So many options, which is the best for modding my PS2?

[Iron Claw]

I have an old phat PS2 that needs some import love. It's so jealous of my modded PS1 and region free PSP.

My non-soldering options are the DMS4 E.Z.I. Pro SE (http://www.mod-chip.com/en/dms4_ezi.php) or one of the several swap kits (http://www.mod-chip.com/en/select_ps2_solderless.htm).

As far as hard-wired (soldering), DMS4 Pro SE (http://www.mod-chip.com/en/dms4_se.php) seems like the best way to go. Hard-wiring is more of a last resort though.

Is it true you have to break the front off of your disk tray when using a swap kit (on a phat PS2)?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, is mod-chip.com the best place to go for chips?

[Super Warrior]

I have an old phat PS2 that needs some import love. It's so jealous of my modded PS1 and region free PSP.

Hard Drive+HDAdvance 3.0. Thats the best, easiest way, with no modding or soldering whatsoever. Its plug & play.

Also convenient as you can store all your games to the HDD w/MUCH faster load times.

Since you already have an old PS2 with the HDD bay, it should be easy. Most IDE comp hard drives other than western digital, will fit the PS2 network adaptor, and connect to the PS2.

[Iron Claw]

Hard Drive+HDAdvance 3.0. Thats the best, easiest way, with no modding or soldering whatsoever. Its plug & play.

Also convenient as you can store all your games to the HDD w/MUCH faster load times.

Since you already have an old PS2 with the HDD bay, it should be easy. Most IDE comp hard drives other than western digital, will fit the PS2 network adaptor, and connect to the PS2.

Do I need a network adaptor for this? I never heard of this method before.

[Super Warrior]

Do I need a network adaptor for this? I never heard of this method before.

Yes you'll need the PS2 network adapter, but its sooooo worth it.

And i don't see why this method is not more known. Its plug & play with no crappy alterations required.

All you need is the HDAdvance 3.0 disc, a comp HDD, and the network adaptor.

http://www.hdadvance.com/hd_advance_how-to-use.htm

[Iron Claw]

Yes you'll need the PS2 network adapter, but its sooooo worth it.

And i don't see why this method is not more known. Its plug & play with no crappy alterations required.

All you need is the HDAdvance 3.0 disc, a comp HDD, and the network adaptor.

http://www.hdadvance.com/hd_advance_how-to-use.htm

Damn, this looks very interesting. I don't even need to take the top open off my PS2. I know loading games into the HDD loads games quicker, but with this method, do I have to install every game into the HDD? Or can I just play imports off the disc if I want to?

[iMPULSZE]

I have the dms4pro, HDcombo, and Toxic OS with slimline and i have to say its incredible. Real ease of use, and has the ability to reprogram and reflash if needed.

[Iron Claw]

I have the dms4pro, HDcombo, and Toxic OS with slimline and i have to say its incredible. Real ease of use, and has the ability to reprogram and reflash if needed.

What does Toxic OS do?

Edit: I read up on Toxic OS. Can you use the DMS4 Pro E.Z.I instead of the hard-wire version?

[Super Warrior]

Damn, this looks very interesting. I don't even need to take the top open off my PS2. I know loading games into the HDD loads games quicker, but with this method, do I have to install every game into the HDD? Or can I just play imports off the disc if I want to?

You have to load the games onto the HDD FIRST. Then you can play back imports, originals, etc from the HDD.

And no, as i've said, ZERO internal or external modifications to your system are required. You just put the HDD into the back of your PS2, plug in the network adaptor, and insert the HDAdvance 3.0 disc, thats it.

[Iron Claw]

You have to load the games onto the HDD FIRST. Then you can play back imports, originals, etc from the HDD.

And no, as i've said, ZERO internal or external modifications to your system are required. You just put the HDD into the back of your PS2, plug in the network adaptor, and insert the HDAdvance 3.0 disc, thats it.

Thanks a lot for putting me on to this.

[shrimpnoodles]

do you have to buy the hdavance disc or can it be download somewhere and burn and have it work?

[Super Warrior]

do you have to buy the hdavance disc or can it be download somewhere and burn and have it work?

I dunno as i never looked into that. I just bought my HDAdvance 3.0 discs at the same time as my network adapter.

