Doubts about how to install games

Nator

Member
Is it possible to ask about how to install games without breaking rule number 1?
I need help understanding the acronyms (pkg, disc, iso, rip) and what is the best way to install games (both ps3 and ps2) on a CFW.
I can't find any guide on the forum and i would like to open a thread.
 
Is it possible to ask about how to install games without breaking rule number 1?
I need help understanding the acronyms (pkg, disc, iso, rip) and what is the best way to install games (both ps3 and ps2) on a CFW.
I can't find any guide on the forum and i would like to open a thread.

Yes you can ask how to install games that you own legally (e.g. purchased the game disc, downloaded the game from PSN store or homebrews downloaded from this site or brewology).

pkg = PS3 installation package. It can install official content downloaded from PSN Store or custom content (e.g. homebrews, mods)
disc = normally refer to physical PS3 Bluray disc (game or movie or hybrid). It also can be a PS2 disc (DVD or CD) or PS1 CD disc.
iso = refers to a dump or backup of a disc image file in ISO9660 format. It is a file with extensions ISO or BIN/CUE for PS1 games
rip = this has 2 meanings. It can be a copy of a game with some content removed or reduced. It also refers to a backup of a disc (it can be a folder copy o a disc image in ISO format)

The best way to install games on a CFW depends on you taste.
- Some users prefer PSN games because they can be launched directly from XMB without a backup manager like webMAN MOD or multiMAN. This has the limitation that you need to have your all games in the internal HDD.
- Most users prefer the games in ISO format because they can be loaded from internal HDD or external USB storage (NTFS/exFAT/FAT32). This require a backup manager like webMAN MOD, multiMAN, IRISMAN or ManaGunZ. This require Cobra payload (or HEN or Mamba) enabled.
- Some users prefer the PS3 games in folder format because they are easy to copy and modify, but only work from internal HDD or external USB drives in FAT32. These also are slower to load and require a backup manager too.

- For PS2 games you can create PS2 Classics packages (encrypted ISO) or mount the non-encrypted ISO using a backup manager. Both formats require to be loaded from the internal HDD. webMAN MOD allows to list them from external USB, but the file is first copied automatically to the internal HDD before launch it.

To open a new thread you have to select the section in the forum where you want to create the thread and click the button "Post New Thread" found in top right of the page.
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Yes you can ask how to install games that you own legally (e.g. purchased the game disc, downloaded the game from PSN store or homebrews downloaded from this site or brewology).

pkg = PS3 installation package. It can install official content downloaded from PSN Store or custom content (e.g. homebrews, mods)
disc = normally refer to physical PS3 Bluray disc (game or movie or hybrid). It also can be a PS2 disc (DVD or CD) or PS1 CD disc.
iso = refers to a dump or backup of a disc image file in ISO9660 format. It is a file with extensions ISO or BIN/CUE for PS1 games
rip = this has 2 meanings. It can be a copy of a game with some content removed or reduced. It also refers to a backup of a disc (it can be a folder copy o a disc image in ISO format)

The best way to install games on a CFW depends on you taste.
- Some users prefer PSN games because they can be launched directly from XMB without a backup manager like webMAN MOD or multiMAN. This has the limitation that you need to have your all games in the internal HDD.
- Most users prefer the games in ISO format because they can be loaded from internal HDD or external USB storage (NTFS/exFAT/FAT32). This require a backup manager like webMAN MOD, multiMAN, IRISMAN or ManaGunZ. This require Cobra payload (or HEN or Mamba) enabled.
- Some users prefer the PS3 games in folder format because they are easy to copy and modify, but only work from internal HDD or external USB drives in FAT32. These also are slower to load and require a backup manager too.

- For PS2 games you can create PS2 Classics packages (encrypted ISO) or mount the non-encrypted ISO using a backup manager. Both formats require to be loaded from the internal HDD. webMAN MOD allows to list them from external USB, but the file is first copied automatically to the internal HDD before launch it.

To open a new thread you have to select the section in the forum where you want to create the thread and click the button "Post New Thread" found in top right of the page.
View attachment 41586
Nice, I see someone opened the thread for me.
To return to the discussion, assuming that i have the iso or pkg file, what would be the procedure for installing?
For example. An iso of a ps2(or ps3) game mounted on a usb drive that i want to copy to the internal HDD, i have webMAN MOD, how do i install it? Or another example, i have a game in pkg format on a USB, how do i install it?
 
Nice, I see someone opened the thread for me.
To return to the discussion, assuming that i have the iso or pkg file, what would be the procedure for installing?
For example. An iso of a ps2(or ps3) game mounted on a usb drive that i want to copy to the internal HDD, i have webMAN MOD, how do i install it? Or another example, i have a game in pkg format on a USB, how do i install it?

