no matter the cost of your media.. you may still have BAD media sometimes. Fact of life. Some think (but I've used 300 in a row.. blah blah...) so what.. doesn't mean your next 10 or twenty are below par in quality.

Firmware? Tried the newest? Sometimes downgrading firmaware is better depending on drive.

Honestly.. I'm stumped.

Hey HSDEMONZ,

Sorry for the double post !!

Can you navigate to this DUDS using BOXPLORER?
>Yes i can navigate to the game dvds except the larger one(s), they seems to be empty.

Does EVOX see the GAME disk as all?.. or does EVOX see KNOWN or OPEN when the DUD is in the Drive (this asume EVOX DASH is installed.
> The large games he doesn't recognise at all, the small ones works just fine.
When i put the large games in the drive i see nothing it lookslike the dvd is empty. Where can i
see if it is open or known ?

What speed did you do the burns at? try lowering them to 1x.
> Only burned at 1x.

Tried different media? just cause some work don't mean all does... no matter the cost of your media.. you may still have BAD media sometimes. Fact of life. Some think (but I've used 300 in a row.. blah blah...) so what.. doesn't mean your next 10 or twenty are below par in quality.
> I tried it 10 times with 10 different media with 3 different large games.
None of them work only the isos that i didn't make and where smaller. Later this day i trie to
burn a 1.2Gb game and see if that wil work.

Firmware? Tried the newest? Sometimes downgrading firmaware is better depending on drive.

> No default firmware.


I also burned a mp3 dvd on dvd +rw (data=4.3 Gb) and browsed to it with boxplorer and i could read whole the dvd ?

This is really incredible... I've looked over your last few posts.. and it sounds like you are doing everything... the only thing that sticks out is the AOPEN DVD+RW drive you have. I haven't heard any BAD things.. but then again.. I haven't heard much good about it either.

I suppose you could try PIO/UDMA settings.. but I don't think that will help in this case.. as you said previously.. these disks complete the burn process. and the PC says they are fine. PIO/UDMA switching usually only helps those unable to complete the burn process period.

I think you may need to find out if there are FIRMWARE issues with your drive. There are FIRMWARE issues with MANY drives.. especially the new faster unints.. and many of the + RW drives.

Wish I had more advice to offer.

Hey HSDEMONZ,

I have a good one..... 4Gb, Extracted the rar file and made a iso with Xiso v.0.9.1 YURSOFT.
Burned it with Alcohol 120% at 1 speed. Now trying with with other games.

The iso's i extracted to 'rar' files, are extracted with an older version of Xiso could the problem be in de extraction programm ? Maybe it has something to do with CRC ?

GrEeTz

[FONT=Arial][SIZE=1]
hey guys, GREAT WORK on the guides, i am kinda confused on a few things though, im gettin my xbox tommorow and my XODUS chip is in the mail, but i cant seem to get this burning thing planned out perfectly for my first attempt.

I read HSDEMONZ's guide and it's great but the part about burning to CD-R(w)'s has gotten me quite confuzzled, why do u want to convert the ISO to another format if you've already got one that's burnable to CD-R(w)????

And i'm sure most games are over 650mb(rw) or 700mb®, so how exactly do I burn all those files onto seperate discs??? well actually i think i sorta got that part, BUT do i have to then copy each disk to the XBOX's HDD? cuz i was not planning on adding another HDD along with the default HDD and if so, this method will not work for me. So for all us guys out there who dont have a DVD-RW or the money to get one, AND don't want to add another hard drive to our XBOX, what can we do to play burnt games????

Thank you for your time and keep up the great work guyz

hsdemonz i think u should write some info on downsampling, it would make a great addition to the tut
up to now its great thanx

Well tried the CDR method, it works fine for me.

XBox = Version 1.1 with Philips Drive
PC = Win XP, Liteon 24x10x40 CDRW (Latest Firmware), D-Tools 3.26, Clone CD 3.3.4.1, Fireburner 2.1.7

CDR = Datasafe 40x Silver Premium

Will test other types of CDR and amend post.

oh and a big thanks to HSDEMONZ

This is probably a dumb question, but I am new to this process. I take it you must use a DVD burner to make the disks, but can use CDR media in the DVD Burner? You can't just use a CD Burner?

Thanks