New to FMCB/Modding

[Peppero01]

Hi, I'm new to modding and the loading of backups in general. I'm mostly interested in FMCB to retain my PS1/PS2 games in tip top shape (have some rare ones in my collection that I especially want to keep pristine). BUT, I am having a bit of trouble understanding the purpose of FMCB.

From what I've read FMCB launches .ELF applications from the memory card. But, if this is true, what is the purpose of uLaunchELF? Is it the fact that uLaunchELF can run .ELF applications from the USB, HD, and MC whereas FMCB only launches .ELF's from the MC?

Additionally, I'd like to know two other things. I'm planning on using the service here to load a memory card with FMCB. If a newer version of FMCB is released, is it possible to use the memory card with the older version of FMCB to update to the newer version? If so, how? And lastly, is it possible to boot ESR patched images from the USB? Also... if so, how?

I apologize for all these questions, but I have read the tutorial site as well as many threads here, and a lot of the language just goes over my head. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

[bfoos]

FMCB can load ELF files from both MC and USB. uLaunchELF is the best file manager there is for PS2. FMCB is not meant to be a replacement for uLE. It simply allows you to use a hacked OSDSYS to load things from the PS2 menu.

Once FMCB is installed, you can update to future versions by simply running the installer ELF with uLE. No, ESR can not load images from USB or HDD. It loads patched images from DVD, and DVD only. It can't load PSX games, and PS2 CD games must be converted to DVD to load with ESR.

[Peppero01]

Ah, thanks a lot. That cleared a bunch of things up. I'm assuming that I can update to future versions via a boot CD as explained in the FMCB tutorial found here: http://bootleg.sksapps.com/tutorials...lling_1.7.html ?

[H4ndy]

No, you can update direct from you existing installation (as it remains in memory). Just start the new FMCB-Installer with your existing FMCB and uLE from an USB drive.

To start games from USB mass media, you can use USBAdvance, but since this is only an USB 1.1 connection, many games run choppy (in FMV, etc.) and the overall compatibility is not very good.

[JNABK]

If you do decide to have fmcb installed for you and then want to upgrade, it would be a good idea to have a spare MC to install to, just incase something goes wrong.

And i agree, no need to waste a CD when using a USB device is better, you can just run the FREE_MCBOOT.ELF with uLaunchELF from your original install off the USB device. The next upgrade will allow you to choose which MC to install to, so you can have both MCs in the console.

[Peppero01]

Thanks for all the replies. All this information definitely helped. Props!