carts:sony:vita

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carts:sony:vita [2022/01/07 19:19] – [Method 1 - PSVgameSD + PSVStrip Method] hiccupcarts:sony:vita [2026/01/02 23:13] (current) – {{wst>dumping_important_notes}} hiccup
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 {{wst>see_hardware_page}} {{wst>see_hardware_page}}
  
-todo: rewrite, add info on what to do with the data that is stripped by PSVStrip, and mention that its probably best to dump all carts both with PSVGameSD and NoNpDrm.+{{wst>vgpc_help}}
  
 ===== Introduction ===== ===== Introduction =====
 +{{wst>dumping_important_notes}}
  
-The PlayStation Vita is a powerful dumping machine for Vita carts, just bear in mind it might take a few tries for someone setting up their homebrew-enabled console the first time to be able to get the tools working. Patience will pay off though, so please continue reading :)+==== Vita-specific important notes ==== 
 +=== grw0 partition ===  
 +Currently there is no known method to dump games with the writable partition (grw0) without the system initialising/modifying the filestystem. It may be best to keep unused grw0 carts unused (not inserted into a system) until a method is found. If the game box doesn't have "memory card required" on it (see images below), it is likely to be a grw0 cart, however this isn't a foolproof method.
  
-Highly recommend reading [[https://gist.github.com/yifanlu/bcc8ebb102704ae136c650a912c6f70c|this great comparison between available tools]] written by [[https://twitter.com/yifanlu|Yifan Lu]].+Japan box front
  
-===== Methods =====+{{:carts:sony:psvita-jpn-box-front-memory_card_required.jpg?200|}}
  
-  - [[#Method 1 - PSVgameSD + PSVStrip Method|PSVgameSD + PSVStrip Method]] +Japan box back
-  - [[#Method 2 - NoNpDrm Method|NoNpDrm Method]]+
  
-==== Method 1 - PSVgameSD + PSVStrip Method ====+{{:carts:sony:psvita-jpn-box-back-memory_card_required.jpg?200}}
  
-This method involves creating a dump of the cart after the block-level encryption has been "removed", with a PSVGameSD header added and unique data stripped from the file.+USA box front
  
-=== NOTE: Compatibility with game cards that have grw0: partition ===+{{:carts:sony:psvita-usa-box-front-memory_card_required.jpg?200|}}
  
-There are some game cards that have a writeable partition called "grw0". Its been confirmed that this partition allows to write save data and updates files on the game card itself.+USA box back
  
-Currently, those types of game cards can be dumped, but the "grw0" partition won't get dumped. +{{:carts:sony:psvita-usa-box-back-memory_card_required.jpg?400|}}
-Due to the partition being used by the game, if the a dump is mounted with the PSVgameSD app, bad behavior is expected to happen, at least when trying to save or updating the game. //Further research on this is needed.//+
  
-Due to this, dumps coming from game cartridge with a "grw0" partition will be accepted in No-Intro but marked as "Bad Dump" in order to identify them. In the same way, we advice dumping these with NoNpDRM method as well, as dumps with that method do not need the "grw0" partition to work properly.+Europe box front
  
-You can easily confirm if a game cartridge has "grw0" partition by looking at the cart contents through [[https://github.com/TheOfficialFloW/VitaShell|VitaShell]]. Once the game cartridge is inserted, you should see "gro0" partition (this belongs to the game cartridge). If "grw0" exists, it should be just next to it.+{{:carts:sony:psvita-europe-box-back-memory_card_required.jpg?400|}}
  
-Please, even if are not interested in dumping, helping us identifying these kind of game cartridge would be really useful.+Europe box back
  
-**Games confirmed to have "grw0" partition:**+{{:carts:sony:psvita-europe-box-front-memory_card_required.jpg?400|}}
  
