PS1/2 PS2 HDD loading via USB/Expansion Bay?

[Qtis]

Hello guys!

I've got a few questions regarding the PS2 HDD loading. First of all I'd like to say that my old PS2 Phat could be going boink with it's laser so I'd prefer to transfer my game collection to an external HDD for safe keeping. Now comes the questions:

1. Does the Expansion Bay have to be a certain model, ie. can I buy a US expansion bay for my PAL PS2?

2. How is the compatibility for games like FFXII and possibly newer ones?

3. Are the load speeds faster for HDD compared to disc?

4. Is USB loading possible?

5. Is there someone in Europe who can do the Free MCBoot install?

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Armadillo]

1) Any network adapter is fine. US one will work fine on pal ps2.
2) Openps2loader works with most games. Unsure about compatibility for that specific one, but majority work fine.
3) Yes
4) Yes, but pointless when you have access to internal hdd. Ps2 usb is 1.1, very slow.
5) http://gbatemp.net/topic/309572-free-mcboot-install-service/page__view__findpost__p__4162367

 

[Qtis]

Thanks for the reply! I don't know how I missed DinohScene's reply

 

[Harsky]

I think ebay is the only place you can get a network adapter nowadays but the convenience of having ALL my PS2 isos on a HDD combined with a slightly faster loading time makes this a great investment. As for 80gb HDD, I highly recommend getting more. 250gb is the minimum for your games in my opinion.

Also, forget buying from ebay US. If you look for a network adapter on ebay UK, they're selling them for something like €30. This one combines both a 200gb HDD and the network adapter itself.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Playstation-2-PS2-Network-Adapter-Plus-Compatible-200GB-Maxtor-Hard-Drive-/290698168205?pt=UK_Video_Games_Cables_and_Adaptors&hash=item43aef6078d#ht_744wt_1185

Best to ask if the seller ships to Cyprus first before buying but it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[xist]

FFXII requires a patch (or it always did) but it plays fine from the internal HDD. Your best bet is to use both Open PS2 Loader and the older HDLoader to increase compatibility - for instance Metal Gear Substance black screens with OPL but works fine (aside from Skateboarding) in HDL...

What with patching a few games, using compatibility modes and switching between loaders the vast majority of games are fine, although there are a few problems...last ones i've had were Xenosaga 2, Valkyrie Profile Silmeria and Kingdom Hearts 2.

Maxtor drives have always served me well, as have Seagate's although they're essentially the same brand now. Use this for reference.

Edit - It's not hard to add new games as you need. If you're the type of person who plays a game, finishes it and then moves on to the next 80 will probably be fine (take 4GB per game and you'll end up with 16 or 17 on the drive). Otherwise something like 200GB is a good alternative.

 

[Armadillo]

Alternative if you can't find a decent priced one on ebay

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/2-5-3-5-sata-hdd-network-adapter-for-ps2-30000-50000-54329?item=3

Although they have no network port and seem to have mixed opinions on them, some say they don't work as well as official, others say they are fine. I'd still keep looking on ebay though, they do come up cheap sometimes. Mine was £12, no box, but in perfect condition from there, dealextreme just an alternative if you are really stuck.

 

[Qtis]

One more question..

Is there any place to buy a good working IDE HDD for a low price? Somehow I can't seem to find any good priced HDDs near me or in Finland elsewhere. Suggestions? Looking for a 200/250/320 GB HDD I guess.

EDIT: Also is it possible to manage games and Homebrew via an USB HDD (via USB 1.1 sloooow)? Just for the sake of getting a IDE-SATA adapter for the PS2..

 

[Qtis]

Anyone happen to know the answers? I'd like to know before buying one or the other

 

[yusuo]

I got it all working yesterday, I'm using a 160gb external laptop drive. Works fine for me with openps2loader all games working so far.
Honebrews pretty small and runs off the memory card.

 

[Qtis]

Weeeee! More questions! Is it possible to transfer saves from the PS2 memorycard to a USB memory with a PS2? I'd figure no, but I thought I'd give it a go. There are quite a few PS2Memory-to-USB adapters available on Amazon/DX/etc. and I'm wondering if I should buy one for backuping my saves (and possibly transfer FMCB to the card).

 

[yusuo]

Weeeee! More questions! Is it possible to transfer saves from the PS2 memorycard to a USB memory with a PS2? I'd figure no, but I thought I'd give it a go. There are quite a few PS2Memory-to-USB adapters available on Amazon/DX/etc. and I'm wondering if I should buy one for backuping my saves (and possibly transfer FMCB to the card).

If your using free mcboot then yeah it isnt an issue, ulaunchelf is a file manager that lets you copy files between memory card and usb devices so its more than possible, u don't need to buy a ps2 to usb adapter