Do I need a laser?

[jwacker]

I have a PS2 with a dead laser. I believe it's v9. If I install a harddrive and copy an exploited memory card that has hdloader on it, do I really need a new laser?

[Zer0-X]

I have a V4 with a dead drive (also both the BA-driverchips are gone). The drive has to be connected tho or the system doesn't start up (might be because of the DM$-chip in it). HDLoader working just nice in it.

[notsloth]

I believe so, you need to be able to read a PS1 game in order to trigger the exploit. I'm curious though, does anyone know if using a modchip that allows booting off the MC would work on a console without a laser?

EDIT: e;f;b .. well that answers my question too.

[jwacker]

I have a V4 with a dead drive (also both the BA-driverchips are gone). The drive has to be connected tho or the system doesn't start up (might be because of the DM$-chip in it). HDLoader working just nice in it.

Do you think that the DM$-chip is what's allowing HDLoader to run?

[Zer0-X]

Kinda, since it's the dev.mode I'm using to launch HDL from MC.

[dlanor]

Do you think that the DM$-chip is what's allowing HDLoader to run?

For the case of Zer0-X, yes. But that's just because he uses it to do the main launching. Your initial idea of using an exploited memory card would also work, provided that your laser still reads a PS1 CD.

In fact, it is very common for a PS2 with 'dead' laser to still be able to read CDs. My own PS2 has long been unable to read DVDs, but CDs work fine, and I know many others have the same problem, so it's definitely something worth trying for you.

Best regards: dlanor