Mister, can you help a n00b?

[Barum]

Hi, all.
Here's my situ:
"Chubby" PS2 (model 30000-something that I bought new one year after launch...Ya, I'm old) no mod-chip
Sent it back once for laser replacement.
Network Adaptor
PS2 HDD (genuine retail unit with FFXI on it, and yes I play it.)
Gameshark Broadband Edition

Now I'm trying to install the independence exploit on a Sony 8MB MC, but running into roadblocks everywhere.

I have Exploit Utility 5.0 Beta, an old useless PSX game to use for trigger, and I keep trying the "Browser Swap" (go to browser, wait for PS2 disk to show up as blue disk, then swap-card it out for Exploit Install Disc) but I keep getting the Red Milkyway...

I tried to use the USB thumbdrive to move the files to the MC thru Gameshark(Broadband enabled version), but all it does is plant the files, without modding the System Config. ( If I understand correctly, that's what needs to be done...){ been reading some more threads/forums, and I know I can't use my GS to swapcard...}

So, so far I've spent like 16 hours total, researching, configuring, trying and failing...

Other tools I have tried: Exploit Installer, CDGenPS2_3.0, Independence Compiler 3.0 and 4.1 (the precursors to Exploit Utility 5, I understand), Titleman Frontend, and PS2 Savebuilder. I also have a couple of ELF files I want to install on the MC. KeyLauncher, MyPS2 v04, and an FTP server, can't recall which one.

Can ANYONE help me? I've been trying to avoid spending any cash on this.
Please, oh please!

[micster]

"Browser Swap" (go to browser, wait for PS2 disk to show up as blue disk, then swap-card it out for Exploit Install Disc) but I keep getting the Red Milkyway...

Browser Swap? Ive never heard of that one

[Barum]

Ya, same here, until I ran into it on one of the Exploit specific forums. If I manage to find it again, I'll post the link. I read SO many forums on SO many sites... It's all a blur...

As I stated in the first post, the mechanics of it are simple. The original poster on that other forum said he tested it on some different version chubby units, but damned if I know which ones. Like I said: a blur.

Frankly, as near as I can tell from all my trying and failing, this Independence Exploit is all an elaborate hoax... I can't get it to work.

Maybe if I understood the mechanics of it better...

Here's what I got so far: A save file, created by any number of means can be placed in the BADATA-SYSTEM partition of the memory card. If this save file has a database, called TITLE.DB that contains the SL# of a PSX game, then each time you boot that game, it will redirect to a different boot file than the one on the game disc.

I can place these save files on my MC using my Gameshark Memory Manager and a USB thumbdrive, but even tho my copy of SaveBuilder SAYS I've got all the info right, I don't know enough to be sure if it's going to the right partition.

I deleted my SysConfig, and then placed the save file I made, rebooted, went to PS2 Browser to check the MC, and saw a new SysConfig file... I then placed the PSX game in the tray (SLUS_008.66, Colony Wars:Red Sun, $1.99 at Gamestop) and rebooted again... The game booted, not the uLaunch.

EDIT: I had been deleting my SysConfig, hoping that one of the attempts with a save file would work (saved as .MD, and renamed, oh lets see which ones I tried... .PS2, SPS, MD, and no extension at all.

I took a look in my normal PS2 Browser, and it seems that every time I reboot, it rewrites the sysconfig file... Each time, I have a new SysConfig at 5k large, when the exploit save file is over 1,500k. From this info, I guess that the exploit isn't even being moved to the MC correctly... Seems to be a format issue, I think... I'm gonna drop some coin on ARMax/Evo today. Will report back...


Back to the original question: Can anyone help?

I just want to get the exploit on my MC, and get FTP working, then I can slap in any apps I want to use... (MyPS2, for one...)

[cletus_the_Red]

i never heard of browser swap, but if you were to use the cheat device as a swap trick, im sure it would work. well, thats what i did when my sm3.3 faild to work. i have armax evo

[Barum]

Yar, well, see, it's like this:

Gameshark Broadband Enabled has its own disc tray eject thingy, so it can't be used as a swap trick.

Also, after fighting and fuming, and futzing, plus another 6 hours of research, digging deep into many a forum, I found that my version of GS just WILL NOT plant the file in the right way.

I know that it has to get, somehow, into BADATA-SYSTEM (USA), and it has to have all the ELF files I'm gonna use withing that single file, but my system rewrites the SystemConfig on each boot, if one isn't present. ( I had tried deleting it before copying my exploit file from my USB flashdrive) The new SysConfig is 5k, and the exploit file I copied is about 1.6MB, so I know it didn't take.

So... I'm gonna grab a copy of Codebreaker ($20 cheaper than ARMax, and I already have a flashdrive) at my local Gamestop in the next day or two, plus maybe two-three more PSX games for trigger discs, just in case.

There are enough CodeBreaker tutorials out there, one of them has got to work... I'll post back when I have news.

[Barum]

Hi all.

I lucked out. While cleaning out my desk, I found my old copy of Sharkport2, which I thought I had thrown away in the last purge of my Study.

All's good. Sharkport2 plants the file exactly where it needs to be, and in the right fashion. I have uLaunch onscreen at this very moment.

Now, to peruse the forums, and find some good ELFs to run. (ftp will be my first target!)

Thanx for reading and posting!

[Cloudhunter]

Good thing is, if you have ULaunchElf, it has FTP built in Just run "MISC/PS2Net"

Cloudy

[Barum]

Well, I got the exploit on my MC, and got it to boot LaunchElf 3.61 ( I think that's the version), then I CogSwapped a CD w/ myPS2 and launched that, but I can't save any settings... like IP or anything...

I'll keep trying...