PS1/2 Ps2 has modchip, can read original games, but doesn't read burned games.

[eli-se_]

Hello! New here. I just got a fat ps2 (SCPH-39004 PAL) from a relative, which I used to play with when I was young. It has the cut on the warranty sticker and an additional sticker of the person who modded it, so I know it has a modchip. I also know that I used to play burned games in it, I have evidences of it. Yet, after years of not playing with it, I cannot seem to anymore. I have only 1 original ps2 disc, which works with no problems, but none of the burned discs I have seem to work.
My question is, can a modchip die? Or can it be disabled/enabled? I wanted to open it up to see which modchip it had to find solutions, but I'm a rookie so I did not want to start with that, and nowadays its almost impossible to find someone to help around where I live.
Another note, I have a memory card which has uLaunchELF and OPL in it (no freemcboot, I couldn't figure that out unfortunately) which works in my slim ps2 (SCPH-70004 PAL) by simply booting up with pressing R1, but this doesn't seem to work in the fat one. How can I fix this? Does ulaunchelf work differently on different models?

I am so sorry for the long post. I don't know where else can I find a proper solution and known sites like ps2-home does not allow my country's IP inside for some reason. If anyone can find a solution there also, I would really really appreciate it. Thank you very much, and I hope you have a great day.

-Elise

 

[raging_chaos]

A chip wouldn't just die from being idle. Without being able to see pictures of the soldering job it would be hard to say if it's something like a cold solder joint. I would lean more towards having old scratched up CD-Rs that haven't aged well. Try again with a freshly burned modern CD-R.

 

[godreborn]

I'm pretty sure it's possible for a modchip to die, but it takes a while. my first ps2 from 2006 had the matrix infinity. I replaced the laser once when discs could no longer be read (think that included originals too), then maybe 3 years later, it couldn't read anything again. I asked someone more knowledgeable about modchips whether he thought it was the disc drive again or the modchip. he thought it was the modchip this time, because I know the laser should've lasted longer than that. the first laser lasted about 11 years or so. I have a new ps2 slim with a matrix infinity clone, and it seems to work quite well. one thing I would point out is that burns don't last either, so it's possible the dye is no longer readable. my burns still work surprisingly on the new ps2. also, the ps2 is very stingy about which discs will work and every ps2 seems to be different. that's not just -/+r but also specific brands. verbatim is considered the best to use for most systems. I've used sony, tdk, and taiyo yuden (also a good brand, but they were bought out by another company, I believe). it's possible to turn off the modchip, yes, but most of the time it turns back on whenever you restart the system. this is to get around games with modchip detection like dino crisis for example. you'd have to look up the documentation for how yours turns off, if it can be.

 

[Kwyjor]

Have you read about the new DVD player exploits that have developed in the last year? Perhaps one of those would be useful here?

 

[raging_chaos]

McBoot + Sata hard drive would be the way to go with a fat PS2, replacement lasers wont be an option forever. With a little extra effort can even get PSX games to load. Shortened load times can be a great motivating factor.

 

[Urbanshadow]

PS2s need no modchip. It was even dangerous back then to fit modchips into PS2 Slims.

Just FreeDVDBoot then FreeMCBoot your way out of that.

I would be as agressive as removing the modchip altogether but without seeing it personally I wouldnt touch that.

 

[eli-se_]

A chip wouldn't just die from being idle. Without being able to see pictures of the soldering job it would be hard to say if it's something like a cold solder joint. I would lean more towards having old scratched up CD-Rs that haven't aged well. Try again with a freshly burned modern CD-R.

Thank you for your help! the thing is, I have two of the consoles right next to each other and while the slim can open the said games, the fat cannot for some reason. It acts as if I put a wrong CD and gives me the red screen. As I said before, I am sure that the fat PS2 has a modchip since I know it played burned games at some point (maybe like 10 years ago? thats the last time I remember playing with it).

