PS1/2 Matrix Infinity shows black screen after the boot up logo with SATA HDD problem

Carnov · Mar 2, 2021

I've recently received a SATA adapter for my PS2 and whenever I use my SATA HDD on it, it will always show a black screen after the Matrix logo (I can still disable the chip and access other Matrix options). After a few tests, I've discovered that the hard drive itself and the adapter is fine because if I access the HDD via FreeMcBoot/OPL, it can read the drive with no problem and can access the games easily.
Just to clarify, Matrix has no problem reading my IDE HDDs.

My problem now is, is there a way for Matrix Infinity to load in the SATA hard drive with no problem or is FreeMcboot/OPL the only way for me to access the drive from now on?
If it's the latter, is there a way to permanently disable the Matrix Infinity chip on the PS2 without having to physically remove it or is soldering it out the only option? I find it a hassle to disable the Matrix after every restart especially since pressing the restart button whenever a game is up would lead to the system to go on stand by mode which would then mean having to disable the chip once again followed by another restart just to access OPL.

Snomannen_kalle · Mar 2, 2021

Carnov said:
I've recently received a SATA adapter for my PS2 and whenever I use my SATA HDD on it, it will always show a black screen after the Matrix logo (I can still disable the chip and access other Matrix options). After a few tests, I've discovered that the hard drive itself and the adapter is fine because if I access the HDD via FreeMcBoot/OPL, it can read the drive with no problem and can access the games easily.
Just to clarify, Matrix has no problem reading my IDE HDDs.

My problem now is, is there a way for Matrix Infinity to load in the SATA hard drive with no problem or is FreeMcboot/OPL the only way for me to access the drive from now on?
If it's the latter, is there a way to permanently disable the Matrix Infinity chip on the PS2 without having to physically remove it or is soldering it out the only option? I find it a hassle to disable the Matrix after every restart especially since pressing the restart button whenever a game is up would lead to the system to go on stand by mode which would then mean having to disable the chip once again followed by another restart just to access OPL.

How do you use the chip to access the hard drive? If FMCB is involved, that might be the issue -- I had some problems a couple of years ago myself with my Matrix Infinity chip and internal HDD (although I have a PATA drive), where FMCB installers v1.965 and older doesn't cause issues with my setup. Not sure if they've fixed it since as I haven't played around with it since back then. I use FMCB to load OPL and wLaunchElf though, so it might not be comparable to your setup

godreborn · Mar 2, 2021

there may be a disable option. I think there is with matrix, but I can't recall. it's usually used for games with modchip protection, but you can't turn it on and off afaik. some games like dino crisis have checks throughout the game. capcom was very antipiracy during the psx days.

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you'd have to google the matrix infiniy's documentation to be sure. I had one of those with my first ps2 slim. now, I'm using a clone in a second ps2 slim. I can't recall for sure if it has a way to disable it, but I'm thinking it does.

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iirc, the latest firmware for matrix is 1.93, so if yours says 1.99 you have a clone. don't try updating it or installing firmware or it will brick iirc.

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that modchip protection really fucked people over too. I believe even a legit disc will not run if it detects a modchip.

Carnov · Mar 2, 2021

Snomannen_kalle said:
How do you use the chip to access the hard drive? If FMCB is involved, that might be the issue -- I had some problems a couple of years ago myself with my Matrix Infinity chip and internal HDD (although I have a PATA drive), where FMCB installers v1.965 and older doesn't cause issues with my setup. Not sure if they've fixed it since as I haven't played around with it since back then. I use FMCB to load OPL and wLaunchElf though, so it might not be comparable to your setup

The PS2 in question was already installed with a modchip when I got it a year or 2 ago. The PS2 will always boot up Matrix, regardless if a hard drive is inserted or not, when turned on and there's no FMCB or whatever required. For the hard drive it's basically just plug and play, insert the configured HDD to the Network Adapter at the back and it would automatically connect. That's all I know really so I don't know any more technical stuff.

I've only got the SATA adapter and the FMCB memory card (with OPL installed) just recently and I managed to test them out just yesterday. I don't mind opening up the PS2 and check the modchip if needed.

godreborn · Mar 2, 2021

I don't know anything about soft modding a ps2, but the matrix logo appearing is normal.

Alexander1970 · Mar 3, 2021

Good Morning.

godreborn said:
I don't know anything about soft modding a ps2, but the matrix logo appearing is normal.

This can be disabled in the Menu by
hold

+

at power on the PlayStation 2

Option "Boot Logo"

(if it is a Matrix Chip - if it is a Clone - not all have a Menu)

Snomannen_kalle · Mar 3, 2021

Carnov said:
The PS2 in question was already installed with a modchip when I got it a year or 2 ago. The PS2 will always boot up Matrix, regardless if a hard drive is inserted or not, when turned on and there's no FMCB or whatever required. For the hard drive it's basically just plug and play, insert the configured HDD to the Network Adapter at the back and it would automatically connect. That's all I know really so I don't know any more technical stuff.

I've only got the SATA adapter and the FMCB memory card (with OPL installed) just recently and I managed to test them out just yesterday. I don't mind opening up the PS2 and check the modchip if needed.

