problem installing fmcb

[bods]

Hi all,

Just want to start off by saying this is a great forum, heaps of knowledge floating around to help people out. In saying that, I have searched through heaps of threads as well as google and I still can't work out why this won't work for me...

I have followed all the instructions in the noobie package (very easy to follow btw) for creating an install dvd using a game. I tried a few and sort of got it working on 007 nightfire. Now, in saying sort of I will elaborate.

When I was creating the install dvd, I accidently put the wrong boot.elf file in there (remember those easy to follow instructions, lol). Anyway, instead of using the "uncompressed boot.elf" file, I renamed and used the free_mcboot.elf file. Oopsies. Anyway, I can get into the free mcboot installer using the free_mcboot.elf disc, but obviously, from the lack of an install folder, I can't install any usb drivers, esr, sms, etc.

Free mcboot will install ok, I just can't do anything with it, because of the lack of drivers, obviously...

So, I created a new game copy with the "proper" boot.elf file, and it won't work. The easiest way I have found to swap the disc using nightfire is at the ea games logo, then when it tries to launch into the first mission it will load the "wrong" free_mcboot.elf file.

Now, in saying all of this, I made a 3rd copy. This time I loaded cogswap on there instead of fmcb. I do the swap trick the same and cogswap loads fine. I have also made a cd version of the fmcb installer, using the guide on this site (thanks again.) Once in cogswap I throw a ps2 cd in, let it read it, etc. Then put the fmcb install cd in and I just get a blank screen. I can hear the drive read the cd for a couple of seconds, but then it just sits there doing nothing...

I really don't know what is going on. Both are pal consoles, one is a fat and one slim. They are 300002R and 700002 respectively, neither of them have date codes on the cases though, I dunno what the deal is there...

Anyway, if anyone can give me insight into what might be going wrong, that would be great.

Oh, the cd's i am using are benq from a 100 spindle and the dvd's I can't remember the brand, but they are dvd+r. I am using imgburn to burn them and either using aws for the speed or manually setting it at approx 50% max speed. The dvd burner is a Pioneer DVR-112D if that helps. I have the flash drive plugged in. I'm not sure what brand it is, but I'm pretty sure it has a samsung chip in it. I have also tried a sony 2gb one and that didn't make a difference either...


Thanks in advance.

[snoopy75]

You and I are trying to do the same thing, using the same game, and apparently having the same results. I think the main problem is that we're using Nightfire. After extensive searching, I haven't found a single post in this forum (or any forum) where Nightfire has worked successfully for anyone. I have no idea why it's marked green (confirmed as working) in the tutorial page, when it so obviously does NOT work!

I can successfully get to Cogswap also, but nothing past there. The uLE boot disc I tried only gave me a black screen. I have a couple more things I'm going to try, but if they don't work, I'm going to give up and send a MC to one of the free installers.

[TnA]

You and I are trying to do the same thing, using the same game, and apparently having the same results. I think the main problem is that we're using Nightfire. After extensive searching, I haven't found a single post in this forum (or any forum) where Nightfire has worked successfully for anyone. I have no idea why it's marked green (confirmed as working) in the tutorial page, when it so obviously does NOT work!

I can successfully get to Cogswap also, but nothing past there. The uLE boot disc I tried only gave me a black screen. I have a couple more things I'm going to try, but if they don't work, I'm going to give up and send a MC to one of the free installers.

You're not making any logic here.
I marked the sentences...

If you got cogswap to load/start, you obviously got homebrew started!

You have an issue with swaping and I guess, it is because of the TOC-Refresh...
Try to insert an original PS2-disc (after cogswap started) and swap it again with your (backup-)uLE-disc.
Read some tutorials, how to get homebrew or a uLE-disc started through cogswap.

[snoopy75]

I see your point. By saying that it didn't work, I meant that it wouldn't load uLE. Sorry, I'm just frustrated.

Here's what I've tried so far, and the results:

• Modified Nightfire ISO, replacing DRIVING.ELF with uLE 4.42a BOOT.ELF - Game hangs at "Loading..." screen.
• Modified Nightfire ISO, replacing DRIVING.ELF with COGSWAP.ELF - Successfully loads Cogswap, but swapping to a uLE 4.37DVD results in nothing but a black screen. (And yes, I did first put in an original PS2 DVD first, as per instructions. Not sure why it's not working. Perhaps it has something to do with my particular PS2 model?)
• Same thing with Cogswap, but swapping to a uLE 3.0 DVD - black screen with the message "Please execute from the memory card".

For now, I'm working under the theory that it's a problem with my PS2 model just not playing well with Nightfire. I have a copy of AUF arriving today (which I understand works for every model PS2), and I'll retry the process with that game.

I've read all the tutorials, and done a lot of reading on this forum. Things that have worked for others are not working for me, leading me to do a lot of random experimentation, hoping that something will eventually get me to uLE. By the way, I'm using a slim silver PS2, model SCPH-77001, date code 7A.

I'm going to follow the Noobie Guide again, using AUF this time, tonight. If that doesn't work, I'll be out of ideas, so I'll be contacting one of the free installers.

[snoopy75]

Success!!!

AUF worked like a charm! FMCB is now installed on my MC, and seems to work great!

Now I just need to figure out what to do with it. Back to the forums for more reading....