Buying a PSX and a PS2

[Wombatula]

Hey there, I'm going to start looking for a PS1 and 2 and was curious which style or version number I should look for. I'd like to play imports and and use hd loader if possible. I don't know much about modding options but I'm sure some models are easier than others.

Thanks for any help or advice.

[wootcube]

Not sure about PS2's, but I would avoid the first model PS1. Wikipedia has a good summary of the model differences if you look it up - the early versions skip during certain games, mostly those with FMV's.

[BRIK]

Also the original PS1's broke more easily because of certain parts only been made with plastic. This was fixed with the slim versions where same those parts were made out of metal instead.

[Ziggy]

For the PS1, a lot of people agree that the 7501 is the best model to get. I've been told that the 7501 and the 9001 have mostly the same parts, but the 9001 removes the parallel port. Not that big of deal, if you don't care about the parallel port.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStatio ... ion_models

As for the PS2, I'm not too familiar with the different versions of the fat. Obviously, if you wanna use HD Loader, you don't want a slim. I think mine is a v5, I've had it since it was brand new, it's seen a lot of use and it shows no signs of aging.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStatio ... _revisions

Doesn't have too much info on the different revisions, but at least it doesn't talk about any bugs. I would aim for a later version and you should be good.

Curious, why are you looking to get a PS1 AND PS2? You're aware that the PS2 is backwards compatible with the PS1, right? See here for a compatibility list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Pl ... yStation_2

Anyways, about modding... With the PS1, if you have a model with the parallel port you can get a GameShark that'll kinda work as a mod chip. I would suggest just getting a mod chip for the console. I don't know if you even care to play burns, but it'll let you play imports. I'm not sure what other options exist to let you boot imports, but at least with a chip there's nothing to worry about every time you wanna play the game.

With the PS2, if you wanna use HD Loader, then you're good to go with imports. So long as the particular game you wanna play is compatible with HD Loader. Oh, and by the way, HD Loader is very out dated at this point. HD Advance is out dated as well. Open PS2 Loader (or OPL) is currently the best thing to you. You need to have some one put Free MCboot on a memory card for you and then you're good to go. If you search the forums for Free MCboot you'll get all the info you need. Also, check out a link in CRTgamer's sig for info on setting up HD Loader. It's all the same relative info, just keep in mind that instead of using HD Loader you'll wanna be using OPL.

You cannot load PS1 games off the hard drive in a PS2. So if you wanted to skip out on getting a PS1, you would have to find another way to play PS1 imports on a PS2 (if that's what you wanna do - you weren't too clear in your post). A PS2 mod chip will let you boot just about anything (any region, burned or retail, PS1 or PS2 game). If you can't install a mod chip yourself, SnowKitty offers the services here on RB.

[darth_blunted]

I have a scph - 1001 and still works fine it the first ps1 I bought. No FMV skipping but it was rarely used. Later on I got a 5001 which had got worked over pretty good and eventually died of old age.

There are ps1's on ebay the have had the cd drives replaced. My modded Ps1 scph - 1001 has a psone cd drive and a mod chip and a clear smoke case with led's that flash at random and change colors. I bought it off ebay $28.00 and had 3 controllers 8 mem cards 3 games.

The bad thing about the mod chip is, it's one that can't run backup discs like Dino Crisis 2.

[Ziggy]

Also the original PS1's broke more easily because of certain parts only been made with plastic. This was fixed with the slim versions where same those parts were made out of metal instead.

That's true, but the later fat models switch out the plastic parts for metal ones. I'm not sure what model PS1 it started in, I think the 700x and later.

[noiseredux]

get a slim PS2 and do the very easy tissue/tape mod. Then get someone to put Free McBoot on a memory card for you. Now you can play PS1 imports. Order a set of Swap Magic discs, and you can now play PS2 imports. Done.

[Ziggy]

I'd like to point out that you can use OPL with a USB HDD on the slim, but there's some compatibility issues (due to speed).

[wootcube]

For the PS1, a lot of people agree that the 7501 is the best model to get. I've been told that the 7501 and the 9001 have mostly the same parts, but the 9001 removes the parallel port. Not that big of deal, if you don't care about the parallel port.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStatio ... ion_models

As for the PS2, I'm not too familiar with the different versions of the fat. Obviously, if you wanna use HD Loader, you don't want a slim. I think mine is a v5, I've had it since it was brand new, it's seen a lot of use and it shows no signs of aging.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStatio ... _revisions

Doesn't have too much info on the different revisions, but at least it doesn't talk about any bugs. I would aim for a later version and you should be good.

Curious, why are you looking to get a PS1 AND PS2? You're aware that the PS2 is backwards compatible with the PS1, right? See here for a compatibility list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Pl ... yStation_2

Anyways, about modding... With the PS1, if you have a model with the parallel port you can get a GameShark that'll kinda work as a mod chip. I would suggest just getting a mod chip for the console. I don't know if you even care to play burns, but it'll let you play imports. I'm not sure what other options exist to let you boot imports, but at least with a chip there's nothing to worry about every time you wanna play the game.

With the PS2, if you wanna use HD Loader, then you're good to go with imports. So long as the particular game you wanna play is compatible with HD Loader. Oh, and by the way, HD Loader is very out dated at this point. HD Advance is out dated as well. Open PS2 Loader (or OPL) is currently the best thing to you. You need to have some one put Free MCboot on a memory card for you and then you're good to go. If you search the forums for Free MCboot you'll get all the info you need. Also, check out a link in CRTgamer's sig for info on setting up HD Loader. It's all the same relative info, just keep in mind that instead of using HD Loader you'll wanna be using OPL.

You cannot load PS1 games off the hard drive in a PS2. So if you wanted to skip out on getting a PS1, you would have to find another way to play PS1 imports on a PS2 (if that's what you wanna do - you weren't too clear in your post). A PS2 mod chip will let you boot just about anything (any region, burned or retail, PS1 or PS2 game). If you can't install a mod chip yourself, SnowKitty offers the services here on RB.

Wait - how are there PS2 titles on that PS2 incompatibility list? I could see why they don't work on the slims if they required a hard drive, but not all of the ones on there do.

[Wombatula]

You cannot load PS1 games off the hard drive in a PS2. So if you wanted to skip out on getting a PS1, you would have to find another way to play PS1 imports on a PS2 (if that's what you wanna do - you weren't too clear in your post). A PS2 mod chip will let you boot just about anything (any region, burned or retail, PS1 or PS2 game). If you can't install a mod chip yourself, SnowKitty offers the services here on RB.

You're right, I wasn't exactly clear on what I was wanting. The reason for wanting both a PS1 and PS2 is to play PS1 imports and also due to FF Anthologies and Monkey Hero not being compatible. If a PS2 mod chip will let me play all these on a PS2 then there is no need for a PS1 for imports. Also if there are alternative ways to play Monkey Hero or if there are superior versions of FFV and FFVI out there then I can cross those games off as reasons for getting a PS1.

And the reason I was interested in something like OPL isn't to pirate a bunch of games. I'm a collector and I'd like to be able to use OPL or whatever to boot games from a hd and protect the game discs, plus I've heard it helps with loading times a great deal. Although I will admit if I can boot copies of very expensive games to try before I buy, then I will do so.

Hope this helps and clears up some of the confusion. Thanks to everyone for your help and info.