PS2 Softmod

Hey Guys I got a ps2 scph 75003 PAL I was looking at the softmod guide which is in this forum to install FreeMcboot.

I tried one of the suggestions which would not work is to put all the files on the usb drive and plug it in I tried this but the device wouldn't show up first I tried it with an 8gb usb device formatted to fat32 then I tried my old mp3 player which is formatted to FAT stilll it wasn't recongised. Do I need to use something in conjunction with the usb?

The other method I saw was the disk swap method I have mgs3 aswell as a dvd r but I would rather try the usb method first.

You need a boot method. Just using a USB drive on it's own won't work.

If you're going to use the disc swap method you need 007 Agent Under Fire. Any other retail game may or may not work.

Thanks for the reply So in layman terms how would I be able to do it I'm looking at the softmod guide now and it had various ways of booting and the usb and swap disks are on there.

I have mgs3 and a blank dvd r what should I do?

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Originally Posted by kripz

Thanks for the reply So in layman terms how would I be able to do it I'm looking at the softmod guide now and it had various ways of booting and the usb and swap disks are on there.

I have mgs3 and a blank dvd r what should I do?

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http://bootleg.sksapps.com/tutorials/fmcb/swap.php

If you use any other game you will have to identify the elf file (and know what part of the game disc it is associated with so you can actually boot the exploit).
The only awkward thing about using AUF is that you need to play the game up to a certain point to trigger the exploited elf file.

I wouldn't pay too much attention to the other games listed on that link I posted, I don't know of anyone that has got From Russia With Love to work. My region is PAL.

Okay thank you for your reply. I've been researching it a bit more and it says I have to block the sensors unscrew the slim and tape it off I think I'll leave it if thats the case.

It isn't a big deal with a slim tbh :shrug: The consoles are cheap or free anyway, but it's very unlikely you're going to damage anything.
Not as if there's any warranty to worry about.

That is true, I had a bit of a bad experience as a kid with the old fat ps2 I didn't have a console for 2 years and that' when San Andreas came out I was gutted. Which tutorial would you recommend I use?

If you have AUF retail then just follow the guide for it. You'll need apache but I think there is a download link in the sksapps tutorial.
Imgburn; just grab that from the official site.

I assume you've already found the info about where the sensors are and how to deal with them.

There are plenty of methods that can be used the whole elf replacement method is only one of the methods

Action Replays, various versions can be used to install FMCB and other cheat CD's (Not all cheat CD's though), SwapMagic could be used easy using two different methods, only one method gets a mention at sksapps, but I know of another that can be used with older versions of Swap Magic, like version 2.00

Or you can just get someone else to hack a memcard for you, either from a pre softmodded console or hardmodded console or using one of the many modding methods from a none modded PS2

You can even do this from an official PS2 to PS3 memcard reader that is USB but some clever home brew teams made PC drivers, can't say I have tested that though as I only have an unofficial PS2 to PS3 card reader but the PC drivers do not work with that hardware

I used the Swap Magic disc set myself, but I could of just used my older Action Replay 2 v2 or a Action Replay Max to install it with a few extra steps

Action Replay 2 v2 is not listed there directly as an install method but you can use the Action replay 2 v2 as a swap disc, it is a good disc to use as it had a stop drive instruction that lets you swap it without it still spinning [Or at least I think it did it has been some years since I used that mind :P] (burning ulaunch to a CD-R not a DVD as action replay 2 v2 is a CD, same applies to any swap trick the burned disc must be on the same type of media the original disc so if the retail disc was a DVD5 then the swapped disc must be either a standard (or mini) DVD-R or DVD+R or if the retail disc is a DVD9 disc then the swapped to disc must be a DVD DL+R [+R because dual layer -R's are usually too low quality] these are also known as DVD9+R) +R media is in general higher quality media and the slim models can read those just fine, most of the bulky PS2's could not but only because the PS2 came out before they got released so lacked support for them

Most of the guides are at http://bootleg.sksapps.com/tutorials/fmcb/ just use the Installation drop down menu

If you happen to have an old Action Replay 2 v2 with the silly PS2 memcard dongle thing (I know it's not actually a memcard you just need it to get the Action Replay working) or even an older Swap Magic then let me know I can guide you through that myself, it's not that hard to get working and it is not an elf swap either, they can be used as a swap disc for a ulaunch CD or even the full fmcb package with ulaunch on a single CD-R

Thank you both for the advice, with the sensors I'm assuming sellotape will do the trick?

I tape the front one (well replaced it with a switch now, for my own reasons)

There rear one though you will struggle with tape, but if you are planning on installing this and not wanting to use swap trickery for anything else then keep the machine open while you mod it and just have the rear sensor blocked (pressed down) with Blu Tack, Silly Putty, Plasticine or something like that, once modded you no longer need the sensor blocked and if you plan on using mods like ESR that let you boot burned DVD's directly then you don't want that blocked to allow games that are on multi DVD's like XenoSaga 2 and 3 or the later Grandia games, that would not work for moving from DVD 1 to DVD 2 if you have those blocked

If you want though the back one can be perm blocked with superglue, just hold it down with a pin while the glue sets, and just have the front one temp, once done modding you can remove the tape and the lid will act as normal, only one of the sensors needs to be released for the PS2 to think the lid is open even if the back one is perm blocked

Thanks for the input guys I was looking at memory cards to backup my saves to and a good deal came up on ebay for a 128mb card for around £4 is it worth investing in? Is there anyway of knowing its authentic as well?

