Introduction: How to Burn / Backup Your Sega Dreamcast Games Easy!

Extremely bored one day i decide to see what i can do to entertain myself. I glance over at the entertainment center and noticed my Sega Dreamcast winking at me. Me being me i like to experiment with electronics and see how far i can push things to there max potential. Oh the fun Dreamcast used to bring me. Well its time to bring that fun back in many possible ways. I am NOT responsible for anyone's actions. This is for informational purposes only! Only backup a game if you own the original copy of the game! Now lets see what we need to get started!

Step 1: Why Backup My Game?

Now you can feel a little safer bringing out your games to a friends house. If the disk is lost or broken than that no longer becomes a big problem anymore. You have the original copy at home waiting for you without having to repurchase it!

Step 2: Materials

1. Sega Dreamcast

2. A computer (I'm using windows XP) with a CD burner

3. Win Rar http://download.cnet.com/WinRAR/3000-2250_4-10007677.html

4. A CD-R 700 mb 80 min blank disk Yes, you need to use regular CD-R's only I used Maxell brand

5. Padus Disk Duggler http://www.padus.com/downloads/demo.php

6. Nero 5.5 (a must) or Alcohol 120% You could use the trial versions of these if you choose

7. Other software for certain types of files can be used to burn disks but you should find what you need above as these are the most common

Step 3: Getting Started

I am going to back up one of the Dreamcast's best game. Sonic adventure.

You must obtain the iso (the game) and boot disk (i explain below) yourself. I can not tell you how to do this.

After you have it downloaded, take notice of what type of file it is. This will depend on what program is used for the burn. Most games are Selfboot, meaning they start on their own. Some games require a utopia boot disk to start, Non-self boot. Your download description should make this clear. If it requires a boot disc than just burn it normally as explained in step 4, pop it in the Dreamcast and it will load, it will tell you to insert CD. Open the Dreamcast up, take boot disk out and place your burned game in.

The most preferred method is obtaining a CDI file. Most CDI's are selfboot.

CDI or CDJ file is burned with Padus Disk Juggler

MDF MDS file is burned with Alcohol 120%

BIN CUE files are burned with cdrwin http://download.cnet.com/CDRWin/3000-2646_4-10028672.html You probably wont need this though as they are uncommon.

CCD Is mostly burned with Clone cd

Nrg file burned using Nero 5.5

Step 4: ISO Obtained. Now What?

Weather your file was associated with Nero or Alcohol 120%, all you have to do is burn a data CD as you normally would. No changes necessary. That's IT! I try to go for the CDI as they work great with Disk Juggler and most are self boot.
One thing to note is the Overburn option. If the download is over 700 MB than for good measure and if your burner supports it, use Overburn.

Padus Disk Juggler needs a little configuring which I will show you how to set it up in the next step.

Step 5: Padus Disk Juggler Options

Padus Disk Juggler is the preferred way for backing up a game. I did File, open, in this example. Make sure you choose all files at the bottom. Choose your file. It works extremely well. Click on the advanced tab. Set the options exactly as i have them.

Mode: Mode 2 Offset: 0 bytes
Block: 2352 TOC: CD-DA

Misc: 'Check' :
Add post-gar to 3rd party images
RAW write
Overburn disc

Click start as soon as you have the correct settings. That's it! CD should burn without a problem!

Step 6: Dreamcast Can Play WHAT?!

They don't call it "Dreamcast" for nothin. This old precious gem can actually play much more than just Dremcast games. It can play many emulators including Genisis, Snes, Nes, Gameboy, Playstation ( yes playstation) and MANY more. You will have to do your research on those my friends. You can find downloads for those as well. Again at your own risk. The original disks themselves (playstation for example) will NOT work. Now go have a ton of fun! !

Step 7: Your Good to Go!

Now enjoy your old games and re-live that certain feeling you get when you play a good classic! Yeahh dude!!!