Thread: [HOWTO] Backup Wii & GameCube Games

Hi there, I'm new to this forum.

When browsing these forums I figured there was no thread yet about creating GameCube & Wii backups.
There are a few ways how we can achieve this.

Please keep in mind that the size of GameCube (mini-dvd) discs are ~1.4GB, and the GameCube drive laser can only read that amount, so you can't rip Wii games with a GC.
However, since the Wii DVD Drive can even read dual layer discs you are able to backup GameCube AND Wii backups

1. The Network Method
Platform: GameCube only
Requirements: Phantasy Star Online, Nintendo Broadband Adapter and a CrossOver cable
Explanation: Basically you take advantage of an exploit found in the Phantasy Star Online game, instead of getting data from the PSO server you send data from your PC (homebrew software) and that way you can run anything you want to.
Using the BBA, the GC reads the game when you insert it, and instead of running it, it sends the data back to the PC which stores it to a file on the harddrive.
Software: GCOM, NGCDev Ripper

2. The SD Card Method
Platform: Wii & GameCube
Requirements: A way to boot unsigned code, (modchip, PSO exploit, AR+memcard trick) SD card, Gecko adapter (or a homemade solution).
Explanation: Using the Gecko adapter you can use a SD card in conjuction with the adapter, it's fitted into the memory cardport.
When loaded, it asks you to insert a DVD, when done it will start ripping to your SD card.
If your SD card is too small it dumps as much data as it can.
You can transfer it to your PC, insert the SD card back again and repeat that untill you have all the files, you can combine them with a simple DOS command.
[Only Registered users can see links . Click Here To Register...]: DVDtoSD

3. The LG Drive Method
Platform: Wii & Gamecube
Requirements: a LG-8164b or LG-8163b or LG-8162b or LG-8161b dvd drive. Get it from newegg, it's only 18 bux.
Explanation: This is my favourite method to backup games. Basically you don't need a way to load homebrew on neither the GC or Wii, you just need the drive.
The disadvantage however is that you can't play your backups because you have no way to boot unsigned code or a modchip.
I have a [Only Registered users can see links . Click Here To Register...]-8164b drive myself in combination with a chipped Wii and it works fine.
Software: Rawdump 2.0 (Don't use earlier versions, version 0.1 took 50hrs to rip!! while the latest takes 2.5hrs)

Additional Notes
If the games you have ripped have a .wii or .wod extension they need to be unscrambled first.
Rawdump 2.0 has a builtin feature to do that.
When you want to burn your backup, just burn them like you normally would burn an ISO in Nero .