HD advance VS HD loader VS modchip

[bowlofturtle]

Which seems like the best bang for the buck. I have a v4 with a magic chip currently. Nothing is wrong with it. I got it modded thru this forum and still strong after 2 years now.
But now i'm looking to pick up another PS2 since i'm moving out and giving my bro my v4. I haven't made up my mind which PS2 to get (slimline or regular) . But i recently found out about the HD loaders and junk like that. So i read up a little here and there about how it works. whats needed and everything. But no reviews or feedback.

From what i gather. HDloader requires network adapter, HD, software cd. But HD advance doesn't need a network adapter? What are the diffrences between loader and advance and is there another program that i should consider before i make my move on witch to get.

I love the idea of modchips. Because they work just like that. Burn the game and you are good to go. But from what i read it can cause your laser to die. Cost is about $70 installed. Where as HD loader/advance is cheap like $30 tops and i think you dont void your warranty at all do you? But you need a HD and maybe a network adapter. But with the HD loader/advance you dont really have much wear and tear on your system at all do you? I guess your controller and HD will be the first to go before the laser or PS2 in this case.


Well right now i'm just trying to figure which is the best bang for the buck, cheapest in the long run. Things like that.

oh yea before i forget. i read that if you used HD loader it won't load a backup game. But what if you install a modchip in there then will it install a backup on to the HD? Is there a way to install the games on the HD thru a computer without using the PS2 as well. i need some links to read up on but i can't locate them. search a couple of times but maybe i'm using the wrong words. i ran some googles and no cookie yet.

[DrGast]

Considering that you can get both HDAdvance and HDLoader for free, I'd say these are definitely the "best bang for the buck" ... If you have an already modded machine, getting patched HDL running on another PS2 is child's play.

And to clear things up, HDLoader is basically the same as HDAdvance. Of course, both need a network adapter to connect a HDD to the expansion bay. Slimline PS2s don't support this, so I'd suggest getting one of the "classic" models if you can.

[bowlofturtle]

is that all thats really required a network adapter, HDL and the HD.

I read some things on installing software crap on your memory card and run it from there.

Yea i just read up its the same things and slimlines dont work.

Question on the HDL, you always have to play the HDL disc to get HDL to load up right? So that means your still using the laser but it wont be as much wear and tear.

So back to that one question i had. if i installed HDL and then got the ps2 modded as well. does that mean i can installed games on to the HD if they are backups. Or is that out of the question as well.

[topspot]

u dont need a chip to install backups on your HDD.
you have 2 choices to install backups first is the easy way, just install a real PS2 game then cancel then install again (to get the disk to stop spinning) then use a flip top or swap in the backup. type in the name and contine to install regularly. the other way is just as easy but requires you to open your PC. remove your HDD from PS2 and install into PC (with slave settings set on HDD) via IDE cable transfer games to HDD with Winhiip. now just put the HDD back in your PS2 and your all good. ***TIP*** as long as you can get the game on your PC to transfer it to the PS2 it doesnt matter if its a NTSC,PAL,BACKUP or whatever it should work if its a compatible game with HDL/HDA.

[bowlofturtle]

i like how this winhiip software sounds. i found v1.7 so i guess i'll uses this. Now as to getting a .iso or w/e it is of HDL/HDA i'm not sure how to locate these files. or how to burn them =P

[DrGast]

No need to find an ISO of HDL or even burn it to disc. The best method of using HDL on your PS2 is to use the "memory card exploit" (works without modchip) - do a Google search or look for further info on these forums.

[bowlofturtle]

lol funny how you mentioned what i just read and learned and was about to mention it here.


while googleing a found a lot of people who are charging to join their forums in order to read their how-to guides. like Ihack.com and other ones. I guess i'll just have to keep on hunting later tonight when i comeback.