TOC patching
TOC Patching (TOC Perfect / DemoSwap)
Every CD carries a table of contents (TOC), a small index near the start of the disc that lists how many tracks it holds and where they begin. The PlayStation reads this index to understand the disc before loading anything. When you burn a backup, the TOC of your CD-R may not match what a given game expects, and the game can refuse to run even though the data is correct.
Why a Mismatch Happens
Some original discs were pressed with TOC layouts that ordinary burners cannot reproduce exactly. A burned copy ends up with a slightly different track structure, and the game's own checks notice the difference.
What Patching Does
TOC patching adjusts the backup so its reported track layout lines up with the original, letting the game accept the disc.
Common Approaches
| Method | Idea |
|---|---|
| TOC Perfect | Rebuilds the image so the burned TOC matches the original |
| DemoSwap | Uses a swap technique to satisfy the TOC check at boot |
- Identify Confirm the game needs a TOC fix, not just a better burn.
- Patch Apply the appropriate method to the image.
- Burn Write the patched image and test.
Most games never need this. Try a clean, slow burn of quality media first, and only reach for TOC patching when a verified-good backup still will not boot.