FMCB noob questions not answered in FAQ

[kouchikoji]

Hi, I'm new to fcmb and after searching around for a while and reading guides, I have a couple of questions that I have unanswered. If this is not the place for this, feel free to close or move, or if you point me in the right direction, to where these questions were answered I would appreciate it.

1. When installing fcmb, does it install on my MC or does it overwrite the ps2 firmware?
2. If if does install on the memory card, will all my saves be safe?
3. After installation, it looks like you can add different apps such as uLauncher, ESR, HDLoader, etc. Is there a place that says what these are for and what these do?
4. I am following this guide (http://bootleg.sksapps.com/tutorials...r_dummies.html) and using this boot method (http://bootleg.sksapps.com/tutorials..._swapmagic.htm) yet in the noob guide, it is still unclear about when I'm supposed to implement the boot method. I assume it is before everything, but I'm still unsure.
5. After I install everything, etc, what app would I use to so say boot a burned ps2 backup? And what will I need to use to patch my backup?

Thank you for any help and I hope that if I have follow-up questions, you will help again.

[amp2006]

first which PS2 do you have Model and Version etc..
post all your information here .then we can answer your questions

[kouchikoji]

Sure. I have a SCPH-39001 fat ps2. Regular Sony brand MC. Anything else you need?

[JNABK]

When installing fcmb, does it install on my MC or does it overwrite the ps2 firmware?

It goes on the MC, the PS2's BIOS can not be updated.

If if does install on the memory card, will all my saves be safe?

Yes, they should be ok, but its always a good idea to back them up somewhere just incase.

After installation, it looks like you can add different apps such as uLauncher, ESR, HDLoader, etc. Is there a place that says what these are for and what these do?

Those are included apps in the Noobie Package, so if you use it, then you wont need to add them again, unless your upgrading them to newer versions. In the Noobie Guide, there are links to where you can get info on those apps.

I am following this guide (http://bootleg.sksapps.com/tutorials...r_dummies.html) and using this boot method (http://bootleg.sksapps.com/tutorials..._swapmagic.htm) yet in the noob guide, it is still unclear about when I'm supposed to implement the boot method. I assume it is before everything, but I'm still unsure.

You implement the boot method once your ready to boot the FMCB installer:

Prepare files for installation:
The Free McBoot Noobie Package contains the FREE_MCBOOT.ELF {installer} and an INSTALL folder.
Inside the INSTALL folder is everything needed to run Free McBoot 1.8 after installation, no need to do anything to it.

1 - Simply copy them to your USB stick or CD compilation and it should look like this:



2 - Now just run the FREE_MCBOOT.ELF on your PS2 and read the Installation section below.

The noobie package was intended for noobies to just use those files and run the installer with the files on either a USB device or burned to a CD, whichever was best to use with the chosen boot method.

After I install everything, etc, what app would I use to so say boot a burned ps2 backup? And what will I need to use to patch my backup?

ESR is {included in the Noobie Package} the app to use and you patch the ISO with the ESR Patching app before burning to DVD ( CDs will not work with ESR)

Sure. I have a SCPH-39001 fat ps2. Regular Sony brand MC. Anything else you need?

Those will work just fine....

[spud42]

grab a network adaptor and a IDE HDD then you wont need to worry about burning disks or wearing out your laser.. in fact you wont even need a laser ...

[kouchikoji]

grab a network adaptor and a IDE HDD then you wont need to worry about burning disks or wearing out your laser.. in fact you wont even need a laser ...

Could you go into a little more detail? As in running the ISOs off of a HDD? If I already have an external HDD will it work?

Also, thank you JNABK, that helped me a lot.

[amp2006]

means use HDLoader along with Internal HDD better compatibility than USBAdvance along with External HDD

[kouchikoji]

Ok, So i've got fmcb and esr installed but I'm still having some problems. When I start up my ps2 with a disk in it it seems to freeze of the FreeMCBoot screen. After starting it up with no disk in it, I hit ESR and then put my disk in. I have a patched ISO burned onto it yet it's not being read. My ps2 usually doesn't have problems reading disk so I was wondering if it could be anything else. Perhaps, I'll try a different game.

[amp2006]

what does it say ? or it just freeze ..

anyway here some explanation about ESR explained by dlanor :

1: "ESR beta r9b dvdv direct.elf"
This is the most generic non-GUI version. Compatible with most games.

2: "ESR beta r9b dvdv direct off.elf"
This is intended for some problem games, who need part of ESR turned "OFF" after init.
But it has problems with some other games (particularly multi-ELF games).

3: "ESR beta r9b mcard.elf"
This is not intended for game booting, but for accessing burned DVDs from homebrew.

4: "ESR_GUI_test2.elf" (name may vary)
The GUI version is the most generic one when it comes to game/homebrew compatibility.
But it has the drawback of requiring user interaction to proceed with a boot.
This is especially bad for those who play games with non-standard controller (eg: Guitars)

[kouchikoji]

When I start up my ps2, it has the FreeMCBoot screen that comes up right before it goes into to the list (browser, ESR, etc). It seems that it's freezing or not continuing at least if I have a disk in the ps2. I'll try some more stuff to see if it's maybe an isolated incident.