Duo2SE...how hard is it exactly to install?

[Icelight]

I did an Xbox Mod a year ago, with an X2.2Lite, and I ran into no major problems. It was the first time I had really soldered seriously, and I only had a tiny bit of trouble getting the wire to stay in the D0 hole. I never had any solder splashing trouble or any crossed connections. The Xbox worked right away!

Now, how much harder, in comparison, is it to mod a V9 PS2 with the Duo2SE chip? I know that there are 5 (?) holes to solder that are the same size as the D0 on the Xbox, but what about the other points? Using the Razor Soldering trick is it hard to solder onto the legs of the BIOS chip?

I don't want to pay to have it done, as I would much rather just use the Swap Trick than pay for the modchip + shipping + install cost. But I still would like the mod done...so I'll do it myself.

Also, what size wires do you recommend?

Oh, and if I ONLY plan on using Higher Quality DVD Media (such as Memorex or Maxell [Those are high quality DVDR, correct?), should I still do the Romeo mod? I am a bit leery about tampering with that...and I'd rather not do it if I won't run into any problems if I use uncratched (IE: No major scratches) GOOD DVDR media.

Thanks!

[gameplaya376]

still alot harder than an xbox , like you said there are the 5 points like the D0 hole and the 4 bios points that tons of people seem to kill there ps2s doing . guess it depends on how good you really are at soldering . you may not want to spend the $70 or so sending it out to get done but its still cheaper than a new ps2 ($160) and still not having it modded .

[gameplaya376]

30 aug kynar wire and yes you should still do the romeo mod .

[Icelight]

How possible is it to kill your PS2 by having a bit of solder connect between the BIOS legs or traces?

If you turn the PS2 on and there is a connection where there shouldn't be, is your PS2 dead, or will it just not boot, allowing the chance to use a desoldering braid?

I guess if I were to do it myself I would make sure to go over everything with a magnifying glass to make sure there is no solder connecting things that it shouldn't, then just take it all off using a Desolder Braid.

[gameplaya376]

shorting anything is never good but a short on the bios is usually not the end of the world , having desolder braid and a mag glass handy is always a good idea .

[Icelight]

Oh, also, if I do the Razor Blade Trick, it should make soldering the BIOS legs a TON easier, no? So then all I'd really have to worry about is the 5 small points...the others are easy, correct?

If you don't know what the razor trick is:

Taking two razor blades and sliding them up so they are lying at a 45 degree angle against the BIOS leg you want to solder the wire to. So, basically, ONLY that BIOS leg is visible, and the wire/solder can ONLY touch that BIOS leg. If it goes over a bit it will just leak onto the razor blade.

Thanks for the quick help BTW!

[gameplaya376]

some people find it helpfull , i personaly never did it but then again i had been soldering for quite a while before ps2 .

[Icelight]

Hmm, I have one more question.

The Duo2SE is a good chip if I JUST want game Backup capability, correct? I don't care about playing movies, as I have my Xbox for that, I just want DVDR, CDR, and PS1 backup capabilities.

And, on the Duomodchip.com site, they say that, "Disable Mode - The ability to disable the modchip have been included for future use." How exactly do you disable the modchip? There doesn't seem to be an external switch-box like there is on Xbox Mods to disable it...

[Starve]

no...u just hold down the powner butten till the blue clouds come up on ur screen and then let go..and it should be disabled... gl

-Starve

[kalashu]

The "razor blade trick" is used to solder on the alternative chip legs the points like D0. The BIOS points should pose no trouble if you have a soldering station with tip smaller than 0.4mm.