Slim PS2 model 90001-whats avail to me?

[MoseZ]

Hi all! My name is MoseZ and I'm new to these forums. I've come with the intentions of teaching myself how to hack the PS2 to do pretty much the same thing that I can do with the PSP that I had modded out. Now, I've been doing reseach on my own about my model PS2, and from what I found, everything looks really hopeless. I couldn't look too deeply into the forums for answers to my situation, because I'm currently browsing off of my phone. Pretty much, I was curious as to what is avaliable to me with my 90001 slimPS2, and if I should, trade it for an older phat PS2? Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[djflexmaster79]

Well I would have to agree with you on getting an old PHAT one just because you can get a HDD and play games from it.

As with your 90*** series, FMCB just is not going to work on it. Chances are it probably never will. If you are interested in FMCB check out the tutorial in my signature, or read up on it here: http://psx-scene.com/forums/freevast/


If you are wanting a slim anyway, I have one for sale here: http://psx-scene.com/forums/buy-sell...-for-sale.html

Check back, after you have read up on some of the info....DJ

[MoseZ]

Yeah, I figured that getting an old one would probably be one of the best bets. What I want to get setup is a external HD setup, because I'm coming into a 1TB external soon. And I know that the free MC wouldn't work because of the file changes that sony has done. Same with the USB drivers being changed. The PS2 that I have I got last December for christmas, and I would hate to trade a practically brand new machine for one that is really old, ya know? Would you be willing to trade instead of sell? And what exactly is a v15? Like I said, I'm new to the world of PS2, so I'm still learning. The sensor mod is that which allows a game to be played without the lid being shut, correct?

[dlanor]

Hi all! My name is MoseZ and I'm new to these forums. I've come with the intentions of teaching myself how to hack the PS2 to do pretty much the same thing that I can do with the PSP that I had modded out. Now, I've been doing reseach on my own about my model PS2, and from what I found, everything looks really hopeless. I couldn't look too deeply into the forums for answers to my situation, because I'm currently browsing off of my phone. Pretty much, I was curious as to what is avaliable to me with my 90001 slimPS2, and if I should, trade it for an older phat PS2? Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated!

This latest model is rather limited when it comes to 'hackability', as the only way to launch homebrew programs on this model is by using some commercial method for it, such as the SwapMagic boot discs (can boot homebrew from USB devices). And if/when the CDVD laser dies, this means that the console can no longer be used at all.

Once you have a good homebrew running, this can do pretty much the same things as on older models, but you always come back to the limitation of having to boot from discs each time you reboot. The only cure for this would be a hardware modchip, and I'm not really sure which (if any) work well with this latest model.


Swapping this console for an older model is what I'd do myself, as ALL older models can run homebrew simply by booting from memory card and this in turn opens the ability to use any other PS2 devices as well. (Running homebrews from USB, HDD, Network, etc) So this ensures that you can continue using the console even if the CDVD drive packs up and dies.


Basically there are three groups of models to choose from (pre SCPH-900xx)

SCPH-750xx <= X < SCPH-900xx slim PStwo
Built-in LAN port, but NO capability for IDE HDD

SCPH-700xx <= X < SCPH-750xx slim PStwo
Built-in LAN port, requires extension kit for IDE HDD

SCPH-300xx <= X < SCPH-700xx fat PS2
No built-in LAN port, but can get both LAN and IDE HDD ports through network adaptor

Older models also exist but are not recommended for compatibility reasons.


Most homebrewers tend to prefer the fat PS2 because of its internal IDE HDD bay, though you will need to get a network adaptor to put this to good use, as that adaptor also contains the HDD interface. Using an Internal IDE HDD will allow you to use HDLoader to run commercial games, with an overall game compatibility rate of over 85% (IMO).

Users of models without IDE HDD capability are instead forced to rely on USBAdvance for similar game launching, which only offers appx 35% overall game compatibility (IMO)...


Some people, on the other hand, use the PS2 mainly as a media player, and then the late (but not latest) slim PStwo models have an advantage. They are small and fairly quiet, have built in LAN (for networked media use), and they have excellent response to the IR remote control (unlike most fat PS2 models). I use a v15 PStwo this way myself (in addition to my other consoles), to play media files residing on my three computers on my TV via the PS2 (running the SMS media player).


Regardless of the model you use, and regardless of what you use it for, the best soft-mod boot method available is FMCB (== Free McBoot) which was developed by members of this site and released here. It has a separate subforum inside the forum for Homebrew/Dev stuff, so I recommend that you go there to check it out further.

