uLE HOST freezes when connecting to network

[rawking]

I get an active network connection when activating the HOST application in uLE, but HOST just hangs and I don't get any further. I have to hard-restart the PS2.

The same thing happens in HDLD-SVR and SMS. I don't wish to mention them in this section of the forum, but I think it might be helpful in diagnosing my problem. I do use a crossover cable, I even bought another to make sure it wasn't a simple cabling problem.

I have attached pictures (I don't have enough posts under my belt to post a link to a web page I built with the pictures, sorry for so many picture attachments), including a few of the uLE network settings, TCP-IP settings and HDLD and SMS, only to clarify that uLE HOST is not the only app that freezes during network initialization.

They all freeze up, but they all do make a connection to my computer (laptop). So once the freeze happens and the network is active, I can't do anything else but shut down the PS2 and try again (over and over again).. I'm beginning to think that my network adapter is bad. I just got it and it has never successfully connected to be of any use. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, -rawking

[ubergeek42]

You need to make the ps2 and the PC use different IP addresses, they cannot both be 192.168.0.10. This is probably the cause of the crash. Also, The gateway for the ps2 should be set to the ip address of the PC, and the Gateway on the pc doesn't really matter too much.

[dlanor]

I get an active network connection when activating the HOST application in uLE, but HOST just hangs and I don't get any further. I have to hard-restart the PS2.

That's very odd, but I'm sure we'll sort it out eventually.

The same thing happens in HDLD-SVR and SMS. I don't wish to mention them in this section of the forum,

That's not a problem here. I am one of the moderators in this forum, so it's fine to mention any programs I consider relevant to the discussion (which those are, for networking). I'll tell you when (and if) we're getting off-topic here, so don't worry about it.

but I think it might be helpful in diagnosing my problem. I do use a crossover cable, I even bought another to make sure it wasn't a simple cabling problem.

I have attached pictures (I don't have enough posts under my belt to post a link to a web page I built with the pictures, sorry for so many picture attachments), including a few of the uLE network settings, TCP-IP settings and HDLD and SMS, only to clarify that uLE HOST is not the only app that freezes during network initialization.

They all freeze up, but they all do make a connection to my computer (laptop). So once the freeze happens and the network is active, I can't do anything else but shut down the PS2 and try again (over and over again).. I'm beginning to think that my network adapter is bad. I just got it and it has never successfully connected to be of any use. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

It's like ubergeek42 said. You've used identical settings for the PS2 and the PC, which is sort of like having two guys with the same phone number...

What you need to do is to let the PC settings 'mirror' the settings of your PS2, like this:

ON PS2: IP=192.168.0.10 with Gateway=192.168.0.1
ON PC: IP=192.168.0.1 with Gateway=192.168.0.10

So just change your PC TCP/IP settings accordingly, and you should be good to go !

Best regards: dlanor

[rawking]

Many thanks to you both. The IP configuration was the problem. It was definitely worth the wait, I am sitting here watching the Empire Strikes Back (AVI) on the TV via PS2, piped in through the network to SMS! I thought I would just be playing games...

Ok, a couple of questions: I can see my computer's folders in HOST (while PS2ClientLoader is running). How do I transfer my files to the HDD? Do I use the COPY/PASTE function (R1) in uLE? I won't try it until I get a response.

If copying to the HDD is possible, Is there a size limit to HOST transfers? What transfer speeds can I expect (ie. 2Mb/sec). I have 50 gigs of movies (AVI) and 3 gigs of music (mp3), and roughly 120 gigs of ISOs. I want to copy it all to the PS2 HDD.

Do I always use HDL_Dump (I'm using vtecorona's, v1.4) to transfer ISOs to the HDD? Or can I use HOST?

Thanks again for all of the help, -rawking

[dlanor]

Many thanks to you both. The IP configuration was the problem. It was definitely worth the wait, I am sitting here watching the Empire Strikes Back (AVI) on the TV via PS2, piped in through the network to SMS! I thought I would just be playing games...

