Problems with Swap Magic

[toasty]

Hey folks, I'm new here and new to the modding/hacking process in general, so please bear with me here for a sec...

I've been using Swap Magic 2.0 discs for the last few months in conjunction with a Slide Card (which, I know from reading posts, most of you hate). Anyway, the Swap Magic DVD disc has always had trouble loading -- it normally takes one or two tries, and often fails to load entirely. With that said, I could always get it to work.

Last night, though, I had something different happen. It had SEVERE trouble loading, and when it finally did, it would put up the starfield/"insert disc" screen for a split second, flash blue around the permiter and then go black with the disc continuing to spin. Same thing happens with the CD version.

As an aside, the PS2 continues to play original games just fine.

Anyone have this happen before? Have any thoughts on what the problem is? In light of the fact that it continues to play original discs, it doesn't really seem like it would be hardware related, but, on the other hand, the fact that BOTH the CD and DVD Swap Magic discs went on the fritz at the same time suggests to me that it may not be the software.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide.

[RAISTLIN]

Originally posted by toasty
Anyway, the Swap Magic DVD disc has always had trouble loading -- it normally takes one or two tries, and often fails to load entirely. With that said, I could always get it to work.

The SM's aren't the best design. I actually had to send a set back for replacement. If they get anything more than minor scratches, they get real flaky. Sometimes setting the Console driver into "Diagnose" mode can resolve disc read issues. Cleaning the laser or resurfacing the disc (Disc Doctor/Game Doctor) can help.

Last night, though, I had something different happen. It had SEVERE trouble loading, and when it finally did, it would put up the starfield/"insert disc" screen for a split second, flash blue around the permiter and then go black with the disc continuing to spin. Same thing happens with the CD version.

This could in fact be an issue with your controller--especially if it is third party, or has received a fair share of abuse. The blue border pops up when it goes to load the disc. This subroutine is triggered by pressing a button on the controller. Any intermittent short in the cord could trigger a pulse that gets interpreted as a button press. Try loading the SM without a controller connected to see if it does the same thing.

As an aside, the PS2 continues to play original games just fine.

Anyone have this happen before? Have any thoughts on what the problem is? In light of the fact that it continues to play original discs, it doesn't really seem like it would be hardware related, but, on the other hand, the fact that BOTH the CD and DVD Swap Magic discs went on the fritz at the same time suggests to me that it may not be the software.

It could in fact be a hardware problem...sort of. By using your card trick, you have left the drive bay exposed to environmental conditions and potential abuse it is not designed to withstand. Removing the disc tray front panel leaves a larger window for dust accumulation. You also are at risk for unseating the little rubber grommets in the corners of the drive housing that help stabilize the spindle's platform. An unbalanced disc could generate too much jitter, affecting the tracking of the laser--especially on the poorly pressed SM's. Even a PC drive has a hard time reading these sometimes. The PS2 laser unit is nowhere near as accurate as a PC drive.

Your best bet would be to get a chip and have it profesionally installed (or at least put in a swap mod yourself). While the box is open, check the drive bay area for some little black rubber grommets and have them re-installed/replaced. It wouldn't hurt to run through it with a can of air while your at it to make sure all the little dust bunnies are blown out as well.

Good Luck!

Raist

[toasty]

You da' man!!! You were right about it being a controller-related issue -- one of the shoulder buttons was stuck in place, which was causing it to jump right into the loading process before I could swap the discs.

The SM discs are still having trouble loading cleanly, but what else is new.

As an aside, how does one set the console driver into "Diagnose" mode?

Thanks much, you've helped a ton!!

[RAISTLIN]

Boot without a disc in the tray and hit the triangle button to pull up the version screen. Move the highlight up to "Console" and hit the triangle button again and turn the diagnose mode on. Hit the circle button to go back to the version screen, again to go back to the main menu. Insert your bootable disc and it should boot with a less finicky drive controller routine. Pressing reset or powering down will return it to the default state with Diagnose Off, CD Speed Throttling and Smooth Texture Mapping Off (these are activated by selecting the Playstation Driver with the triangle button on the Version Screen as well).

Good luck!

Raist

[agee]

My swap Magic is working like Sh*t too....At first it works find but then the CD version started to give me that "please insert Ps2 blah blah" thing....and the Dvd version is started to give me crap too...freakin won't boot....it act like its gonna boot showing that "playstation 2" screen then it went back to the browse screen....This sucks....I might just have to actually get a no swap chip...but as of now....I guess i'll trouble myself with the damn swap thing.....

[bighap]

$20 for a for a very reliable mod such as a Duo or Apple Pro. Or you can spend that in Asprin to deal with the headaches of swap magic.

[agee]

thats true....but some of us just can't cope with the idea of someone else touching our ps2 system.....opening it up and playing with it....

actually i'll get a no swap chip eventually...I just wanna make good use to something I already bought....