 +**List of game carts that are suspected (plus some confirmed) to contain a grw0 partition:**
 <code> <code>
-Epic Mickey 2 +Army Corps of Hell (Europe) //confirmed 
-Persona 4 Golden (Japanese version, at least) +Asphalt Injection (Japan) //confirmed 
-Muramasa Rebirth +Asphalt Injection (USA) 
-</code> +BlazBlue Extend (Japan) //Confirmed 
-<code> +Chikyuu Boueigun Portable 3 (Japan) 
-[PCSB-00050] Army Corps of Hell [EU] +Dark Quest - Alliance (Japan) //Confirmed 
-[PCSB-00135] LEGO Batman 2 - DC Super Heroes [EU] +DJ Max Technika Tune (Japan) //confirmed 
-[PCSB-00304] LEGO Legends of Chima - Laval's Journey [EU] +Dungeon Hunter - Alliance (USA) //confirmed 
-[PCSE-00237] LEGO Legends of Chima - Laval's Journey [US] +F1 2011 (Japan) //Confirmed 
-[PCSB-00103] LEGO Harry Potter - Years 5-7 [EU] +Fifa Football (France) //confirmed 
-[PCSB-00071] Michael Jackson - The Experience HD [EU] +FIFA Football (Germany) //confirmed 
-[PCSE-00119] Ragnarok Ace [USA] +FIFA Football (Italy) //confirmed 
-[VCAS-32024] Ragnarok Ace [Asia] +Fifa Football (Spain) //Confirmed 
-[PCSE-00015] Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen [USA] +FIFA World Class Soccer (Japan) 
-[PCSB-00166] Spy Hunter [EU] +Haiyore Nyaruko-san - Meijou Shi Gatai Game no You na Mono (Japan) //Confirmed 
-[PCSE-00012] Supremacy MMA [USA] +Jak and Daxter (USA) 
-[PCSB-00065] Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splits [EU] +Jigoku no Gundan (Japan) //Confirmed 
-[PCSE-00017] Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splits [USA] +Katamari Damashii No vita (Japan) //Confirmed 
-[PCSF-00247] The Jak and Daxter Trilogy [EU] +Kyokugen Dasshutsu ADV Zen'nin Shibou Desu (Japan) //confirmed 
-[PCSB-00047] Touch My Katamari [EU] +Little Busters (Japan) 
-[PCSB-00031] Virtua Tennis 4 [EU] +Lord of Apocalypse (Japan) //Confirmed 
-[PCSG-00018] Katamari Damacy No-Vita [JP]+Mahjong Kakutou Club (Japan) 
 +Michael Jackson - The experience HD (Japan) 
 +Michael Jackson - The Experience HD (Europe) //Confirmed 
 +Mortal Kombat (USA) 
 +Naitei Shuukatsu Kanzen Taisaku (Japan) 
 +NextRev - Care Manager Shiken (Japan) //confirmed 
 +NextRev - Chuushou Kigyou Shindanshi Shiken 1 (Japan) //Confirmed 
 +NextRev - Chuushou Kigyou Shindanshi Shiken 2 (Japan) //Confirmed 
 +NextRev - Daisanshuu Denki Shunin Gijutsusha Shiken (Japan) 
 +NextRev - Eibunpou Tettei Tokkun (Japan) //confirmed 
 +NextRev - Eiken (Japan) //confirmed 
 +NextRev - FP Ginoukentei Shiken 2-Kyuu (Japan) 
 +NextRev - FP Ginou Kentei Shiken 3-kyuu (Japan) //Confirmed 
 +NextRev - Gyouseishoshi Shiken (Japan) //Confirmed 
 +NextRev - Shakaifukushishi Shiken (Japan) //Confirmed 
 +NextRev - Hisho Kentei Shiken (Japan) //Confirmed 
