Cannot for the life of me get ESR to work...Any help is appreciated!

[taybrown90]

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum and this whole PS2 modding scene, so I just wanted to say hello, first off.

Anyway, my problem: I have installed FMCB v1.7 and the latest ESR, v9b, flawlessly (twice) on my my slim PS2, NTSC console# SCPH-70012, driver ver. 1.11.

The first time I went through with the installation, I followed the directions perfectly but for one part: I put the mcard_ESR.elf in the INSTALL folder instead of the dvd_direct ESR.elf. I didn't know the difference at the time. Anyway, to test my setup, I patch a copy of my God Hand.iso with the ESR GUI tools (v2.4a), then burn it to my Maxell DVD+R at the lowest setting (x2.0).

After finishing burning, I place the disc in the PS2 and hit the power button. FMCB loads up no problem, then immediately launches to the ESR screen. After that, I see a series of colors the last one being pink, and lasting for 5 seconds. Then the system goes to FMCB configurator for some reason . I load up the FMCB loader, and click on the DVD to see if it can read the files: it can.

So I burn another copy of the game, this time at 4.0x the speed, and making sure to choose "Playstation 2" in the booktype option for Alcohol 120%. I try it again, the same thing happens. I give up and go to bed.

When I woke up (30 mins ago), I reinstall the whole package on the my memory card again (using Codebreaker v10, if you must know) and this time I swap out the mcard ESR version for the direct dvd version in the INSTALL directory. Everything installs fine, so I place the previous burnt copy of the game in the drive and press the power button. FMCB boots up and launches the disc...but no ESR logo shows up, no colors, just blackness. Then, the process restarts in a never-ending loop until you turn off the console. I tried turning the power off and trying again, but to no avail.

So as you can see, I'm really stumped on what to do next. I know most of you have much more knowledge on this topic on me, so please help me out if you can. I know there are a lot of topics similar to this one, but I have read most of them, and they were all lacking important info. I tired to make my post as detailed as possible, so this problem wouldn't be a problem anymore. Thanks to anyone who reads this.

[Scrapy]

did you name the esr correctly? ESR.ELF all caps. launch the fmcb configurator, and make sure that the esr path is correct.

if you arent getting the esr splash screen, then thats telling you that esr is not starting.


you dont need to do a fresh install to change the esr.

you can simply put the ESR.ELF onto a usb-stick and load up uLE on your ps2, copy the ESR.ELF from the (mass) drive into the boot folder on (mc0) if your card is in slot 1.

the memcard version of esr is not really used.. i think instead of loading the game it will launch uLE or mc0/boot/BOOT.ELF with esr support allowing games to be launched/browsed through uLE

[taybrown90]

Oh, thank you VERY MUCH! It turns out the ESR.elf file was still named "ESR beta r9b dvd direct.elf." I changed it to ESR.ELF and installed it, and now my game works! THANK YOU. I can't believe how dumb I was.

[Scooter]

the memcard version of esr is not really used.. i think instead of loading the game it will launch uLE or mc0/boot/BOOT.ELF with esr support allowing games to be launched/browsed through uLE

I have also heard that some games that do not work with HDLoader now do..

Take a game that has been patched to ESR
Install the game to HDLoader
Make sure the BOOT.ELF file is HDLOADER.ELF-but rename it to BOOT.ELF Place the BOOT.ELF here: mc0/boot/BOOT.ELF

Then after you load MC version of ESR it will load HDLOADER

Pick your ESR game and it should work (at least thats what I have been told).

Later,
Scooter

[ps2dragon]

I have also heard that some games that do not work with HDLoader now do..

Take a game that has been patched to ESR
Install the game to HDLoader
Make sure the BOOT.ELF file is HDLOADER.ELF-but rename it to BOOT.ELF Place the BOOT.ELF here: mc0/boot/BOOT.ELF

Then after you load MC version of ESR it will load HDLOADER

Pick your ESR game and it should work (at least thats what I have been told)

Is there a post somewhere about this? If this is true, can someone confirm what games work with this method that didn't work with HDLoader 0.8c? If I don't get any response, I'll try this out myself tomorrow, but would like to know what games specifically if someone has already tried this.

[Scooter]

I was told this has been stated with in this forum: http://psx-scene.com/forums/freevast...t=esr+hdloader

I have yet to find it thou.. However I do recall back around the release of ESR R8 that this was stated some where on those very forums stating that this may work..

However I dont see how it will thou..
If I recall right.. Some of the code within ESR conflicts with HDLoader upon boot..

Plus if it does work your more the likely going to need to turn on Mode 3 (Kill HDL) with in the settings of HDLoader..

I just thought I would throu it out there thou..
Its worth a dig if you really want to get your self into that hole or not..

Later,
Scooter

[TnA]

I (and not just me) really recommend to use "unofficial launchELF" (a.k.a. "ule") as "BOOT.ELF" in "mc?:/BOOT/".

You can start HDL from there and it still has ESR-Support.
If you start HDL with ESR-Support, only do it for installing your ESR-Backups on HDL (with a NoMod and directly in PS2).
I didn't ever heard about an increased compatibility, due to this method.

@taybrown90: Good you got it working, but just to mention it.
I suggest you to use other media, or burning-speed (e.g. Verbatim DVD-R 8x Pearl-White, which are "Tayo Yuden"s and burn them @8x. <-- Depending on your DVD-Writer.).
I assume, your PS2-Laser will die earlier if you don't (because of bad [or not "best"] media-quality).

Btw.: Nice avatar.

[taybrown90]

@taybrown90: Good you got it working, but just to mention it.
I suggest you to use other media, or burning-speed (e.g. Verbatim DVD-R 8x Pearl-White, which are "Tayo Yuden"s and burn them @8x. <-- Depending on your DVD-Writer.).
I assume, your PS2-Laser will die earlier if you don't (because of bad [or not "best"] media-quality).

Hi TnA. Are you saying my laser could die if I continue to use my Maxell DVD+R's? I just bought them recently at Walmart explicitly for PS2 game-burning. Are they really that crappy? I thought they were one of the better producers...I mean I could buy the Tayo Yuden's off of Newegg if it were the best, I just don't want to waste money is all.

To go into detail on my burning methods right now: I'm using Maxell DVD+R's that can go up to 16x. The software I'm using is Alcohol 120%, and my disc burner is built into my high-end laptop: an Optiarc DVD RW, with max speed at 24x. I've figured the best burn speed right now is 4x. Why is 8x better?

Also, care to maybe explain a little more on PS2 laser degradation? Thanks.

[taybrown90]

Bump

[TnA]

Hi TnA. Are you saying my laser could die if I continue to use my Maxell DVD+R's?

Not because of the brand, but because maybe your PS2 dislike this brand, or Media-type +R.

I just bought them recently at Walmart explicitly for PS2 game-burning.

If they work well, it is o.k., but it seems, it stays a bit long, @flashing-colors.

Are they really that crappy? I thought they were one of the better producers...

Thought, they were first-class, but not that goot for PS2.
Just, from what I've heard and like it seemes.

I mean I could buy the Tayo Yuden's off of Newegg if it were the best, I just don't want to waste money is all.

...or simply use Verbatim.

I think, some can provide more info about Maxell DVD+R on PS2.
I didn't try it. I love my laser and Tayo Yudens, or Verbatim work perfect here from first try.
Had some Problems with old Memorex. -.-

Also, care to maybe explain a little more on PS2 laser degradation? Thanks.

Ah,.. Because it needs to re-read sectors, which it couldn't read that good.
That could decrease the lasers life-time (but it mustn't... Some old PS1s are also still in good condition, around the world. )