Mod question for the stupid idea of the month...

[Artrageouz]

Well, here we go.

After having my modding done for ages, I decide that I'm finally going to attempt it on my own. Don't ask me why... I think it's just one of those "well... it can't be *that* difficult" type things.

So, here are my questions... and I'm sure a lot of you masters here will be groaning and laughing and... well, who knows what else.

1. Any solder guides out there... what I'll need, recommendations, instructions? I've never soldered a thing in my life... even my guitars that ever needed soldering I had done by someone else. Scared yet?

2. Any pointers to doing the modding in general? I'm going to pick up the new ps2 package with the network adapter shipped with it, and figure, well... lets give it a shot. I've noticed the hot glue usage and wondered if there was a "DON'T GLUE THIS" clause.

3. Any leads to get a DMS3 cheap? Of course I should start with the easier mods. Believe me, my real life buddy, Cpt. Obvious tried to talk me out of starting with that one, but hey, where's the fun in that.

4. Anyone know a good doctor to have my mental state checked out since I'm dumb enough to try this at all?


So, all in all I think that's about it. My birthday is in just over 2 weeks, so I'm hoping to talk the wife into getting another ps2 to play with then.


I hope I didn't scare everyone away.....

Thanks!!!!!
Lee

[aZnSpOiLeR]

Funny guy... lol

Anyways,
Heres the #1 Guide u'll need written by charlie.
http://www.messiah2.com/Messiah2_v7_v8_Install_1.3_.pdf

Although its for the messiah2 modchip, the methods and tips can be applied to any modchip. That guide was served as my holy bible for the first few months of my modding "carreer". That i can thank charlie for.

And about the hot glue thing, I would not recommend it as I dont like having liquid in my ps2, I would say to just use Electric Tape, as I have used to for every modchip installation I've done. They are easy to take off, and work just as well as hot glue. They dont look as good, but hey, its not like ur gonna stare at ur mobo while u play ur ps2...
You can place the tape anywhere on the ps2 mobo but just make sure u dont use too much to block airflow.

And about the cheapest place for DMS3, I would say head over to foundmy.com. The best place for dms3.

And for your equipment, head over to RadioShack and get ur self the following materials:

15-Watt Soldering Pencil with Grounded Tip
.032" Diameter Lead-Free Solder
Adjustable Wire Stripper/Cutter
Desoldering Braid
Anti-Static Wrist Strap with Cord
(a few other required materials such as wires/tips are found in the guide)

They should be pretty cheap and are easily found in ur local radioshack.

Good Luck on ur Modding.

BTW, be sure to do a few test points on some crap pc material before messin' ur ps2.

[Primenal]

Heres my suggestions:

Take the solder gun....and have someone hide it from you . Then, go out and buy a safe, and tell them to lock your ps2 up until you regain *logic*.
Then, goto the vendors area on this board, and check out some1 to put a mod in for you...
ACTUALLy, better yet..Just go buy yourself a premod (cheaper in the long run). I'd say get a M2 for now...You don't really need a DMS3 for the extra features. I payed like 205 shipped for an V7 M2, but somebody gave me a real deal .

[ftothe3]

yea but some people dont just want their ps2 modded. they want the experience just practice soldering some old stuff then when u get the hang of it try modding the ps2. oh and the equipment list is good, i just think that the static band is overkill. heck i installed my modchip on carpet

[thetieger]

I recommend having the cappy by yourside while you do this...also.......something I have wondered...

does he really talk like that ?!

[Artrageouz]

Haha... thanks for all the responses!! I'll play around on some old pc stuff that I have laying around here! It is all about getting the experience too... just to have fun.

And as for the Cappy, well... he has as much experience as I in installing mods, so I think between the two of us, we can really break some expensive stuff.

Oh yea, and no tieger... he does not talk like that in real life.... it's much, much worse.

haha...

Thanks again!! I'll let you all know how it goes, and keep the feedback coming! I'll keep a log here of what I do and how it worked.

Later!!!

[Szwaba67]

The only pieces of advice I have are these. Practice soldering wires onto an old pc card or mobo, something that has small chips with lots of tiny legs. Also, the only thing that got me through my mod install is to pre-solder the wire before you touch it to the leg. I don't know the technical term for it, but basically, dip the wire tip in some heated solder and pull it out. Make sure it's not like a ball of solder on it, you want it to still have the shape of the wire, but with a thin layer of solder. This makes it so you just have to touch the wire to the leg and touch the soldering iron to it for a few seconds instead of fumbling with the wire, solder and the soldering iron. I don't know about everyone else, but I only got two hands. Also, you want to have a decent supply of your favorite beer and/or liquor on hand. It's a great way to drown your woes when you screw it up and and even better way to celebrate when you get it working.