Drop ISO files in their respective folders e.g. PS3 ISO go in HDD0:/PS3 ISO then PS2 goes in PS2ISO on the root of the drive. PS2 must be on internal to work but you can put PS3, PSX & PSP in the root of an external drive.

Now PKG files you just install via PKG manager and it will put it in the right place. Just make sure you use your RAP/RIF to activate the install.
 
Drop ISO files in their respective folders e.g. PS3 ISO go in HDD0:/PS3 ISO then PS2 goes in PS2ISO on the root of the drive. PS2 must be on internal to work but you can put PS3, PSX & PSP in the root of an external drive.

Now PKG files you just install via PKG manager and it will put it in the right place. Just make sure you use your RAP/RIF to activate the install.
How do i put the ISOs into those in the folders? What is RAP/RIF?

Drop ISO files in their respective folders e.g. PS3 ISO go in HDD0:/PS3 ISO then PS2 goes in PS2ISO on the root of the drive. PS2 must be on internal to work but you can put PS3, PSX & PSP in the root of an external drive.

Now PKG files you just install via PKG manager and it will put it in the right place. Just make sure you use your RAP/RIF to activate the install.
I tried to move the iso of a ps2 game using multiMAN but it doesn't give me the option to move the file from the pendrive to the internal disk.
 
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How do i put the ISOs into those in the folders? What is RAP/RIF?

If you use a backup manager like multiMAN, IRISMAN or ManaGunZ you can use their integrated File Manager to move the files from a folder to another. If you convert PS3 games in folder format to ISO then will be saved automatically in the correct folder.

This link has information about the standard paths for PS3ISO, PS2ISO, PSXISO, etc. and how to setup the game covers.
https://github.com/aldostools/webMAN-MOD/wiki/Game-Paths-&-Covers

RIF = Rights Information File. It's an activation file that contains the license of *one* specific game or DLC used to load commercial PKG games encrypted to prevent illegal copies (npDRM). Each RIF file is associated to one PS3 console and user account. So it cannot shared between accounts or consoles.

RAP = It's an encrypted key file (it contains a klicense) used by HEN or Cobra payload to generate a RIF for the console. It requires that at least one user in the system contain an activated PSN user account or a "fake" activated account (act.dat).

act.dat = PSN activation file. It contains information about the user and console ID that is unique for each PS3 console. This file is created when the user goes online and activates the PSN account. There are tools to generate a "fake" (offline) act.dat if the user is unable to log into PSN.

I tried to move the iso of a ps2 game using multiMAN but it doesn't give me the option to move the file from the pendrive to the internal disk.
You can use one of the File Managers mentiones above or transfer the ISO directly to the folder /dev_hdd0/PS2ISO in the internal HDD using an FTP client like FileZilla.
 
If you use a backup manager like multiMAN, IRISMAN or ManaGunZ you can use their integrated File Manager to move the files from a folder to another. If you convert PS3 games in folder format to ISO then will be saved automatically in the correct folder.

This link has information about the standard paths for PS3ISO, PS2ISO, PSXISO, etc. and how to setup the game covers.
https://github.com/aldostools/webMAN-MOD/wiki/Game-Paths-&-Covers

RIF = Rights Information File. It's an activation file that contains the license of *one* specific game or DLC used to load commercial PKG games encrypted to prevent illegal copies (npDRM). Each RIF file is associated to one PS3 console and user account. So it cannot shared between accounts or consoles.

RAP = It's an encrypted key file (it contains a klicense) used by HEN or Cobra payload to generate a RIF for the console. It requires that at least one user in the system contain an activated PSN user account or a "fake" activated account (act.dat).

act.dat = PSN activation file. It contains information about the user and console ID that is unique for each PS3 console. This file is created when the user goes online and activates the PSN account. There are tools to generate a "fake" (offline) act.dat if the user is unable to log into PSN.


You can use one of the File Managers mentiones above or transfer the ISO directly to the folder /dev_hdd0/PS2ISO in the internal HDD using an FTP client like FileZilla.
It's a little difficult to understand for those new to cfw. However i think i'll try FileZilla to copy the iso to the correct folder.
EDIT: Ok I'm transferring it by connecting to the IP of the PS3 and therefore via the router and the ethernet cable.

You can use one of the File Managers mentiones above or transfer the ISO directly to the folder /dev_hdd0/PS2ISO in the internal HDD using an FTP client like FileZilla.
Now I'm wondering about CONFIG ps2 database files, it seems to me that webMAN has the function to download the entire database right? How do i activate these specific configuration files?
 
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It's a little difficult to understand for those new to cfw. However i think i'll try FileZilla to copy the iso to the correct folder.
EDIT: Ok I'm transferring it by connecting to the IP of the PS3 and therefore via the router and the ethernet cable.