Edit: In response to your question about v15
v15 == SCPH-770xx
It has built in LAN port, but no capability for IDE HDD, so HDD game launching will have to use USBAdvance with its downright rotten overall game compatibility. But it is excellent for use as a networked media player, which is how I use it myself. And of course it is just as good as other models for playing games off CDVD discs, including burned backups using the ESR method.
(The ESR method has an overall game compatibility rate of over 99% (IMO))

Best regards: dlanor

[djflexmaster79]

@dlanor, I got to love it when you come in and throw all the tech talk .....LOL, thanks bro....DJ

[MoseZ]

Thank you for you indepth response. It has provided me with what I believe to be a very sound choice in the decision that I will be making. I'm not sure of the model of the Phat PS2 that I would be able to obtain, but I do know that it is a Phat. The setup that I was wanting to go about was a USB HD, but now I see that an internal setup would be better suited. But now, I am faced with the question of does the PS2 have a size limit for a HD? Because I'm going to be getting a TB external HD.

[djflexmaster79]

Thank you for you indepth response. It has provided me with what I believe to be a very sound choice in the decision that I will be making. I'm not sure of the model of the Phat PS2 that I would be able to obtain, but I do know that it is a Phat. The setup that I was wanting to go about was a USB HD, but now I see that an internal setup would be better suited. But now, I am faced with the question of does the PS2 have a size limit for a HD? Because I'm going to be getting a TB external HD.

It can handle up to a 2TB HDD, but keep in mind it can only hold 200+ but under 300 games and the more games you have the slower the load times will be.
DJ

[dlanor]

Thank you for you indepth response. It has provided me with what I believe to be a very sound choice in the decision that I will be making. I'm not sure of the model of the Phat PS2 that I would be able to obtain, but I do know that it is a Phat. The setup that I was wanting to go about was a USB HD, but now I see that an internal setup would be better suited. But now, I am faced with the question of does the PS2 have a size limit for a HD? Because I'm going to be getting a TB external HD.

The original Sony HDD drivers used 28-bit LBA and were thus limited to 128GB maximum, but the homebrew drivers have been extended to use 48-bit LBA which raises the limit considerably (definitely into the TB range, though I'm not sure of the precise limit).

Another limitation to keep in mind though is that the interface is PATA, not SATA, so you can not use SATA drives, unless you add some kind of SATA-PATA adaptor.

Yet another limitation to keep in mind is that HDLoader will allow a maximum of 256 games to be installed, and since the average game size is somewhat less than 4GB it is not efficient to use much larger drives than 1TB just for HDL game storage. But you can still use any excessive size for other storage (media files etc).

Best regards: dlanor

[MoseZ]

Yes, I was aware of the game limit. The only reason that I will be using a TB is because its what I'm getting for free from my buddy's job. They're providing him with a laptop and two 1 TB external HD's all courtesy of his new job. And he said that there is no possible way that he would be able to fill 1 full one, let alone both, so he's giving it to me. =) I can't wait, it should be here any day now. I don't think that I'll be getting that many games on there, but I will keep the limit in mind nonetheless. Also, I'm not sure if it is a SATA or a PETA, but if it is the latter, then I guess I'll just go with the USB route. I ultimatley be setting up the ultimate game machine, with emulators, videos, seasons of shows, music, ect ect.

[dlanor]

Yes, I was aware of the game limit. The only reason that I will be using a TB is because its what I'm getting for free from my buddy's job. They're providing him with a laptop and two 1 TB external HD's all courtesy of his new job. And he said that there is no possible way that he would be able to fill 1 full one, let alone both, so he's giving it to me. =) I can't wait, it should be here any day now. I don't think that I'll be getting that many games on there, but I will keep the limit in mind nonetheless. Also, I'm not sure if it is a SATA or a PETA, but if it is the latter, then I guess I'll just go with the USB route.

I think you missed a few things earlier:

It is PATA drives that work directly with the PS2 network adaptor.
It is SATA drives that requires an extra adaptor to convert their SATA interface to PATA

USB-connected drives are not a feasible option for an 'ultimate game machine', since appx 65% of all commercial games will fail with USBAdvance. Of all games you will only be able to use a bit over one third of them with USBAdvance, so what's the point...?

I ultimatley be setting up the ultimate game machine, with emulators, videos, seasons of shows, music, ect ect.

That sounds nice, but you really need to understand how bad the USB interface of a PS2 is compared to its PATA IDE interface. The USB interface speed is not comparable to that of a modern PC, which now always use the USB 2.0 standard, whereas the PS2 uses the USB 1.1 standard. And for running games it is not just the speed which is a problem, but USBAdvance is simply not as well programmed as HDLoader is, when it comes to maintaining compatibility with the game programs.

Best regards: dlanor