PS2 Modding?

[jp1]

Ok, so if I want to play ps2 backups from a hard drive what do I need to purchase?

How is compatibility? Speed?

Is there anything else I should know about it?


Can anyone help me out with those questions? Thanks.

[dedalusdedalus]

You'll need these three things:
1. PS2 network adapter.
2. IDE hard drive.
3. Boot disc (HD Loader, HD Advance, or Toxic OS. Note: if the boot disc is burnt not pressed, then you'll also need a mod chip that will let you run backups).

There are compatibility issues, but there are exhaustive lists available regarding which hard drives will work and which games will run off the hard drive. The biggest incentive to running games off your hard drive is that they load noticeably faster.

Not too sure, but I think an alternative to using a boot disc is to use a memory card exploit. But since I use a boot disc, I'm not the right person to ask about the memory card exploit.

[Hatta]

Yes, you can get by with just a memory card exploit. Look up FMCB. Any memory card with "magicgate" on it will work. You'll need someone with a boot disk, or chipped PS2 to put the exploit on the card, you can fairly easily find someone to do it for you if you send them your memory card and return postage.

Compatibility is generally great, there's a HD loader compatibility list you can google for. I haven't found anything I actually wanted to play that isn't supported. If you do, and you have FMCB, you can still burn a patched (google ESR patch) copy and launch that with FMCB. Load speeds are much better with the HDD than DVD. Everyone should do this.

[miked]

Word FMCB is the way to go. I think that official or "magic gate" cards were required before, but most third party work fine now. I installed it on one of the 16mb datel cards that Wal-Mart sells and it worked fine. Compatibility is also better using FMCB than the previously mentioned pressed discs.

[Hatta]

I wasn't able to boot FMCB on my 64 MB nyko card. It's one of the ones with 4 8mb pages and a little LED & button on front to tell you which page you're on. Just FYI.

Another heads up, you'll probably want to transfer games over the network and not wear out your disc drive. For that, you'll want hdl_dump on your PC and hdld_svr.elf on your memory card (or a usb stick for that matter). I don't think hdld_svr.elf is included with FreeMC boot, so google around for it.

[gtmtnbiker]

Does anyone take the drive out and put it in the PC instead of using the network? I don't know how much of a hassle it would be to do this.

[noiseredux]

If you need a compatible harddrive, I've got a 40GB on my trade list.

Also, you can install FMCB using a PS1 disc and an Action Replay. Look it up.

[miked]

Does anyone take the drive out and put it in the PC instead of using the network? I don't know how much of a hassle it would be to do this.

I do. Its not a hassle if you have an IDE Hdd enclosure like pictured here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817121034

Maybe not that one so much as it doesn't have much air flow action, but you get the picture. Insert drive into enclosure, open up the application WinHIIP and load away. Its also faster than the network connection.

[dedalusdedalus]

BTW, if you're interested I have a PS2 network adapter and a Maxtor 60 GB for sale.

The hard drive has a bunch of games written on it already. PM me if you want a price and a list of games on the hard drive.

[cyborc]

hdloader compatibility list: http://list.sksapps.com/

most games work fine..i've heard something like 90% of ps2 games work on the newest hdloader.