Possible to patch hda/hdl to boot images from hdd1: ?

[neverMindNames]

i know ps2linux can see a second rom/disk after recompiling...but can hda/hdl the way it is designed?

i was thinking about mounting a 2nd hdd on the top of the ps2...why not for the hell of it.

[agentboolen]

moved to hdd forum. Why in the hell would you post this in the homebrew forum.

[neverMindNames]

Because it would take a homebrew coder to do it.

[dlanor]

neverMindNames:
If you are saying that the pS2linux drivers can see a second HDD attached to the IDE
interface of the PS2 Network adaptor, then (but only then) I'll agree that this indicates
a good chance of achieving the same for a new patched version of HDL.
(But not if you refer to disks connected in other ways.)

I don't think that a single copy of HDL can deal with two HDDs, however, as that isn't
what it was designed for, so it probably doesn't have room for the duplication necessary
for it. But it should still be possible to patch a version to use ONLY the second HDD,
and use LaunchELF or similar program to choose which version of HDL to run, thus
indirectly using both HDDs for HDL.

Testing this will of course require modifications to the PS2 and/or the network adapter,
so as to make another set of HDD connectors available, external to the PS2.

Best regards: dlanor

PS: CAUTION! A second HDD might overload the PS2 power supply,
--- or cause overheating of other internal components, because of the load
--- on the power supply (even if that can stand the load). Some drives
--- require more power than others, while some require very little power
--- when simply resting (which one of the HDDs should always do). Choose
--- your drives carefully if you want to use two, as some combinations may
--- work fine, while other combinations may wreck your PS2.
DS.

[neverMindNames]

yes i was talking about ps2linux.

ive already done the modifications and tried this under ps2linux with certain drives. it works fine for a secondary ide drive.

yes about the power. ive read that under a BlackRhino discussion. the secondary drive i used was using a power supply splitter. However, i left it on for a few days checking out ps2linux and never turned it off. During that time i left it on, i read a thread about this so i rebooted to make sure nothing had gone south...and everything was fine.

as for the modification i made, i was later told that my way was in a way...a bad idea.

i just took solid gauge wire, cut 20 pieces, and a 40pin ribbon. each wire piece was 1 1/4 inch long. you can imagine the rest.

[dlanor]

neverMindNames:
As you describe it, I think it does prove that HDL too can be patched to work on a
second HDD, though it will be necessary to make a more extensive patch than the
previous ones, as this one will affect every HDD access function. Judging from past
experience though, Zer0-X can probably do it without major problems.

As to your hardware modification, it does sound a little risky, though quite functional
when made by someone with good soldering skills. I've made similar connector patches
myself on various computer equipment (never on a game console though).

Best regards: dlanor

[Cyberskunk]

Am i correct in thinking that the PS2 HD is a slave drive under HD loader?

Just a thought

[dlanor]

Cyberskunk:
No, an IDE interface should always have a bus master device. With only one disk attached, that should always be strapped to be master. With two drives attached, one of them must be master and the other one slave. More than two drives is not possible on an IDE bus. (Computers with more IDE drives use a separate IDE bus for each pair of IDE drives allowed.)

This means that HDLoader was written to access the master HDD, wheras the older posts in this thread discuss how to make it use a second HDD instead. It is this second HDD that would be the slave drive.

Best regards: dlanor

[Cyberskunk]

Sorry, disregard my last post, for some reason i pictured running my HD without the jumper on... swappin it back and forth to much, and been out drinkin on all night.. LOL sorry guys

[neverMindNames]

actually according to several A+ tests a single driver should be on CS...but anyways that is not either here or there.

also, the hdd functionality of the ps2hdd module should be fine for secondary drive shouldn't it?