In order to allow the Dreamcast to Self Boot a CD with emulators or other applications it needs to be burnt in a particular way. Fortunatly there are some great tools available which make it very easy for just about anyone to do. The following is a guide on how to use the two most popular ways, Boot Dreams or Sbinducr.
Typically you will find files in 2 different formats, either plain files or sbi. Sbi allows you to put more than one emulator or application on one CD. However after you add roms, mp3s, or movie files there is not much room left on a CD for anything else. For this reason I prefer the plain files method. Also using plain files allows the Emu to boot up immediatly, with Sbi you usually need to enter through a few menus and select the emu/app you want to load.
Keep in mind that this is a general guide. You must read the instructions that come with the emulators and apps you are trying to use in order to get specific details for that particular item.
!!Boot Dreams is used to Burn plain files!!
Download Boot Dreams 0.5.1
Download BDS Maker for Boot Dreams 022
First thing you need to do is download Boot Dreams from the link above. (You do not need the BDS maker to create CDs.) Extract the program to the folder of your choice.
Next extract the files for the Emu you are trying to Self Boot. You can put them in whatever directory you wish. For this example I am extracting SMS Plus V.2b
Navigate to the folder you have extracted the emulator to.Put your roms, game genie codes, screenshot files, etc.. into there appropriate folders. If you are unsure what folders to place your roms be sure to read the readme.txt files that acompany the emu.
Next go to the directoy you installed boot dreams to. Click on the program and start it.
If you like click the options button, and check "Auto-Dumming" This puts a dummy file at the begining of the CD in order to push the emu files to the outside of the CD which slightly decreases loadtimes and wear and tear on your DC. Once you have finished the above steps click the create image button. The image will be created by itself. It may take sevral minutes depending on the speed of your computer. Once the image is done it will be in the bootdreams directoy. Open it with the burning application you selected from the drop down box and burn it. Then simply insert it into the DC and enjoy your favorite games!