alex-free.github.io

The Ultimate Backup CD-R/Import Disc Loader Soft-Mod Solution For The Original PlayStation & Early Models Of PlayStation 2

Brought to you by Alex Free, MottZilla, Patchouli (karehaani), and Sylverrez. Built on the work of many others.

Tonyhax International is a fork of the Tonyhax “Software backup loader exploit thing for the Sony PlayStation 1” originally created by Socram8888. Tonyhax International is developed by Alex Free and MottZilla with many new features and upgrades compared to the original Tonyhax, some of which are listed below:

Usage

Japanese PS1 Consoles (SCPH-1000-SCPH-100)

Japanese PS2 Consoles (SCPH-10000-SCPH-39000)

American/European PS1/PS2 Consoles (SCPH-1001-SCPH-39004)

Boot Methods

More Info

Downloads

Version 1.2.0 (3/17/2023)

Changes:

About previous versions.

Usage

The Tonyhax International loader is the program that once started enables the use of backup CD-Rs or import PS1 discs. The Tonyhax International loader can be booted with a [flashed cheat cart] (flashed-cheat-cart.md), a flashed memory card, a save game exploit, a CD-R, or even a GameShark Code. The Tonyhax International loader provides the ability to properly play backup CD-R and ‘imported region discs’ on all PS1 consoles, and all supported early PS2 consoles (Japanese, USA, and PAL models SCPH-10000-SCPH-39004).

If you are using any Japanese console, at least one real Japanese NTSC-J PS1 game disc is required (any officially licensed Japanese PS1 disc will do). If you are using a Japanese PS2 console (SCPH-10000-SCPH-39000) a Swap Magic Tool is also required. Neither of these are needed if you are using an American or European PS1/PS2 console.

Japanese PS1 Console Loader Instructions

Start the Tonyhax International loader with a supported boot method:

If you see the text Put in a real NTSC-J PSX game disc, then block the lid sensor:

ps1 lid sensor

ps1 lid sensor blocked front

ps1 lid sensor blocked side

psone lid sensor

psone lid sensor blocked

After blocking the lid sensor, your real Japanese PS1 game will spin up and then stop. Once you see the text Put in a backup/import disc, then press X remove either the real NTSC-J PSX game disc or Boot CD from your PS1 console’s CD drive. Put in the backup CD-R or import PSX game disc you want to play without unblocking the lid sensor. Once you press X, the console will run some commands automatically, followed by the game booting with perfect CD audio playback. Note that you can not unblock the lid sensor while playing the game on Japanese consoles, if you do so the game will stop working.

Playing Games That Span Multiple Discs On Japanese PS1 Consoles

There are some games which span multiple discs. And some of these games (such as Parasite Eve, Fear Effect, and Crono Cross) that span multiple discs require you to open the CD drive, remove disc 1, insert disc 2, and close the CD drive at some point in the game without providing a save game option at the disc swap. If you encounter this type of game on a Japanese PS1 console you have to do the “mid-game hot-swap trick”:

It is important to note however that most games that span multiple discs allow you to load a game save created on disc 1 while playing disc 2. This means you just need to save at the last point possible on disc 1, and then you can just boot disc 2 like normal and load your game save created earlier on disc 1. Some games however do not allow this as previously mentioned, so for those games you must use the mid-game hot-swap trick described above.

Japanese PS2 Console Loader Instructions

Start the Tonyhax International loader with a supported boot method:

Japanese PS2 consoles must have the DVD drive tray front panel removed to use Tonyhax International. For the SCPH-10000, you can follow the method below (some newer consoles may slightly differ in the way to remove the DVD drive’s front panel).

