New PS2 owner has questions

[Artlover]

Ok, I just just picked up a used PS2 (v7 SCPH-39001/N) with the the Network/HDD ataptor thingy, and I've got questions.

 

If anyone can give me answers or suggest a few good websites that can answer my questions, I'd appericate it.

 

#1: Can I throw any IDE HDD into it?

 

#2: Mod chips. I'm not looking for anything fancy, just run emulators and, erm "backups". mod-chip.com shows a bunch of different options, but I'm not fully clear on all the differences besides price and installation difficulty. Being a cheap bastard, I was thinking of either Mars III or Magic 3.1.

 

TIA.

[Starscream]

Yes an IDE HD will be fine. No patch for anything over 137 gigs though so don't go overbaord on the size

 

There is a chip, can't remember which one that has HD support, no need for that HD Loader thing. But I stay away from messing with PS2's so I would say Shannon would be able to help you out more than I can.

[Stingray]

 

#1: Can I throw any IDE HDD into it?

 

 

The official 40 gb Sony drive is the only one an unmodded PS2 will recognise without special software like HDLoader. I've got HDLoader and bought a 160 gb Seagate drive for mine, which fit fine. I'm told Maxtor drives fit fine as well. Some Western Digital drives don't line up with the connecotrs on the Network adaptor.

 

-S

[Stingray]

Also I guess I should mention that the PS2 sees my 160 gb drive as 130ish gigs due to the issue that starscream mentioned.

 

-S

[Starscream]

Best bet would be to get the HD Loader and a hard drive if ya ask me.

 

http://www.modchipoutlet.com/hdloader.htm

[Dones]

It seems any drive will do. However, you need an HD that has the plugs for power and data evenly matched with the ones on the PS2's network adapter. I've read Maxtor drives fit the bill and (some?)Western Digitals don't.

[xenomorpher]

They make a swap disc so you dont have to install a mod chip if that helps...

[Artlover]

Thanks for the replies so far. HD situation has been pretty much answered. So that leaves question 2.

 

They make a swap disc so you dont have to install a mod chip if that helps...

 

I've never liked the swap disc stuff, and all the weird bs invovled like changing the case to a fliptop or the cd ejecter tool, and all that. Installation is not an issue for me.

 

Knowing which chip would be good to get and where a reliable place to buy them is.

[Artlover]

Ok, would HD Advanced be a good alternative to HD Loader? I know they are basicly the same except HD Advanced supports bigger drives. But are there any hidden issues, like inability to run from a memory card for example?

 

I ask because I can't find any reviews of Modchipoutlet, and it doesn't show up at http://www.resellerratings.com. Virtualy every other place I've seen that does carry this has very horrible reviews, mostly about getting this particular product shipped. (I'm sure being found illegal thanks to Sony doesn't help either, which oddly doesn't apply to HD Advanced ).

 

 

As far as Modchips, now I'm thinking maybe a Magic V Plus or Duo 2 SE.

 

Boy what a pain in the butt. To many options and to many crappy ripoff companies.

[PuddWakkr]

Artlover when you get it all sorted out let me know. I'm gonna be picking up a PS2 here soon and a chip is a must. XBox has my lazy butt spoiled, I can't even concieve getting off the couch to change discs when I'm ready for a different game. Seems like all the different versions of PS2's have made the modchips extremely dificult to follow. Long as the chip is HD compatible is all I need.

[Artlover]

Seems like all the different versions of PS2's have made the modchips extremely dificult to follow. Long as the chip is HD compatible is all I need.

 

Only the top of the line mod chips seem to have direct HD support. From what I have been reading they only let you run homebrewed software. You'de still HDLoader or HDAdvanced to run backups from the HD. Atleast if I'm reading everything correctly. I'm still a total noob to this scene.

 

I wish there was a good website like xbox-scene for PS2. I've found a few, but they are all kinda crappy in comparison.

 

Has anyone done business with www.modchipoutlet.com?

 

If not, I think I'm going to end up buying HD Advanced from www.modchip.ca, but it's more expencive there and doesn't have free shipping, but atleast I've read some good reviews of them.

 

As far as the mod chip. Well, now I'm pretty well focused on the Magic 3.1 from www.mod-chip.com. Reasonable price, all the standard features. God I wish these people carried the HDL/A discs, I hate having to place multipul orders to different places.

[Artlover]

Last update for a bit.

 

Placed an order through www.modchipsotre.com

 

HD Advanced & Duo 2 SE chip with 2day shipping. $62 & change.