I don't know much about the functions of the chip (I only used mine to make my PS2 region free), as I have only used FMCB to launch games from USB and HDD, but I guess you're somehow using it to boot OPL normally? Does it still boot to black screen if you try it without the MC connected? And how is the HDD set up? Is it a clone of one of your working IDE drives? If not, perhaps you can try to do that and see if that works

Carnov · Mar 3, 2021

Snomannen_kalle said:
I don't know much about the functions of the chip (I only used mine to make my PS2 region free), as I have only used FMCB to launch games from USB and HDD, but I guess you're somehow using it to boot OPL normally? Does it still boot to black screen if you try it without the MC connected? And how is the HDD set up? Is it a clone of one of your working IDE drives? If not, perhaps you can try to do that and see if that works

I can access OPL normally if I disable the chip. The black screen is still present regardless if the memory card is inserted or not. As for the HDD, it's already configured for the PS2 when I bought it since games are already installed and all that (same with the IDE when I bought it back then). I even reformatted it via winhiip since I thought it would fix the problem (but it did not).

Just some info regarding with the Matrix chip and the system itself just in case:
The Matrix's version is 1.99
The system's model is SCPH-50003

By the way, if ever the black screen problem still persist, it's safe to just remove the Matrix chip right? Might just stick with FMCB if it's still an issue for a long time.

Edit: Just discovered this video and it seems to have similar problem with mine mainly with the whole can't access OPL if the chip isn't disabled in the last part

Snomannen_kalle · Mar 3, 2021

Carnov said:
I can access OPL normally if I disable the chip. The black screen is still present regardless if the memory card is inserted or not. As for the HDD, it's already configured for the PS2 when I bought it since games are already installed and all that (same with the IDE when I bought it back then). I even reformatted it via winhiip since I thought it would fix the problem (but it did not).

Just some info regarding with the Matrix chip and the system itself just in case:
The Matrix's version is 1.99
The system's model is SCPH-50003

By the way, if ever the black screen problem still persist, it's safe to just remove the Matrix chip right? Might just stick with FMCB if it's still an issue for a long time.

Edit: Just discovered this video and it seems to have similar problem with mine mainly with the whole can't access OPL if the chip isn't disabled in the last part

Well, if the stuff I suggested didnt't work, then I'm out of ideas. Maybe someone more knowledgeable than I can help you.

And to answer your question regarding the chip: It is probably safe to remove it without breaking anything. It might be difficult to completely remove it if you're new to soldering though, and even harder to put back if it breaks something in your setup; perhaps it's sufficient to just remove the power supply wire

Carnov · Mar 3, 2021

Snomannen_kalle said:
Well, if the stuff I suggested didnt't work, then I'm out of ideas. Maybe someone more knowledgeable than I can help you.

And to answer your question regarding the chip: It is probably safe to remove it without breaking anything. It might be difficult to completely remove it if you're new to soldering though, and even harder to put back if it breaks something in your setup; perhaps it's sufficient to just remove the power supply wire

That's good to hear regarding with the chip. I'll take a pic of it though since I don't know which wire is the power supply of the chip.

Carnov · Mar 5, 2021

Snomannen_kalle said:
Well, if the stuff I suggested didnt't work, then I'm out of ideas. Maybe someone more knowledgeable than I can help you.

And to answer your question regarding the chip: It is probably safe to remove it without breaking anything. It might be difficult to completely remove it if you're new to soldering though, and even harder to put back if it breaks something in your setup; perhaps it's sufficient to just remove the power supply wire

I've finally managed to open the system and this is how the board/chip look. Which one of the wire is the power supply of the chip so that I can remove it while keeping the rest intact just in case

Snomannen_kalle · Mar 5, 2021

Carnov said:
I've finally managed to open the system and this is how the board/chip look. Which one of the wire is the power supply of the chip so that I can remove it while keeping the rest intact just in case

View attachment 250070

View attachment 250071

View attachment 250072

It's the one marked 3.3V on the chip

Carnov · Mar 5, 2021

Snomannen_kalle said:
It's the one marked 3.3V on the chip

Is removing the wire from the chip good enough or should I also remove the wire connected to the board? Also, is cutting the wire good enough or is soldering the only way?

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Carnov said:
Is removing the wire from the chip good enough or should I also remove the wire connected to the board? Also, is cutting the wire good enough or is soldering the only way?

Snomannen_kalle · Mar 5, 2021

Carnov said:
Is removing the wire from the chip good enough or should I also remove the wire connected to the board? Also, is cutting the wire good enough or is soldering the only way?

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View attachment 250073

Cutting should be fine. Only removing one of the solder joints and letting the wire hang should be OK, but in that case you want to be very careful that the end is insulated and do not risk touching any component or the metal casing of the console (at least if you remove the part of the wire connected to the chip), as this might short circuit a component or ground to the 3.3V rail, and can cause all sorts of problems. You can do this with a piece of electrical tape

Carnov · Mar 8, 2021

After some delays, managed to disabled it. Thanks for the help

PS1/2 Matrix Infinity shows black screen after the boot up logo with SATA HDD problem

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