HDPro for all PS2 Slim HDD

[hdpro]

"PLAYSTATION2 Never Die ...... HDPro is a great solution for all ps2 slim users who wants to play game from HDD (HDLoader System). This tool is designed for easy installation. A revolutionary PS2 tool especially for the PS2 slim (PStwo) consoles where HDLoader can not be used natively (SCPH 75xxx, 77xxx, 79xxx,90xxx), this is where HDPro comes in, the answer to your needs. You can check this site for more information, it is Indonesian so you can select your language from the provided google translate box."

[windrider42]

I would want to see videos of installation, as I can't understand how PS2 versions 14 and up could use an IDE hdd since IDE connections were completely removed in the V14 and up.

[dlanor]

I would want to see videos of installation, as I can't understand how PS2 versions 14 and up could use an IDE hdd since IDE connections were completely removed in the V14 and up.

This has been discussed previously in some other threads. As I understand it the new hardware kit adds a chip of the same kind that is used in both the old network adaptors and in the v12/v13 slim console models, but were removed from the motherboard again for models v14 and later (simply to make HDL usage impossible, or so they thought...)

The new HDPro kit adds both a modchip and that missing HDD controller chip, so that the user can run homebrews and backups of every kind, using both IDE HDD and other methods. To my knowledge it is not yet available anywhere in the 'western world', but it seems like a perfectly valid solution to me.

However, interesting though this new product is, I hope future posts from 'hdpro' on the subject will contain a little more discussion (or at least invitations to such discussion) and a little less sales-hype, because otherwise we may have to consider such posts a form of 'spamming', which is strictly forbidden on this site.

@hdpro:
Don't get me wrong now.
We like the idea of this kind of product and welcome discussion of it here,
but at the same time we don't appreciate pure advertising without such discussion.

Best regards: dlanor

[windrider42]

Well that was what I was wondering as it said a Modbo 4.0, but not specially designed modchip.
Ok I see where it says Chip connector also on the site.

I figured that would be the only way it was possible was too add the hdd controller again.

Depending upon the price of this, it would be a good solution.

[Bootlegninja]

moved to the proper subforum

[garyopa]

It would be nice if HDPRO would give more details, pictures, chips involved, etc. -- I first notice this news item on EurAsia this morning, then I saw this thread and didn't see until afterwards it was more like "pure ad" posting. -- Thanks for moving it to the right area. -- Hopefully HDPRO now that they decided to become a member here, will give us fellow members more info on their product.

[Prelude]

How is this even possible?

After looking through the install PDF, only 12 or 13 points are actually soldered onto the ps2 board (the bios points, power, gnd, and reset).

The modbo chip itself needs all the points soldered to function properly, i dont see how it can maintain full functionality using half the amount of points.

Ontop of that it adds the network components back (which is 30+ connections) somehow through the 13 wires.

Anyone want to enlighten me?

[garyopa]

After reading thru their site a few times, and closely viewing the pictures, and the install PDF. -- This is my thoughts on how their magic works!

They are using a cheap modchip as a way to interface with the bios to get Dev2 boot mode, they are not using the modbo v4.0 to enable backup disc playing features, so less wires to install only the 8 bios databus wires, R/W (read/white), power/ground, and reset - so 13 wires in total, no CDVD decode logic, not needed for the HDD interface.

Then they have a small custom board (no pictures of it yet) which takes the 8 bios databus wires and r/w which is piggybacked onto the modbo interface, shared with it, and convert it to an ide and/or sata interface for your HDD.

Then a modified version of HDloader or just a skinned version which loads into the memory card, which is using the dev2 boot mode, not sure how they are getting the program loaded since no CDVD logic, so maybe somehow via usb or FCMB style of exploit.

That is all I can come up with by viewing their site, it would be nice if HDPRO being a member here post again on his topic that he started, give us a little more detail, then maybe it would increase their sales, but maybe they are worried it could be easier to be cloned or a cheaper version appear on the marketplace.

[Prelude]

The software on their site, HDPro.rar does infact use FMCB exploit to run their modified HDL as BOOT.ELF

And it seems like they somehow found a way to use the bios points to send (network adapter) data.

Too bad you can't do anything else other than boot HDL, maybe I'm wrong though.

IMO, definately a breakthrough in ps2 hacks.

edit:

I was just thinking, why must they piggyback onto the modbo? Why couldn't they directly connnect to the ps2 board? What do they need from the Modbo (infinity clone) to get the network interface working? Dev2 isn't needed since we can just use FMCB and start HDL.

[JNABK]

Heres the Read Me in the rar:

Translation: Indonesian » English
Booting for the PS2 MC HDPro

Note: you must have a Modbo 4.0 already installed on the PS2 if you want to boot HDLoader from the hard drive is mounted to the PS2 HDPro

1. Burn CD Install Memory Booting
2. Insert the memory card with 3MB free space in the slot 1. If you already have
"FreeMCBoot" on the memory card, make sure to delete them first. If
failed, the MC format to erase all existing data on the memory card
before running the installer CD.
3. Run the CD, choose "Multi-version install" and follow the instructions listed on the screen
to install "FreeMcBoot multi-version" into the memory card.
4. If completed, Memory cards can be used to run HDLoader in
each machine PS2.
5. To use the HDLoader memory card installed in, connect to the PS2 Hardisk,
Enter MC Booting in slot 1 and turn on the PS2 - Memory install will work. Follow
on-screen instructions to install HDLoader to Modbo Notebook and 4.0 firmware update
for booting HDLoader from HDPro

i ran the BOOT.ELF from the HDPro.rar and what it does is install HDL to the ModBo 4.0 as a firmware update and Formats the HDD .

Free McBoot is just a means to run their installer, but doesnt seem to have anything more to do with the Modbo or the HDD after the installation is done. Since i dont have a Modbo, i couldnt get to see what HDL version they even used, as its a re-skinned and edited text patched into it with the installer.

Im guessing the Modbo has Dev3 (flash booting) as, there is no other use for that BOOT.ELF , as it will ask again to install HDL to a Modbo 4.0. It didnt install HDL to any devices i had connected....HDD,MC and USB were attached.

Since i dont have a Modbo, i got a message saying:

Modbo 4.0 was not detected!
Would you like to proceed with the HDLoader installation anyway?

I selected YES and all it did was format the HDD.

So this is only good for HDLoader and users dont even get the use of FMCB, unless they become wise to its full potential and add uLaunchELF to the INSTALL folder.