Is there a tutorial...

**Jay-Jay** · 01-13-2010,10:00 AM

Hi,

I am a noob to PS2 modding. I'd like to learn if you guys have a tutorial that will explain the Pros and Cons in using either a modchip or go the MC mode [FMCB].

What I am hoping for is to learn on what do I need to do (and own) on how to go about using each one method. Some questions are:

Do I still need to patch the DVD ISO's with ESR?
Do I still need to SWAP the game with either an original PS2 game or one of those special swap CDs?
And etc.

I'd also would like to learn the Pros and Cons in using a HDD for the Fat PS2 in order to keep the games there and etc. And if I can use a larger drive like a 500GB HDD?

Thanks in advance!

**JNABK** · 01-13-2010,10:50 AM

Its very difficult for anyone to say whats 'best' to use, since there are many options available to setup your console and most can all do the same basic things. So its really up to you to decide on what it is you want to do with your PS2 and then ask more specific, defined questions.

A Hardware modded console is nice if you dont wish to learn how things work and just want to run your backups with little effort. But its more costly as you will need to buy the chip and have it installed. Then you will need to pay for each time something goes wrong and it goes back in the shop.

A Software modded console is cheaper, but requires more knowledge on your part to learn how things work so you can make changes and repairs when something goes wrong.

Once you decide which way is best for your needs, then you move on to what works with each and then slowly narrow your research til you figure out what you can do that best suits your needs.

It all boils down to your needs/wants for the console. My best advice is to do a lot of reading to familairize your self with all thats available.

As for your questions about the backup discs, both are swapless, but there are some differences:
Modchip- can boot Cd and DVD backups, PS2 and PS1 discs
FMCB- can only boot ESR Patched DVDs, no CD support

Of course Original Game discs CD & DVD will still work with either.

**Jay-Jay** · 01-13-2010,11:04 AM

Thanks. I think I am going to go the Software modded way now. I think this way I can explore how this works first, before I go and install a permament modchip--which I can do, since I have tinkered with soldering electronics before. So with good instructions, I am sure I can do the job.

Question: Aside from getting a MC loaded with FMCB, what else will I need in order to playback backed up games? Do I still need to get a Swap Magic CD? Or other things, like having to cover the sensors on the PS2 Slim in order to do disc swapping?

FYI: What I have done is ordered two MC's already loaded to playback backed up games. I also purchased two PS2s (FAT and Slim)--I am still waiting for them to arrive by mail. Both are used and hopefully models that I will be able to use this for. This is why I was relunctant to purchase a brand new slim PS2, since I was afraid that it's latest firmware or etc, would not allow me to do this.

Thanks in advance for all your help. (I will also keep on reading your forum--to learn more...)

**JNABK** · 01-13-2010,11:15 AM

Originally Posted by Jay-Jay

Question: Aside from getting a MC loaded with FMCB, what else will I need in order to playback backed up games? Do I still need to get a Swap Magic CD? Or other things, like having to cover the sensors on the PS2 Slim in order to do disc swapping?

If you want to use CD games for backups, then yes, you will need either a SwapMagic CD disc or the ELF version and still need to swap trick in a backup. If your console is the Slim, then it will also need the sensor mod to allow the swapping.

For DVDs, if they are ESR Patched, then no, you wont need to swap or sensor mod the console for those.

**Jay-Jay** · 01-13-2010,11:22 AM

I see. So there are two kinds of games mediums (CD and DVD) for the PS2? I know, I am such a noob to PS, sorry. This will be my first Playstation console. So sorry for the very noob questions.

Question: What is the best way to learn which backup game is a CD or DVD game? Would it be fair to say that any game that requires you to put it on a disc larger than 700MB has to be a DVD version?

**JNABK** · 01-13-2010,11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Jay-Jay

Question: What is the best way to learn which backup game is a CD or DVD game?

lolz...you can simply look on the disc and it will say DVD or CD-ROM right on the label.

**Jay-Jay** · 01-13-2010,11:34 AM

Originally Posted by JNABK

lolz...you can simply look on the disc and it will say DVD or CD-ROM right on the label.

Yes, that is another way if I still had access to the original disc. But the ones I plan to use will not, it will be an image file, which I will have to load to a disc or transfer it to the Fat PS2 HDD.

**JNABK** · 01-13-2010,11:47 AM

Originally Posted by Jay-Jay

Yes, that is another way if I still had access to the original disc. But the ones I plan to use will not, it will be an image file, which I will have to load to a disc or transfer it to the Fat PS2 HDD.

Well, just so you are informed of the policy around here, NOT owning the original of a backup disc is frowned upon, as piracy seems to have increased and many people only come around here to figure out how to play those pirated games they downloaded and we simply cannot support such activities. So if you do not own the original games anymore, then you might want to keep that to your self. Of course that also limits the help you can get as many of us know if you have an original by what you need help with and many times our advice involves getting info or re-rips off the original.

As for figuring out a CD from a DVD, any disc 1GB and over is in fact a DVD. Most CDs are less than 800MB, but i think there may be a few that are just over that, squeezed in by the manufacturer/developers.

If your using Winhiip to install your ISO's to a HDD (IDE internal) then just make sure the disc type is set to 'auto' and the app will place the correct disc type in for you.

**Jay-Jay** · 01-13-2010,12:09 PM

Thank you very much for all your information. I promise I'll obey the rules and policies around here. And once again, thanks for showing so much patience with me. Take care...

I'll also appreciate input from others in this thread...

**spiderman** · 01-16-2010,05:38 PM

I've got a fat PS2 with a 500Gb HDD and it works just fine. I love not having to search for the disk!

I have a modchip but I use FMCB to save my laser (I only play games from the HDD!)

I can also play all my favorite games from the old game systems I used to have by using the emulators found here, (nes,snes,c64,atari2600)

It took me a long time to get everything configured just right but the people here are very helpful and knowledgeable.

Good luck with your system and keep asking questions if you got 'em.

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