How to swap from MC.

[MagicMaster]

I try reading dozens of treads here, but can somebody simple say to me: (couse, i risk to be boring, but my english is not on high level, so in simple english)

I have moded my 64 MB MC with help from people here.
I manage to watch divx, play music. I manage to start some games with OpenLoad and USB Advance.

Now, i wanna know, i downloaded cogswap.elf, SWAPMAGIC_DVD_3.6.elf and SwapMagic38ce.elf.
Can i install them like rest of programs (put it on MC, make path from configuratoe, and start them succesfully) and play my backups?
So, most simpliest, i ise IMGBurn, create .ISO, burn it on DVD-R or DVD+R, or some even on DVD+R DL.
Is this posible, so, load mcboot, choose one of these 3 programs, insert backupdisc, and start?

Thanks for help.

[SP193]

Now, i wanna know, i downloaded cogswap.elf, SWAPMAGIC_DVD_3.6.elf and SwapMagic38ce.elf.
Can i install them like rest of programs (put it on MC, make path from configuratoe, and start them succesfully) and play my backups?

No, you can't. My explanation below will explain why.

So, most simpliest, i ise IMGBurn, create .ISO, burn it on DVD-R or DVD+R, or some even on DVD+R DL.

You can't do that. Swapmagic discs (CD or DVD disc) cannot be copied - as the PS2 will check the disc for SCE's code (That labels the disc as being "Authentically licensed by SCE").

This code is recorded on a track that's far out of a normal CD/DVD drive's range, and hence cannot be copied.

The ELFs from Swapmagic discs are usually useless on their own, as the media check and type identification by the Mechacon needs to be done first (And it's not done by the ELF). The ELF only stops the drive rotor and tells you that you may swap your discs (The PS2's drive door sensors needs to be blocked first).

Is this posible, so, load mcboot, choose one of these 3 programs, insert backupdisc, and start?

You can't, but you can use ESR to do something similar (Check the ESR forums/guide for details).

[dlanor]

No, you can't. My explanation below will explain why.

He can't do it exactly like he described, but he can do it without original SM discs, but swapping discs with blocked sensors (or forced unsensed eject) is still needed.

You can't do that. Swapmagic discs (CD or DVD disc) cannot be copied - as the PS2 will check the disc for SCE's code (That labels the disc as being "Authentically licensed by SCE").

This code is recorded on a track that's far out of a normal CD/DVD drive's range, and hence cannot be copied.

This is all true, and it is this stuff that lets the SM discs be booted, but it does NOT mean that SM discs are needed for swapping. Any other original discs with similar validity tracks can also be used, though they need a TOC larger than the backup games to be used.

The ELFs from Swapmagic discs are usually useless on their own, as the media check and type identification by the Mechacon needs to be done first (And it's not done by the ELF). The ELF only stops the drive rotor and tells you that you may swap your discs (The PS2's drive door sensors needs to be blocked first).

This is all true, but misses the point that ANY original game disc of the same basic media type (either CD or DVD) will also satisfy the media check (assuming that original game is for the same region as the console, of course).

And when the SM elf then stops the disc the user can do an unsensed disc swap to insert the burned game backup.

You can't,

That is correct. His oversimplified method does not include using an original game disc for the initial media check, so that method is doomed to failure. But if he has some large-TOC games, one for CD and one for DVD, then he is all set to use a slightly more complex swap method.

but you can use ESR to do something similar (Check the ESR forums/guide for details).

And that is the method that I too recommend using, though I understand why those who already burned a large game backup collection without ESR patch might want to keep using those discs. But for anyone starting from scratch there is no reason not to use ESR.

Best regards: dlanor

[MagicMaster]

OK, i get it.

Procedure is next:

I start some of swaps.elf
I put original any DVD
it goes on, PS2 make check, then it stop, and i put it out and put in backup copy.

Is there any picture, of what sensors i must block?

I will try to learn and that ESR system, if is somewhere on forum simple instruction, please link.

I see that this swapping is not very much easy.

Thanks for your help.

[SP193]

I start some of swaps.elf
I put original any DVD
it goes on, PS2 make check, then it stop, and i put it out and put in backup copy.

Errm... you can't really do that.

The disc's validity check is done by the Mechacon when the SM disc is inserted (The Mechacon does not detect a disc change afterwards, and assume the the disc swapped in is still the valid swap disc which was previously inserted).

Once the Swapmagic ELF is launched, it assumes that the Mechacon has already been tricked into thinking that a valid SCE disc is inserted (The SM discs appear "valid" to the Mechacon).

The SM ELFs will then stop the drive rotor, and then you can swap your disc with a non-licensed one, or a disc of the incorrect region code. The SM ELFs will not let you swap your discs twice.

Is there any picture, of what sensors i must block?

It varies from console version to version. You should view the Magic switch v3 installation instructions if you're using a slimline (They have very good instructions and photographs too).

Fat PS2s don't need to have their sensors blocked (But either use a special PCB, a slide-card or a flip-top), older slimline consoles (Pre-v14) are much easier to have their sensors jammed, while the newer ones are designed to be more difficult to have their sensors jammed (And need the "tool E" of the Magic Keys v3 set, or a flattened straw stuffed down the slot near the hinge).

I will try to learn and that ESR system, if is somewhere on forum simple instruction, please link.

There is a sub-forum dedicated to ESR on this forum board. Just view the list of forums/sub-forums hosted here, and you'll find it.

I see that this swapping is not very much easy.

It's actually very easy, if you bought a real Swapmagic set + the right tools for your console.

