Swap Magic vs. Modchip

**striker** · 01-28-2009,04:48 AM

Hey guys, newbie here.

I'm about to buy a PS2 slim (not sure of version yet), and I'm looking for a way to play game backups/rips. I could get either a modchip or a Swap Magic (3.6) + flip lid for around the same price. Option #2 is my preference, since it's easier.

Do you guys think I'll have any problem playing backups/rips with the Swap Magic method? I've always preferred modchips on other consoles, but this way just seems much easier.

Thanks!

**TnA** · 01-28-2009,06:25 AM

Why don´t you try a soft-mod-solution?
Search for "FMCB"/Free McBoot + ESR.

**striker** · 01-28-2009,07:39 AM

FMCB was definitely my first choice. However, the PS2 slim I'm looking at is a refurb sold at a computer store, so I'm assuming it's one of the latest models (SCPH-9000x) which aren't compatible with FMCB.

**TnA** · 01-28-2009,07:55 AM

Well,... I hope you find a version, which is compatible with FMCB (~95% of all PS2-Models...).
If you get a 90k with old date-code/8b, you´ll have a brand new PS2 + it is compatible with FMCB.

Back to your main-questions:

A Mod-chip is preferred in all cases, but the swap-method is easy on slims.
If you already have an original PS2-Disc, then there is maybe a way to create a custom swap-disc.

What is cheapest (from cheap, to more expensive):
-FMCB + ESR
-Swap-Discs
-Modchip

What is prefered (for Backups):
-Modchip
-FMCB + ESR
-Swap-Discs

What is best (for Homebrew and Backups):
Modchip + FMCB, if compatible.

**striker** · 01-28-2009,08:05 AM

It looks like the store has a couple different PS2s (all slim). I'm guessing the best way to tell would be to check the box. Apparently, the 9000x series has the PSU inside the unit, so I'm hoping the box might have the power adapter info on it.

If I can find a compatible PS2 from the store, I think my best route would be to buy a memory card & pay for shipping for one one of the volunteers to load FMCB on it. Right?

EDIT: I'm just looking at playing backups, not homebrew. Honestly, the only reason I'm intersted in a PS2 is because I played the God of War PSP game, and now I really want to play the older ones.

**amp2006** · 01-28-2009,09:23 AM

yeah just find a compatible ps2 like TnA said and then you can send your memory to one of the volunteers depends on where do you life and yes you will just pay the shipment in both ways ..

**striker** · 02-01-2009,11:48 AM

Alright, fellas, here's the deal:

One of my buddies has an old first-gen PS2 he was planning to sell on ebay. Since he owes me one, he agreed to let me borrow it for however long I want. I told him I was gonna mod it, but I'd give it back to him in stock condition so he could sell it (he was cool with that).

Since FMCB/ESR is my first choice, does it modify anything on the console that can't be removed? I read up on the mod, and it looks like everything's read from the memory card, but I just wanted to make sure I'm not missing anything.

Thanks guys!

**TnA** · 02-01-2009,11:55 AM

Originally Posted by striker

Since FMCB/ESR is my first choice, does it modify anything on the console that can't be removed?

No.

I read up on the mod, and it looks like everything's read from the memory card, but I just wanted to make sure I'm not missing anything.

There's nothing bad about that.

Better to ask a question, then screwing something up.

**LeoNBooM** · 02-22-2009,06:42 PM

sorry for off-topic question
moved to a new thread on modchip forums

http://www.psx-scene.com/forums/ps2-...tml#post449888

**striker** · 03-25-2009,09:30 PM

Thanks to the excellent advice I received here, I sent an 8MB memory card off to one of the volunteers to get FMCB loaded. You guys really are the experts, and it's nice to know a forum this helpful exists. FMCB seems to run fine when I turn on the console, so no problems there.

However, I can't seem to get game backups working. I tried two separate DVD5 backups, and neither works. Both were burned from ISO to RiData 8x DVD+R's via ImgBurn. I can see the files from both discs on my computer. I even tried one of the backups in a PS2 emulator, to test if it was working properly (the game ran, but the emulator is crap).

I know I'm a newbie, but it doesn't look like there's many places I could've screwed up here. On the console, I hit the eject button, put the game disc in, and wait for the FMCB menu to come up. Then I select "Launch disc." Every time, I see the "Loading" screen, then it goes right back to the FMCB screen.

Help, guys!

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