# Dump PS2 BIOS

## 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**](https://github.com/F0bes/biosdrain)**.**

{% hint style="success" %}
If you have already dumped your PS2 BIOS, move it to your **P3F Mods\Setup** folder and skip to the next page.

![](https://3415581489-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FgTnSjT11B6ElK3lgc4iI%2Fuploads%2FdZEidGTxSsawFvtCQpiP%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=21a970c5-e6b7-4b2f-9f21-61b767e7e9ec)<br>

Your BIOS files should look like one of these two images (the name may be different):

#### Packaged BIOS (**4 MB** .bin file)

<img src="https://3415581489-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FgTnSjT11B6ElK3lgc4iI%2Fuploads%2Fh7bTOmSq5OtxWaOzm6cy%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=cc6e04a8-265f-4be1-824a-6e86af3e16aa" alt="" data-size="original">\
\
**Loose BIOS Files**

![](https://3415581489-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FgTnSjT11B6ElK3lgc4iI%2Fuploads%2F5MhxmI5VzH7c0ugGS08x%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=0dfcaa2a-4c40-4259-911e-cd791b504193)
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
The PS2 is over 20 years old and every person's hardware is different.

We will help you to the best of our ability, but we cannot guarantee success with homebrewing your specific PS2 hardware.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="danger" %}
Running modified software on consoles is DRM circumvention and is illegal in some countries, including Germany and Japan.

You are responsible for following your country's laws regarding homebrew.
{% endhint %}

## Prepare Homebrew Starter

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

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Free McBoot Memory Card (recommended)" %}
The easiest way to load PS2 homebrew is a memory card with **Free McBoot** installed.

* This method works for all fat PS2 models and all but the most recent slim PS2 models.
* This method will NOT work for SCPH-9XXXX slim PS2 models with an "R-type" chassis.\
  You will need to use the **FreeDVDBoot Disc** method instead.
  * See [**this page**](https://www.ps2-home.com/forum/app.php/page/fmcb-compatible-ps2-models-chart) for a full compatibility list.
  * You can check your model number on the back of your PS2 console:

    ![](https://3415581489-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FgTnSjT11B6ElK3lgc4iI%2Fuploads%2FOC3huX5ATSBkDScCB2Ba%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=4b440d5b-6bfb-440b-8c2f-145b4be072fb)<br>

### Purchase a Free McBoot Card

* You can buy a memory card pre-loaded with Free McBoot for about $15 on [**Amazon**](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=free+mcboot)**.**&#x20;

  * These are cheap Chinese knock-offs and should NOT be used for saving game data, but they will work for loading homebrew.
  * We recommend purchasing a card **shipped from Amazon** so you will get their generous 30-day replacement / return policy if something goes wrong.

  ![](https://3415581489-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FgTnSjT11B6ElK3lgc4iI%2Fuploads%2F10sPoGsCGDt9SrhWswLP%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=8fec458b-1194-486f-8e95-ff46c9b98fc3)
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="FreeDVDBoot Disc" %}
{% hint style="warning" %}
We have not personally tested this homebrew starter method yet.
{% endhint %}

\
If you have a PS2 model that does not support Free McBoot memory cards, or if you do not wish to purchase a Free McBoot memory card, you can use **FreeDVDBoot** instead.

* This method works for all slim PS2 models, but only specific DVD firmware versions will work on fat PS2 models. See [**this page**](https://github.com/CTurt/FreeDVDBoot#step-1-identify-your-dvd-player-version) for more information.
* You will need a **DVD burner** and a **blank DVD-R disc** to create a FreeDVDBoot disc.<br>

### Set Up FreeDVDBoot

* Follow the instructions on the [**FreeDVDBoot GitHub page**](https://github.com/CTurt/FreeDVDBoot) to set up FreeDVDBoot.
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}

## Download biosdrain to USB Drive

* Insert your **USB drive** into your PC.
* Open the releases page for biosdrain:

<table><thead><tr><th width="261"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>biosdrain on <strong>GitHub</strong></td><td><a href="https://github.com/F0bes/biosdrain/releases/latest">https://github.com/F0bes/biosdrain/releases/latest</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

