Need help making a decision

[Sutton Wolf]

Hello, I've been reading this forum for the past day or so and I needed to join and post to really get the answers I'm after.

I have a fat PS2 that I wish to modify.

I don't currently have an IDE HDD, network adaptor or Action Replay.

I do have several USB memory sticks and a USB external HDD without it's own power supply.

I want it to be compatible with the highest percentage of games possible while costing as little as possible.

Any suggestions/questions would be welcome.

[amp2006]

its modified to play backups if yes its modded like Modchip or software like swap magic etc..

[Sutton Wolf]

No, I haven't modified it yet at all.

I'm thinking of using HDloader utilising a network adaptor and IDE HDD. Would this be a better idea than FMCB because of increased game compatibility?

[spiderman]

FMCB has nothing to do with game compatibility, it is a method for running homebrew software on your ps2. HDLoader is available in a pressed disk that will work on any ps2, so if you buy it you will not need a method for booting homebrew, however FMCB is free (hence the name), and HDLoader can be downloaded for free if that is what you want. I think the best thing for you is to use FMCB to load OPL, which is the best program for running games from an IDE HDD. This will be better for a number of reasons. You will not be relying on your laser at all, I have a ps2 without a laser and it is still usable for everything I want to do with it. Also, you will be able to run other homebrew programs, such as emulators or media players or ESR or any other homebrew. The only tricky part is installing FMCB to begin with. If you know somebody with a modded ps2 it will be easy to install. If not, you could have a volunteer install it for just the price of postage. You could try using a game like a swap disk to install, but this can be a little tricky. You can use a HDLoader disk to install FMCB if you have access to one. I think using a network adaptor and IDE HDD is the best way to play.

On my own system, I have a modchip, but I don't use it. I use FMCB to load homebrew, OPL to play ps2 games from an internal HDD, SMS to watch videos or listen to music from the LAN or my USB HDD, FCEU to play nintendo games from HDD, and uLE for utilities (copying files, managing HDD, etc.). It all starts with FMCB.

[Sutton Wolf]

Thanks very much for the reply, spiderman. I'll get my IDE hdd and network adaptor and send my mem card to a volunteer.

On my own system, I have a modchip, but I don't use it. I use FMCB to load homebrew, OPL to play ps2 games from an internal HDD, SMS to watch videos or listen to music from the LAN or my USB HDD, FCEU to play nintendo games from HDD, and uLE for utilities (copying files, managing HDD, etc.). It all starts with FMCB.

I'm liking the sound of some of that.

[spiderman]

Good luck to you. Network adaptors and IDE HDDs can be hard to find but are usually cheap when you do find them. I do think that is the best way to go, although there may be cheaper ways. You can play games from a usb hard drive, but most cutscenes are unwatchable due to stuttering because of speed limitations of usb1.1. Your small usb sticks should work (if formatted to FAT32), but I don't think your larger one without it's own power supply will. I still use HDLoader sometimes because I have one or two games that won't work with OPL. Another option is to use FMCB to run ESR to play backup copies of your games, but for my money nothing beats picking a game from the list and forgetting about disks. Something to think about is how you are going to install games to the HDD. If you have a router it is pretty easy to connect your ps2 to it and install from you pc. You could use a USB enclosure, it's faster than through the LAN, but inconvenient because you have to remove you hdd. You can install right from the disk using HDL, but it doesn't always work right and some say it puts too much wear on your laser (although that's what I did for years before I had a computer). When you buy your IDE HDD, try not to get a Western Digital. They work, but require a minor modification to your network adaptor due to spacing of the connectors. The modification is very minor, just a couple of screws, so if a Western Digital is cheaper or larger by all means get it, just know that one more step will be required.

[Sutton Wolf]

Thanks again for your input, spiderman. I won an auction for a 200gb IDE HDD last night (delivered for a total of £10.65 since you asked) so I'm in business, just pricing up network adaptors. I've resolved to do the install myself so I am looking for an Action Replay Max too.

[spud42]

i would suggest swapmagic 3.6 or 3.8. much easier to install all you need is the disk and a USB stick.....

get the noobie package and use OPL . it has more compatibility than HDLoader .....

[Sutton Wolf]

Thanks for the input, spud42. As I understand it (from the freemcboot website), and I'm more than happy to be corrected, I need an installation method to put FMCB on my memory card and my first preference was to send it off to a volunteer but there seems to be a lack of activity on this in the U.K at the moment so I figured the best and cheapest way would be to buy an Action Replay MAX, do the install myself and then sell the ARMax, as I don't need it again, is that right?

Swap magic doesn't seem anywhere near as readily available as ARMax, I only found one on eBay for £70(!) whereas ARmax is available for £13-15.

Thanks for the tip on OPL, I'll definitely be using that.

[RandQalan]

Might want to get it here or look at next for places

Swap Magic Coder 3.8 - Discoazul.com

Welcome to Swap Magic 3 Official Web Site