As I'm sure you've heard by now, I'm getting a Dreamcast. I need a boot disk to play burnt games though. Brian(DH) told me that you need to burn boot disks a certain way, or they don't work. So, just how do you burn a boot disk for the Dreamcast?

It all depends on what image format you download your boot disc in. If it is .CDI, you can only use Disc Juggler to burn it (or alternatively you can use cdi2iso to convert it and burn it as an iso) If it is .nrg you will need Nero. If it is an ISO, basically any burning software can do this but I would recommend CloneCD (burn as game disc) or Alcohol %120 and burn at a slow speed.

The biggest problem people have is their burnt boot disc appears as an audio cd when you run it in your dreamcast, theres been cases where this is caused by incompatible regions.

Usually this is a trial and error, I got my boot disc working by downloading 2 different utopia images and using each with 3 different burning programs until one worked. My .CDI worked perfectly with disc juggler at a low speed burn.

Heres a good guide which has everything you need.

Good luck Rasen

Thanks! I'll need that extra luck. Also, can you use CD-RW's instead of CD-R's?

No, must use CD-R only.

Dang. I have a ton of CD-RWs but...hey, at least they're cheaper than the games themselves!

If you think about it, once burnt correctly, your paying about 10-20c per game. Bargain much?

Not sure if this was mentioned above but here goes:

You can always download selfboot cdi files of the game and burn it using (insert burning program here). I use Alcohol 120%

And since I'm new here and all I hope I don't get in trouble for posting links but here goes:

Hope this helps.

edit by DH: yep, no links here please.

Slevin, everything worth mentioning in your post was already mentioned. Try to browse everyones post before making one of your own. Feel free to post links as long as they are not illegal and lead to inapropriate content. Posting links to other emulation sites is frowned upon here as this board supports get-your-rom.com which has the complete dreamcast iso set.

I recommend you read the FAQ / Help Section before posting again.