Help a n00b out

ok I've been thinking of mod chipping my PS2 with a Magic 3.6 cause it's easier than a straight 3.1 (I don't have the skill or the patience to do 24 wires)

I know the 3.6 is just a 3.1 with some minor modifications.

And I'm thinking of buying it from www.modchip.com

Should I take the risk and buy it from them and will it work, or should I spend the money on a Fliptop mod from www.ps2case.com (I know someone that ordered from them and their ps2 is working fine when it comes to playing imports which is all I'm going to do with mine, imports, no back ups)

I'm just looking for help here that is it.

And I'm having a small connumdrum veryfying my ps2 version.

the Number on the back is a SCPH-30001 the Serial number is a U1, the Date code is 0C (I've never seen one on any website that deals with modchip that lists this as a possibility), I bought it at launch, and it has 10 screws on the bottom.

Is this a Version 1, 2 or 3 ps2?

I just finished a 3.1 Magic install as I type, the PS2 is laying in pieces in front of me now(waiting for glue gun to heat up) I started at 12:45 and it is now 4:25. Imports will eventually lead to back-ups believe me. it is a vicious circle.

Not for me.

I don't have the correct computer software or burner to create backup's.

I'll admit that I'm torn on which chip to install, a Messiah 2 or a Magic 3.1/3.6 (The reason I want ot install a 3.6 is cause it's only 9 wires and is cheaper than the boards that you have to purchase separately)

I'm just trying to weight hte options on which would be better and where I should buy it and if it will work with my PS2.

Like I said I'm really unsure on the version because of that weird date code.

Come on. :cry:

I'm really in a bind here. I need to know how much money I have to earn and which mod is the best for me to install.

It's a 3 way toss up between:

A Magic 3.6
A Messiah 2 (If I can find a damn place that sells them. I don't trust annoymous people, I prefer a company with a BBB record)
or A Flip Top mod from ps2case.com

Please. All I'm asking is for one of teh educated individuals here on the subject to please help someone like me out. I just need someone to help me weight my options on what I want to do and how I can accomplish them for the cheapest ammount possible.

I have no intentions of making backup's of games and such, only imports. Speciafically 1 import. Fire Pro Wrestling Z.

That is it. I just want to be able to play that one game. Which of those 3 options I listed would be the best for me.

I have a Version 1,2,3 PS2, purchased at launch if that helps matters.

if its v3 you probably should take it to pro installer , those point are difficult, if you want massiah 2 your address is charlie_ps2, for magic 3.6 ... i dont trast them i was burn once i dont want it happend again. some ppl would say i'm talking bullshit the option is in your hand .

i have a magic 3.1 and a flip top PS2 and myself it ez to swap cds in the flip top but i like the no swap mod in my outher PS2 smilesss and Coffee Man
is right no mater if you start with inports you will be going to the copying next it happens to ever one......

wat ever u do don't buy mods at modchip.com buy at modchip.ca .com got high prices

Thanks for the info.

AS I said I won't deal with an annoymous person for a Messiah 2, only a dealer I can do a bg check on. I've been burned before on that kinda stuff and I don't want to either.

I know several people that have had a Magic 3.1/3.6 work with no problems.

And one other thing, I am not 100% sure of which version I have. the Serial has U1 as the starting numbers. So more than likely it's a Version 1.

I really wish I could be able to install a chip myself (I'm getting my uncle to do that install really. He's done over 20 PSX/PSOne chips for friends. And trust me if you've tried a PSOne mod you know how hard it is)

More than likely I'll get the Flip Top and later I'll get a Mod chip when I get King of Coloseeum Red and Green and I need to Fuse the games together, cause you can't do that with a Flip Top

Thanks for the help.

If you just want to play imports, then just do the swap trick with a gameshark 2. For one game, it seems awful silly to get a noswap modchip with all of those features.

And if its PAL, you need to either make a backup of it, and convert to NTSC, or use a tele that supports PAL.

Frankly I find the swap trick very dangerious.

A friend attempted it once and he destroied the drive assembly.

We had to take his PS2 apart to get the disc out.

Frankly I think I'll go with the Case Mod

and when the time comes I'll put a chip into it.

Acctually There are about 7 games that I will eventually import,, plus I have a ton of PSX imports still lying around that I haven't played since my Plug mod decided to blow a fuse.