Questions about Swap Magic...

[Flak Beard]

Ok, so I think I'm finally going to get around to buying one of these so I can play NiGHTS, some other imports and possibly some burns. I have a few questions and concerns.

1) Will playing DVD-R games hurt the laser at all? I have the first slim model to be released if that helps.

2) Do games need to be patched at all to work with the Swap Magic disc?

3) Is installation of the metal pieces easy to do? Anything I should watch out for?

4) Should I choose a different backup solution? I read a bit about the exploits and HD Loader stuff, but it was a bit confusing to me.

5) Anyone here have a Swap Magic for sale or trade?

[Mozgus]

1) Backups should not hurt your laser more or less than retail copies, as long as you use good quality media. Know that v12 and v13 slims have a tendancy to fry the lens units very quickly unless you install a slim fix chip.
2) On Swap Magic 3.8, the final version, like 99% of all games will work on them. The only exceptions are dual-layer games. Those need to be downsampled or split to single layer discs to work. Also there are a few other games that have issues like Devil May Cry 1, where it freezes unless you mash the start button at the logo screens.
3) It should be pretty easy stuff. I mine came pre-installed but it seems easy. Just know you can always rig the lid switches inside the ps2 yourself as a last resort, as long as you dont mind voiding the warranty.
4) If you haven't dont much soldering, then mod chips are out of the question. HDCombo is a little less difficult, but still not an easy task. Slim PS2s cannot be software exploited, so forget about that. Swap Magic is your best option for some casual backup and import gaming.
5) SM discs can still be found online here and there. These guys didn't fail me when I ordered something recently, so I recommend them. Be warned these are 3.6 and not 3.8, but the difference is minor I believe.

http://www.mod-chip.bz/catalog/swap-mag ... 7d9dcc5a14

Edit: Wiki actually calls 3.6 the better version., Interesting.

Recently, the makers of Swap Magic have released Swap Magic v3.8, also known as CODER, which adds the ability of loading Action Replay cheats to the booted game. However, some users have complained that CODER has some compatibility issues as well as known bugs. For example, some games that work on v3.6 do not work with CODER. Consequently, v3.6 remains the most popular version of Swap Magic.

[Flak Beard]

Thanks for the info. I just checked my model and it is the SCPH-70000, so that would make it a V12. I really didn't to want to have to bother with the Slim Fix.

[Mozgus]

Thanks for the info. I just checked my model and it is the SCPH-70000, so that would make it a V12. I really didn't to want to have to bother with the Slim Fix.

You can take your chances. It could last forever, I only read online at many places that chances are, slim lens die very quickly unless its a v15 or v16. Some v14s are fixed as well. It depends on the board layout inside.

You can always just use it, and when it dies, buy a spare lens for $25 here

http://mod-chip.com/en/laser_lenses.php

PVR-802 is usually the one you'll need, but be sure to check your existing lens unit for the model number to make sure it's a match.

[D.D.D.]

Ok, so I think I'm finally going to get around to buying one of these so I can play NiGHTS, some other imports and possibly some burns. I have a few questions and concerns.

1) Will playing DVD-R games hurt the laser at all? I have the first slim model to be released if that helps.

2) Do games need to be patched at all to work with the Swap Magic disc?

3) Is installation of the metal pieces easy to do? Anything I should watch out for?

4) Should I choose a different backup solution? I read a bit about the exploits and HD Loader stuff, but it was a bit confusing to me.

5) Anyone here have a Swap Magic for sale or trade?

The installation of the metal pieces was unnecessary. I have a v14 or v15, last year April JPN, and other than opening the case to put the cap on the button, I simply took out the plastic mount at the back of the lid so I wouldn't need to use the metal push-down-thing. This of course means that the PS2 always thinks the lid is closed but I don't have any multi-disc PS2 games and even if I did, save the game, power off, and load from disc 2 or 3.
It made the modification real easy and a lot less hassle.

[ubelaffe]

I love hd advance. But it's $30 + network adapter + hdd(any kind really, we found one with 120g) + fat ps2

most games work without any problem, some require tweaking to get to save right, but we've never fooled with them long enough to figure that aspect out.

[peace4myheart]

i have owned the slim with swap magic 3.6 and flip top. works like a charm for 2 years and never had any problem with any of my games. it can't play dual layered games, which there are only a few good ones. I was concerned with the laser lens and wanted to keep my PS2 around for a long time so I sold it and upgraded to a mod dms fat system with a 500 gb harddrive. never regret it one bit. i shouldn't have gone the swap magic route because it costs 60 bucks for the swap magic, flip top, and ps1 backup. Also, you need to think about the the dvd-r cost, plus the time wasted on the computer burning them. if you have the money, then i would really recommend going this route. You have the convenience of all your game in one place and the games also loads faster. in addition you will save the wear and tear of your laser. however, if you don't have a lot of money, swap magic is a really good choice, though i hate all the swapping. BTW, i only use verbatim dvd-r because i heard it is good for the laser. Just a side note, the ps2 can still play emulation using the swap magic.

[Flak Beard]

I completely forgot my fiancee has a fat PS2, so I asked her about it and she's all about getting it modded now (she loves her Guitar Hero). So would Swap Magic still be the way to go considering it'll be relatively light use of burns/imports, or should I do an HDD mod? I do have a 80GB just sitting around.

[peace4myheart]

I completely forgot my fiancee has a fat PS2, so I asked her about it and she's all about getting it modded now (she loves her Guitar Hero). So would Swap Magic still be the way to go considering it'll be relatively light use of burns/imports, or should I do an HDD mod? I do have a 80GB just sitting around.

80 gb ain't gonna cut it buddy. I thought 200 gb was enough when i modded my PS2. Cost me 60 bucks extra. When it got home, i couldn't put all the games I want to play on it. Sold the 200 gb and bought a maxtor 500 gb. Still need more room. I guess I just like to put all my games in it so that I don't have to put the discs in. Yeah, I am that lazy. HA HA HA.

Anyway, if you have the extra dough, I say modded with HDD all the way. You won't regret it. As for the HDD, you can buy it at any store nowaday and install it yourself. Most maxtor should fit fine. Any other brand, just check the compatibility list. It's pretty cheap too. I got my 500gb for 100 dollars at Fry's Electronic.

[Mozgus]

I completely forgot my fiancee has a fat PS2, so I asked her about it and she's all about getting it modded now (she loves her Guitar Hero). So would Swap Magic still be the way to go considering it'll be relatively light use of burns/imports, or should I do an HDD mod? I do have a 80GB just sitting around.

80 gb ain't gonna cut it buddy. I thought 200 gb was enough when i modded my PS2. Cost me 60 bucks extra. When it got home, i couldn't put all the games I want to play on it. Sold the 200 gb and bought a maxtor 500 gb. Still need more room. I guess I just like to put all my games in it so that I don't have to put the discs in. Yeah, I am that lazy. HA HA HA.

Anyway, if you have the extra dough, I say modded with HDD all the way. You won't regret it. As for the HDD, you can buy it at any store nowaday and install it yourself. Most maxtor should fit fine. Any other brand, just check the compatibility list. It's pretty cheap too. I got my 500gb for 100 dollars at Fry's Electronic.

I have a 500GB Seagate in mine, but still, I doubt he will need much space. He said it would just casually be used for imports and burns.