Install Problem, help?

[siryoink]

Hi all, have a problem here I'm hoping someone can help with! n00b to this forum, but I've been into ps2 homebrew for some time. Recently got interested again to try to get GS Mode select working and wanted to install Free MC Boot to accomplish this.

The problem I'm having is, during the install, I get an error indicating that the IDX files could not be found and there will be no usb support! Then I get an error indicating BOOT (dot) ELF could not be found. The install completes, and freemcboot launches from the card when I reset the ps2, but it seems none of the files or apps included in the newbie package are being copied over with it.

Additional info: I have an old (fat) PS2 bought in 2002. No modchip, but have swapmagic 2.0 cd/dvd and fliptop. I've downloaded the 2011 nooby package and I'm installing using the cd install method detailed at freemcboot site (can't post a link, but hopefully you guys know the page) and following it exactly, including setting the LBA on the CNF file.

The size of the burned disc is < 30mb, wondering if that has something to do with it? Or maybe the swapmagic version, although it is allowing the cd to boot, so not sure on that. Also, tried the swapmagic usb method, but that didn't work for me, I believe that requires the 3.0 discs to access the usb? I've tried to search the forum for help, but couldn't find anyone else with the same issue. Completely puzzled by this... help!?

[siryoink]

BTW, this post took me 10 min to make, after finally figuring out that this site thinks typing BOOT (dot) ELF is trying to post a link.

[usrmd]

All I can think is that you are not including the newbie package's INSTALL folder when you make your .ISO

[siryoink]

Nope, nothing so obvious, the install folder and all its contents are there. I tried burning the cd a second time with the same results. Put the cd back in the computer to verify all the contents are there and readable.

Indidentally, I have access to a second ps2 with a fliptop, and got the same results trying to use it to install. Really stumped on this.

[usrmd]

Nope, nothing so obvious, the install folder and all its contents are there. I tried burning the cd a second time with the same results. Put the cd back in the computer to verify all the contents are there and readable.

Indidentally, I have access to a second ps2 with a fliptop, and got the same results trying to use it to install. Really stumped on this.

Strange... If FREE_MCBOOT.ELF is loading, but the install is simply not recognizing your included homebrew, or anything under the CD's root... your homebrew (boot.elf, opl, sms, hdloader etc), MODULES folder etc should be at cd:\\INSTALL\
When you said ".IDX" files did you mean ".IRX"? That'd be the cd:\\INSTALL\MODULES folder.. and if it isn't finding that either, I'd say the file structure is wrong.

Is there no option for uLaunchELF in your Free MCBoot? If not, try making a folder named BOOT and put BOOT.ELF from the noobie package inside it. Put that folder on the root of a USB thumb drive and plug it into your PS2, then when you turn on the PS2 hold R1 the entire time and you should launch into uLaunchELF.. if that works, then just put your desired homebrew on the thumb drive and copy it over to your memory card and set the paths manually for the FMCB menu using the Free MCBoot OSDSYS settings (MC0:\\SYS-CONF\FMCB_CFG.ELF).
If it doesn't let you boot into the uLaunchELF using this method, then it must have something to do with the no USB support error you're getting.. which I'd assume is because it's not finding USBD.IRX and USBHDFSD.IRX during the FMCB install.. which correlates with wrong file structure on the ISO image.

edit: you can try a different installer http://psx-scene.com/forums/f153/uno...staller-96372/ (Unofficial FMCB v1.8C installer)
this one was made by SP193 and is the one I used to install fmcb with originally. Change the system.cnf to represent the freemcbinstaller.elf accordingly if you burn this package.

[siryoink]

When you said "IDX" files did you mean "IRX"?

Sorry, yes I meant IRX files. The file structure is unmodified from the folders extracted from that newbie pack. (I'm a PC tech, btw, so hopefully if I can get any part of this right, it's the folder structure) If anything, maybe an issue with the program I'm using to burn? Alcohol and Nero both won't burn any slower than 16x on this pc, not sure if that's a limitation of the burner I have or the software. Tomorrow I might try tracking down a copy of CDRWin, I remember using it back in the day and being limited to 2x but always seemed to have better luck with cds burned with it than anything else. Help me out guys, is that point still valid?

