uLaunchELF unable to launch from 007

[Drummaniac17]

Now, I've been trying to get Free McBoot on my PS2 Fat for 4 days straight now. I've tried 2 different methods:
- Cogswap and Launch method by StevenSeagull
- infamous 007 Agent Under Fire mod

I have burned a total of 12 discs in these past 4 days trying every little different thing to try and get this to work. The day this was filmed was the day I first tried the 007 swap and worked for 7 hours (1 hour break) trying to get this to work, but every single time I get the same outcome as seen in the video. (That outcome being a black screen once I load the second level after the disc swap)

I have tried different McBoot packs, different USB devices, different disc types (+RW, +R, -R, Primarily used -R), different uLaunchELF versions, patched discs, unpatched discs, yet nothing works. I don't think the problem lies in McBoot or my USB, because uLE itself will NOT start up. Hopefully after (or if) I resolve this, I don't have problems launching Free McBoot from uLE.

My console is an SCPH-30001 and was bought retail back in 2001. I'm usually good with these types of things and aren't necessarily technology or computer illiterate. I've had experience with soft and hard modding (Modded Wii, DS, PSP, Jailbroken iPod Touch, hardmodded Xbox original). I can't find any help on popular Playstation Modding forums (yet this is my first time asking on my own) and just do not know what to do anymore. I really could use any help, tips, or suggestions any of you may have.

(It seems as if I cannot post links until I have a post count of 30. The video I'm referencing can be found at my YouTube. The username is the same as my username here. I hope you will take the time to watch it so you can see what happens when I try to launch uLE)

EDIT: Turns out that it also wasn't letting me post because it thought DRIVING (dot) ELF was supposed to be a website.

[RandQalan]

This might help follow the instructions

SKS Apps - Exploit Systems - Wii Ps3 Ps2 Apps - Homebrew Game Downloads

[Drummaniac17]

This is the guide that I used while doing the 007 Game Swap. All files I used were downloaded from SKS Apps and I've read pretty much every single page on the Free McBoot section trying to find an answer to this. Sadly I still haven't found one. Thanks for the help though!

[RandQalan]

Then from your video I watched your are not swapping at the right time or not fast enough

[windrider42]

I posted long time ago on using this game as swap disk, except it says Nightfire not Agent Under Fire

Turn 007: NightFire into a Boot Disk - SKSApps.com - Console Applications - Gaming

Basically they used Cogswap, but people did better using uncompressed Boot.elf. But use one from back then like 4.21 I think.

ok heres the good part..... put the original Agent Under Fire in your ps2 and crank it on....let it load to the main menu(if you dont have a save game on your mem card, which i didnt, it will start you right in a mission..so just press start and quit, and it will take you to the main menu!!) now, once at the main menu create a profile and yada yada lol and find where you can enter a cheat...once there enter TRACTION...to unlock the driving level (unless of course you want to play till you get there!), enter the cheat,save your profile, and return to the main menu...now swap the original for the backup, load up your profile and select the "Enemies Vanquished" level, and Voila! your ELF will now load!!!!.............

You can always read through the pages in case there is more info posted

[Drummaniac17]

So I read this guide and had the idea that I could launch cogswap through the DRIVING (dot) ELF file and then load uLaunchELF from a burned ISO. I didn't want to waste any more discs so I didn't burn the uLE disc just yet. I used Apache to replace Driving with the cogswap file, and cogswap won't launch either.

All of the sudden I remembered a long time ago, around 2003 maybe, my PS2 wasn't reading discs with the purple or black bottoms. It could only read the white DVDs. If I remember correctly it couldn't read any PS1 games either. I'm pretty sure I sent it to Sony and they fixed it. Is it possible that they could have done something to the laser that is stopping it from reading these custom ELF files? I really doubt it but I guess it's a possibility.

My next idea is finding another way to boot cogswap through some other method, then from cogswap launching uLE, then installing FMCB. I think it's best to stop trying to use 007 as it's obviously not working.

[windrider42]

Sony couldn't have done anything to your laser to prevent it from reading burned discs. The 30001 is pretty old model already. Its a V4 I believe.

But the PS2 laser does need to be in good condition to read these discs. Plus if your using DVD+R, you need to make sure your BOOKTYPE is DVD-ROM when burning the disc.
But I think that model liked DVD+R better than DVD-r.
RW discs may be read my a lot of PS2, but are very hard on the laser.
A lot of PS2 won't even read them though

you can try cleaning the laser CAREFULLY with a qtip and some rubbing alcohol. Dampen the swab in the alcohol [make sure it's not too wet] and gently clean the laser in a circular motion. Use the dry side of the swab to then dry the laser off in the same motion. About 30 secs is what I do.

The installation guide shows many methods of installing FMCB 1.8 if you have any other games to try - Free McBoot Home