Stick with the official 8MB retail card

You can backup saves to your PC via various methods, especially after it is modded, best being via Codebreaker + a USB stick (the best because some game saves get corrupt with some of the methods), you don't need the disc, I can explain that at a later date though)

Still nice to have an extra memcard but a lot of 3rd party memcards will either not be recognized by some games or do become corrupt after some use, the risk is more than doubled with extra sized memcards these are even less reliable

Providing you have a Codebreaker compatible USB stick then the process of backing up and restoring saves is very easy and quick, just use the Codebreaker directly to copy the save to USB, it will auto make a solid file that does not corrupt if you copy it to PC, with other USB sticks that are not directly compatible, there are still ways to use them but the process is a little more complicated, but still resonably quick to do especially once you get used to it (basics, use codebreaker to compress the save first (compressed save will still be on the memcard) then use uLaunch to copy the compressed save to USB, for reversal you simply copy it back to the memcard using uLaunch then codebreaker to uncompress)

I strongly recommend against getting a 128MB card though, even an official one that I was sure they did not do this size

8MB is only listed on the Playstation site

I looked at the card in question no it's not a genuine Sony product, the 128 cards on eBay.co.uk are not by Sony, they are all 3rd party

But using the method I outlined you can even download save and copy them to your 8MB memory card, that you may want to get a second one

You can use a USB stick to store the codebreaker elf on and you can even use that with the ESR mod to enable cheats, Personally I set my PS2 to not autoboot discs and just set up a custom PS2 menu with ESR Codebreaker uLaunch and a few other things, but you can make it so games autoboot even from ESR patched discs and just make it boot Codebreaker first then if you don't want Codebreaker just remove the USB stick and it will instead boot the game directly instead

Once you are softmodded there are tons of little tweaks you can do for your own preference, P.S. the reason for the switch on the front lid sensor was so I could still do a swap trick, my back lid sensor is super glued perm, the swap trick I can use with Codebreaker, and or with PSXlauncher, though I do own a PSone with a mod chip so either use that or my software modded xbox (original xbox) to play those (I have PSX/PS2 to Xbox controller converters, I was never a fan of xbox pads)

Okay thanks for that Zorlon, I've run into a bit of trouble I've blocked the sensors replaced the elf file with the boot one with the name change on mgs3 snake eater and as soon as I go to special and camouflage and swap the discs my ps2 can't read the replaced disc and comes up with put a ps2 disc in.

Could it be the quality of the dvd? I burnt it at 1x on ImgBurn.

More that this method only really works with one game.

But it could be partly the quality of the discs also what exact discs are you using?

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdmediafor...info=1#dvdinfo <- use the info there to find out what media you are using exactly


EDIT actually you can check out your media once you get the info from above at http://www.videohelp.com/dvdmedia

As a hint though DVD+R media has much better results than DVD-R in general

I see I read up a couple of games work with various results. I'm using connect it dvd+r discs. So for the link you've given me it'll tell me which dvds would be accepted by the ps2 when I find out the media code?

I've just had a thought after looking at your guide Zorlon do I need to use the ESR dvd patcher first then burn the backup disc?

ESR discs are for use after the mod if you install the ESR mod but they can't be used before the mod is installed ;)

Did not even know they done burnable media, so can't comment on the brand itself

Okay thanks Zorlon, I got fed up with tinkering with it and I'm going to buy 007 AUF now also which dvds do you recommend?

I get verbatim DVD+R 100 spindles from Amazon myself, these are good quality ones, I wouldn't know if the smaller spindles are the same or not

Those are not the only high quality media around and not exactly the cheapest, not badly priced though

EDIT you can also try changing the Book type from +R to -R, to make sure there is no media compat issues but Slim PS2's should not have issues

Thanks for the advice Zorlon. In your softmod guide the uncompressed boot is different to the one in the free mcboot page which one should I use? I'm expecting the game on monday and I'm going to buy the dvds you recommended. Should I follow the guide you compiled or the one on the free mcboot page?

What exact boot file are you talking about?

The one in my guide should be fine, I made it so it skips a few regional steps so some files are pre prepared, though it may be that something has been updated since I done my guide.