In fact there have been several users lately who bought a PS2 for use exclusively as a networked media player, so they can watch the AVIs from their computer HDDs on a real TV set in their livingroom/bedroom instead of just on a PC monitor.

Ok, a couple of questions: I can see my computer's folders in HOST (while PS2ClientLoader is running). How do I transfer my files to the HDD? Do I use the COPY/PASTE function (R1) in uLE?

Yes, exactly. uLE treats "host:" files and folders almost identically to those of a genuine PS2 device. The one exception is that the writing to PC folders is by default disabled (mainly so that kids playing with a PS2 can't ruin daddy's computer).

But this too can easily be enabled by editing the variable "NET_HOSTwrite" in the LAUNCHELF.CNF file (which is a perfectly normal text file, editable in Windows' notepad as well as in the uLE TextEditor). You can find detailed info on that and many other config variables in the heavily commented example LAUNCHELF.CNF which comes with the uLE release package.

With that setting changed you can then use the PC as destination for transfers, again by using normal uLE Paste operations. (Though that should be psuPaste when transferring gamesaves from MC.)

If copying to the HDD is possible, Is there a size limit to HOST transfers?

I've never made any proper test of where/if the functions fail due to size problems. But we do use 32 bit integers for some things, so some size problems might occur when exceeding sizes of 2GB or 4GB (for signed and unsigned integers respectively). Normal-sized movie files work fine though. I just copied a 1.4 GB AVI to a test partition on my HDD without any problems.

What transfer speeds can I expect (ie. 2Mb/sec).

What you just wrote means 2 Megabits/sec which is a very slow speed in this context. Possibly you meant 2MB/sec == 2 MegaBytes/sec which is a very good speed (for a PS2 that is, it's not at all impressive on a modern PC ).

That 2MB/s is near what you can expect with HDL_Dump nowdays, but the HOST protocol is not quite as fast. Currently we get appx 1450 KB/s, or appx 70% of the speed HDL_Dump has.

I have 50 gigs of movies (AVI) and 3 gigs of music (mp3), and roughly 120 gigs of ISOs. I want to copy it all to the PS2 HDD.

I see no problem with that, though I question the wisdom of it. If you also want to use HDL, remember that it is restricted to using the free space on the PS2 HDD, whereas SMS can always play MP3 and AVI files over the network from your PC. So if you are going to keep those files on the PC it would be rather wasteful to duplicate them on the PS2, where the space may be needed for new game installations instead.

Do I always use HDL_Dump (I'm using vtecorona's, v1.4) to transfer ISOs to the HDD? Or can I use HOST?

HOST is useless for that purpose as it can only transfer files and folders. An installed HDLoader game is neither a file nor a folder, but an entire HDD partition of a custom type. Only programs written to deal with such are able to do so correctly.

The only thing uLE can do with an HDL game partition (in the uLE HddManager) is to display some info about it, or erase it. (HDL adapts to that the next time you launch it, causing a slight delay to update an index file accordingly.)

Thanks again for all of the help, -rawking

I'm always glad to help.

Best regards: dlanor

[rawking]

What you just wrote means 2 Megabits/sec which is a very slow speed in this context. Possibly you meant 2MB/sec == 2 MegaBytes/sec which is a very good speed (for a PS2 that is, it's not at all impressive on a modern PC ).

Thanks, I didn't know that the lower case letter meant bits, a little embarrased..

I see no problem with that, though I question the wisdom of it. If you also want to use HDL, remember that it is restricted to using the free space on the PS2 HDD, whereas SMS can always play MP3 and AVI files over the network from your PC. So if you are going to keep those files on the PC it would be rather wasteful to duplicate them on the PS2, where the space may be needed for new game installations instead.

I plan on taking my PS2 on the road, my nephews are going to freak out when they play my PS2! And my grandparents will appreciate the oldies mp3 collection I'll be able to play through their TV. So some stuff I will want to store on the PS2 HDD.

OK, time to transfer some folders.

Thanks Dlanor for all of your hard work on uLE and on answering all of my questions!
-rawking