Is there no option for uLaunchELF in your Free MCBoot? If not, try making a folder named BOOT and put BOOT ELF from the noobie package inside it. Put that folder on the root of a USB thumb drive and plug it into your PS2, then when you turn on the PS2 hold R1 the entire time and you should launch into uLaunchELF.. if that works, then just put your desired homebrew on the thumb drive and copy it over to your memory card and set the paths manually for the FMCB menu using the Free MCBoot OSDSYS settings.
If it doesn't let you boot into the uLaunchELF using this method, then it must have something to do with the no USB support error you're getting.. which I'd assume is because it's not finding USBD IRX and USBHDFSD IRX during the FMCB install.. which correlates with wrong file structure on the ISO image.

edit: you can try a different installer this one was made by SP193 and is the one I used to install fmcb with originally. Change the system cnf to represent the freemcbinstaller elf accordingly if you burn this package.

I don't have ULE, or anything really, in my install. Looks like the basic software loaded but it couldn't read anything else from the cd. I'm guessing holding R1 won't work if it's depended on FMCB having the usb extensions to work. The alternate installer sounds promising though. Thanks for the suggestions, will try that tomorrow as well.

And sorry for butchering the links the the quote, site still won't let me post anything with a filename in it.

[usrmd]

Sorry, yes I meant IRX files. The file structure is unmodified from the folders extracted from that newbie pack. (I'm a PC tech, btw, so hopefully if I can get any part of this right, it's the folder structure) If anything, maybe an issue with the program I'm using to burn? Alcohol and Nero both won't burn any slower than 16x on this pc, not sure if that's a limitation of the burner I have or the software. Tomorrow I might try tracking down a copy of CDRWin, I remember using it back in the day and being limited to 2x but always seemed to have better luck with cds burned with it than anything else. Help me out guys, is that point still valid?

I don't have ULE, or anything really, in my install. Looks like the basic software loaded but it couldn't read anything else from the cd. I'm guessing holding R1 won't work if it's depended on FMCB having the usb extensions to work. The alternate installer sounds promising though. Thanks for the suggestions, will try that tomorrow as well.

And sorry for butchering the links the the quote, site still won't let me post anything with a filename in it.

No worries, I think it's only 10 days and 10 post requirement to lift the link restrictions. I say perhaps file structure is wrong because.. well from what you explain I just can't see anything else that could be wrong xD Especially since FREE_MCBOOT.ELF is loading but \INSTALL\everything else is not being found.

Burn speed could be a culprit, but if you're seeing the files on the CD and their file sizes are right... I know high burn speeds might cause problems with burning game backups, but not sure on just a few install files. I would try 8x just to see the result, though. You're correct in that R1 won't work if there is no BOOT.ELF under MC0:\\BOOT\ (mc slot 1) or mass:\\BOOT\ (ps2 usb), or no USB support for that matter.

If the other install package doesn't work, or even slowing down the burn speed.. head to gamestop and pick up a copy of 007: Agent Under Fire for 1.99 and do the game swap trick. I think they'll even ship it to your house free shipping if they don't have one in stock. They had promo like that here a few weeks ago. You mention already having a flip top so you only have to block the sensors (slim fliptop). Game swap trick method you launch into uLe from a burned copy of the game in order to install FMCB from USB thumb drive.

fmcb:install:gameswap [Open PS2 Loader Information]

edit: maybe this post can help you also. instructions on using only swapmagic and a USB thumb drive to install FMCB.
http://psx-scene.com/forums/f153/hav...8/#post1040057 (Have one small question.)

[RandQalan]

Suggestion burn the DVD or CD version of uLE and have USB stick to install http://psx-scene.com/forums/f113/uno...v4-42-a-37242/ (unofficial LaunchELF v4.42)
This might salve your problem if on USB and uLE starts it might install everything

[siryoink]

:You mention already having a flip top so you only have to block the sensors (slim fliptop).

Its actually an older fat ps2 with the fliptop case mod for swapmagic to bypass having to use a slide card.

Suggestion burn the DVD or CD version of uLE and have USB stick to install

SUCCESS! I wasted about 7 cdrs trying this, but here's what finally worked for me...

I'm guessing my problem was caused by the aging lens in my ps2, apparently it doesn't read cds as well as it used to. The uLE cd wouldn't boot either. So... final install method:

1. Copy install files from newbie package to usb stick.
2. Download and burn copy of uLE DVD.
3. Boot Swap Magic 2.0 disc.
4. Switch to uLE DVD.
5. Navigate to USB and launch FREEMC_BOOT ELF

Hope this helps anyone else with a similar issue!