I'm starting out with a IDE HDD for the first time, what do?

[gunh]

So I'm totally overwhelmed by all the different options.
I'm also not sure of what is the agreed-upon best way of doing things in playing backups on a PS2 Fat with a HDD, I'm sure there must be some consensus by now?

I already have a FMCB, a PS2 Fat (obviously) and a Lacie 160gb external HDD (still need to remove the HDD from the enclosure but that doesn't seem to be that hard).

What file system do I format the HDD to, FAT32 and NTFS? Should I only format from inside the PS2?
How would FAT32 deal with 4gb+ files? (I'm assuming it's similar to how WBFS files can be split on the Wii?)
Do I need to 'prepare' the ISO before I copy it to the PS2?

What other tools do I need on the memory card alongside FMCB? Open PS2 Loader? HDLoader? What works best? What are the latest versions OPL/HDloader because I seem to find many different ones all over the net?

Once I install the HDD inside the fat PS2, is it easy to copy games over ethernet? I don't want to have to constantly remove the HDD from the PS2.

Sorry if these questions get asked a lot. I really am a noob to PS2 modding.

Edit: Even a few links to decent how-to guides would be good. Or just what the most current way of doing things is?

[sergio11511]

So I'm totally overwhelmed by all the different options.
I'm also not sure of what is the agreed-upon best way of doing things in playing backups on a PS2 Fat with a HDD, I'm sure there must be some consensus by now?

I already have a FMCB, a PS2 Fat (obviously) and a Lacie 160gb external HDD (still need to remove the HDD from the enclosure but that doesn't seem to be that hard).

seems like you got everything except the network adapter -> ps2 network adapter | eBay

you need the network adapter for the hard drive to work inside the ps2

What file system do I format the HDD to, FAT32 and NTFS? Should I only format from inside the PS2?

the hard drive uses a special format for the ps2. you have to use HDL Dump or WinHIIP to format the drive on your pc. i use Winhiip, so that's all i can recommend.

How would FAT32 deal with 4gb+ files? (I'm assuming it's similar to how WBFS files can be split on the Wii?)

doesn't apply since HDD uses special PS2 format.

Do I need to 'prepare' the ISO before I copy it to the PS2?

prepare to have your mind blown maybe....... but here is how to load images from your pc to the hdd -> http://sksapps.com/winhiip_tutorial.html

What other tools do I need on the memory card alongside FMCB? Open PS2 Loader? HDLoader? What works best? What are the latest versions OPL/HDloader because I seem to find many different ones all over the net?

i still use hdloader for hdd games and ESR for disc copies. all latest apps can be found here. -> Free McBoot Home

Once I install the HDD inside the fat PS2, is it easy to copy games over ethernet? I don't want to have to constantly remove the HDD from the PS2.

Sorry if these questions get asked a lot. I really am a noob to PS2 modding.

i don't recommend trying to FTP images. the network adapter has terrible transfer rate, just plug the HDD into your pc and use winhiip to transfer the iso files

Edit: Even a few links to decent how-to guides would be good. Or just what the most current way of doing things is?

some helpful info -> Free McBoot Home
good app guides -> SKS Apps - Exploit Systems - Wii Ps3 Ps2 Apps - Homebrew Game Downloads
tutorials -> SKS Apps - Exploit Systems - Wii Ps3 Ps2 Apps - Homebrew Game Downloads

[gunh]

Thanks sergio for your response. Things are making sense now.
Could you explain one more thing please: is there a correct way to update my FMCB apps?
If a new version of ulaunchelf or HDL/OPL gets released for example.

[RandQalan]

Just put the .elf on usb device copy to location make sure to delete old and have same name if you want it to show on OSD (On Screen Display)
and if you want to you can even use FMCB and add new ones as well

[gunh]

Finally got my Network Adapter, now I need to format the drive, but I'm not sure what options to use? I've seen people say to switch all the partitions to 0mb, is that correct? Would I lose anything important by doing that?
It's a 160gb HDD so I assume I use the 48-bit option?

edit: Winhiip keeps giving me this error when I try to format with any settings. I have run it with Administrator in W7-64bit.

[RandQalan]

If all your are going to do with your HD is use it for playing games then yes 0 is recommended
and yes you need 45bit for that size HD

[gunh]

If all your are going to do with your HD is use it for playing games then yes 0 is recommended
and yes you need 45bit for that size HD

Any idea about the crashing? Is there another app that would do the same job? It seems pretty old, and I hope it's not because I'm running it on a 64-bit machine.

[RandQalan]

Any idea about the crashing? Is there another app that would do the same job? It seems pretty old, and I hope it's not because I'm running it on a 64-bit machine.

Try compatibility mode for windows xp

[gunh]

Try compatibility mode for windows xp

Tried it, still the same problem. I also just now tried HDLoader Gui (looks like a Java app) but that's not even recognizing the drive.
Winhiip does at least recognize it, just doesn't know how to format it.

This is what it says when I select the drive to start with.

[RandQalan]

OK slap it in your PS2 and use HDmanger of uLE and R1 to format it with PS2 if it fails also then maybe bad drive
If bad then maybe a Low Level Format might fix it