Now I'm wondering about CONFIG ps2 database files, it seems to me that webMAN has the function to download the entire database right? How do i activate these specific configuration files?

MultiMAN has iffy NTFS support so I stopped using it years ago. I prefer @aldostools fork of IRISMAN. This is your most likely culprit as to why it doesn't see the file.

As for CONFIG files I'll take a quote from the developer himself. I use webMAN myself as I prefer to do everything from the XMB

For auto-detection of the CONFIG it is recommended to include game id in uppercase in the file name of the PS2 ISO. There are various formats supported:
Name [SCUS-12345].ISO
Name (SLUS-123.45).iso
SLUS_123.45-[Name].iso


As for the RIF it is the activation file Sony gives once you purchase a game. Those can be found on your HDD. A RAP file is the activation file stripped of your personal info and uses PSN Patch, ReACTPSN or the likes to allow you to launch the game. Without these it will prompt to go to the PSN store to get the license unlike homebrew. It can be used for piracy methods so that is all I will say on the subject.

Now I do suggest you read up on the PS3 wiki and using our search function. We have a decade of PS3 related post and I can assure you that you can find the answer to 99.9% of your questions by simply doing a quick search.

We will of course help where we can but I know most vets of the scene will simply pass the post by or not reply to answers that have been answered numerous times over the years. Not saying this to be rude just trying to give some context on the lack of replies. We all have to learn and it's the point of the forums but I myself learn a lot more doing the leg work over being told. Anyhow these forums and the wiki here is your guide to all of your questions.

https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/
 
Drop ISO files in their respective folders e.g. PS3 ISO go in HDD0:/PS3 ISO then PS2 goes in PS2ISO on the root of the drive. PS2 must be on internal to work but you can put PS3, PSX & PSP in the root of an external drive.

Now PKG files you just install via PKG manager and it will put it in the right place. Just make sure you use your RAP/RIF to activate the install.
Another question: PKG are not ISO, so what folder should i put them in?

EDIT: Reading the guide posted above i assume they go to /dev_hdd0/GAMES, correct me if i'm wrong.

EDIT: No, i'm wrong, i don't have a PKG but a folder format.
 
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About places "where is what", this should be Your first look: ;p
https://www.psx-place.com/threads/ultimate-userdata-backup-guide.29037/

*.pkg on PS3 is only delivery format. Personally I prefer *.7z. Data compressed by LZMA, no keys bullshit, everything integrated. Just cannot be unpacked on PS3, but for that I can always take out HDD and do it on PC, eventually send via FTP.
Putting the folder on GAMES worked, it just seemed a little slow to load.
Apart from that, the game i tried in the european version has a terrible dubbing in my language, do you know how to change the language of the game to English?
 
Some games setting up language, based on XMB settings. Most of games have language change option in her settings.
 
Putting the folder on GAMES worked, it just seemed a little slow to load.
Apart from that, the game i tried in the european version has a terrible dubbing in my language, do you know how to change the language of the game to English?

The problem with GAME folders is the much lower compatibility using JB folder format. I have only ever found one game that refused to work as ISO but worked in JB folder format but even that's been fixed.
 
The problem with GAME folders is the much lower compatibility using JB folder format. I have only ever found one game that refused to work as ISO but worked in JB folder format but even that's been fixed.
Which type of format do you prefer, iso, pkg, folder?
 
Which type of format do you prefer, iso, pkg, folder?

Seems you didn't read my post #2

If you have enough free space on internal HDD, PKG is better. You don't need to use a backup manager.

ISO is the best option in terms of compatibility and flexibility to load from external USB device formatted in NTFS, exFAT, FAT32, etc.

I prefer FOLDER because I dumped all my games when ISO was not an option. The conversion to ISO requires additional time.
 
Which type of format do you prefer, iso, pkg, folder?
You don't have much choice.
  • If game is disc game, *.iso grants You 100% compatibility instead to copied data vel "folder" vel "JB Format". And should be made from original disc, not from copied data to preserve LBA order (however, You will wasting by that additional 256MiB per game).
  • If game is digitally distributed, You must use *.pkg installation. Conversion to disc type ends in many cases in broken game.
 
....As for CONFIG files I'll take a quote from the developer himself. I use webMAN myself as I prefer to do everything from the XMB

/dev_hdd0/PS2ISO/My Game 1 (SLES-12345).ISO
/dev_hdd0/PS2ISO/My Game 2 [SLUS_123.45].iso
/dev_hdd0/PS2ISO/My Game 3 [SLPM12345].BIN.ENC

Webman recognizes the title and adds a config in the PS2ISO folder, but what of the files present on https://ps3.aldostools.org/ps2config.html adds? custom, net, gx, soft or enc? and what is the difference between them considering that i play on a slim with CFW?
 
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