PS1/2 Hacking PS2

[Natural]

I have a slim, silver PS2. MODEL NO. SCPH-79001. Is it possible to hack this kind? I need a really good guide if so, something not unnecessarily complicated. I have like 3 memory cards last time I checked and I have 4 USB drives. Also, I have Gameshark and a lot of blank cds. (Have to check which kind though.) Thanks for all the help.

 

[emmanu888]

The model you have will work with FMCB (Free MCBoot) If you plan to play games from a USB drive don't. Play them from a network connection, USB is the worst to play PS2 games from (Unless its games like DDR, PnM, PiU, ITG)

 

[Cyan]

I installed FMCboot on my friend's console and I tried playing from USB, it wasn't really playable (except few littles games which don't require excessive disc access, like katamary).
I then tried ESR + patched ISO burned to DVD-R disc, and it works beautifully

it prevents you from buying the network adapter and all the needed hardware.
I don't know why burned discs are not a recommended solution. Everyone recommend network adapter, but I prefer Disc based gaming. it's easy to use, insert disc, it auto-launch.
it has a 90% compatibility.

If you want a disc free solution, then network adapter is the way to go.


To install FreeMcBoot, I didn't find a lot of information.
like "will my memory card be deleted/formated?" no, you just need enough free space to install it.
"is the network interface required to play from HDD? can't it be accessed directly from internal HDD?" never got that answer.

All install guides asked for a way to run homebrew on a non hacked console (using Action replay, or swap trick etc.), but they didn't explain that you could use a modchip console, that's the easiest way and what I used.
Another way is to ask someone with an already hacked console to install FMcB on your memory card. there is a thread here with users willing to do it for you.

FreeMcBoot is a program installed on the memory card location used at launch by the PS2. it's autobooted if the card is inserted and displays a menu (you can choose which item the menu displays and which programs it redirects to).
the default package wasn't at my taste so I edited it to install more apps to the memory card.
The install process was easy and went smoothly.

if you want precision on the install process, or the way to make your own menu, let me know.


I can't help with Network interface/HDD.

 

[Natural]

The model you have will work with FMCB (Free MCBoot) If you plan to play games from a USB drive don't. Play them from a network connection, USB is the worst to play PS2 games from (Unless its games like DDR, PnM, PiU, ITG)

I'll try to see if I can do that. I have seen a lot of people talking about having 007. Do I really need that? :o

I installed FMCboot on my friend's console and I tried playing from USB, it wasn't really playable (except few littles games which don't require excessive disc access, like katamary).
I then tried ESR + patched ISO burned to DVD-R disc, and it works beautifully

it prevents you from buying the network adapter and all the needed hardware.
I don't know why burned discs are not a recommended solution. Everyone recommend network adapter, but I prefer Disc based gaming. it's easy to use, insert disc, it auto-launch.
it has a 90% compatibility.

If you want a disc free solution, then network adapter is the way to go.


To install FreeMcBoot, I didn't find a lot of information.
like "will my memory card be deleted/formated?" no, you just need enough free space to install it.
"is the network interface required to play from HDD? can't it be accessed directly from internal HDD?" never got that answer.

All install guides asked for a way to run homebrew on a non hacked console (using Action replay, or swap trick etc.), but they didn't explain that you could use a modchip console, that's the easiest way and what I used.
Another way is to ask someone with an already hacked console to install FMcB on your memory card. there is a thread here with users willing to do it for you.

FreeMcBoot is a program installed on the memory card location used at launch by the PS2. it's autobooted if the card is inserted and displays a menu (you can choose which item the menu displays and which programs it redirects to).
the default package wasn't at my taste so I edited it to install more apps to the memory card.
The install process was easy and went smoothly.

if you want precision on the install process, or the way to make your own menu, let me know.


I can't help with Network interface/HDD.

Saw a guide on FmcB but I don't have 007. I think I'll try the disc solution. Also, what is ESR? Thanks.

 

[Cyan]

ESR is the Disc loader homebrew used to play patched ISO burned to disc.
You launch it from FmcB menu, or from the file browser homebrew. It can also be launched automatically if there's a disc in the drive. (you configure FmcB to auto-launch the application you want depending on the Button pressed on your controller at launch, or if there's a disc in the drive, etc.)

 

[Natural]

ESR is the Disc loader homebrew used to play patched ISO burned to disc.
You launch it from FmcB menu, or from the file browser homebrew. It can also be launched automatically if there's a disc in the drive. (you configure FmcB to auto-launch the application you want depending on the Button pressed on your controller at launch, or if there's a disc in the drive, etc.)

Oh, forgot to ask. Also, what exactly is a modchip console? And do you have a link to the best guide for softmodding the PS2 you can think of? Or the guide you probably used?

 

[Cyan]

a console with a modchip, it's a soldered chipset inside the console to read burned disc, instead of hacking it by software (without soldering anything).
If you have a modchip'ed console, you don't need freeMcBoot.
I only used my modchip'ed console which can run homebrew to run the FreeMcBoot installer and install FmcB on a new memory card for my friend.

