Need help with PS2 modding

[Yeton]

You may/may not remember a while back, when I was umming and ahhing about whether to get a PS2 or not. Well, I've decided to get one and mod it to play import games and DVDs too, since my DVD on my computer is no longer allowing me to play my region 1 copy of Old Boy. This is also just a tenuous excuse for me to pick up the arcade perfect SF3:3S AND VF4:Evo.

Does anyone have any advice on what to do/what to do where PS2 modding is concerned?

I also heard some mods are a bit dodgy and stop you using blue discs or something like that. Can anyone elaborate?

As ever, thanks in advance, peeps.

[Candycab]

If all youre after is unlocking the region code save youreself the headaches and buy an Action Replay Max { the normal cd and memcard model will do..you dont need the USB model }I have one and it works great and its hard to beat for $39.00


On a somewhat related note .... I bet part of the reason Sony is making the smaller PS2 other than its new small design appeal ,is that it will most likely be hack proof to the current mod chips. Should be interseting to see what they dumped from the old chipset to the new design.

[Daaren]

WHAT !?
You can read imports with the action replay !?
I heard it did not work

[Candycab]

Daaren said:

WHAT !?
You can read imports with the action replay !?
I heard it did not work

Mine states right on it that it can and indeed does have a place in the application menu to do it , I couldnt tell you if it works or not since I have no import games ... I see no reason why it wouldnt work ?

I have used the DVD region code and it works just fine.

I have one for the Gamecube aswell which is more or less identical.

this is the one




Maybe work a look over at their forums to see if infact it does work ?

www.codejunkies.com


Well I dug around a bit and it looks like you are correct ,only shows support for any region DVD and not for games... I just double checked my own to be sure

lol sorry to get youre hopes up guys

Didnt someone have a region free boot disc on the market not too long ago ? I could have sworn it was Datel ? heh now I must research as it has piqued my interest ;D

[Raiken]

I was considering doing this myself but I didn't know the action replay could do that.

[Candycab]

Well a Flip top or one of these may be a viable alternative to chipping www.modmonster.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=82&HS=1

I wouldnt mind seeing one of these in action myself.


This maybe something else to check into ,if infact this does what they say I would definitly consider it vs the hassle of soldering.



Description

NEW Playstation 2 NEO KEY Mod Plug!

External version of our Playstation 2 Modchip. Allows you to play your favorite PSX/PS1 and PS2 CD-R Backup and Import games. Same great features of our internal PS2 Neo Modchip, but with the ease of a single jumper wire installation and USB Plug-N-Play technology.

Works with all USA, EURO, UK, PAL, and AU consoles.
The new series consoles versions 7 and higher will only play PSX/PSOne backups with this mod plug.

* Latest Version!
* Easy to use Auto-Boot function!
* USB Plug-N-Play technology!
* Auto-detects CD-R Media Type
* Auto-filter and Calibration features
* Jumper wire included
* No cutting, snipping or chips to be removed
* Swap Magic, GameShark 2/AR 2 or DVD Region X disc''s required for PS2 Backups
* NOTE: Swap Magic V2 CD version disk will not work on version 9 consoles (SCPH-50xxx)
* Easy Installation!


Requires a Game Shark 2/AR 2, DVD Region X or Swap Magic disks to play PS2 backups. Not required to play PSX/PSone backups.

Television/Console Formats:

- NTSC is primarily used in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Central and Western South American Countries, Japan, South Korea and The Philippines.

- PAL is more widely used, covering most of Western Europe, Scandinavia, Poland, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, parts of the Middle East, Algeria, Eastern and Southern Africa.

The intended purpose of this device is to allow you to use your Playstation to play imports and backups of software that you legally own, as is allowed by law. We accept no responsibility for the use of this device to play copies of games you do not own. Using this device to modify your console will void your warranty.


www.thegiantstore.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=121

[Yeton]

Candycab: Yeah, I did forget to ask about the newer model PStwo and whether Sony had tightened up this version of the console to modding. Sadly it's the only version of the console I can find in the UK now. I forgot about the Action Replay, actually, thanks for reminding me! But do you think there will be a problem with playing back an NTSC DVD on a PAL console (probably me being paranoid)? I'll have a look for an Action Replay tomorrow. Cheers for the suggestion!

One lingering problem for me is no SF3:3S! I don't really fancy an XBox to play the game (few games seem to excite me on that console). Any news on the grapevine on CPS3 emulation to cheer me up?

[Candycab]

I see no reason why there would be any issue playing any region dvd using something like the Action Replay since that is exactly why its there. Otherwise I wouldnt be able to run a DVD from Japan { PAL } on my US { NTSC } PS2 and tv. Obviously its able to convert the signal from one to the other so theres definitly no worries there

As for PS2 models in the UK I guess maybe you would have to find a good used one ... or maybe wait a bit more and see what happens with modding the new smaller PS2 ,I bet there will be some type of external mod like the the one in the above post, but as to when could be anybodys guess ?

Bye the way my Gamecube Action Replay does have the "Free Loader" packed in, which does allow for any region gaming my PS2 version does not.

[Raiken]

That key looks cool but you still have to solder the jumper wire to make it work. I'm gonna buy some swap magic discs.

[Candycab]

Raiken said:

That key looks cool but you still have to solder the jumper wire to make it work. I'm gonna buy some swap magic discs.

Yeah but one wire sounds more appealing than two dozen or more ;D

[Raiken]

My brother recently got one of the pstwo's so I'll have to test my swap disc on it later for experimentation.

[Yeton]

I think I will get a DVD region X disc and just play SF3 on my DC until CPS3 is emulated. I reckon I might get the PSTwo this weekend. I saw a killer offer for Virtua Fighter 4 evo, Vice City and Devil May Cry for £40 new,so I'll probably fork out for that.

[materia]

Raiken said:

My brother recently got one of the pstwo's so I'll have to test my swap disc on it later for experimentation.

I have read numerous reports that state the swap magic ruins your cd lens. If you have the old PS2 you have to use slide card to pry the drive open yuck

[Kazuya_UK]

If you had the older PS2 then I'd say use a hacked HDLoader.... install games onto a HD from your PC, use the memory card exploit to boot it up and woila... imports/backups booting from the HD . Only trouble is you can't fit a HD in the PSTwo . If you happen to grab a standard PS2 then go for it though... I use the official HDLoader (store bought) and have a modded PS2 so I can actually install games on it directly on the PS2, but if your PS2 is not modded you can load it up from the memory card and then install the games from the PC (although this means continually disconnecting the HD and connecting to your PC)... ask Daaren about this as he knows much more about it.

Mods can be installed in the PSTwo - I did hear reports of certain ones that work ok. With Sony's lawsuits etc however, you are going to find it hard to find a place in the UK that will mod a PS2... there are a few people, but obviously it is very underground. Usually there are people doing them at the weekend PC Fairs - check to see if there is one in your area as you *might* find someone there doing it.

Kaz

[sukotsuto]

i remember a certain mod where you need the pro action replay to boot the import/bootlegged games, but the thing is, there were better alternatives than that, in my case, a full mod. but now i'm suffering the consequences of, i think, bad servicing or maybe just the fact that the mod wasn't that reliable in the 1st place at the time.

why can't Sony revert back to the classic PS1 style lid thingy and give us back the opportunity to do the "swap" trick all over again ;D