 +NextRev - IT Passport Shiken (Japan) //Confirmed 
 +NextRev - Jouhou Security Specialist Shiken Network Specialist Shiken (Japan) //Confirmed 
 +NextRev - Kaigofukushishi Shiken (Japan) 
 +NextRev - Kihon Jouhougijutsusha Shiken (Japan) //Confirmed 
 +NextRev - Ouyou Jouhougijutsusha Shiken (Japan) //Confirmed 
 +NextRev - Sharoushi Shiken (Japan) //confirmed 
 +Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus (Japan) //Confirmed 
 +Oboro Muramasa (Japan) //Confirmed 
 +Orgarythm (Japan) 
 +Persona 4 The Golden (The Best) (Japan) //confirmed 
 +Power Smash 4 (Japan) //Confirmed 
 +Ragnarok Odyssey (Japan) //Confirmed 
 +Ragnarok Odyssey (USA) 
 +Sangoku Musou Next (Japan) //Confirmed 
 +Sengoku Hime 3 (Japan) 
 +Shin Kamaitachi no Yoru (The best) (Japan) //confirmed 
 +Shinobidou 2 (US) //Suspected but the case still indicates the need for a memory card 
 +Shinobidou 2 (Japan) //Confirmed 
 +Silent Hill - Book of Memories (USA) 
 +Spy Hunter (Japan) 
 +Sumi Oni (Japan) //Confirmed 
 +Super Monkey Ball - Tokumori Asobiita (Japan) //Confirmed 
 +Supremacy MMA Unrestricted (USA) 
 +Suugaku Rikiou - Shokyuu Chuu-1-Level (Japan) //confirmed 
 +Suugaku Rikiou - Chuukyuu Chuu-2-Level (Japan) //Confirmed 
 +Suugaku Rikiou - Joukyuu Chuu-3-Level (Japan) //confirmed 
 +Tetris Ultimate (USA) 
 +Time Travelers (Japan) //confirmed 
 +TOEIC TEST Jissen Tokkun (Japan) 
 +Tokushu Houdoubu (Japan) //confirmed 
 +Touch My Katamari (Europe) //confirmed 
 +Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (Japan) 
 +Valhalla Knights 3 (Japan) //Confirmed 
 +Virtua Tennis 4 (US) //Suspected but the case still indicates the need for a memory card
 </code> </code>
 +
 +
 +=== Blackfin === 
 +If you own a Blackfin backup device for the Vita, or have more information about its workings, please get in contact, as it could help with reverse engineering the cart protocol.
 +
 +===== Methods =====
 +
 +  - [[#Vita console with homebrew]]
 +
 +==== Vita console with homebrew ====
 +
 +This method involves creating a dump of the cart after the block-level encryption has been "removed" and unique data stripped from the file. It also involves creating a generic (aka "fake") licence file for the cart.
 +
 +Technical Note: There are some game cards that have a writable partition called "grw0". PSVGameSD can probably dump that partition fine (todo: confirm this), but it cannot mount dumps with that partition, so the only way to play these dumps is to convert them to NoNpDrm format first (todo: confirm this works). Also each time a cart is used, the partition data and therefore the dump will be different. PSVStrip does not have support for stripping/emptying this partition.
  
