myPS2 to HDD

[daisukejigen]

I have a Matrix Infinity and want to install myPS2 to the HDD to boot in DEV2. I'm using a old HDD I took from my PC. Can I just put the HDD into my PS2, and run the DEV2 software and be all set? Or do I have to format/partition the HDD first? I'm guessing the latter, pretty sure the prior won't work, but if I can avoid some work, I'll take it.
If I do need to format/partition, DMS HDD Format Tool is what to use, or is there a better/easier choice?
Also side note, I can create one huge partition and have multiple .ELFs on it correct? Or do I need seperate partitions for myPS2, SMS, BOR, etc? I don't think I do, but some things I've read point in that direction.

[ps2dragon]

Yes you can use that old HDD from your PC. You can also check out this compatibility list if you want to know if others have gotten specific Hard Drives to work in their PS2.

Yes you have to make sure you format your Non-Sony HDD with some PS2 formatting tool. You can either use DMS HDD Format Tool from the PS2, or if you have that old HDD already connected to your PC as the slave drive, you can use WinHIIP.

I've never used the DMS Format Tool, so I don't know if it's better then WinHIIP when formatting the HDD, but I believe the DMS tool allows more options like having multiple partitions. I install all my games using WinHIIP (becaues it's the fastest method), so that's why I haven't used the DMS Format Tool.

You only need to create one extra partition to store .ELFs and other types of files, so having multiple partitions isn't necessary. You could also put .ELFs in the BOOT partition, but I hear that's not the best choice since that's a default location used by some applications. So it's better to create a separate partition like "main" or something. WinHIIP has the option to create one extra partition other then the defaults. But like I said, I think the DMS tool can create more partitions If you have a need for it (I'm not sure since I haven't used it before).

[daisukejigen]

Well I took the one hard drive out of my computer Friday, and then my computer stopped working. Put it back in, nice static pop sound, followed by smell like something was burning. Now I have a dead computer. Sooo, looks like I won't be doing anything with my stuff for a while.
Happen to know where to buy good computers for really cheap? haha

[ps2dragon]

Man that really sucks. I assume the drive you disconnected was the slave and not the master, and that you made sure the PC was turned off before disconnecting or reconnecting that drive back to the PC?

Anyway, if you manage to get yourself another spare hard drive and still need help setting up your PS2, let me know. Although I have no idea where you are, but I'm sure if you search around you should be able to find some factory computer type store that sells second hand parts and computers.

[daisukejigen]

Yeah power was off. It wasn't set to master, I believe it was set to cable select. I did remember something about being able to get discounts on Dell computers through my work, so I'll have to look into that when I'm on vacation next week. I could just build myself another one like I did last time, but that was kind of a hassle.
Oh well, when I'm home on break I'll just use my moms computer to set everything set up. Before my computer completely stopped working (it would try to load then fail, and now it barely starts up at all) the bios were recognizing the hard drives being plugged in, so hopefully they're still good and its just the motherboard thats gone.

[mann75]

just change your hd, it will be cheaper to do that then a new pc.

[daisukejigen]

Well when it made the pop noise and then smelled, one of my hard drives was out. Even when putting that one back in, it still doesn't work. Used to try and start but now just sits on detecting ide devices forever, won't even give error message or anything. When it would try to actually do anything, even running the Windows installation disc would fail before completely loading.