Gdi to Cdi

[itsthinkingstill]

so i want to convert the sonic adventure 2 preview to a cdi as there are none anymore and maybe some of the web browsers,
i have tried some ways but i cant seem to figure it out, can someone help me? thanks

[lastcallgames]

Well, you'll need a Serial to USB cable (or Serial to DB9 if you have an older computer with one of those). I don't see any for sale from a quick search, but some places have instructions for building one.

Then you need to install software to your computer, first to connect and rip the GD-Rom, then another software to convert it to a .cdi. Then something like IMGburn to burn it to a CD if you want to do that.

Though if you're looking for the Trial version (the one included with PSO), I found a download here: http://www.freeroms.com/dl_roms/rom_dow ... e_id=37530

[Aleron Ives]

You can also dump discs using a BBA, which is the preferred method (using httpd-ack), as the BBA is easier to get and use than the serial cable while also being far faster.

[lastcallgames]

Yeah, I forgot about the BBA method until after I'd posted it. But unless he's one of the 4 people with a BBA, it's gonna cost some scratch.

[Wombat]

Guys I don't think he's trying to RIP an actual GD-Rom disc but is trying to convert an already ripped disc (in the form of a .GDI) to a .CDI so that he can burn in on CD-R and play it on his Dreamcast.

@itsthinkingstill, converting .GDI to a .CDI isn't always as easy unfortunately. Not all .GDI's can be 1:1 converted to a .CDI.. I suggest you start with fiddling around with FG's self boot pack; http://assemblergames.com/l/threads/sel ... ion.41388/

[itsthinkingstill]

womat was correct though i do have a bba and thanks for all the help as im trying to convert the sa2 preview edition not trial. sorry everyone i was not clearer, and thanks everyone

[SMiTH]

There is no simple method to make selfboot cdi's automatically.
Each game is different.
Win CE games and games with CDDA are another story.
I don't want to make this a long post...I could easily make this paragraphs long..

Extract .gdi into DATA folder

Extract sort file from .gdi, place sort.txt in root folder that has cdr tools etc.

run hack3 on bin files ex:(ip.bin,1st_read.bin,etc), hack3 sample.bin 45000

Once each bin has been hacked to correct lba using hack3

Run this script.

mkisofs -C 0,45000 -V SAMPLE -G ip.bin -l -sort sort.txt -o data.iso data
cdi4dc data.iso SAMPLE.cdi
del data.iso

Done.

[b0rd2dEAth]

Hey SMiTH, I followed your steps but I feel like the image is missing something.. When I boot it up the dreamcast thinks its a music disc. Also, when running hack3 on the .bin files that I extracted from the .gdi file, they don't seem to get modified (according to the file explorer). Any additional advice? Isn't there supposed to be dummy data or something?

I'm attempting this on Windows XP. I also used the Python scripts and additional tools found here http://dreamcast-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6694



Honestly I'm really just trying to remove the ECHELON banner on one of my games and I think the .gdi version I found is clean. If anyone has any useful tips I'm all ears. Hex editing the 1ST_READ.bin & attempting to recompile the .cdi has been a hopeless effort.. Converting the .gdi to a .cdi to me seems to be most promising..

[DreamcastUK]

Seeing as this type of question will be quite popular now that the Atomiswave games have been released on the Dreamcast and there are now plans for CDI releases.

I have a Dreamcast BBA so if I can help anyone with the BBA method then would be happy to help the community (and I wanna play Faster Than Speed lol)