how do I know i need firmware flash or to fix a loose wire?

[drewlo]

Ok, my cc2.0 has worked fine for a few weeks and now all i get is the ps2 browser. I dl'ed the firmware 29 and burned the cdr and popped it in,....nothing...I then tried to load the disc with the ps2 browser utility...i just returned to the same screen. What is next for me?..Thanks for your help.....
oh..one more thing...i didn't load bm because I did not have it on my memory card. I show system config then a few games and a small "corrupted data" file...

[Jones23]

I'd say it's a loose wire, cause it worked fine and all of a sudden you only get to the PS2 browser. Another indication is that it can't load the upgrade CD, that should work always if the installation is ok.

But to do some troubleshooting you can try to boot the upgrade disc in recovery mode (power on, then 3x reset). And you could try to boot an original game with disabled chip (power on, then 6x reset).

If you really have a CC2.0 you can't use BM from MC, but only from the cflash. And BM is definitely needed for the CC2.0, without BM you'd only get a black screen and not the PS2 browser (another indication for a loose wire).
If you want to know what that "corrupted data" is, you'd have to use LaunchELF's filebrowser. The damn stupid $ony browser can only display gamesaves correctely, normal data files are always shown as "corrupted data", which doesn't mean that they are really corrupt.

best regards Jones23

[drewlo]

But to do some troubleshooting you can try to boot the upgrade disc in recovery mode (power on, then 3x reset). And you could try to boot an original game with disabled chip (power on, then 6x reset).

If you really have a CC2.0 you can't use BM from MC, but only from the cflash. And BM is definitely needed for the CC2.0, without BM you'd only get a black screen and not the PS2 browser (another indication for a loose wire).
If you want to know what that "corrupted data" is, you'd have to use LaunchELF's filebrowser. The damn stupid $ony browser can only display gamesaves correctely, normal data files are always shown as "corrupted data", which doesn't mean that they are really corrupt.

best regards Jones23

If I don't have an original game, I obviously can't try to boot like you say, correct? Also, I'm not quite sure what that will tell me...will an original game not load if there is a loose wire as well? Is the process for correcting a loose wire something a "lay" person could fix with the proper patience or are specific tools needed (eg soldering iron etc..)? I had this chip installed by a friend of a friend and would like to avoid having to ship it back and forth. Thanks

update!!! I was able one time to get the cc main screen which said "no menus"...it showed bm 2.0.6 but showed nothing else after 3 resets...I've tried to get it back but now only have the ps2 menu....would a loose wire do this?

[Jones23]

It would tell you if the chip can still be disabled.

You will definitely need a really fine tip soldering iron and good soldering skills to fix it. I personally would never touch my PS2, cause I lack both, skill and equipment. I guess you have not much of a choice, if you don't want to risk destroying your PS2.