 ===Tools=== ===Tools===
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   * [[https://github.com/TheOfficialFloW/VitaShell|VitaShell]] homebrew installed (to be able to navigate through the Vita's file system, as well as enabling access to it by USB on PC)   * [[https://github.com/TheOfficialFloW/VitaShell|VitaShell]] homebrew installed (to be able to navigate through the Vita's file system, as well as enabling access to it by USB on PC)
   * [[https://github.com/motoharu-gosuto/psvgamesd|PSVgameSD plugin and app installed]]   * [[https://github.com/motoharu-gosuto/psvgamesd|PSVgameSD plugin and app installed]]
 +  * [[https://github.com/TheOfficialFloW/NoNpDrm|NoNpDrm plugin installed]]
  
 +=== Before Dumping ===
 +
 +1. Check if the game you are dumping is in the list above.
 +
 +2. If it is and it is sealed consider waiting before dumping. These games are special cases and it'd really help the preservation community if you could hold on to them sealed until we find the best way to dump them as faithfully as possible. Such a method is currently being investigated and this guide will be updated once more is found on the subject. Of course no one is forcing you to wait and the process below will work just fine, but just know that it'll invalidate this particular dump to be submitted to No-Intro. In the best case scenario your dump will probably be flagged as Bad.
 +
 +3. If your game is sealed or is not already installed (ie: There's no bubble for this game on your home screen yet) **DO NOT** insert the game in the console yet. First Launch **Virtual GC** as in step 1. below and only then insert the cart in your vita. This should prevent the console from modifying anything on the game card if you happen to have a writable game card. 
 +
 +4. If your game was bought used or already played and/or installed in your vita you can ignore the previous warning.
  
 === Dumping === === Dumping ===
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  5. Process should start automatically, displaying the "Dump progress" and indicating the sectors still to be dumped. The process can take long to finish (30-45 minutes), so just leave the device to do it's thing.   5. Process should start automatically, displaying the "Dump progress" and indicating the sectors still to be dumped. The process can take long to finish (30-45 minutes), so just leave the device to do it's thing. 
    
- 6. If the dump was successful, a FILENAME.psv dump file will be stored in the "ux0:iso" folder.+ 6. If the dump was successful, a .psv dump file will be stored in the "ux0:iso" folder.
    
  7. In order to transfer it to a PC, enter VitaShell and then connect your PS Vita to the PC using a USB cable. Open the VitaShell settings menu by pressing the START button of your PlayStation Vita. Once opened, go to the "USB device" option and select "Memory Card". Press START once again to close the settings menu.  Then, press the "SELECT" button of your PlayStation Vita to enable the USB connection. Your PC should now automatically detect the Memory Card as a new USB device.  7. In order to transfer it to a PC, enter VitaShell and then connect your PS Vita to the PC using a USB cable. Open the VitaShell settings menu by pressing the START button of your PlayStation Vita. Once opened, go to the "USB device" option and select "Memory Card". Press START once again to close the settings menu.  Then, press the "SELECT" button of your PlayStation Vita to enable the USB connection. Your PC should now automatically detect the Memory Card as a new USB device.
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 ===PSVStrip treatment=== ===PSVStrip treatment===
  