P.S. you are welcome to link to the exact pack or file at the official free mcboot page if you like so I can check it out for you

Though once installed you can update anything you like easy enough because at that point it can read files from USB and just copy over the ones on the Memcard

I think he's talking about the uncompressed BOOT.ELF on the sksapps game swap trick link I posted? :shrug:

The link again:
http://bootleg.sksapps.com/tutorials/fmcb/swap.php

BOOT.ELF I think he is talking about:

Code:

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http://bootleg.sksapps.com/tutorials/fmcb/downloads/uLaunchELF.zip

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Will wait for the OP to reply :) but if it is just for the game replaced elf probably best to use that one as it known to work with that game, the copy that I have is a compressed version, that does not need to be uncompressed for it's use, only when replacing an ELF would it need to be the uncompressed version

Mine may be newer also anyway

It's the boot.elf thanks deadlegion. To be certain I should use the one on the FMB page then? I tried using it with MGS3 and Splinter Cell Chaos Theory I think it may be the disc brand I used or the file just doesn't work with them games. At this point I just want to play backups I don't need the SMS or other stuff I can just delete them once its installed? Once its softmodded will I be able to play any region games on it through ESR? Plus I was rereading the replies you both sent once its installed which sensors do I free up Zorlon? Or can I just leave them the way they are and nothing will break?

For the disc mod yes use the one DL linked (I went into detail in my last post)

I would say the later that it does not work with those games

Free up the front one (the one with the power button on it) so multi DVD games work after modding the back one can remain blocked, ESR does not require sensors blocked at all

The ESR is region free yes but if your TV can't display 50Hz or 60Hz then that is something else

Thanks Zorlon, Okay so its the one game it will work with. The back one with the paper stopping it can remain like that then?

I have a HDTV so the 50Hz and 60Hz is not a problem.

I was looking at component cables for my ps2, I've read it is better quality. Currently I'm using the normal cable with a scart extension in the back of the tv. The problem I have is the games have a thin black borders round them is it worth investing in a component cable? Will it make the borders disappear?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kripz

Thanks Zorlon, Okay so its the one game it will work with. The back one with the paper stopping it can remain like that then?

I have a HDTV so the 50Hz and 60Hz is not a problem.

I was looking at component cables for my ps2, I've read it is better quality. Currently I'm using the normal cable with a scart extension in the back of the tv. The problem I have is the games have a thin black borders round them is it worth investing in a component cable? Will it make the borders disappear?

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Nope, border will still be there

P.S. a lot of NTSC HDTV's still can't display PAL 50Hz, but Most later PAL TV's and HDTV's can display in 60Hz just fine

Component gives High Def display even though most games will be 480p/480i or whatever the PAL equivalent is not many games used anything higher on the PS2, so that is High Def display but not High Def resolution with most of the PS2 games.

Okay thanks Zorlon, Is there any need for me to buy a component cable then?

The paper in the back sensor can't be removed then?

None what so ever

You can remove the paper if you like it will not prevent ESR from working either way as long as the front one is not blocked in any way

Okay thanks Zorlon, I've got another issue now I bought the game off ebay its not in good condition so when I tried to rip the iso using imageburn it would stop at the 51% mark. It has read errors somewhere its pretty scratched up.

I've put the game in my ps2 and completed the first mission and the second one has come up and it works fine.

What I was wondering is can I use an 007:AUF Europe iso from here and put the boot.elf on that burn it and use that when it comes to the disc swap bit?

My dvds are coming hopefully early next week.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kripz

Okay thanks Zorlon, I've got another issue now I bought the game off ebay its not in good condition so when I tried to rip the iso using imageburn it would stop at the 51% mark. It has read errors somewhere its pretty scratched up.

I've put the game in my ps2 and completed the first mission and the second one has come up and it works fine.

What I was wondering is can I use an 007:AUF Europe iso from here and put the boot.elf on that burn it and use that when it comes to the disc swap bit?

My dvds are coming hopefully early next week.

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That should work yes but recommend you also burn a direct copy also if the swap has issues swapping early

Basically boot the retail disc as normal, while still on the main game menu quickly slow the disc down with your finger and remove it carefully (don't just rip it out) and replace with your burned copy with the replaced elf, if needs be first replace with the un-modified burned copy then use the elf replaced copy at the time recommended in the guide

Not that I have read the guide fully in a while mind you, but I know that running burned copy of a game will work fine swapped for a scratched retail disc, I originally got Silent Hill 2 Directors Cut pre-owned and scratched like that and that is exactly how I got to play it through.

Okay thanks Zorlon. I will get back to you with the results soon.

Good luck with this and yeah please let us know your results or if there is anything else I can either help with or point out

Okay so I burnt the disc with the replaced elf file everytime I put it in and try and load the second level it just goes to a black screen and stays there.

When I open the ps2 tray the disc sometimes stops then spins I'm assuming this is because it is scratched as it doesn't happen to my other games.

Should I make a second disc and do as you described Zorlon or is the black screen fixable another way?

EDIT

Scrap all of what I've just said I've done it, my ps2 started to read the AUF disc at a high speed I'm assuming from the wirring sound I did the disc swap. Ulaunch started I installled FMCB the newbie package. Then it just stayed on their splash logo, I turned the ps2 off now on and all of the features are installed!

Thank you Deadlegion and Zorlon Much love for showing me how to softmod my console! ;D

Now I'm going to burn a ps2 disc see what happens I've also seen you can hook up a pc to your ps2 via ethernet cable and play games that way!

OPL is used for streaming PS2 games from your PC, I wouldn't bother from USB though not for PS2 games anyway