 

The store has mixed reviews. Good on product availability & shipping, poor on communication & support. Since I've almost never communicated with any company I've done business with, I didn't give it much thought, and don't care about support much to be honest. So long as I get what I order in a reasonable time.

 

We shall see what happens.

[hex65000]

Good luck on that one. I picked up HD loader early in its second run and it is among the best money I've dropped on my PS2. Mind you, after the booter, the network adaptor and the HD I've spent around $160-$180. The other thing to keep in mind is some games choke on HD Loader. There are compatability lists that are very helpful, but some of the ones that just don't work SO tick me off. Such as: .//hack/ , Soulcalibur 2, War of the Monsters and Xenosaga. I have read reports that the current GTA will install, but I have not tried it.

 

Actually, I filled up the 40Gig I was using in my PS2 and decided to go and grab a new drive. The closest I could get to a 120Gig was a 160GB drive. So now I'm filling it up again with the titles I previously had loaded.

 

Also, another handy trick: If you are worried about the data integrity of a PS2 game, simply try to install it. If you get read Errs, you know the disc is probably damaged. Since the whole CD gets read in, you can know the integrity of a game without having to play it all the way through.

 

Hex.

[ Knows his FF 10 is just fine... ]

[Stingray]

 I have read reports that the current GTA will install, but I have not tried it.

 

It will install and run fine.

 

-S

[Justin42]

Sometimes, the hdl_dumb/hdl_dump (I may have the names wrong, one is a GUI and one isn't, I'm not at my computer that's set to do this) can help put an "incompatible" game on -- you have to hook the PS2 drive up to your PC (this includes external firewire!) and load the games via the PC. I've loaded up some of my Japanese import games to the HD (Alpine Racer 3, RType Finale, Initial D) and they play just fine on an unmodded US system (!!) using the HD Loader.

 

You can only load games your PS2 would play using HDLoader to install them, you can put almost everything (but NOT literally "everything") on via the PC. You'll have to do some searching though.

 

I don't think HD Advance does anything different than the HD Loader at all, the 120gb limitation is in the PS2, not the software. (AFAIK)

[Justin42]

I should add the Japanese games I loaded were legitimate, purchased copies. I also have a Japanese PS2 I used to use to play them before I got the HD setup... (oooh, the lengths I went to to play Space Channel 5 Part 2 and R Type Final before they got budget priced US releases.... )

[Artlover]

I've done a major crash course in PS2 Hacking. I've downloaded a bunch of utils and docs and stuff. Things can be done with it, but just not quite as easy as on the XBox. WinHiip looks mighty interesting.

 

Anywho, got my order today. Right now, copying some files off an 80gig drive to be used with HDAdvance. Not going to mess with the modchip right this second because I need to pick up some wire for and dig my fine-point soldering iron out. Plus, I'm tired, and I already know it's not going to be a quick easy project. Just taking the thing apart is a chore, much less trying to solder to 17 points of high density surface mount chips & circuits. I'll do that when I'm wide awake and have everything I need right in front of me.

 

As far as my experience with modchipstore and dhl. Well, I got the two things I ordered. So I can't complain there. Packaging was in a bubble envelope. HDAdvanced dvd case and modchip in a little baggy just throw in there. It got here ok, but I can see so many ways the chip "could" have been damaged. But since it didn't, no point dwelling on it. No invoice and no instructions. Neither is really a big deal, as both exist in electronic form. I had picked 2 day shipping. I got notice of shipment being made yesterday and got it today. So, that's a day sooner then expected. No complaints there. Basicly next day service for 1/2 the cost.

 

But DHL on a whole....Ok, I live in an apartment, and on the doorframes are spring clips so management can post flyers, notes, whatever at each door. DHL hung the envelope on the door, rang the door bell, and apperently RAN away. Expecting other stuff today, I had jumped up as soon as I heard the doorbell. I couldn't have been more then 5 seconds. I open the door, see the envelope hanging there. I look, and just barely catch the image of a red shirt in the distance turning around a corner. WTF? FedEx & UPS both will wait for a minute and make you sign, and if your not there, they leave it at the front office and make them sign. Someone else could have taken it, it could have blown away, or gotten wet. No signature. Maybe I should just wait a few weeks then e-mail the modchipstore and tell them I never got it and demand a refund. Hell if they can prove it was delivered

 

I'll reply with an update in a few days when I get everything installed and working.

[Stingray]

On the subject of DHL, they do suck. If that's the only method of shipping that a seller offers, I'll buy elsewhere.