-To be able to compare your dump to other dumps for verification purposes you have to remove the license information using PSVStrip:+To be able to compare your dump to other dumps for verification purposes you have to remove the license information using [[https://github.com/Kippykip/PSVStrip|PSVStrip]] (or alternatively for Linux/Mac, this docker image: [[https://github.com/jonasrosland/psvstrip-docker/|GitHub]], [[https://hub.docker.com/r/jonasrosland/psvstrip-docker|Docker]]):
 <code>PSVStrip.exe -psvstrip source.psv destination.psv</code> <code>PSVStrip.exe -psvstrip source.psv destination.psv</code>
- 
-Another method for users on Mac and Linux is described on the [[https://forum.no-intro.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4717|No-Intro forum]]. 
- 
-Once that's complete, you can continue to [[#Gathering and Submitting Dump Info]] 
- 
- 
-==== Method 2 - NoNpDrm Method ==== 
- 
-This method extracts the encrypted game files from the Game Card as they are and generates a fake license in order to make them usable. This is not a perfect dump from the game cartridges, but will still keep all the original game related loose files (but not the raw filesystem data) inside the game cartridge without being modified or patched, and it preserves games with the "grw0" partition until the issue is solved with PSVgameSD or another tool. 
- 
-=== Tools === 
- 
-  * A PlayStation Vita (1000 original model or 2000 revision model) 
-  * At Vita Memory Card (minimum 4GB) - (optional, this method can be used with "psvsd" mod which uses the 3G module on 1000 3G Vita models as a MicroSD port) 
-  * [[https://enso.henkaku.xyz/|Henkaku]] software installed (able to load homebrew, [[https://vita.hacks.guide/|https://vita.hacks.guide/]]) 
-  * [[https://github.com/TheOfficialFloW/VitaShell|VitaShell]] homebrew installed (to be able to navigate through the Vita's file system, as well as enabling access to it by USB on PC) 
-  * [[https://github.com/TheOfficialFloW/NoNpDrm|NoNpDrm plugin installed]] 
- 
-=== Dumping === 
- 
- 1. Having the game card inserted in the Vita, use VitaShell to navigate through the Vita's file system and look for the "gro0" path. This path corresponds to the Game Cart. 
-  
- 2. The game files are stored in "gro0:app/TITLE_ID" where TITLE_ID corresponds to the game Serial ID. Example: Uncharted - Golden Abyss (Europe) is "PCSF-00001", so "TITLE_ID" folder should be "gro0:app/PCSF00001" 
-  
- 3. You now have two options:   
-  
- 3.1 Fast PC transfer: You can mount the Game Card over USB. To do so, open VitaShell settings menu by pressing the START button of your PS Vita. Once opened, go to the "USB device" option and select "Game Card". Press START once again to close the settings menu. Connect the PS Vita to your PC by USB. Then, press the "SELECT" button of your PS Vita and it will enable USB connection. Your PC should detect automatically the unit and give you access to the it. Just enter the "app" folder in the unit, and copy "TITLE_ID" to your desktop.   
-  
- 3.2 Copying files to the Memory Card and then transferring these to PC. Use VitaShell to copy the "gro0:app/TITLE_ID" folder to "ux0". Then, select "Memory Card" on "USB device". Press "START" to close the menu and press "SELECT" afterwards, to activate the USB connection from your Vita to the PC. The Memory Card unit should be properly detected, allowing you to copy the "TITLE_ID" folder to your computer. 
  
 === Applying a Fake License === === Applying a Fake License ===
  
-To finish the dump we must generate a fake license file. For this, you need to launch the game in your Vita as you were going to play it, with the NoNpDrm plugin enabled. As soon as you start it, exit the game and enter VitaShell.+To finish the dump we must generate a fake license file. For this, you need to launch the game (original cart or unstripped .psv) in your Vita as you were going to play it, with the NoNpDrm plugin enabled. As soon as you start it, exit the game and enter VitaShell.
    
-The license to be faked will be a ".rif" file with a long name, which should be stored at "ux0:nonpdrm/license/app/TITLE_ID/6488b73b912a753a492e2714e9b38bc7.rif".+The license to be faked will be a ".rif" file with a long name, which should be stored at "ux0:nonpdrm/license/app/TITLE_ID/6488b73b912a753a492e2714e9b38bc7.rif". While you are in VitaShell, please check if the grw0 partition is present (it will be beside the gro0 partition), and note that down so you can provide this info in your dump submission. If your game contains a grw0 partition and is not listed above please also mention it in your dump submission so that it can be added. If your game doesn't contain a grw0 partition but is listed above please also mention this in your submission so that it can be removed from the list.
    
-Copy this file from the Vita to the PC. Rename it as "work.bin" and copy the file to "TITLE_ID/sce_sys/package/", so you have "TITLE_ID/sce_sys/package/work.bin". With this step, the "NoNpDrm" dump is now completed. +Copy this file from the Vita to the PC. Rename it to match your psv file, but with a ".rif" extension.
- +
-Once that's complete, you can continue to [[#Gathering and Submitting Dump Info]]+
  
 ===== Gathering and Submitting Dump Info ===== ===== Gathering and Submitting Dump Info =====
- +{{wst>see_submission_page}}
-See [[submission:vita-carts|Gathering and Submitting Dump Info for PlayStation Vita carts]]+
  
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  • Last modified: 2022/01/07 19:19
  • by hiccup