In total, the price is usually cheaper than getting your console modified.

dlanor had mentioned the "other way" of swapping discs
It's risky (Risks damage to your discs), but this basically involves:

1. You jam the drive door sensors.
2. You insert a valid disc of the correct type (DVD or CD).
3. When the disc clears the Mechacon's checks (When the disc slows down for a while and then speeds back up), then you quickly swap the disc with your backup. The PS2 screen is displayed at this point.

The timing at step 3 is very crucial, and you'll be exposing your disc (Both the original and backup) to a very high risk of damage.

The instructions here are rather vague, but if you're still keen on trying this, just search the internet for information.

[MagicMaster]

In total, the price is usually cheaper than getting your console modified.

Thank you for infos.

Here where i live chip modding is 25 EUR or 20 USDollars.
And original Swap cannot be bought. Maybe on ebay, but with customs and transport, way out of that price.

So, nothing.

I have one modded for my children, and on mine laser is broken anyway, so ill stick to the USB and openloader.

I just wanted to learn more, and try, couse couple of my friends have unmodded, i installded them a freemcboot, so i wanted them to save money for chip.

But, let them pay.

What can i do. For me, i have already done that.

ESR will be too mivh trouble for them, making .ISO, patcing, burning .... they are not used to this stuff.
They only wanna open flip, put DVD in, close and play. So, chip is best solution for them.

Thanks all for answers.

[dlanor]

I really hate making posts where it seems as if I'm in favor of disc swapping.
I'm not at all in favor of using that method. But I want the facts to be clarified.

dlanor had mentioned the "other way" of swapping discs
It's risky (Risks damage to your discs), but this basically involves:

1. You jam the drive door sensors.
2. You insert a valid disc of the correct type (DVD or CD).
3. When the disc clears the Mechacon's checks (When the disc slows down for a while and then speeds back up), then you quickly swap the disc with your backup. The PS2 screen is displayed at this point.

The timing at step 3 is very crucial, and you'll be exposing your disc (Both the original and backup) to a very high risk of damage.

That is not the proper way to do it, as I've been told, and for a much better way the SM elfs are described as useful. I've never done it myself, but they can supposedly be used to stop the discs and allow swapping to a backup without having to do it while spinning and without using any critical timing. That is the main point of why they even exist. (And it's the same job those programs do on the original SM discs.)

But like I've said before, I prefer using ESR backups myself, and strongly recommend it for others as well.

Best regards: dlanor

[MagicMaster]

O, i did it.

I learned how to start backup game from with ESR.

I downloaded "ESR beta r9b mcard" and put it on my MC, and made a path with Ule and mcconfigurator.

I downloaded Java patcher . With it, i pathed two ISO i created with DVDDecrypter. After that, i burned them with ImgBurn.

I put tthe disk in slim, but not close the hatch.
I startded ESR from mcboot menu.
I closed the hatc.
Ule opened.
I browsed to CD, and started SLES file. And game started.

Was that all? Will all games work like this?

Wow, im so happy now.....

[dlanor]

O, i did it.

I learned how to start backup game from with ESR.

I downloaded "ESR beta r9b mcard" and put it on my MC, and made a path with Ule and mcconfigurator.

I downloaded Java patcher . With it, i pathed two ISO i created with DVDDecrypter. After that, i burned them with ImgBurn.

I put tthe disk in slim, but not close the hatch.
I startded ESR from mcboot menu.
I closed the hatc.
Ule opened.
I browsed to CD, and started SLES file. And game started.

Was that all?

Yes. That is all it takes. In fact it was a little more work than needed.
It can be simplified a lot, though that takes a little configuring effort, as follows:

In uLE, go into the "Configure" menu and then into its "Startup Settings..." submenu.
Here double-check that the bottom entry for "ESR elf:" has the correct value of "mc:BOOT/ESR.ELF" matching what you installed with FMCB earlier.

If not, then correct it, by selecting that file for that entry.

Then use 'Triangle' to back out to the main 'Configure' menu again and double-check that the entry "Disc control:" has the value "ON" (and if not then change it).

Then move the cursor to some shortcut entry in the upper part of this configuration page and set that shortcut (by browsing) to the built-in subprogram "MISC/PS2Disc". Personally I like to use the 'Triangle' button shortcut, but the choice is completely up to you.

And with those settings made, use the OK command to exit with settings being saved.

For all future occasions when you want to boot a disc of any kind, simply insert it into the tray, and wait for the disc status shown at top left of the uLE menu to stabilize to a definite type (no question marks in that status message) and then press the shortcut button you defined for the "PS2Disc" command as described above.

This works equally well for the following disc types:
DVD-Video Movies == Launches the Sony DVD player
PS1 Original discs == Launches game through Sony PS1 driver
PS2 Original discs == Launches game by normal methods
PS2 ESR backups == Launches game through ESR

For all of these disc types, the full launch procedure from uLE menu is as follows:

1: Insert disc in tray and close it
2: Wait for status to stabilize (a second or two)
3: Push PS2Disc shortcut button

That will start the game (or movie) without any browsing whatever.

Will all games work like this?

At least 99% of them will, though a fraction of one percent seem to have some compatibility problem with ESR.

Wow, im so happy now.....

We all were when ffgriever released ESR.
He made a great idea into an equally good reality.

Best regards: dlanor

[MagicMaster]

today i ran into some ESR.ELF , i put it on my MC.

And thi is great.

When i start it from MC, there is a screen, not ULE , wich says start disc, start app and some third option. I wasnt even looking, couse i was in a hurry to try DVD backup, pressed X and it WORKED.

This is even bette than ESR beta r9b mcard.

Maybe its some older version? Is there an r9b version, and to be made like that screen, like a program?