Removing The DVD Drive Tray Front Panel

Turn on the Japanese PS2 console. Eject the DVD drive tray, and while it is open power off the console by either pulling the plug from the wall or PSU in the back of the console, or by flicking the power switch for the PSU on the back of the console. You can not use the power button because then the DVD drive tray will close before the console turns off. Now, flip the Japanese PS2 console upside down like in the image below:

ps2 upside down

Now bring your focus to the bottom of the opened DVD drive tray. At the very top edge (highlighted in the picture above) is a tab. You want to jam a thin flat head screwdriver in between this tab and the DVD drive tray face plate as shown in the image below. Now, push with the flat head screwdriver to separate the DVD drive face plate from the rest of the DVD drive tray. Be very gentle and only use a direct straight force towards the face plate. Do not go side to side when doing this or you risk breaking off an edge of the DVD drive tray. I am obviously not responsible for any damage you may do by doing this! Once successful, the face plate will become removable. You are free to slide it back on at a later time, it just needs to be off for you to use the Japanese PS2 to boot backup/import PS1 games with Tonyhax International.

ps2 drive tab

With the DVD drive face plate off, flip over the Japanese PS2 console right side up. You can now see a gap at the bottom of the DVD drive. This is where you place the Swap Magic Tool in when using Tonyhax International on your Japanese PS2 console.

ps2 drive cover removed

You can now use one of the supported boot methods to start the Tonyhax International loader on the Japanese PS2 console. You will most likely be using the Save Game Exploit, however you could be using some kind of intermediate boot disc to boot the Boot CD as well if you find one that supports Japanese PS1 consoles. Once you see the text Put in a backup/import disc, then press X appear, you need to use a Swap Magic Slide Tool to release the DVD drive to gain access to it without pressing the eject switch. A video tutorial is available that shows how to use the Swap Magic Tool (in general), although the exact steps are also explained below. Once you use the Swap Magic Tool to swap in your import/backup CD-R while booted in the Tonyhax International loader, just press the cross button on your PS2 or PS1 controller to boot and play your game.

Important note: do not eject the PS1 import or backup CD-R from the Japanese PS2 console until your done playing the game. Unlike American and European consoles (which do not have this limitation), if you do so your game will stop working, and you will have to start Tonyhax International all over again to boot your import/backup CD-R and start playing again.

Using the Swap Magic Tool

Slide in the Swap Magic Tool like shown in the image below by the arrow. You need to feel around with the Swap Magic Tool to get the hook to latch on internally inside the DVD drive.

ps2 insert slide tool

Now that your Swap Magic Tool is latched on internally inside the DVD drive, move it straight to the right side. This movement will feel correct and nice when you are properly using the Swap Magic Tool, reassuring you are using it correctly. Once you get to the end of this movement the DVD drive tray will begin to move forward out of the DVD drive, “releasing” it from it’s locked state.

ps2 slide tool inserted first slide

ps2 slide tool moved to release drive

Use your hand to pull out the DVD drive tray to gain access to the disc in it. Remove the original NTSC-J PSX game disc, and put in your import/backup CD-R.

ps2 drive released

With your import/backup CD-R in the Japanese PS2 console, use your hand to push in the DVD drive tray as far as it will go back into the DVD drive.

ps2 push in released drive

Now that the DVD drive tray is pushed all the way back in, the Swap Magic Tool can be used to “lock” the drive. Like before, slide in the Swap Magic Tool to the right most position like shown in the image below. Remember to feel around with the Swap Magic Tool to get the hook to latch on internally inside the DVD drive. Now that your Swap Magic Tool is once again latched on internally inside the DVD drive, move it straight to the left side. This movement will feel correct and nice when you are properly using the Swap Magic Tool, reassuring you are using it correctly. Once you get to the end of this movement (when you can’t go any more to the left) the DVD drive tray will fully go back inside the DVD drive to put the DVD drive into the “locked” state.

ps2 slide tool moved to lock drive

Playing Games That Span Multiple Discs on Japanese PS2 Consoles

There are some games which span multiple discs. And some of these games (such as Parasite Eve, Fear Effect, and Crono Cross) that span multiple discs require you to open the CD drive, remove disc 1, insert disc 2, and close the CD drive at some point in the game. Unfortunately only for Japanese PS2 consoles, you can not do this with Tonyhax International. If you get to a point in a game that requires ejecting the drive and putting in a new game, you have to play this part of the game on a different console (Any PS1 or American/European PS2 works). It is important to note however that most games that span multiple discs allow you to load a game save created on disc 1 while playing disc 2. This means you just need to save at the last point possible on disc 1, and then you can just boot disc 2 with Tonyhax International like normal and load your game save created earlier on disc 1, bypassing this limitation for certain games that allow saving right at disc swap mid-game.