<figure><img src="https://3415581489-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FgTnSjT11B6ElK3lgc4iI%2Fuploads%2F0aZfzKD1n76TNaEoZlhX%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=8825e9c7-be04-4b48-8993-61afb6a9dca5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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

<figure><img src="https://3415581489-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FgTnSjT11B6ElK3lgc4iI%2Fuploads%2F6AlsyqlzTpvjFCqbg8Pb%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=5e1f72a3-9d21-4b04-bc43-b7c25106843c" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://3415581489-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FgTnSjT11B6ElK3lgc4iI%2Fuploads%2F7uFBLpuN3UkKwgGTycbe%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=eab93fae-6b23-46ae-afa6-f7818676bb71" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* 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.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Free McBoot Memory Card" %}

#### 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.

![](https://3415581489-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FgTnSjT11B6ElK3lgc4iI%2Fuploads%2FLkcohHfz3bDDSdRiGuB1%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=4bddf51f-2f56-4aea-a339-d48cfda25a62)

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

{% hint style="info" %}
The program may be called **wLaunchELF** or just **LaunchELF** instead.

These are all different releases of the same program.
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="FreeDVDBoot Disc" %}
**Set Up PS2 Console**

* If there is any disc in your PS2 console, remove it.
* Boot your PS2 to the system menu.
* Select **System Configuration** and make sure **Language** is set to **English**.

![](https://3415581489-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FgTnSjT11B6ElK3lgc4iI%2Fuploads%2FTlspnnH8rMfulSsj42Dv%2FBooting%20PS2%20BIOS..__20220924174412.png?alt=media\&token=c44faac7-5f26-4c80-ab29-ab0aacaa0b8e)

#### Launch uLaunchELF

* Insert your FreeDVDBoot disc and wait a few seconds.
* Your PS2 should launch into uLaunchELF automatically.
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}

### Launch biosdrain

{% hint style="info" %}
uLaunchELF uses the Japanese button layout for menus.

Use **Circle** to select something and **Cross** to go back.
{% endhint %}

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

<figure><img src="https://3415581489-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FgTnSjT11B6ElK3lgc4iI%2Fuploads%2FPFih68RbePORB9PRbaLL%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=0d53c6f0-32a7-483f-be69-d354c2cba8fe" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* 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.

<figure><img src="https://3415581489-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FgTnSjT11B6ElK3lgc4iI%2Fuploads%2FVMBI9jw6KOOqq8D76bTw%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=1b8d1659-5211-4218-84b0-d306a3d5beb9" alt=""><figcaption><p>Thanks to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueN-ke8WuBA"><strong>TheKleesh</strong></a> for providing this screenshot.</p></figcaption></figure>

* Navigate to **biosdrain.elf** and press **Circle** to launch biosdrain.

<figure><img src="https://3415581489-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FgTnSjT11B6ElK3lgc4iI%2Fuploads%2FOFhAEFTiLE0aQixCwL8R%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=83a0b048-381b-4797-9989-2ef47788f063" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Get BIOS Dump

#### biosdrain on PS2

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

<figure><img src="https://3415581489-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FgTnSjT11B6ElK3lgc4iI%2Fuploads%2FK3KblS7Sf66dyiXyoycu%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e8df55f0-cc57-498a-9077-f1b84deb8c46" alt=""><figcaption><p>Thanks to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueN-ke8WuBA"><strong>TheKleesh</strong></a> for providing this screenshot.</p></figcaption></figure>

* Once the message **"Finished everything"** appears, power off your PS2.

{% hint style="success" %}
That's all you need your PS2 for; feel free to put it away now.
{% endhint %}

#### Copy to PC

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

<figure><img src="https://3415581489-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FgTnSjT11B6ElK3lgc4iI%2Fuploads%2Ff7cNohdsZ1GdjoV6Xlm8%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9e17c855-7eac-4efd-99e9-b02ff94aa5d3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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

<figure><img src="https://3415581489-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FgTnSjT11B6ElK3lgc4iI%2Fuploads%2FoCx5NZZoPBi6zWlqvGqy%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=8393fb64-133f-454a-ad5e-fcaf6ddcc396" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>