PS2 Mod 2016-19: USB & HDD Loading, PS1 via POPS, Emus

[nightrnr]

Weird, I did get Beats of Rage running just off a USB stick. I think you had to name files a certain way, with another file, and in its own folder per individual game; but haven't checked it out in a while (I really should though, there are hundreds).
--Let me know if you need help on this, as I remember it being fairly straightforward--

For Doom, make sure your wad files are just the official ones and in lower case (for example, doom.wad, doomu.wad, doom2.wad, tnt.wad).

Sega CD isn't too hard, but needs the bios file named correctly, and mp3 files need to be stereo and 44khz (and it takes FOREVER if you want to put games on HDD; and you do). Not worth it to me right now though, mostly because it squashes the screen on too many games on my tv. On a widescreen tv it would be fine.

Fceu can save states to the hard drive. I do that if at all possible instead of memory card (both because of space restriction and to reduce wear and tear on the memory card). Remember to save the path for save states after you set it in the option menu. I remember fighting with it, but eventually got it to stick.

[Jagosaurus]

Okay, found a doom collection on iso zone. Multiple wads + the .elf file. Still a no go. Wonder if it doesn't like my cheapo USB stick. Will move over to a clean USB & see the results.

While on iso zone, I was just browsing the ps2 homebrew section & came across a .elf file for Flashback. Game booted right up from USB. I'm no expert on the versions/ports of this one but it looked and ran great. Cool novelty.

I'll get Doom, Beats of Rage, & PCE 0.7 running soon . Sega CD isos down the road.

2 quick questions regarding HDD files:

1. Currently the only file on my PS IDE HDD is the retail Grandia II image. If I want to put other basic data on it such as FCEU save state files, can I just simply map save states to hdd within emu menu or are partitions necessary? Assuming the answer is no partition needed & OPL will recognize correctly names .iso files, same with emu recognizing save states.

2. What is the best way to manage files on the HDD? Is this done within WinHIIP only or can you use the Windows File Explorer somehow?

[nightrnr]

2. You must use Winhiip to add other game iso's; or hdldumb (I have not messed with that one).

1. For FCEU, save states can be mapped to a partition (and folder in that partition if desired). You can create a partition through ulaunch's hdd explorer if needed. Once you have the paths set up in fceu, yes, the emulator should recognize the save states that it makes.

Game Iso's (actual PS2 games) must be copied through Winhiip or through ftp + hdldumb. For ftp method, try the "ps2-ftp-pack" at iso zone.

I haven't tried that method yet, but intend to soon.

I tried out Beats of Rage again and all you need is to have the elf file and the beats of Rage mod renamed to "bor.pak" in the same folder.

[Sarge]

hdldumb is the way I transfer. It takes forever, but it works.

[Ziggy]

You can't use Windows Explorer to browse a PS2 formatted HHD since it isn't compatible with that file system. In fact, when you connect a PS2 drive to a PC you'll get a pop-up message that you have to format it before you can use it ( don't).

HDLdumb isn't just for network transfers, you can use it to transfer games to a HDD connected directly to the PC (either internal or external). Network transfers are slower than a direct connection, but a lot easier since you don't have to move the HDD around at all.

Me personally, I'm all about dumping games over a network. I can't be bothered to take the HDD out of the PS2, hook it up to the computer, do my thing, then have to reinstall it in the PS2. Setting everything up for network transfers can be a little irritating, but once you get it working it'll work from then on out.

I have a thread, similar to this one, detailing what i did to set up the network transferring for the last time i did it. I would link it, but I'm on mobile right now. I might have linked it in this thread already. I recommend going this route. If you run into any issues setting it up, i can help.

Edit: mobile posting sucks. I'll have to add more later.

[nightrnr]

Sorry, I did give the wrong impression with HDLdumb. I just personally would rather use Winhiip over HDLdumb unless I am going the ftp route, which I really want to figure out.

Also I share your annoyance of posting via phone. But it just too convenient most of the time. Many of my typos and edits as of late are because of posting via my cell.

[Sarge]

Network is a pain, but less so if you've got a router you can plug through. Either that, or you can use a crossover cable, but a router makes it much easier.

Installs over network take about as long as it does to rip from DVD, so it's not completely unbearable.

[Ziggy]

Network is a pain, but less so if you've got a router you can plug through. Either that, or you can use a crossover cable, but a router makes it much easier.

I've done it both ways. I haven't found a difference in going through the router versus connecting directly to a PC. The annoying part, for me, is figuring out which versions of which software to use.

My setup, FWIW: I have a network switch in the room since I prefer wired over wireless, I use it to connect my desktop, PS3, Wii U (with the USB network adapter) and BD player to my router. I had my PS2 connected to it for a while too, but I ran into issues after upgrading to the latest version of OPL. The router wasn't the issue, but while troubleshooting I switch it back to connecting it directly to the PC. I finally got it to work so I just left it that way. My desktop has two NICs, so that's easy for me to just dedicate one to the PS2 (it would otherwise go unused). If you have a desktop with only one NIC, you can always add another for cheap.