Playing PAL Region Games On Japanese PS2 Consoles

The early PS2 models that Tonyhax International supports have the PS1 mode which runs PS1 software hard-coded to NTSC video mode. This can cause a problem with Tonyhax International if you want to play a European/PAL PS1 backup CD-R or import disc on a Japanese PS2 in PAL video mode. Since PS1 software can not change the video mode correctly from PS1 mode running on a PS2, you have to resort to the PS2 homebrew software known as PSVModeNeg. This software allows you to explicitly change the video mode to PAL. An older version of PSVModeNeg is required if you want to use it’s effects with Tonyhax International, specifically v1.0.1. This version simply inverses the current video mode of the console, rather then reading the PS1 game disc to figure out what video mode the disc itself expects. Here are the steps below to change your Japanese PS2 console to PAL video mode for Tonyhax International:

American/European PS1/PS2 Console Loader Instructions

Start the Tonyhax International loader with a supported boot method.

Available boot methods for American and European PS2 consoles:

Available boot methods for American and European PS1 consoles:

Once you see the text Put in a backup/import disc appear, eject the DVD drive (PS2) or open the CD drive (PS1).

All other boot methods don’t have a disc usually in the drive already, so there is no disc to remove. With no disc currently in your console, you can now put in the backup CD-R or import PSX game disc you want to play. Close the CD drive (PS1) or DVD drive (PS2). The console will detect that the drive has been closed and will spin up your disc. The console will then send some commands and boot the disc.

Playing Games That Span Multiple Discs On American/European PS1/PS2 Consoles

All American and European consoles do not have the same limitations as the Japanese consoles and can play games that span multiple discs like normal.

Playing PAL Games On American PS2 Consoles

The early PS2 models that Tonyhax International supports have the PS1 mode which runs PS1 software hard-coded to NTSC video mode. This can cause a problem with Tonyhax International if you want to play a European/PAL PS1 backup CD-R or import disc on a American PS2 in PAL video mode. Since PS1 software can not change the video mode correctly from PS1 mode running on a PS2, you have to resort to the PS2 homebrew software known as PSVModeNeg. This software allows you to explicitly change the video mode to PAL. An older version of PSVModeNeg is required if you want to use it’s effects with Tonyhax International, specifically v1.0.1. This version simply inverses the current video mode of the console, rather then reading the PS1 game disc to figure out what video mode the disc itself expects. Here are the steps below to change your American PS2 console to PAL video mode for Tonyhax International:

Playing Japanese/American Games On PAL PS2 Consoles

The early PS2 models that Tonyhax International supports have the PS1 mode which runs PS1 software hard-coded to NTSC video mode. This can cause a problem with Tonyhax International if you want to play a Japanese/American PS1 backup CD-R or import discs on a PAL PS2 in NTSC video mode. Since PS1 software can not change the video mode correctly from PS1 mode running on a PS2, you have to resort to the PS2 homebrew software known as PSVModeNeg. This software allows you to explicitly change the video mode to PAL. An older version of PSVModeNeg is required if you want to use it’s effects with Tonyhax International, specifically v1.0.1. This version simply inverses the current video mode of the console, rather then reading the PS1 game disc to figure out what video mode the disc itself expects. Here are the steps below to change your PAL PS2 console to NTSC video mode for Tonyhax International:

CD-R Media For PSX Backups

Only use high-quality CD-R media for PSX backups. If you want good results burning backups for your PS1 your CD-R media should contain:

Ideally, you want to use 74 minute discs. The PSX was never designed for the now more common 80 minute discs, and it is easier for the laser to track 74 minute discs due to their wider data spiral track. As of 2023, 74 minute discs are not really manufactured anymore and new old stock can get pricey, so it really may not be worth it as the PSX can read 80 minute discs fine. It just can read 74 minute discs easier as that is closer to what it was designed for originally (which was 72 minute pressed CD-ROMs).