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

I'm pretty sure it's possible for a modchip to die, but it takes a while. my first ps2 from 2006 had the matrix infinity. I replaced the laser once when discs could no longer be read (think that included originals too), then maybe 3 years later, it couldn't read anything again. I asked someone more knowledgeable about modchips whether he thought it was the disc drive again or the modchip. he thought it was the modchip this time, because I know the laser should've lasted longer than that. the first laser lasted about 11 years or so. I have a new ps2 slim with a matrix infinity clone, and it seems to work quite well. one thing I would point out is that burns don't last either, so it's possible the dye is no longer readable. my burns still work surprisingly on the new ps2. also, the ps2 is very stingy about which discs will work and every ps2 seems to be different. that's not just -/+r but also specific brands. verbatim is considered the best to use for most systems. I've used sony, tdk, and taiyo yuden (also a good brand, but they were bought out by another company, I believe). it's possible to turn off the modchip, yes, but most of the time it turns back on whenever you restart the system. this is to get around games with modchip detection like dino crisis for example. you'd have to look up the documentation for how yours turns off, if it can be.

Thank you for your help! I have burned games that has been working for longer than 15 years or something, I also have newly burned ones, which work a bit wacky, but is still okay. Even though the discs can be read on the slim ps2 (with the matrix infinity chip), the fat (with an unknown chip I couldnt find yet) gives me the red screen whenever.
I dont know if its a useful information but the fat ps2 cannot properly load the games on the memory card menu screen. It takes longer than usual, way longer than the ps2 slim I have. It does not do this when it starts with the game inside.
I am really puzzled. I would like to find a solution, should I just open it up and research about the modchip inside? I tried to softmod but my memory card with ulaunchelf inside did not seem to work on the fat ps2 either...

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Have you read about the new DVD player exploits that have developed in the last year? Perhaps one of those would be useful here?

First time hearing about it, thank you! I'll look into it!

 

[tech3475]

There are three options I can think of:
1) The chip/connections have come loose
2) The chip is disabled
3) The laser has worn out

As for FMCB, if you can launch ULE then you can run the FMCB installer using a USB drive, although I'd use the installer to format the card first.

This is presuming it's an official Sony card.

The card may not work on the Fat depending on what type of installation was used i.e. it was setup for that model.

I did just find this:
https://www.ps2-home.com/forum/view...able DMS4, hold down,PS2 is placed in standby.

 

[eli-se_]

McBoot + Sata hard drive would be the way to go with a fat PS2, replacement lasers wont be an option forever. With a little extra effort can even get PSX games to load. Shortened load times can be a great motivating factor.

Thank you for your help! I got to that point with the ps2 slim I have, playing psx and ps2 games and all that, but I couldnt use the same memory card+usb on the fat ps2 for some reason... I cannot access the ulaunchelf on the fat ps2. Is it because I do not have FreeMcBoot installed? I could use ulaunchelf easily on the ps2 slim with the matrix infinity modchip, by just simply booting with pressing R1. This method did not work on the fat one..

 

[Deleted member 194275]

It was even dangerous back then to fit modchips into PS2 Slims.

PS2 modchips were safe back on the day, and are safe now, but I agree that today it is far from being the best method.
The mods you stated are even better than play with legit discs.

 

[eli-se_]

There are three options I can think of:
1) The chip/connections have come loose
2) The chip is disabled
3) The laser has worn out

As for FMCB, if you can launch ULE then you can run the FMCB installer using a USB drive, although I'd use the installer to format the card first.

This is presuming it's an official Sony card.

The card may not work on the Fat depending on what type of installation was used i.e. it was setup for that model.

I did just find this:

Thank you! The laser works quite fine, I could only try one official game as I only have one, but it boots up and play smoothly. It also gives red screen for the burned discs(however I know that this console has a modchip). As for the disabled chip, I researched a bit about it but I could not understand how to indicate if it is disabled and how can I enable it. And for the connections, because I would not understand if something is wrong with it, I'll open it up and upload a picture here as soon as I can.

I do have an official Sony card, it has been with me since I first bought the console. I would like to ask though, I can launch ULE easily on the slim ps2 without the FMCB by simply booting while pressing R1. Why is it that I cannot do the same on the fat ps2? Does it require fmcb to work? I am just curious, I'll install it to the memory card right away by using the slim one. I'll see if it works then.

