Confirming the best install method

**BirdIsTheWord** · 03-14-2009,11:45 PM

I know this has been asked a million times, but I'd just like to clarify. To get Free MC Boot to work, all I need is to be able to dump files off of a USB stick onto my memory card, correct?

I've read every tutorial, but I am still a bit confused. If AR Max Evo or AR Max (with the media player) were still sold in stores, this wouldn't be that big of an issue, but unfortunately I can't find a single store in the area (mom and pop, or big box) that still carries AR of any sort. What I can find is Gameshark 2. That is where my question comes into play. There is a tutorial here (http://bootleg.sksapps.com/tutorials...tion_Guide.htm) that says I absolutely need the "sharkport" USB cable in order to make Free MC Boot work, because Gameshark doesn't support transfers from a USB stick to the memory card. That would be fine, but there is a video here ([ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sbv_aw3ok3s"]YouTube - How to create PS2 mc exploit part 2 of 2[/ame]) that shows Gameshark 2 being used to transfer a save from USB (an HDD in this case, but it's claimed that USB sticks work as well). If I'm to accept as fact the notion that a Gameshark 2 will allow me to copy over the PS1 exploit, I should be able to load that, then install Free MCBoot, right? Or am I missing something?

The way I understand it is:

1. Make exploit save and put on USB thumbdrive
2. Put Gameshark 2 in tray, boot, and copy save from thumbdrive to mem card
3. Do a disc swap with a PS1 game
4. Load Free MC Boot off of USB Thumb Drive when the elf launcher comes up

At this point, Free MC Boot should run when that memory card is inserted now, correct? I have experience with Xbox modding, but that was simple compared to this. I can find AR Max online (no way to know if it has the media player or not) for about the same price, but if Gameshark 2 really does work, I'd much rather buy it in store where I can return it. I know that no one here is likely to own a Gameshark 2, but your expertise would be greatly appreciated before I mess something up irreversibly.

Thank you

update: I've just realized the fact that the tutorial was written for Gameshark, not Gameshark 2, and that Gameshark 2 likely supports USB transfers directly from the PS2, unlike the original Gameshark version (I didn't realize there were different versions). I'd still like to confirm that I've got the correct install method, but further than that, I guess I've answered my own question.

(Edit: I didn't realize that my youtube link would actually embed the video here. If this isn't allowed, I apologize, and I'll remove it. Sorry)

**spud42** · 03-15-2009,09:52 AM

cheapest way is to get one of us volunteers to install FMCB to your MC for you. once you have that you can install for friends or run homebrew off usb...i suspect the cost of postage there and back is less than buying gameshark 2 . unless you want to use it i guess....lol
or if you can find swapmagic 3.6 it is really easy to install FMCB.....

**silverpower** · 03-15-2009,09:09 PM

http://www.psx-scene.com/forums/444492-post14.html

This method worked when my GS2 v4 didn't. Admittedly, the GS2 disk in question had been beaten to hell, and there were no GS2v4 images that weren't DVDs (so swaps were out of the question - the pressed disk has to have a larger TOC than the backup, and no CD can hope to produce a 1.4GB TOC...). This method does have a non-zero chance of damaging your PS2, cosmetically or otherwise - if your PS2's drive motor is marginal you may want to find some other way, and I'd be careful about using disks I'd actually want to keep after finishing the exploit if I were you. I managed to break my drive's faceplate, in part because it's a few years old, and I only poorly understood the removal method, having done it to my deceased V7 a *long* time ago. But my PS2 is still alive (yes, the laser and drive motor's fine, too), and I didn't have to spend more than US$75 (PS2 and network adapter, everything else came from my V7 and a dead PC), so I don't mind all that much.

I used:

Sony DVD+R (and some random DVD+RW, which didn't work... :/) + uLaunchELF injected into the DVD (I injected it into the NFS Carbon demo)
US NTSC V6 PS2 + Network Adapter + Seagate 60GB
Generic SD reader + Transcend 4GB SD, with the FMCB noobie package written to the root directory
Random plastic gift cards for my slide tool (use a pattern!)
and most importantly - a NTSC-U/C PS Underground 110 disk.

Demo disks are usually worthless, but for our purposes they're actually pretty awesome, as it's easy to tell which ELF corresponds to which menu entry, and they have predictable behavior, so you *know* when the time to swap is right.

Make sure to play around with the unaltered disk a bit so you know when the point of no return (execution of the demo/network setup ELF) is reached. On my disk, it was the menu that displays the controls for the game demo that I'd injected my code into. Once I got the hang of the swap method, I popped the latch (look on Youtube so you can get an idea of what needs doing, and PRACTICE with the machine off some!), quickly swap the disks, push the tray in, fumble a bit with the slide card (but be quick - you only have a few seconds, usually 5-10, before it'll attempt to reauthenticate the disk, and if it tries, you're screwed and have to start over), relatch the drive, and hit X to boot (or whatever it wants). You'll be in uLaunchELF, and can use the file browser to find the FMCB installer and launch it. I managed to go from a vanilla PS2 to fully exploited and ripping FFX-2 for my little sister in 45 minutes, and that's *including* a few false starts and showing the method to her.

