PS1/2 Going to install a Modbo 4.0, any tips?

[TeamScriptKiddies]

I am an experienced solderer (love my trusty 15 watt radioshack firestarter, with "SMT" tips lol). So I have an old v7 ps2 lying around that I've been using the slide card with for like ever now (I'm a college student so I have very little time for soldering projects), but over this summer I'd like to install this matrix infinity clone. I purchased one from a site called Eurasia (excellent modding shop btw) and its sitting in the anti-static bag in my room lol. So is there anything in particular I should watch out for with this chip? Other than the inability to update it? (original chip has been long discontinued anyways, so no worries there). I plan on using this for backups, imports and homebrew. Anyone else have experience with this chip, if so, what do you have to say? Positive or negative, lay it on me.

 

[TeamScriptKiddies]

Just occurred to me, is "ground bounce" going to be an issue with this chip? Do I need to use thicker gauge wire for vcc and gnd? I know this was a common problem with a lot of the ps2 chips.

 

[TeamScriptKiddies]

Nada huh? So I shouldn't expect too many issues while doing this installation?

 

[cobleman]

Why chip when a soft mod will do the same

 

[TeamScriptKiddies]

Why chip when a soft mod will do the same

Because its funner this way

 

[sandytf]

Sorry, I was thinking of the ChipMod Pro+ 2.0 chip.

 

[TeamScriptKiddies]

well what did you have for input anyways? It might still be relevant

 

[Ozito]

Make sure to keep the wires short, long wires were the #1 cause for black screens or chip not functioning correct for me.

Use 28awg 30awg kynar wire, it's easier to solder to certain points that can be too small for 30awg 28awg or other wires.
Do not cross wires, use some kind of adhesive (I used a glue gun) to keep the wires tidy.

Google for pictures before starting, some mod-jobs are masterpieces thrive for that perfection but have an honest expectation of how your job is going to look like at the end.
Do not panic if you burn away a via or accidentally lift a trace, take a pause and repair when you are focused again.

Use thicker wire for GND and 3.3V I used to use the copper wire from old phone wires.

Make sure to keep your tip tinned and clean, have some flux at hand and a wet solder sponge to wipe of the excess now and then.
Be well fed and rested, don't stress and don't breath in the fumes even though it kind of smells good

Ask any questions don't feel dumb.

Good luck!

-EDIT-
Sorry! I meant 30AWG!

 

[dilav]

PS2 boot rate is poorer than good chips. PS1 boot rate can be terrible.
PS1 boot up screen is gone on some newer Modbo
FMB may not work unless chip is disabled due to the auto detection/reset putting you into a reboot loop.

 

[TeamScriptKiddies]

PS2 boot rate is poorer than good chips. PS1 boot rate can be terrible.
PS1 boot up screen is gone on some newer Modbo
FMB may not work unless chip is disabled due to the auto detection/reset putting you into a reboot loop.

Thanks for the tips, but honestly, I doubt I'll be using fmcb with this once I have the chip in anyways. As for the boot rate, are you sure about this? It could've just been a faulty install, as the modbo is a clone of one of THE most high quality, modchips out there (of course, a clone is a clone and is usually made of inferior quality). At any rate, I already have this chip in my possession, and the original Matrix Infinity has long been discontinued, so I don't have much of a choice at this point, unless I can pawn this chip off on someone else lmao.

I'm currently using a combo of fmcb and the slide card with the usual onslaught of loaders (including a ps1 gameshark for ps1 games). Do you think I should try and get rid of this chip (it was only $12+shipping) and stick with my current setup, or attempt the chip installation? Does anyone else have experience with the Modbo 4.0? If so, mind chiming in?

 

[TeamScriptKiddies]

Make sure to keep the wires short, long wires were the #1 cause for black screens or chip not functioning correct for me.

Use 28awg kynar wire, it's easier to solder to certain points that can be to small for 30awg or other wires.
Do not cross wires, use some kind of adhesive (I used a glue gun) to keep the wires tidy.

Google for pictures before starting, some mod-jobs are masterpieces thrive for that perfection but have an honest expectation of how your job is going to look like at the end.
Do not panic if you burn away a via or accidentally lift a trace, take a pause and repair when you are focused again.

Use thicker wire for GND and 3.3V I used to use the copper wire from old phone wires.

Make sure to keep your tip tinned and clean, have some flux at hand and a wet solder sponge to wipe of the excess now and then.
Be well fed and rested, don't stress and don't breath in the fumes even though it kind of smells good

Ask any questions don't feel dumb.

Good luck!

Thanks for the tips! Greatly appreciated!

 

[Ozito]

I have bought most of my chips from Eurasia and never had a problem with them.
But i can't give you any feedback on the modbo, I used to buy DUO3 Ultra back then when they had them in stock.

You can read some of the user reviews for your chip here.

 

[TeamScriptKiddies]

I have bought most of my chips from Eurasia and never had a problem with them.
But i can't give you any feedback on the modbo, I used to buy DUO3 Ultra back then when they had them in stock.

You can read some of the user reviews for your chip here.

Thanks, mostly good ratings on there . I was hesitant to post a link back to their shop, because I was afraid people would assume I was just spamming as I'm still fairly new to this forum. Thank you though!

 

[jinnpan]

Here is some picture of my installs to give you an idea how to mount them.

Any questions feel free to PM me.

 

[TeamScriptKiddies]

Here is some picture of my installs to give you an idea how to mount them.

Any questions feel free to PM me.

Thanks so much! This will come in handy! Any chance, any of these installs were on a v7? I'm going to be installing this modbo in my v7.

 

[jinnpan]

The DMS4 PRO was installed in a v7 which is the last picture with the Actel chip and purple wire.

 

[TeamScriptKiddies]

The DMS4 PRO was installed in a v7 which is the last picture with the Actel chip and purple wire.

Ah thanks. I gotta say those are some pretty impressive soldering skills you got there. Those are very clean installs, amazing!

UPDATE: I never got around to doing this lolcoptaz. Kept putting it off and also didn't want to botch it with my crappy iron from ratshack. I went and ordered one of these http://www.eurasia.nu/shop/product_info.php?cPath=51&products_id=409 for my console modding needs. To many projects have suffered at the hands of my radioshack POS hahahhaa. I'm gonna give this a go, when I have some downtime between multiple jobs and school.