Running ps1 and ps2 demos (from cd-rs) on ps2

[caffdemon]

Hi,

So - I finally treated myself to a PS/2 (model scph-79003), and was looking forward to running some psx and ps2 demos on it (check hhttp://pouet.net/prod.php?which=7445 for an example)

(for information - these are fully public domain, and freely distributable.)

Only - I find I cant - because they'll all be on cd-rs, and looking online for solutions has left me confused.com

Ive seen a number of possible solutions, and am not sure which one would work for both ps1 and ps2 disks, or whether I need a combination.

1 - get it chipped - but I dont know who does it in norwich/uk - a few places online say they no longer do this because its illegal (I suck for wanting to view perfectly legal software)

2 - splatter the sensors with electrical tape / bits of tissue paper etc, then swap the disk while its spinning.

3 - swap magic + the "magic switch".

4 - a memor32 card (probably with memento or free mcboot) - would either of these work? (have seen youtube vids showing just the card inserted, and loading a backup game), oh - and I have seen that theres a problem with some new PS2 bioses...)

5 - use one of the volunteer installers to get free mcboot (but I believe that won't work with ps1 stuff).

6 - use an emulator on my pc!



Why on earth does it have to be so hard??

Any other ideas?

[Yuki]

1 - get it chipped - but I dont know who does it in norwich/uk - a few places online say they no longer do this because its illegal (I suck for wanting to view perfectly legal software)

For a no-hassle solution for PS1 and PS2 you still can't beat a chip. If you know anyone who sells or have seen people advertising XBox 360 JTAGs locally then they'll more than likely have the soldering skills required to fit a mod chip for a small fee.

2 - splatter the sensors with electrical tape / bits of tissue paper etc, then swap the disk while its spinning.

As far as I know, this method is only applicable for PS1 games - this only works for PS2 software if you are swapping the original disc with a modified version of the same game, for example a customised Guitar Hero with extra songs. If you wish to use this method for PS1 games then there is a piece of homebrew called CogSwap to assist with the process - however, I would not recommend this due to the possibility of damaging the drive.

3 - swap magic + the "magic switch".

This is essentially a less risky (but not entirely safe) version of the above, but allows you to run burnt PS2 games. Of course the downside is the cost.

4 - a memor32 card (probably with memento or free mcboot) - would either of these work? (have seen youtube vids showing just the card inserted, and loading a backup game), oh - and I have seen that theres a problem with some new PS2 bioses...)

Memento is very outdated and although it would probably work on your console (I have a SCPH-79012 which I used it with) it's not worth the money, especially now you can install FMCB to any memory card as long as you have the official Sony Playstation 3 Memory Card Adapter, which you should be able to find for cheaper.

5 - use one of the volunteer installers to get free mcboot (but I believe that won't work with ps1 stuff).

This is a good choice for PS2 demos but the only method of running PS1 software with native features and performance is through the aforementioned CogSwap loader which still involves circumventing the sensors. An emulator is in the early stages but does not currently support sound which is a major downer for demos.

6 - use an emulator on my pc!

This is probably a good idea for PS1 demos as emulation will allow you to increase the graphical quality - unfortunately the way demos are written sometimes exploit bugs in the hardware which emulators don't always replicate so your mileage may vary. For the same reason, emulating PS2 demos at the moment is essentially futile.

Summary

Unfortunately the most viable method for those who want to play both PS1 and PS2 backups is still a chip, but you should be able to make use of some of the free PS2 tools to run the PS2 demos at least.

Any PS2 demos which can be downloaded as an .ELF file can be launched directly from a USB flash drive using uLE in conjunction with Free McBoot. For those only available as disc images, you have two/three options available with Free McBoot. If the demo is a DVD image (unlikely) then it can be ESR patched straight away and run using ESR. If it's a CD-R image then you can rebuild it into a DVD and then patch it for ESR. Alternatively, you can try loading the image from USB using OPL, however it has problems launching at least one demo which I have tried (4 edges by TBL).

Regards,

-Yuki

[caffdemon]

Thanks for the reply - I'd PMd you about installing free mcboot on a memory card - but it looks like I'll be going for a chip...

[TnA]

Another alternative:

Use a PIC as PS1-Chip (for PS1-CDs) and use FMCB in conjunction with it.
-it's cheap
-PS2 remains almost unmodified
-the modchip doesn't hook anything into memory and thus almost all is compatible

[caffdemon]

Another alternative:

Use a PIC as PS1-Chip (for PS1-CDs) and use FMCB in conjunction with it.

ummm - what's one of those??

[dlanor]

ummm - what's one of those??

A PIC is a programmable integrated circuit which can be programmed for use as a PS1 modchip.
But the fact that you had to ask what it is probably means that this is not a good choice for you...

Best regards: dlanor

[Player1]

If you have a matrix modchip, then go to a technician and solder tha wires Y(for cds) and SX (for ps1).

Due to the fact that CDs could accelerate tracking bobines dead(if using bad burned cds) and resulting in a bad DVDs reading, some retailers never connect those wires from the modchip.

That is why your ps2 doesnt read CDs.

Saludos!!!