PS3 Unencrypted .VM2 support on PS2 Classics (CECH-2101A)

[James Buckwas]

Good evening. I recently purchased a CECH-2101A console and installed Evilnat 4.92. I was wondering if ps2_netemu with a PS2 game in .ISO format can use unencrypted .VM2 files for PS2 memory cards, instead of encrypted .VME files. I transfer PS2 virtual memory cards between my PS3 and PC frequently to play on PCSX2, but the process of decryption, manually copying save files between the PS3 and PC's memory cards, and encryption back onto the PS3, can be tedious, especially when I have to do this after playing any game on my PS3 or PC. Also, I'd like to see the PS2 savedata on the PS3 XMB. Having all my save data in one accessible and viewable place would be very fun.

If using unencrypted PS2 memory cards is not possible due to the inherent way ps2_netemu is programmed, is it possible to automatically encrypt and decrypt files on the PS3 side? So let's say, I play a PS2 game on my PS3, and SCEVMC0.VME is automatically decrypted on my PS3. Then I would manually copy it to my PC to play some games. Then when I want to play on my PS3, I copy my PC's memory card to my PS3, and encrypt it using Apollo save tool or another tool? Previously, when I've taken my decrypted memory card on the PC and encrypted it with my klicensee string on ps2classicsGUI, I would get save data corrupted errors on my PS3, and I'd like to avoid the alternative of manually copying my save files instead.

Thanks for any help, I hope I explained things well.

 

[GuilloteTesla]

You can use Apollo Save Tool for the PS3, but the process is not automatic. You'll need to import/export PS2 savefiles each time you want to use them.

 

[James Buckwas]

Alright. I will try using Apollo and seeing if that works better than using ps2classicsGUI on my PC.

 

[Berion]

Normally VME are encrypted by per game key. It is only homebrew which using fallback key. If you using CFW and WMM, you don't need placeholder, nor VMEs. But on HEN that's mandatory and cannot be bypassed.

 

[bucanero]

Normally VME are encrypted by per game key. It is only homebrew which using fallback key.

Btw, Apollo can also decrypt VMEs from games not using the homebrew fallback key. As long as you have the license (.rif) for the ps2classic game installed, Apollo should be able to derive the required vme key, then decrypt/encrypt as needed.

You can use Apollo Save Tool for the PS3, but the process is not automatic. You'll need to import/export PS2 savefiles each time you want to use them.

For the record, Apollo-ps3 can import/export both PS2 single saves (like .psu .max .cbs files), and full PS2 memory cards.

As mentioned, is not automatic, the user needs to do it manually when needed.

 

[James Buckwas]

Normally VME are encrypted by per game key. It is only homebrew which using fallback key. If you using CFW and WMM, you don't need placeholder, nor VMEs. But on HEN that's mandatory and cannot be bypassed.

Thanks for the response. I only use the placeholder due to the convenience of not having to create custom .pkg files, I understand how this lets me only use one key to encrypt my .VMC files into .VME files.
However, I've never heard of CFW+WMM not requiring the placeholder nor VMEs, can you clarify what this means and how I do it? Currently on my CFW CECH-2101A, I load a .ISO file using WMM, select "Playstation 2 Format Disc" from the XMB, and my game saves to a .VME file. I understand that this bypasses using a placeholder, but how can I avoid using a .VME file, and save to an unencrypted memory card instead, such as the .VM2 memory cards displayed on the PS3 XMB?
The main reason I purchased a CECH-2101A to replace my CECH-3001A was my (perhaps false) impression that I could use unencrypted PS2 memory cards when running CFW. Based on what I've read, it seems like that is not possible and I have to use encrypted .VME files, but you are saying this is possible, right?

Btw, Apollo can also decrypt VMEs from games not using the homebrew fallback key. As long as you have the license (.rif) for the ps2classic game installed, Apollo should be able to derive the required vme key, then decrypt/encrypt as needed.

How can I use Apollo to do this .VME decryption/encryption with the homebrew fallback key? I assume because of using a placeholder, I don't have to use .rif licenses, but I don't know how I would do this with the placeholder memory card that is shared across all of my PS2 games.

 

[Berion]

@bucanero I wasn't precise as I should. I have in mind created PKGs with PS2 disc images by homebrew on PC.

@James Buckwas I don't remember now really, but I'm pretty sure that WebMAN MOD, if Cobra payload is available (maybe the same with Mamba too), somehow can "redirecting" vmc (and BTW, VM2/VME aren't saves but VMCs, saves are inside) to the VM2 for all PS2 emulators. Since PS2 emulators, not working in vsh, then somehow Cobra must allows that. Or my memory faults me? But I'm pretty sure I didn't need any placeholder, just choosing disc image in WMM to mount and start it, and ofc having already created and assigned to slot an VM2.

 

[bucanero]

How can I use Apollo to do this .VME decryption/encryption with the homebrew fallback key? I assume because of using a placeholder, I don't have to use .rif licenses, but I don't know how I would do this with the placeholder memory card that is shared across all of my PS2 games.

In that case Apollo will detect that a VME was created with the homebrew key and will handle it directly, no need to do anything special.

So yeah if you're using the ps2 classic placeholder, just go ahead and use Apollo , it will open/edit the VMEs with no issues.

 

[James Buckwas]

I used the Cobra payload, I believe by setting QA flags through EvilNAT's firmware settings, and now I can read from/write to .VM2 files for PS2 virtual memory cards.
I did not have to use rebug toolbox like I expected from watching youtube tutorials. Just in case someone from the future wants to know how to do the same as I was asking.

Thanks for all the help!