By the way, don't inject the FMCB installer directly just so you can skip using mass storage. Having an emergency boot method for arbitrary ELFs is more handy than simply having an exploit installer that may be outdated by the time you need to use it.

**BirdIsTheWord** · 03-16-2009,02:42 AM

Originally Posted by silverpower

http://www.psx-scene.com/forums/444492-post14.html

This method worked when my GS2 v4 didn't. Admittedly, the GS2 disk in question had been beaten to hell, and there were no GS2v4 images that weren't DVDs (so swaps were out of the question - the pressed disk has to have a larger TOC than the backup, and no CD can hope to produce a 1.4GB TOC...). This method does have a non-zero chance of damaging your PS2, cosmetically or otherwise - if your PS2's drive motor is marginal you may want to find some other way, and I'd be careful about using disks I'd actually want to keep after finishing the exploit if I were you. I managed to break my drive's faceplate, in part because it's a few years old, and I only poorly understood the removal method, having done it to my deceased V7 a *long* time ago. But my PS2 is still alive (yes, the laser and drive motor's fine, too), and I didn't have to spend more than US$75 (PS2 and network adapter, everything else came from my V7 and a dead PC), so I don't mind all that much.

I used:

Sony DVD+R (and some random DVD+RW, which didn't work... :/) + uLaunchELF injected into the DVD (I injected it into the NFS Carbon demo)
US NTSC V6 PS2 + Network Adapter + Seagate 60GB
Generic SD reader + Transcend 4GB SD, with the FMCB noobie package written to the root directory
Random plastic gift cards for my slide tool (use a pattern!)
and most importantly - a NTSC-U/C PS Underground 110 disk.

Demo disks are usually worthless, but for our purposes they're actually pretty awesome, as it's easy to tell which ELF corresponds to which menu entry, and they have predictable behavior, so you *know* when the time to swap is right.

Make sure to play around with the unaltered disk a bit so you know when the point of no return (execution of the demo/network setup ELF) is reached. On my disk, it was the menu that displays the controls for the game demo that I'd injected my code into. Once I got the hang of the swap method, I popped the latch (look on Youtube so you can get an idea of what needs doing, and PRACTICE with the machine off some!), quickly swap the disks, push the tray in, fumble a bit with the slide card (but be quick - you only have a few seconds, usually 5-10, before it'll attempt to reauthenticate the disk, and if it tries, you're screwed and have to start over), relatch the drive, and hit X to boot (or whatever it wants). You'll be in uLaunchELF, and can use the file browser to find the FMCB installer and launch it. I managed to go from a vanilla PS2 to fully exploited and ripping FFX-2 for my little sister in 45 minutes, and that's *including* a few false starts and showing the method to her.

By the way, don't inject the FMCB installer directly just so you can skip using mass storage. Having an emergency boot method for arbitrary ELFs is more handy than simply having an exploit installer that may be outdated by the time you need to use it.

So in your opinion, the video I embedded isn't real? I'm a bit confused. The method you linked to has about 20 more steps than the method presented in the video. I've been under the impression that FMCB is a one time thing, that once you've gotten to a memory card, means your PS2 is fully modded. At that point, all I need are patched backups.

If I'm missing something, please let me know. I'm confused as to whether or not you are saying that Gameshark 2 may work, depending on the condition of the disc. Also, there isn't a horribly high amount of risk involved with using the swap method once to do the independence exploit is there? I cut out the tool using a magic key template and a hotel key card, so it shouldn't be that much of a hassle.

I'll find out tomorrow. I'm going to call every used game store in the area and ask if any of them have Swap Magic, or AR Max. If that fails, I'll buy Gameshark 2 and try that out. If that fails....well....let's hope that doesn't fail.

@spud42

Thanks for the offer, but I need a new memory card anyway, so it isn't that much of an added expense. I like to do things myself when I can, so I'll at least give it a try before running back here in shame and begging for someone to put FMCB on my card for me.

**silverpower** · 03-16-2009,10:23 AM

I think you misunderstood. I had access to a GS2 disk, similar to the one shown in the video, but it refuses to boot on my system, because it's damaged. (Too many scratches.)

As for the risk - I'd say it's minimal as long as you've done some practice with getting the tray open and shut (and relatched) quickly, with the system powered off. I managed to damage mine prepping it for swapping, but only cosmetically, and to me that's no big deal. It's not very nice to the pressed disk you're going to use, but I don't see that as *that* big a deal - it was a demo, after all. (And that's why I recommend using a demo. Demo disks aren't a huge loss to replace. I already have two of these exact disks lying around.)

I didn't use the Independence Exploit. I used uLaunchELF paired with a USB device that had the FMCB installer ELF on it. This method is for the Independence Exploit - I don't think the method depicted will work with FMCB directly, unless you want to use Independence first, to launch uLaunchELF and then load the FMCB installer.