 

-S

[hex65000]

I am with you Justin. I essentially like the convenience of improved load times and (hopefully) a lot less wear and tear on my CD drive. Although I've been installing software for the past 2 days (~6 hrs) I've chewed up about 60+gigs so far. It's also a way to keep my media from getting munged up. But yeah, HD loader may be the fuzzy edge of legality, but at the end of the day, I did buy legal copies and plan to own them for as long as I care to use Sony's stuff.

 

Hex.

[ just cant sleep because of the constant news coverage... ]

[Stingray]

I essentially like the convenience of improved load times...

 

Indeed, that's a major selling point for me as well. I've noticed a major boost in load times since I started using HDLoader, at least with the games I had before I bought it. Since buying it I've never run a game from the DVD, I always install it to the HD before running it the first time.

 

-S

[Artlover]

Mod chips.

 

I'm pretty handy with a soldering iron. Done everything from fix a 128meg dimm when a surface mount chip sheered off, to mod a C-128 with a 100w gun.... But jesus f'in tap dancing christ.

 

4 hours to take apart, solder 17 wires and reassemble. And I'm lucky since I have a V7 board. V9 and V10 PS2 owners have 21 wires, with an even denser lead spacing to tap off of.

 

Luckily, mostly everything seems to work (PS2 originals & PS2 backups and PSX originals). Having a problem with PSX backups tho. However, I don't think it's the mod, but rather something else. Once, a long time ago, I burned a working PSX backup that worked on my PSX when I did the swaptrick crap, but that took several burns to get right. I've since lost that cd, and not a single burn I've done tonight would boot with the swaptrick on my PSX, so it makes sence the PS2 wouldn't work with them either. Also having problems with DVD Backups on DVD-R media. From what I read, different PS2's have different media compatabilty. So I dunno know if thats my problem, or just burning issues.

 

Atleast I'm hoping it's something like that, because I sure in hell don't want to either open the thing again, or try anymore soldering in it. I think I'd rather poke myself in the eyes with a soldering iron then go through that again.

 

I'll have to keep messing around and researching this.

[Artlover]

Finally was able to make a working backup of my Crash Bandicoot Warped disc. And it worked on the PS2, so the modchip is a-ok.

 

Turns out, PS2's are picky about media quality and didn't much like the no-name discs I was trying to use last night.

[Shannon]

Sorry I got in this convo so late.. But as far as the PS2 scene goes, it really does suck. Finding accurate info is extremely difficult and getting a straight answer out of anybody is even worse.

 

I stuck a 120g maxtor in my PS2 and set-up the mem-card boot trick to load hda advance. I even have it set-up so I can FTP games over from my pc. I had a spare quantum drive but the connectors would not line up.

 

I actually screwed up my modded PS2 (damn things are sensitive "ps2's, that is"). Because for some reason that PS2 could not detect the hard drive/network card. I'm not sure if the mod chip interfered or if there was something wrong with the PS2. Anyways when I put it back together I could not for the life of me get the CD drive to activate (read a disc).

 

Like said here the cool thing about hd advance is the access times as well as you can (thru your pc) load it with imports. The most recent hd advance supposedly allows you to copy "backup" copies onto your HD as well without using a PC.

 

There is even an .elf file that (on v9 PS2's) supposedly let you boot PSX backups. Problem is you have to swap to do this. I was thinking of getting a swap top so I can do this. I've just been to lazy to.

 

Some games have difficulty working on a HD but if you go to the cog swap loader web page sometimes they have fixes for these.

 

ps2ownz.com is a pretty good site for news related info, but good luck getting anyone to explain something to you. The readme files that come with half these .elf files just plain suck.

 

That's about it. Have fun. Maybe someday I'll actually get around to trying to fix my modded PS2 to work again. I mostly got it to be able to run PSX "backups".

[Artlover]

Sorry I got in this convo so late..  But as far as the PS2 scene goes, it really does suck.  Finding accurate info is extremely difficult and getting a straight answer out of anybody is even worse.

 

Tell me about it. Damn near everyone seems to be an eliteist asshole. What few sites exist have a rather limited selection of information, and seem more bent on bad mouthing other websites.

 

I stuck a 120g maxtor in my PS2 and set-up the mem-card boot trick to load hda advance. I even have it set-up so I can FTP games over from my pc. I had a spare quantum drive but the connectors would not line up.

 

Got an 60gig Maxtor in mine. FTP huh. Care to tell me more? At present I'm playing swap the HD, and using WinHiip 1.6.3.

 

I should probably sit down and read some of the documentation I've downloaded. Got about 75 megs of docs & utilities. Other then WinHiip and ADR Patcher 0.5, haven't look at any of it.

[xenomorpher]

The Playstation series will always take up a huge place in my heart as with Atari and Sega.