Place to start

[indrora]

Okay, so I'm new to the PS2 scene (I've played in the PSP scene, even written a moderately not-crappy version of Nim in Lua).

I got a PS2 from a friend, who basically said "you can have it if you can make it work" -- Turns out a few cables wiggled themselves loose, just needed application of case pressure.

I have only an 8MB card, 128kb card, dualshock and PS2 to play with. I'd like to use my PS2 as an emulator (SNES mostly, as I've till got a few carts but dont have the hardware anymore)

Where I am there are no gamestops. I know it sounds crazy, but there's no used gaming places within the area that I can get to.

I know the basic formula for most of this stuff; I'm more than used to the sequence for Pandora-flashing PSPs (insert stick, insert exploit, boot and enjoy) but what exactly is the process?

Some info...

SCPH-39001/N (Warning stamped on bottom -- v4?)
Date code is 3B
I use http://www.***********.com/details.dx/sku.610 <- that for my memory card (reportedly FMCB 1.8 compatible)

Other than that...

How does FMCB work? (aside from the obvious "it exploits the PS2") -- Is it more of a firmware patch (such as on the PSP) or is it more of a workaround (like XBox MechWarrior Linux)

What limitations does it have as compared to say a hard mod (which costs money).

I'm known in the PSP scene for Ebootr, a replacement for PBP Unapacker. My PSP was stolen a while ago, therefore limiting my abilities to work on PSP related applications.

[TehJawknee]

FMCB exploits a feature in the PS2 that updates the DVD firmware. It allows the menu to be hacked and adds extra items to the menu.

It is superior to hardmodding in the fact that you won't have to open your console to install. Also, you can get someone to install it for you if they already have FMCB. All you need to do is cover postage to and from the installer.

Most of the information is here http://freemcboot.info/

[noetikos]

model scph-39001 is indeed a v7. in my understanding, fmcb is a homebrew loader as in cfwE for ta88v3/3k slims. fmcb replaced the older method in using a PS1 disc to boot uLE (uLaunchELF) to launch homebrew in the .elf file extention. there are other members here who can give a better breakdown of what fmcb really is.

i personally prefer fmcb over a modchip. why? because fmcb has come a long way (is a very solid program) along with other individual pieces of homebrew that take up the tasks (if not better) of a modchip. the main problem with a PS2 modchip is the risk of pre-maturely wearing the laser completely. so the latest PS2 softmods are truly top of the line. plus softmods are safer to use versus hardmods. fmcb is stored in the mc (memory card) and flashing to a nand isn't involved that would otherwise risk a nasty bricking.

if you want to hack your PS2 then browse to www.sksapps.com and search the PS2 tut section for the 007 trigger disc tut.

[Vspec]

Just do yourself a favor and use 007 Agent Under Fire for the disc swap method, if you do choose that method of installation. as in my experience it is the only game which works at the moment.

[indrora]

Okay let me see if I understand this...
1) FMCB pokes at registers in the DVD drive to exploit what would be explained as a buffer/stack overflow. Okay I'm down with that
2) Easiest way is the independence exploit (turns out I have a copy of Frogger and a Pinball game both for PS1 -- does that count?)
3) The fact that FMCB lives on the MC is much like the fact that various exploits for the PSPs live on sector 16 of a Memcard (the 'pandora's box' in this case is the PS1DRV or the elf living on a swapped disk)
4) A mod chip in this case really isn't an option; A I'm not comfortable soldering really tiny stuff (I can do some patchwires, but more complex than that I'm bleugh) but more importantly this PS2 has some issues:
* the controller cable holder clip snapped (on the mobo; I hold it together with some cardstock wedged in the case to hold it properly; I will probably end up hot-gluing it)
* It took some serious-beans case damage; the guy I got it from is a bit wacko; has had 2 of them and methinks he's taken a lighter to the drive. The drive itself works, and I can play games, but occasionally it commits hari-kari and rams itself into the spindle.

[TehJawknee]

2) Easiest way is the independence exploit (turns out I have a copy of Frogger and a Pinball game both for PS1 -- does that count?)

Actually, easiest way is to just send the card to an installer, but if you can run the independence exploit, more power to ya.

[noetikos]

the independence exploit requires that you have cheat disc (gameshark 2 v.1-2, codebreaker 9.1-9.3, or action replay max v.???) so that it can let you transfer the exploit to the mc. if you lack a cheat disc then you'll have to use the 007 trigger disc tutorial. a last resort is to mail in your card to an fmcb installer. tehJawknee can give you more details on that.

[indrora]

Looks like I'm going to be doing the send it in and smile method.

Once I get it back, what would I do with it?

[TehJawknee]

Looks like I'm going to be doing the send it in and smile method.

Once I get it back, what would I do with it?

It's plug and play. BTW, nice sig. I'm partial to Piroko.

[indrora]

It's plug and play. BTW, nice sig. I'm partial to Piroko.

w00t for pnp fun The question now becomes... How do I go about getting one of the l33t ones to shove FMCB on my measly little 8mb card with the grace and artistry of a hacksaw and a jacknife?