What this method has going for it is that it's nearly foolproof if you know how to swap disks, be it the sensor-mod for slims or slide cards for fats. No need for cheat devices that may or may not work on your exact machine, no need to send your card off to get exploited. Not trashing the FMCB install service (it's great if you have a spare memory card to drop in the mail - I only had one on-hand), but like you, I prefer doing things myself.

**BirdIsTheWord** · 03-16-2009,10:42 PM

Originally Posted by silverpower

I think you misunderstood. I had access to a GS2 disk, similar to the one shown in the video, but it refuses to boot on my system, because it's damaged. (Too many scratches.)

As for the risk - I'd say it's minimal as long as you've done some practice with getting the tray open and shut (and relatched) quickly, with the system powered off. I managed to damage mine prepping it for swapping, but only cosmetically, and to me that's no big deal. It's not very nice to the pressed disk you're going to use, but I don't see that as *that* big a deal - it was a demo, after all. (And that's why I recommend using a demo. Demo disks aren't a huge loss to replace. I already have two of these exact disks lying around.)

I didn't use the Independence Exploit. I used uLaunchELF paired with a USB device that had the FMCB installer ELF on it. This method is for the Independence Exploit - I don't think the method depicted will work with FMCB directly, unless you want to use Independence first, to launch uLaunchELF and then load the FMCB installer.

What this method has going for it is that it's nearly foolproof if you know how to swap disks, be it the sensor-mod for slims or slide cards for fats. No need for cheat devices that may or may not work on your exact machine, no need to send your card off to get exploited. Not trashing the FMCB install service (it's great if you have a spare memory card to drop in the mail - I only had one on-hand), but like you, I prefer doing things myself.

Oh, ok, I understand now. You were just giving me another method I could use in case Gameshark 2 didn't work. Thanks.

What I'm going to do is exactly what you are describing. I'm going to load Ulaunchelf using the independence exploit and a junk PS1 game I'll never play again, and then load FMCB off of that.

Then again...the more I think about this...why am I not just copying FMCB over to the memory card from within Gameshark 2, and skipping the swapping? Or am I completely misunderstanding how the whole exploit works. To say that this is the most confusing exploit I've ever done (I've modded an Xbox, a Wii, a PSP, among other things) would be an understatement. The cheat disc manufacturers inability to keep their products in retail stores, or to keep only one or two version of their product out at a time, really adds to the difficulty. Maybe it's my lack of understanding for how the exploit works that is causing my confusion.

I went to every used game store in town, including 3 or 4 EB Games/Gamestop's, and none of them had Gameshark/Codebreakers/Action Replay. At that point I got lazy and started calling places looking for them. No one really carries them anymore. It's a pain, but now I have to decide whether to purchase Gameshark 2 online and hope the method in the video works, or a mystery copy of AR Max that may or may not work.

Thanks for the reply. I respect the work that the dev team did on making the FMCB, and I understand that it isn't their fault that the cheat device manufacturers are so flighty with their product availability, and with changing the features included with their discs (such as how some AR Max's have the media player and some don't). Had they not created as many tutorials as they have, I wouldn't even be attempting this.

Oh well. I'll know in a few days when whichever disc I've ordered arrives.

**BirdIsTheWord** · 03-20-2009,07:33 PM

I received Gameshark 2 today, and I successfully booted Keylauncher off of it. Now it won't read either my USB stick (I've tried two) or my PSP. It freezes every time, and I have to reset.

The only elf that is mapped, is CogSwap. Is there either a way I can burn a DVD that will launch MC Boot from Cogswap, or is there a way I can force a USB device to work?

I've tried Fat and Fat 32. It freezes every time (Keylauncher 0.5).

I've got keylauncher running right now, as I don't want to have to reswap. If it comes to reswapping, is there a launcher with better USB compatibility?

Or, is there a way I can burn a DVD or CD so that Keylauncher can read off of it? I burned a DVD, but it didn't recognize the files on the disc.

I'm one USB read away from being done...Help me PSX-Scene Kenobi, you're my only hope.

**djflexmaster79** · 03-20-2009,07:47 PM

Have you tried to burn and run the Ulaunch CD or DVD. If you can get the going you can get to the FMCB_INSTALL.ELF....

Follow the link in my signature it will get you where you need to go...DJ

**BirdIsTheWord** · 03-20-2009,07:54 PM

Originally Posted by djflexmaster79

Have you tried to burn and run the Ulaunch CD or DVD. If you can get the going you can get to the FMCB_INSTALL.ELF....

Follow the link in my signature it will get you where you need to go...DJ

So I burn a CD with the method here http://bootleg.sksapps.com/tutorials...lling_1.7.html and then load it in Cogswap? From there it should be able to read off a USB stick?

I've been googling, and apparently Keylauncher is crap compared to Ulaunchelf. I probably should have googled for that before, but I guess it is too late now.

The high pitched whine that happened when I swapped out Gameshark makes me want to be absolutely sure I've got everything sorted before I go to do it again.

Thanks for your assistance.

**djflexmaster79** · 03-20-2009,07:58 PM

Read this post here the 1st one. And get yourself a .ISO of Ulaunch, and then browse to your USB stick and run the installer from your USB stick...

http://psx-scene.com/forums/official...-39-a-215.html

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