I have some problems with the ps2-home site sadly, it does not allow me inside for some reason. I cannot access it even with VPN....Still, thank you!!

 

[tech3475]

I do have an official Sony card, it has been with me since I first bought the console. I would like to ask though, I can launch ULE easily on the slim ps2 without the FMCB by simply booting while pressing R1. Why is it that I cannot do the same on the fat ps2? Does it require fmcb to work? I am just curious, I'll install it to the memory card right away by using the slim one. I'll see if it works then

You will need FMCB on the MC if the FAT's modchip does not have such a feature.

Personally, I'd install FMCB on the MC which can be used to boot OPL on the FAT and get a HDD adapter and internal HDD.

To see if the chip is enabled/disabled, I'd just try different methods for different chips. A bit of a needle in a haystack, but the only way I can think of without opening it.

Try this link:
https://web.archive.org/web/20210127002236/https://www.ps2-home.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3776

 

[eli-se_]

You will need FMCB on the MC if the FAT's modchip does not have such a feature.

Personally, I'd install FMCB on the MC which can be used to boot OPL on the FAT and get a HDD adapter and internal HDD.

To see if the chip is enabled/disabled, I'd just try different methods for different chips. A bit of a needle in a haystack, but the only way I can think of without opening it.

Try this link:

Alright, I'll try these as soon as I can, thank you so much for giving your time and helping me!

 

[raging_chaos]

I couldnt use the same memory card+usb on the fat ps2 for some reason... I cannot access the ulaunchelf on the fat ps2. Is it because I do not have FreeMcBoot installed?

As tech3475 said you'll need Free McBoot installed on the memory card.

Info for disabling different modchips can be found here. For the most part its usually booting while holding the reset button for 5 secs. Some even change the light.

 

[Snomannen_kalle]

Thank you for your help! I got to that point with the ps2 slim I have, playing psx and ps2 games and all that, but I couldnt use the same memory card+usb on the fat ps2 for some reason... I cannot access the ulaunchelf on the fat ps2. Is it because I do not have FreeMcBoot installed? I could use ulaunchelf easily on the ps2 slim with the matrix infinity modchip, by just simply booting with pressing R1. This method did not work on the fat one..

When you install FMCB to a memory card, you can choose whether it is a normal or multi version install, where the normal install is specific to that console version, and the multi install will work on any compatible PS2. I suspect you have the normal version, and that's why it's not working. If you have a spare memory card, your could try to install a multi version on the spare; then it should work on your phat PS2. You can read more about FMCB and the install process here

 

[Urbanshadow]

PS2 modchips were safe back on the day, and are safe now, but I agree that today it is far from being the best method.
The mods you stated are even better than play with legit discs.

Should I show the photos from the slim tower of shame in the workshop? Magic Shroom modchip (M3) overheated to the point iit fried other ICs in the main board. The problem was it barely fitted the PS2 Slim case and you had no choice but to fit it in there and risk damaging the PS2 or to cut open the case and do an outside mount. The thing reached to a point we were no longer installing that modchip nor accepting PS2 Slims for modchipping.

Ah the shitstorms...

 

[Deleted member 194275]

Should I show the photos from the slim tower of shame in the workshop? Magic Shroom modchip (M3) overheated to the point iit fried other ICs in the main board. The problem was it barely fitted the PS2 Slim case and you had no choice but to fit it in there and risk damaging the PS2 or to cut open the case and do an outside mount. The thing reached to a point we were no longer installing that modchip nor accepting PS2 Slims for modchipping.

Ah the shitstorms...

maybe is a problem with this very M3 chip, we don't have this around here I think. The Matrix ones were fine (I think they produce it till this day, given that PS2 still is "current" here in Brazil).
Millions of PS2 were sold here, illegally BTW, since games were never sold, and we are fucking poor, every single PS2 you find here since the day is mod chiped. We kinda survived all those years.

But still, not a good choice nowadays.

 

[alex3107]

Hi, I'm a rookie here, I have the same issue with both two 39004s, the motherboards I have in question are a GH-022-31 with a Crystal v1.0 modchip and a GH-022-61 without modchip and might have this particular issue too, just through disc drive with mechanical trouble