can i do this without using a mem stick exploit?

[SnowSurfer]

i have a matrix infinity in my ps2, if i put a harddrive in it, will i be able to just put the exploit files on the harddrive instead of going through the whole memory stick exploit mumbojumbo?

thanks

if anyone has a guide or some hints or maybe just a suggestion how to do this that would be nice too.


i really dont want to stick the knife in my ps2 because i have bad luck and figure i would break it

[dlanor]

i have a matrix infinity in my ps2, if i put a harddrive in it, will i be able to just put the exploit files on the harddrive instead of going through the whole memory stick exploit mumbojumbo?

thanks

if anyone has a guide or some hints or maybe just a suggestion how to do this that would be nice too.


i really dont want to stick the knife in my ps2 because i have bad luck and figure i would break it

If you have a genuine Matrix Infinity chip, then there is no problem.
You can choose freely between ALL available bootup methods.

1: You can naturally boot HDL, patched or original, from a CD-R.

For all the other boot methods I suggest that you boot an ELF manager of some kind (I use LaunchELF myself) as you will need it to install and manage not only HDL, but also other programs you'll want/need. If you have no ways of running ELFs from MC already, then I suggest you prepare a CD-R with LaunchELF on it, together with other stuff you want it to install. You can even make a CD image of this kind and run it through HDL if you prefer. However you do it, you will find LaunchELF useful to install stuff for any of the boot methods described below.

2: For most versions of the MI chip, you can install your favourite ELF manager, for Dev.1 booting by two different methods:
--2a: Rename it to MANAGER.ELF, and copy it to mc0:/MATRIXTEAM/, and press down the <Triangle> key while booting with the chip active.
--2b: Rename it to BOOT.ELF and copy it to mc0:/BOOT/, and press the <R1> key while booting with the chip active.

3: If you install the very latest MI firmware v1.5, and use the special installer provided by the Matrix Team, then you can install your ELF manager directly on the hard disk, and boot it from there by pressing the <L1> key while booting with the disk active. Later on, if you wish to replace the boot file you can do it by normal LaunchELF copying (to hdd0:/__boot/boot.elf). It is only the first-time installation that requires the special installer.

4: If you have an old-style PS2, and not a v12 PStwo, then you can also choose to install the exploit, but with all the choices described above, you have no need of it, so I won't describe any of that here.

5: For any PS2/PStwo whatever that is equipped with USB ports (not sure if the very oldest PS2 models had any), you can also use the Swapmagic 3.6 disc to effectively boot ELFs from USB drives. Again, that is an option you don't need, as you have better alternatives to choose from.

Just a few words of warning...:
If your chip is NOT a genuine Matrix Infinity, but merely a clone, then the chip will die if you attempt to install the latest MI firmware in it.

Best regards: dlanor

[SnowSurfer]

its genuine, i already flashed it and its fine, how would i do 2a or 2b (the copying to memory stick part)

thanks a bundle, that is a ton of good information and i really appreciate you taking the time to type it all

[dlanor]

Apparently (from your questions) you have nothing useful already installed, so your first priority should be to install a useful file manager, which can then handle all the other stuff for you, using whatever method your prefer (FTP, host: USB drive, CD-R). When it comes to this sort of thing there is no tool more versatile than LaunchELF, which I use myself.

What you need to do is to prepare a CD-R disc (or disc image for HDL) allowing you to boot LaunchELF, which will then allow you to copy stuff to memory card as required for Dev1 booting. If you are not already familiar with it, this would be an excellent time for you to study up on how to make homebrew PS2 CD-Rs using cdgenPS2 and other tools.

Best regards: dlanor

[SnowSurfer]

thanks again, i am going to read up on that, my harddrive is in the mail so i don't have it in my hands yet to test

tahnks again

[SnowSurfer]

ok i have my harddrive and my ps2 is coming back from netmech in the next few days...

can someone (dlanor or other) give me a quick step by step of what i will need to put on the launchelf cd?

how do i format this harddrive?

is hdldump the best way to transfer stuff onto it?

thanks again...i dont want to be a pain but i think we need an faq on this... if i knew enough i would volunteer to write one thanks


EDIT:
is using hdl the worst way to go? and i will be able to do more things with launchelf?