Its WORTH it to buy the discs, IMO.

Thanks a lot for putting me on to this.

Yeah, the only slight drawback i can see, is some Rare games don't work.

98% of games are fully compatable, but once in a blue moon i'll run into one that won't(so far its only been 4 games for me though, everything else worked).

Meh things can't always be perfect, and i don't mind pulling out the original gamedisc to play those few titles. Hopefully in a future update those will be made compatable.

[shrimpnoodles]

what are those 4 games?

so let me get this straight, buy the HDadvanced cd, network adapter, and a hard drive and just plug and play? what's the format of the hard drive ntsc or fat?

also what's the biggest hard drive that this thing support.

because right now I have a 120 gb hard drive that I'm not using and a network adapter that came with the ps2 so all I would have to do is just buy the HDadvanced cds.

[Super Warrior]

what are those 4 games?

so let me get this straight, buy the HDadvanced cd, network adapter, and a hard drive and just plug and play? what's the format of the hard drive ntsc or fat?

also what's the biggest hard drive that this thing support.

because right now I have a 120 gb hard drive that I'm not using and a network adapter that came with the ps2 so all I would have to do is just buy the HDadvanced cds.

Yes as long as the HDD *FITS* the network adapter, which you can see for yourself if it connects and slides into the PS2. Then all you need is the disc to get it all working.

All the info can be found here:
http://www.hdadvance.com/hd_advance_how-to-use.htm

The 4 games that don't work are: Capcom classics collection 1 & 2, Alpha anthology, and jap Darkstalkers Collection.

[ryucross]

The non-solder modchip is a joke. Most modders I've talked to say the only way to be 100% certain that it'll work is to solder the connections anyway.

[Akiha Tohno]

Yes, you do have to break the front off of your PS2 to use the Slide Card. Thing is -- you can order a replacement front with a slot that you can put the slide card in instead of just keeping the top off.

Now for Slim playstations you need to interrupt its ability to lock the lid down.. mod-chip.com has a cure for that too.

[Toodles]

so let me get this straight, buy the HDadvanced cd, network adapter, and a hard drive and just plug and play? what's the format of the hard drive ntsc or fat?

also what's the biggest hard drive that this thing support.

because right now I have a 120 gb hard drive that I'm not using and a network adapter that came with the ps2 so all I would have to do is just buy the HDadvanced cds.

You can also use the exploit method and not buy anything if you have either 1. A friend with a modded PS2 or 2. An action replay that allows you to copy saves from a USB device (any USB storage device, like a thumb drive or digital camera or ipod)

The crafted save file goes onto your PS2 memory card, and you leave a ps2 disc in the drive instead of the HDAdance disk. The exploit runs the HDAdvance software from the memory card and away you go.

The hard disk is neither FAT nor NTFS (hehe. NTSC is a video format, not a disk type). Technically it makes a new partition for each game on it. If you are wondering about transfering stuff to the hard disk, you can; look into the program HDL_Dump

If you go this route, you cannot run import original disks, nor copy the import disk to the hard drive in the PS2 try like you normally would, but you CAN run import games off of the hard drive, and copy it to the hard drive using your computer over the network (again, see HDL_Dump)

[V4MPIRO]

Are all the fighting games compatible with HD Advance?

[kekken3]

Unfortunatelly Alpha and Darkstalkers Collection don't work.

[Iron Claw]

I think I would start out with the DMS4 Pro SE (hard-wired) chip because I want to play games straight out the package and ensure 100% compatibilty. Then maybe the HDD stuff later.

Off topic: Is the loading for NeoGeo Battle Coliseum really that bad? That's one of the games I plan on importing :sweat:

[True Grave]

I agree wholeheartedly with the hdadvanced suggestions here. It is a very nice and worked well with this OLD 40GB maxtor drive that i had laying around, after i upgraded a relatives computer.

Too bad i already had my playstation 2 with a chip, if i had known about this sooner, i would not have bothered!

:sweat:

[iMPULSZE]

I do not know about size limitations for the PS2 HDD. I have a 320GB Western Digital and its worked like a champ for over a year. If you wanted some more information about compatibility issues with certain games, as well as the proper configurations check out www.ps2hd.com. Then check under the game compatibility sections.

