Need some help recovering Skyward Sword save file

[oshikuru08]

Hi, I created an account in hopes I can work out a problem I'm having importing my Skyward Sword save file back into Dolphin.

I took a long break (since Dec 2016) between playing, and in that time I changed hard drives but everything remained intact. Now I'm trying to import the save file into Dolphin to play it again, and it just tells me there was an error importing the .bin file. It's frustrating for me since I was quite far into the game and I don't want to have to play through all over again. I was almost finished with Eldin Volcano if I recall correctly.

I'm hoping if I attach my save file we can work out something.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[JosJuice]

I assume you've been using Tools > Import Wii save when trying to import? Try this instead: Right-click on the game in the game list, pick "Open Wii save folder", and paste the files directly into that folder. (If there already is something in the folder, you might want to make a backup of that first.)

Though, looking at the files you've attached, it doesn't look like there's much data in them... Are you sure that this is a real save file for Skyward Sword? I don't know exactly what Skyward Sword save files are supposed to look like, but I can probably take a look at that tomorrow if your problem isn't solved by then.

[oshikuru08]

(09-13-2017, 07:15 PM)JosJuice Wrote: I assume you've been using Tools > Import Wii save when trying to import? Try this instead: Right-click on the game in the game list, pick "Open Wii save folder", and paste the files directly into that folder. (If there already is something in the folder, you might want to make a backup of that first.)

Though, looking at the files you've attached, it doesn't look like there's much data in them... Are you sure that this is a real save file for Skyward Sword? I don't know exactly what Skyward Sword save files are supposed to look like, but I can probably take a look at that tomorrow if your problem isn't solved by then.

I am pretty sure they are the original save files, since they date back to the last time I played. However, these files were already present in Documents\Dolphin Emulator\Wii\title\00010000\534f5545\data. So, if they were working, Dolphin should detect that there's a save already present, wouldn't it?

I'm just not sure why they're not working. Is it possible they got corrupted somehow? When I try importing Banner.bin, I just get an error message stating import error.

[JosJuice]

(09-13-2017, 07:53 PM)oshikuru08 Wrote: So, if they were working, Dolphin should detect that there's a save already present, wouldn't it?

Yes, it should.

(09-13-2017, 07:53 PM)oshikuru08 Wrote: I'm just not sure why they're not working. Is it possible they got corrupted somehow?

I don't know, but I can't think of any better explanation. Though like I said in my previous post, I'll take a look later at what a Skyward Sword save file is supposed to look like, so I might be able to give a better answer then.

(09-13-2017, 07:53 PM)oshikuru08 Wrote: When I try importing Banner.bin, I just get an error message stating import error.

That's expected. Dolphin's import function doesn't work with files that were copied directly from /title/<id>/<id>/data/ – it's for save files that were exported using Dolphin's export function or that were exported to an SD card using the Wii Menu.

[oshikuru08]

(09-13-2017, 08:36 PM)JosJuice Wrote: Yes, it should.


I don't know, but I can't think of any better explanation. Though like I said in my previous post, I'll take a look later at what a Skyward Sword save file is supposed to look like, so I might be able to give a better answer then.


That's expected. Dolphin's import function doesn't work with files that were copied directly from /title/<id>/<id>/data/ – it's for save files that were exported using Dolphin's export function or that were exported to an SD card using the Wii Menu.

^^That makes sense as to why the import function won't work in my case, since it's an actual save Dolphin created. I would appreciate it if you could take a look, thanks. Also, I checked the main menu of the game and all slots are empty, and as you know the save files are located in the standard save location. Thanks again for any help.

[JosJuice]

I tried creating new save data now, and it's in the same format as your save data. In fact, your wiiking2.dat file is byte for byte identical to my brand new wiiking2.dat file that I haven't started playing on (except for the byte that indicates the region of the game, since I have the PAL version). So what you have is valid save data where all three save slots are empty.

[oshikuru08]

(09-14-2017, 05:55 PM)JosJuice Wrote: I tried creating new save data now, and it's in the same format as your save data. In fact, your wiiking2.dat file is byte for byte identical to my brand new wiiking2.dat file that I haven't started playing on (except for the byte that indicates the region of the game, since I have the PAL version). So what you have is valid save data where all three save slots are empty.

Is that so? That's really unfortunate, I can't possibly remember overwriting it or anything. From the sound of it though that might have occurred during my transfer, or 9 Dec 2016 at some point. Do you know if there's anyone who might have a save file beginning Eldin Volcano, or any point throughout that level? I really don't want to start over, if I don't have to.