I used the informations from free mc boot official website to generate/edit my own memory card menu and installed homebrew, I've read a lot of things to be sure I understand what to do.
I didn't follow a single guide, but more "read a lot and try what I understood".

 

[FireEmblemGuy]

PS2 Slims can't do HDD stuff; there's no HDD. On the bright side, they do have the Ethernet jack on the console itself, so there's no need for an external network adapter. LAN loading does require hooking up your PS2 to a router via Ethernet, or directly to the machine you want to load games from. Requires some manual number entries.

Otherwise, just ESR-patch and burn your CDs and DVDs once you've got FreeMCBoot installed; should be fairly hassle-free.

If your Gameshark can't boot homebrew in any way, you'll need something that can - a Codebreaker or Swap Magic 3.8 disc would be the best bet; there are games like 007 Agent Under Fire that are fairly easy to do a disc-swap trick with, but it might be more complicated on a Slim.

 

[Natural]

PS2 Slims can't do HDD stuff; there's no HDD. On the bright side, they do have the Ethernet jack on the console itself, so there's no need for an external network adapter. LAN loading does require hooking up your PS2 to a router via Ethernet, or directly to the machine you want to load games from. Requires some manual number entries.

Otherwise, just ESR-patch and burn your CDs and DVDs once you've got FreeMCBoot installed; should be fairly hassle-free.

If your Gameshark can't boot homebrew in any way, you'll need something that can - a Codebreaker or Swap Magic 3.8 disc would be the best bet; there are games like 007 Agent Under Fire that are fairly easy to do a disc-swap trick with, but it might be more complicated on a Slim.

I went to this link and saw that at the top of the page that it only worked for Fat PS2 so I was confused. :/

 

[Psionic Roshambo]

If your going to buy something for the Slim PS2 and you can find it....

I would go with Swap Magic, then use that to boot either into FMB or your network disk launcher.

Also as a bonus you can boot direct back ups no need to patch with ESR. (Not that patching is a problem, it's just an extra step.)

Installing Swap Magic is a lot easier than doing a chip install, on the Slim's it's almost criminally easy. Some pieces of plastic inserted or something and toss in the disk, done.

Finding a USB thumb drive that will load software on the PS2 is a whole different challenge though. I have 1 128MB drive and 2 256MB drives that work with my PS2's. Nothing else I own will work.

 

[FireEmblemGuy]

I went to this link and saw that at the top of the page that it only worked for Fat PS2 so I was confused. :/

Yeah, unless something there needs the expansion port I don't really see why it wouldn't work for Slims, but if it truly didn't you'd just be wasting your money on the Sharkport if you don't already have one.

I also agree with Psionic Roshambo that Swap Magic discs are generally a pretty safe bet as an alternative to a modchip. You can just use them to swap in burned discs after you block the sensors in the disc drive, or you can use them to boot homebrew like the FreeMCBoot installer without any sensor shenanigans (provided you have a USB drive that works; the only one I've found to consistently work with Swap Magic were the 4GB Kingston DataTraveler 3G). Unfortunately it's getting harder to find any site that's really reputable still selling Swap Magic discs. The site I bought mine from seemed to be the last place accepting PayPal, and now they're sold out.

 

[Cyan]

You can always ask someone else to install FreeMCBoot for you.
You need someone with an already hacked console in the same region as yours.

If you don't have friends with a hacked console, you can find users on forums to send your memory card, then will install it and send your card back.
or ask the user to buy a new card and send it to you, but you need to send money to that guy for buying a new card for you first.

 

[HELPMEPLEASEOMG]

You can always ask someone else to install FreeMCBoot for you.
You need someone with an already hacked console in the same region as yours.

If you don't have friends with a hacked console, you can find users on forums to send your memory card, then will install it and send your card back.
or ask the user to buy a new card and send it to you, but you need to send money to that guy for buying a new card for you first.

>or ask the user to buy a new card and send it to you, but you need to send money to that guy for buying a new card for you first.
I've been looking around to do this but it seems most PS2-centered forums such as this one are dead.

 

[Gaming4Ever]

I can help with Installs if anyone in USA needs em.......i can most likely find some MC at the Local Game Shop or U can send your own

 

[Foxi4]

The easiest way to get FreeMCBoot is indeed to get it from someone who already has it - all other methods of installation require you to own a cheat device and/or specific exploitable games. Grab yourself an *original* Sony PS2 memory card (8MB recommended IIRC) and send it to someone who already has MCBoot - if you cover the shipping, you should get it installed for free. You can try using third-party memory cards, but it may or may not be compatible - it's hit and miss.

 

[PunKywap]

Ahmm can I use as card reader on ps2

 

[YOUCANTSTOPME]

You revived a dead thread from 2014 lol

What kind of card reader on the PS2?