I realize that isn't for everyone, and not everyone is willing or able to run internet cable through their house. And not everyone has a desktop close enough to their PS2. For that I suggest a laptop as another option, if you have one. Every laptop has a NIC, but most people never use them in favor of wireless. Gather all your ISOs on your laptop, then just bring it in the room that your PS2 is in and use a short patch cable to connect it.

Also I share your annoyance of posting via phone. But it just too convenient most of the time. Many of my typos and edits as of late are because of posting via my cell.

Ugh. I usually don't bother posting via mobile, but the internet was down at work today.

Sorry, I did give the wrong impression with HDLdumb. I just personally would rather use Winhiip over HDLdumb unless I am going the ftp route, which I really want to figure out.

Is Winhiip better than HDLdumb when transferring games to a HDD connected directly to a PC? I haven't used Winhiip in ages.




What I was gonna say in my last post... If you're just starting out with the HDD then I would suggest gathering up your ISOs on the PC. When you have the bulk of what you want, then connect the PS2 HDD directly to your PC (either internally or USB) and use Winhiip to transfer them. It'll be a lot faster this way. Once you have the majority of the games you want installed on the PS2 drive, and you'll only be transferring games one here and one there, then switch over to HDLdumb and network transfers for convenience. At least, that's how I did it. If I ever get a larger HDD for my PS2, I'll definitely connect it to the PC first so I can dump a few dozen games to it.

[Jagosaurus]

You can create a partition through ulaunch's hdd explorer if needed. Once you have the paths set up in fceu, yes, the emulator should recognize the save states that it makes...

I tried out Beats of Rage again and all you need is to have the elf file and the beats of Rage mod renamed to "bor.pak" in the same folder.

Duh! Not sure why I didn't think of it but that is what I was missing . I can manage what files are on the HDD via uLaunch and selecting the HDD. I thought maybe I was missing something on somehow using MS File Explorer or WinHIIP to delete files such as previous unwanted save states. Thanks!

Also thanks to Ziggy for chiming in here as well.

Ok, definitely need to try BoR and Doom on a new USB.

I realize that isn't for everyone, and not everyone is willing or able to run internet cable through their house. And not everyone has a desktop close enough to their PS2. For that I suggest a laptop as another option, if you have one. Every laptop has a NIC, but most people never use them in favor of wireless. Gather all your ISOs on your laptop, then just bring it in the room that your PS2 is in and use a short patch cable to connect it.
...
What I was gonna say in my last post... If you're just starting out with the HDD then I would suggest gathering up your ISOs on the PC. When you have the bulk of what you want, then connect the PS2 HDD directly to your PC (either internally or USB) and use Winhiip to transfer them. It'll be a lot faster this way. Once you have the majority of the games you want installed on the PS2 drive, and you'll only be transferring games one here and one there, then switch over to HDLdumb and network transfers for convenience. At least, that's how I did it. If I ever get a larger HDD for my PS2, I'll definitely connect it to the PC first so I can dump a few dozen games to it.

That describes my set up. Typing this on my laptop about 10 feet from my PS2. I could easily make a cross over cable for free at work. Might have to explore that. My router is really close to both as well with open ports so I could always go that route (pun intended) if it somehow easier.

Exactly, I'm planning on a moving over games in bulk so connecting the IDE to my PC via USB adapter isn't that big of a deal. As time goes on, I will likely look into network or cross connect cable transfers for moving a single game over here and there.

Has anyone here tried streaming games over the network? Saw quite a few games tested ok for SMB on this OPL Game Compatibility List. Interesting that it is even a thing but think I'll stick with the HDD method.

[Ziggy]

Has anyone here tried streaming games over the network? Saw quite a few games tested ok for SMB on this OPL Game Compatibility List. Interesting that it is even a thing but think I'll stick with the HDD method.

I think it's only a thing because of the PS2 slim. From what I understand, USB compatibility is weak compared to an internal HDD with a PS2 fat. IIRC, streaming over a network can have better compatibility than USB for the PS2 slim (is that right? My memory is a little foggy since I never bothered with a HDD on a slim). But it's still not as good as an internal HDD with a fat. So, while neat, don't bother with it.

That describes my set up. Typing this on my laptop about 10 feet from my PS2. I could easily make a cross over cable for free at work. Might have to explore that. My router is really close to both as well with open ports so I could always go that route (pun intended) if it somehow easier.

Crossover cable or router, same difference. I don't think one or the other makes it any easier/harder to set up. Just use which ever is physically easier for you. The hard part, as I mentioned, is the buggy homebrew software.

Just an FYI to anyone reading... Since a lot of people have ~6' patch cables in the box of spare parts, but unless you're a tech junkie you probably don't have spare crossover cables just lying around or an RJ-45 crimp tool... Take any standard (non-crossover) cable, cut it in half, strip all the wires, then twist the wires together to create your own crossover. It might not be "to spec" but it works fine. I've done this once when I needed a crossover cable in a pinch, before I had a crimp tool, and never had a problem with that cable.

Another little trick with crossover cables... Someone once told me on this forum that you don't actually need a crossover cable. There's network settings in Windows that'll allow you to use a standard straight thru cable. I never bothered looking into this, but I thought it might be worth noting.