is booting from i-link drives possible?

**shimman** · 08-09-2006,08:04 PM

ok, this might be a dumb question, but i want to know whether i can use i-link (ieee1394a) to ide converter to load applications

since i-link is far faster than usb 1.1 ports on ps2, wouldn't it be possible get as fast as ide drive speed? better yet, it would be wonderful if dvd burner can be used to load applications....faster & more reliable than built-in dvd rom drive

am i asking just too much ???

thanks

**dlanor** · 08-09-2006,08:58 PM

Originally Posted by shimman

ok, this might be a dumb question, but i want to know whether i can use i-link (ieee1394a) to ide converter to load applications

No, because there is no software available that supports it.

since i-link is far faster than usb 1.1 ports on ps2, wouldn't it be possible get as fast as ide drive speed?

Not quite, even in theory, but far better speeds than that of the USB ports should be possible. But that also dpends on how well integrated the interface is with DMA channels etc. If the IOP has to spoonfeed that port without effective DMA, then all hopes of high speed go up in smoke...

But in any case, there is no way to use any i-link/firewire devices without software to control them.

better yet, it would be wonderful if dvd burner can be used to load applications....faster & more reliable than built-in dvd rom drive

am i asking just too much ???

At present yes, because there are no device drivers available for the i-link interface. Someone will have to write those drivers, to allow use of such devices.

Best regards: dlanor

**shimman** · 08-10-2006,02:17 AM

dlanor,

thank you for your kind reply.

so the *.ipx files are like drivers for ps2...because i think i saw usb.ipx etc on some homebrew applications.

i guess sony is hiding interface between i-link & ps2 to prevent us to use it.

btw, what's iop? is this an input output processor...the ps1 cpu?

if someone can hack the development tools, i think i-link driver might be made without much of problem because i think i saw diagram for the ps2 development tool that uses i-link to interface pc to do the remote debugging; if there is no dma, i-link will be very hog down too much resource to be effectively used for the debugging purpose...i really wish someone can come up with the i-link driver...

**shimman** · 08-10-2006,02:27 AM

quick search ended this
http://www.snsys.com/PlayStation2/proview.htm

i.link driver....just need to get skilled hackers & applications

**dlanor** · 08-10-2006,03:07 AM

Originally Posted by shimman

dlanor,

thank you for your kind reply.

so the *.ipx files are like drivers for ps2...because i think i saw usb.ipx etc on some homebrew applications.

I assume you mean *.irx, as that is the normal filename extension for PS2 device drivers.

i guess sony is hiding interface between i-link & ps2 to prevent us to use it.

Some information is available, but only to legitimate developers registered with Sony, or to legitimate buyers of Sony's Linux kit, which never has been for sale in my nation (nor has any other Sony HDD kit for PS2). And those docs are not available on any homebrew sites that I know of, because that would make Sony haul out their big guns and take down any such website.

btw, what's iop? is this an input output processor...the ps1 cpu?

Yes, those are its two major roles in the PS2 design.

if someone can hack the development tools, i think i-link driver might be made without much of problem because i think i saw diagram for the ps2 development tool that uses i-link to interface pc to do the remote debugging; if there is no dma, i-link will be very hog down too much resource to be effectively used for the debugging purpose...i really wish someone can come up with the i-link driver...

I agree with the wishes, but don't expect too much. Even if we had a complete driver for the low level protocol, that still wouldn't let us use any firewire CD/DVD/HDD devices, as those require additional drivers for filesystem access etc.

Best regards: dlanor

**dlanor** · 08-10-2006,03:17 AM

Originally Posted by shimman

quick search ended this
http://www.snsys.com/PlayStation2/proview.htm

i.link driver....just need to get skilled hackers & applications

Sorry, but that is irrelevant. The software on that site will not run on a normal playstation, but only on those special developer versions. That's somewhat like a pre-modded machine made by Sony, with support for special debugging tools, region-independent booting of CD-R/DVD-R and other goodies.

Finding one of those units for sale is far more difficult than finding some docs and drivers. (I even think it's illegal for developers to sell them to others, as part of the NDA and other agreements contracted with Sony.)

IF you check out the 'History' section of that website you'll find the following interesting quote:

"SN Systems was acquired in September 2005 by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., with the ProDG tools being delivered to game content developers as part of the PLAYSTATION®3 SDK."

In other words, that company is just a subdivision of Sony, and they are not going to let any homebrew developer buy those tools.

Best regards: dlanor

**unclejun** · 08-10-2006,04:42 AM

dlanor>the linux kit is available for Sweden as well as for all the european countries, check http://www.linuxplay.com

The i.link is used to load code to the debug ps2, a bit like ps2link/inlink, the usb can be used to with codewarrior or the network, but only for loading code on the actual devkit dtl-t10k...

**dlanor** · 08-10-2006,01:46 PM

Originally Posted by unclejun

dlanor>the linux kit is available for Sweden as well as for all the european countries, check http://www.linuxplay.com

I know that it's available 'for' sweden. After all, with online shopping you can virtually order anything from anywhere. What I said was that it isn't avilable 'in' Sweden, as no swedish retailers import it.

I tried to order a Linux kit from that site earlier, but this failed because they demand payment in a form which I can't deliver at present. I'll need to open a new bank account first, as Swedish banks no longer allow other forms of euro transfers than direct transfers from one account to another. Earlier it was possible to just go into any bank and buy a check or money order for cash, in any currency, but apparently that service has been dropped.

The i.link is used to load code to the debug ps2, a bit like ps2link/inlink, the usb can be used to with codewarrior or the network, but only for loading code on the actual devkit dtl-t10k...

Yes, that was one of the points I was trying to make earlier. Without such hardware, that debugging software is useless.

But the i-link interface as such is still an interesting feature for a normal PS2 as well, and could potentially be very useful. We'd just'need to develop some software to use it properly. (A big job, as I'm well aware). But since the i-link port aparently doesn't exist on the 'slim' PStwo versions I suppose the motivation to work on this interface has dropped.

Best regards: dlanor

**unclejun** · 08-10-2006,02:37 PM

The linux kit is only available online, you'll never find it in a shop...

**jetlee** · 08-10-2006,04:14 PM

i had 10 for my shop and still keep one for my own use
you can find anything if it existing in the world and what you
are paying for it that depends

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