I have found Verbatim DataLifePlus CD-Rs to be really good with PS1 consoles. Here is the ATIP information displayed by cdrecord -atip for a Verbatim DataLifePlus CD-R:

ATIP info from disk:
  Indicated writing power: 4
Disk Is not unrestricted
Disk Is not erasable
  Disk sub type: Medium Type A, high Beta category (A+) (3)
  ATIP start of lead in:  -11077 (97:34/23)
  ATIP start of lead out: 359848 (79:59/73)
Disk type:    Long strategy type (Cyanine, AZO or similar)
Manuf. index: 11
Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Verbatim UltraLife Archival Grade Gold CD-Rs also are really good, although they are more expensive then Verbatim DataLifePlus. I think Verbatim DataLifePlus CD-Rs are slightly better with the PS1 as well, but they are an option. Here is the ATIP information displayed by cdrecord -atip for a Verbatim DataLifePlus CD-R:

ATIP info from disk:
  Indicated writing power: 5
Disk Is not unrestricted
Disk Is not erasable
  Disk sub type: Medium Type B, low Beta category (B-) (4)
  ATIP start of lead in:  -12520 (97:15/05)
  ATIP start of lead out: 359849 (79:59/74)
Disk type:    Short strategy type (Phthalocyanine or similar)
Manuf. index: 26
Manufacturer: TDK Corporation

Do not use cheap/poor quality CD-R media, which is almost always all that is available in retail stores and most likely any CD-R that is not “archival grade”. Poor quality cheap CD-R media can result in:

Later PS1 consoles (starting at the SCPH-5000 series and newer) and all PS2 consoles have a much greater tolerance to poor quality CD-R media, and may work fine with it however in general it is still best to just always use Verbatim DataLifePlus/UltraLife CD-Rs or something of similar quality. Here is the ATIP information displayed by cdrecord -atip for a Maxell Music CD-R (which is a poor quality brand/CD-R media that is highly not recommended.

ATIP info from disk:
  Indicated writing power: 4
Disk Is unrestricted
Disk Is not erasable
  Disk sub type: Medium Type A, low Beta category (A-) (2)
  ATIP start of lead in:  -12508 (97:15/17)
  ATIP start of lead out: 359845 (79:59/70)
Disk type:    Short strategy type (Phthalocyanine or similar)
Manuf. index: 22
Manufacturer: Ritek Co.

If you are having issues booting discs in Tonyhax International, consider wiping with a clean microfiber cloth from the inner ring to the outer edge of the disc in all directions and then trying to boot the disc again.

Building From Source

Obtain the complete Tonyhax International current source tree from GitHub using git, using the command below:

git clone --recursive https://github.com/alex-free/tonyhax

Next, install all the required dependencies:

If you are running Fedora or Debian (Windows Subsystem For Linux can run these operating systems on Windows to provide a sufficient build environment), you can download the build dependencies automatically with the get-deps.sh script found in the scripts folder of the Tonyhax International source tree. For any other OS, you’ll need to find the above packages and install them manually yourself.

Next, you need to build the tool-chain. Execute the build-tool-chain.sh script, which is found in the scripts directory of the source tree. This will take some time to build, depending on how fast your computer is.

With everything now installed, build Tonyhax International with the build.sh script found in the scripts directory of the Tonyhax International source tree. After you build Tonyhax International a release .zip file will be generated in the root of the source directory.

Credits

MottZilla

Patchouli(karehaani)

Sylverrez

Misc Acknowledgements

O.G. Tonyhax Acknowledgements

Socram8888 is the original developer of the Tonyhax loader. The original Tonyhax loader credits are below, in alphabetical order: