How do I patch HD Loader retail on an already used HD?

[MustangCharlie]

I bought HDL and an 80 gb hard drive several months ago, and I just discovered this site. I've been browsing for a couple of days and can't seem to find a straight answer to this one.
#1 Is it even possible to patch an existing version of Hd Loader with games on it? Or would I need to reformat?

#2 How do you all connect your hard drive to your computers/laptops? I only own a laptop, is there any means of connecting via USB or otherwise?

Thanks

[dick_onion53]

Welcome to the scene.

You can use the new hdloader with you current games list/hdd... do you have the memory card exploit running? You can simply download the new, patched hdloader... you own it so it'd be legal to download. But you need the exploit to run the updated hdl. You can install the exploit yourself or I can do it for you

And you could connect your hdd via usb enclosure.... but having a laptop you can't direct connect the hdd... a laptop hdd is.... well really small... not sure of the exact size while while a stardard hdd (like in the ps2) is 3.5".... your laptop most likly doesn't have a second hdd slot anyway.

[alastor]

an ethernet connection via Hdl_Dump is also possible assuming you have a method of booting burned applications on your ps2.

[yabla]

If you have hdloader, you can boot whatever you want via it.

For example, dlanor has made a "kit" which can install anything you want to the memcard:
http://psx-scene.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35818 (Non-mod Exploit installation through HDLoader or USBextreme)

[dick_onion53]

Yeah... you could install the exploit via hdloader if you wanted... but you have no way of getting a homebrew app on it. Errr... I guess you use a slid card.