Newbie Help needed please

[Nealos]

Hey guys, first time user of these forums - they look brilliant, i've been thrawling through it for an hour now but seem to be missing some information, all help appreciated!

Just took down my old PS2 for my kid to use, he has come of age , anyway, i bought him a few newer games, its been 3-4 years since i played it. I have hacked my xbox/wii etc, since the WII playing off a HD is a massive success, i wondered the same could be done to the PS2.

So,

- I have one of the first PS2's released. not the slimline one.
- I would like to hack it using an external HD if possible.
- I would like to load up games directly from HD to the PS2 OR a method as handy as possible.

Since reading these forums, i gather i need an external HD, formatted to FAT32, preferably above 40 gb-400gb? I need software to load up the iso's and move them to the HD.

- do i need to softmod, hack the actual PS2 in any way to do this?
- is this just a simple plug in and play system once my HD and all isos are in tact?
- is there a NOOBS guide to doing this anywhere i can review that would make things earier!
- how do i check if my PS2 is compatible with this.

all help appreciated thanks.

[djflexmaster79]

Well here are a couple of links to review about what you asked..

Free McBoot Home

Official OPLv0.8 User Guides

Now if you find that you are NOT able to perform the install your self, you can contact one us installers here, and we can do it for you, FREE OF CHARGE.

DJ
FMCB Senior Installer

[Nealos]

Thanks bud! Exactly what i am looking for - looks like i can handle this ... i hope ha!

[Nealos]

Ok, me again

So after reading extensively those pages you posted am i correct in what i am assuming ...

- I will probably use CodeBreaker to install the hack as it can be downloaded from some torrent sites and used. As i do not have any of the other means to hack it. (Modchip/SwapMagic/Cogswap) etc.

Q.1 : Is it ok to use a downloaded copy of this as some places do state only a RETAIL disk will work? I am thinking not; )

- I would like to only use the USB loader but it states that it only works on 50% of all games! AGH, this means i would need to go with the HD Loader, but my problem here is i would need a Sony PS2 network adapter - which i have none. Would cost around $50? I really did not want to spend anything on this hack, the only other option is the ESR app but that requires patching and burning disks and well, the original intention is to move away from disks!

Q.2 : Most of the guides etc i have seen are old, has the 50% compatibility been increased? , would be nice if it has,

Q.3 : Does anyone know of anywhere i can pickup a Sony PS2 network adapter for cheap? Living in Europe btw.

Thats it, the idea of playing games off the USB is really brilliant, but unfortunately the restrictions of not having a full quota of games to choose from is a little annoying. Obviously the internal HD option of HDloader is the way to go for me but that restriction of having to buy that part is also holding me back.

Anyway, cheers in advance for anyone able to answer my questions,

GL!

[Yuki]

Q.3 : Does anyone know of anywhere i can pickup a Sony PS2 network adapter for cheap? Living in Europe btw.

I've been looking for then on eBay for a while (in the UK) and when they do come up they tend to sell in the same price range as second hand consoles themselves

I decided to buy a second hand Slim as this was the more economical solution for me - I have 2 home servers and no spare IDE drives, so network loading is much cheaper and more convenient for me.

[TnA]

Ok, me again

So after reading extensively those pages you posted am i correct in what i am assuming ...

- I will probably use CodeBreaker to install the hack as it can be downloaded from some torrent sites and used. As i do not have any of the other means to hack it. (Modchip/SwapMagic/Cogswap) etc.

Q.1 : Is it ok to use a downloaded copy of this as some places do state only a RETAIL disk will work? I am thinking not; )

Nope, that will not work.
How would you start CodeBreaker then??!
You might think about nother method, like the PS1-Exploit, the PS2-Game-Swap-Trick, or an Install-Volunteer, which put FMCB on your MC.

- I would like to only use the USB loader but it states that it only works on 50% of all games!

No, OPL works with more games (by far) and I would say, the compatibility is over 90%.
However, CGIs/FMVs/Movies can stutter, due to the slow USB-Data-rate and it's implementation into the PS2.

AGH, this means i would need to go with the HD Loader, but my problem here is i would need a Sony PS2 network adapter - which i have none.

Even with an internal HDD, you wouldn't need HDLoader.
OPL can handle internal HDs, too and you mustn't read thoroughly through the OPL-Guides, to see that...

Would cost around $50? I really did not want to spend anything on this hack,

...not anything? ...not even efforts?

the only other option is the ESR app

Yes, but burning your disk might cost you more in the long run, than using imiges.
Beside that, a laser is a mechanical part and will worn out, over time.

but that requires patching and burning disks and well, the original intention is to move away from disks!

While I think, the patching-process is as easy as it could be (uber-uoob-friendly), but I see the point about 'moving away' from disc-usage.

Q.2 : Most of the guides etc i have seen are old, has the 50% compatibility been increased? , would be nice if it has,

It has increased a lot.
I think, it is over 90%-Compatibility and even offers saving to USB, if played from there and InGameReset. (IGR)
...while at max. 75%, of all games run with USB-Advance and only with some patch-tricks and beside that, USBA doesn't offer the extra-options, like VMC, IGR, Compatibility-Modes,...

Q.3 : Does anyone know of anywhere i can pickup a Sony PS2 network adapter for cheap? Living in Europe btw.

Thats it, the idea of playing games off the USB is really brilliant, but unfortunately the restrictions of not having a full quota of games to choose from is a little annoying. Obviously the internal HD option of HDloader is the way to go for me but that restriction of having to buy that part is also holding me back.

Anyway, cheers in advance for anyone able to answer my questions,

GL!

Well, beside playing from the HD, the Network-Adapter is off full usage for your FAT PS".
You can use the LAN-Conection to play your movies/mp3s or games over it from a PC or NAS.
...or use the internal HD for an entire music-collection + ROM-Collection + PS2-Linux + Games + whatnot...

[djflexmaster79]

@Yuki. why hijack this guys thread?

Answer 2
@Nealos, yes the 50% is way changed now. With OPL, which you can play from internal IDE HDD, or USB drive.

Answer 1.
No, a torrent download of that will NOT WORK, You need a real legit disk to make it work.


Answer 3

I have one for sale, But not sure you are willing to pay the $13.50, + Net Adapter to get it to you.

But your not out of luck bro, you can also use OPL to Play your games over Network.

If you need any other help feel free to PM me...

DJ

[Yuki]

@Yuki. why hijack this guys thread?

Didn't seem like a hijack to me. I was answering one of his questions in a roundabout way.

[Nealos]

OPL can handle internal HDs, too and you mustn't read thoroughly through the OPL-Guides, to see that...

...not anything? ...not even efforts?

Or maybe i missed the OPL link and spent entire time looking through an outdated psxscene link

thanks for the reply though, appreciated, i'd tell you i read the whole thing thoroughly but well ...

[TnA]

Or maybe i missed the OPL link and spent entire time looking through an outdated psxscene link

Probably. But I guess you found it yet, since it is linked on-top of every psx-scene-page.

thanks for the reply though, appreciated, i'd tell you i read the whole thing thoroughly but well ...

Anyway,... I think you will get the rest working, but a reply about your issues beeing fixed or not, is appreciated in any case.

Edit: Wow, I left a lot typos in my previous post. Damnit!

@dj: 'Official OPL 0.8-Guide(s)'? --> Not available, yet.