[shrimpnoodles]

I do not know about size limitations for the PS2 HDD. I have a 320GB Western Digital and its worked like a champ for over a year. If you wanted some more information about compatibility issues with certain games, as well as the proper configurations check out www.ps2hd.com. Then check under the game compatibility sections.

and you're able to use all 320 if needed? because if that's the case then I might pull it out of an old computer a 300-400 gb WD hdd and use that instead. I thought that WD hard drive doesn't fit unless it was an old model. 320 gb is the newer model that's wider isn't it?

[iMPULSZE]

No, the HDD physical size is the same. I am able to use almost all of the hdd, minus the partitions and root information, but yeah, the bulk of the drive is usable. I think its in the area of 298GB or more. I use a slim model ps2, but if you are using the old version fatty, you can use a regular HDD. I believe there are very minimal things that must be done to make it fit, like shave down the clips or something along those lines. My needs are different, because I have the pstwo and hdd in a pc case along with an xbox1, dc, and gc. But, if you intend to use a pstwo, and you still want to use a HDD, check out http://www.hdcombo.com/cgi-bin/hdcombo/site.pl?page=images .

I use Winhiip to transfer files from PC to the HDD. Again, techincally you do not need a chip in your ps2 in order to use the HDD, but it does give you greater use of your system, as you can play on the fly. Remember, that whatever file transfer program you use, you should continue to use it. I've known too many people that have tried to change the way they transfer files over, and have it crash the HDD.

[Taiki]

has HD compatability gotten better?

Is NGBC hD compatable?

[Akiha Tohno]

Unfortunatelly Alpha and Darkstalkers Collection don't work.

You can download various versions of Darkstalkers for MAME and play it on a properly modded X-Box if you know anything about how X-Box operates.

[shrimpnoodles]

ok, did some research and I think I want to go with the code breaker method. few questions though, please answer if you know it.

1. will the lastest code breaker work? the one that's available in gamestop (I believe it's 9.x) and shit. or does it have to be that 8.1 version?

to break down the steps:
OK, I can have a harddrive hook up with Network adapter and hook up with PS2.

I can either buy HDLoader or HDadvance from some site to copy games. I know I can do this for sure.\

About the Memory Card exploit. I have memory card. I have read several instructions on how to put hacked hdloader like buying codebreaker

build the .cbs with a download version of hd loader (downloaded from exploitstation)

then connect the Jump drive with the PS2 through usb,

run codebreaker and copy the exploit on the MC

then put the trigger disc in and run the start up the ps2 and it should have whatever menu option I put in the exploit correct?

question: the hdloader in this case is running off of the MC right?

Started copy games onto harddrive etc...

and this is how you play games off of hard drive right?

so then I wouldn't need to purchase hd advance 3.0

the reason why I want to do this instead of buying hd advance is because i want a little more control of the ps2 like playing emulation (if available) and future update of hdloader (if available) instead of being stuck with hd advance 3.0 when there's something better to use. Like a fix for playing SFA anthol (yes I do own the orig copy but it's because I prefer just to have all the games in a hd then having to switch out CDs so the orig stays minty.)

[ShinAkuma204]

I have the case mod/swap kit solution and find it to be excellent. It's also probably the easiest solution in terms of assembly.

[ShinJN]

Any code breaker that allows you to copy files from the USB key to the mem card should work just fine.

When you create the system data file (.cbs), you are adding three essential things:
1. The SLUS code of the trigger disc
2. The bootloader (allows you to select the programs you put in the cbs file); I use uLaunchElf
3. HD Loader (you can put many versions in the cbs file; some games work better with older versions)

HD Loader does indeed run off the memory card. You can however copy the HD Loader executable to the hard drive and point the bootloader to the location of that file on the hard drive. You might have to create a separate folder for all your applications, but I'm not sure.

Make sure you download WinHiip because this program is the one you need when copying games to your hard drive. It also lets you format the hard drive into a PS2 format. I recommend getting an external enclosure because copying games via a usb cable is much faster than doing it over LAN. Or if you really don't care, just hook up the hard drive to your computer via IDE cable every time you want to copy a game over.

HD Advance is outdated. There is no need to buy it. Just get HDLoader and you'll be fine. HDL is what most people use anyway.

