Dump PS2 BIOS

Dump the BIOS files from your PS2 console for emulation.

Introduction

The PCSX2 emulator needs the PS2's system BIOS files to run games on your PC. We will dump these from your PS2 console using a homebrew program called biosdrain.

Prepare Homebrew Starter

There are two ways to start homebrew on your PS2 console:

Download biosdrain to USB Drive

  • Insert your USB drive into your PC.

  • Open the releases page for biosdrain:

  • Under the Assets section for the most recent release, select biosdrain.elf and save the file to the root of your USB drive.

  • Once you have transferred biosdrain.elf, eject your USB drive from your PC.

Dump BIOS with biosdrain

Load uLaunchELF

uLaunchELF is a file manager and executable launcher for your PS2 console. It is already included on your Free McBoot memory card or FreeDVDBoot disc.

Set Up PS2 Console

  • If there is any disc in your PS2 console, remove it.

  • Power off your PS2.

  • Insert your Free McBoot memory card into your PS2 - try Slot 2 first.

  • Insert your USB drive into your PS2.

Launch uLaunchELF

  • Power on your PS2. You should see the Free McBoot logo appear.

  • Free McBoot will launch its own version of the system menu with many different homebrew applications. Find and open uLaunchELF.

The program may be called wLaunchELF or just LaunchELF instead.

These are all different releases of the same program.

Launch biosdrain

uLaunchELF uses the Japanese button layout for menus.

Use Circle to select something and Cross to go back.

  • At the uLaunchELF startup screen, press Circle to enter the file browser.

  • You'll see a list of drives to open. Navigate down to mass:/ and press Circle to open your USB drive in the file browser.

Thanks to TheKleesh for providing this screenshot.
  • Navigate to biosdrain.elf and press Circle to launch biosdrain.

Get BIOS Dump

biosdrain on PS2

  • biosdrain will automatically dump your BIOS to your USB drive. Just wait a few minutes.

Thanks to TheKleesh for providing this screenshot.
  • Once the message "Finished everything" appears, power off your PS2.

Copy to PC

  • Insert your USB drive into your PC. Your USB drive will now have your PS2 BIOS files (SCPH-XXXXX).

  • Copy these BIOS files to your P3F Mods\Setup folder.

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