Some games work fine when booting off the hard drive and some don't. I like the fact that I don't have to put my game disc in every time I want to play the game. Saves me some scratches and prolongs my game disc life. It's awesome! It also lets me play my imports that I buy since I don't have a mod/import ps2. Good stuff!

[Gasp]

ok, did some research and I think I want to go with the code breaker method. few questions though, please answer if you know it.

1. will the lastest code breaker work? the one that's available in gamestop (I believe it's 9.x) and shit. or does it have to be that 8.1 version?

it doesnt' matter the version as long as you can copy usb files

to break down the steps:
OK, I can have a harddrive hook up with Network adapter and hook up with PS2.

I can either buy HDLoader or HDadvance from some site to copy games. I know I can do this for sure.\

hdloader has and always will be free


About the Memory Card exploit. I have memory card. I have read several instructions on how to put hacked hdloader like buying codebreaker

build the .cbs with a download version of hd loader (downloaded from exploitstation)

then connect the Jump drive with the PS2 through usb,

run codebreaker and copy the exploit on the MC

then put the trigger disc in and run the start up the ps2 and it should have whatever menu option I put in the exploit correct? question: the hdloader in this case is running off of the MC right?


yea basically .elfs are the ps2 version of .exes
basically ps2 games do this
1.)check ps2
2.)check game
3.)check memory card

psx games do this
1.)check ps2/psx
2.)check memory card
3.)check game

so if you put the .elf in memory card basically as long as the SLUS is right is the .elf says "hey run me fuck the game" and what ever elf's you have on the mem card will run



Started copy games onto harddrive etc...

and this is how you play games off of hard drive right?

so then I wouldn't need to purchase hd advance 3.0



again dont buy hdadvance because its just a hdloader with a couple of patches and different load/menu screens

every now and then patches get released to update the hdloader for better compability (sotc,scIII,etc,etc)

the reason why I want to do this instead of buying hd advance is because i want a little more control of the ps2 like playing emulation (if available) and future update of hdloader (if available) instead of being stuck with hd advance 3.0 when there's something better to use. Like a fix for playing SFA anthol (yes I do own the orig copy but it's because I prefer just to have all the games in a hd then having to switch out CDs so the orig stays minty.)[/QUOTE]
i doubt those games will ever be fixed but yea hdloader ftw


Make sure you download WinHiip because this program is the one you need when copying games to your hard drive. It also lets you format the hard drive into a PS2 format. I recommend getting an external enclosure because copying games via a usb cable is much faster than doing it over LAN. Or if you really don't care, just hook up the hard drive to your computer via IDE cable every time you want to copy a game over.

HD Advance is outdated. There is no need to buy it. Just get HDLoader and you'll be fine. HDL is what most people use anyway.


QFT all HD Advance is, is just a hdloader elf with outdated patches, basically if your paying for a HD program your getting ripped off.

[Akiha Tohno]

Codebreaker is a good choice. Good luck. : )

[Toodles]

hdloader has and always will be free
Nope. The hdloader.elf people use in memcard exploits is technically warez. HD Loader was never intended for memory card use, it was meant to run off of a cd. PS2 hackers got ahold of it and pulled out the elf.
http://www.hdloader.net/

[Akiha Tohno]

Nope. The hdloader.elf people use in memcard exploits is technically warez. HD Loader was never intended for memory card use, it was meant to run off of a cd. PS2 hackers got ahold of it and pulled out the elf.
http://www.hdloader.net/

I think the same thing happened with the SNES emulator for PS2. It caused errors in the memory card when you clicked on the fakie icon in when you had it inserted.

[True Grave]

HD Advance is outdated. There is no need to buy it. Just get HDLoader and you'll be fine. HDL is what most people use anyway.

I use hdavanced, at the time i did not know about hdloader so i bought the advanced discs.

I do not regret it however, as hdadvanced has always worked great for me :wonder:

If i got hdloader would it work with my current drive setup that used advanced, or would i have to erase & format my hard drive's contents and start over?

[Eclipsing Binary]

HD Advance is exactly the same program as HD Loader, only with a different skin. If you started out with HD Advance, you can switch to HD Loader anytime without problems. I know this from firsthand experience. I first formatted my hard drive with HDA 2.0, then switched to HDL. All of my games from before still worked fine.