Softmod with FMB + launching with ESR will play PS2 games and require a simple drag and drop patching.
-PS2 games on CDs will require to be patched to DVD IIRC.
-If playing international game and TV does not support that video mode you will need to patch to the video mode you use before the ESR patch
-If playing a dual layer game, you will need to patch with Toxic DL patcher before ESR patch

SwapMagic + swaping disc will not require patching, and said to have better compatibility than ESR.
-swap method require swaping every time.

Swaping disc isn't so bad since it's only once to load up the game, but If I were to pick between the two I'd go with FMB + ESR. Patching the game isn't hard and less time spent swaping instead of playing.

If you are interested in a modchipped PS2, send me a PM.

 

A faq is not needed because its simple. drag and drop your .iso or .bin over the patcher to patch or unpatch.
What it does it make the iso structure look like a dvd so it tricks the ps2 into thinking its a movie therefore it can be launched with ESR.

 

If trying to run the games with ESR, all of them needs to be patched with ESR disc patcher. You normally would want to apply this patch after all other patches necessary patches. If the image is bigger than a standard DVD and requires a DL DVD you will need to patch it with Toxic Dual layer patcher as I already mentioned.
If the image fits on a CD you need a CD to DVD rebuilding. I have this thread bookmarked for CD to DVD conversion. I have never tried that tutorial in particular, I had use a different guide and different programs ages ago.
As with NTSC to PAL or PAL to NTSC video, I do not have a bookmark for. There are a few patchers available at sksapps, try one. Some imported game may have its own 50Hz/60Hz (PAL/NTSC) selector which do not need a video mode patch. There may be a list of all games which have 50/60Hz selector, look for it yourself.

If it fails to boot, there are other methods of running backup like a swapmagic .elf with a high TOC game and swaping it with a backup.
I don't bother with patching or swaping and rely on a chip to do it for me. Perhaps people who actually uses ESR know more.

Also note swapmagic and ESR can't run PS1, there are a few swap tricks/game switch tricks as well as breaker pro disc.

 

yes you can do that and no it's not redundant with freemcboot (it's better to use swapmagic.elf instead of a burned disc), the reason is that not every games are compatible with opl or esr while swap magic has an almost 100% compatibility. I also suspect the possibility (not tried) of booting unpatched dvd9 ps2 games that way. A second reason for doing that would be if you want to keep your copy clean (unpatched).

 

You can still use swapmagic if you are softmoded. The thing is you don't need swapmagic anymore its a sowftware called cogswap; any original games will do. So the softmod is 100% compatibility with games if you take it that way. And DVD9 works this way you would just need a DVD9 to boot it...

 

you still need to swap, the way it works, when you boot your ps2, the ps2 read a legit ps2 game, then you launch the SM/CS.elf to stop it from reading further, allowing you to put your copied game.

you don't have to use a flip top:
http://www.ultimateconsoleguides.com/MagicSwitch.htm
http://www.videogameall.com/ps2-swapmagic-v36-2disc-magic-switch-pro-v4.html

 

Well yes kindof basically you just need one original game and you can run all the games with it. It works the same way as swapmagic but you don't have to buy anything.
ESR is easier and has basically 95% compatibility with games.

 

Okay, I followed the ESR directions, and the disc is still not being recognized. Is there a specific type of disc to use? I'm using DVD +R's to burn, and using imgburn as my software. If you must know, the first game I've tried is Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law. It's not a case of that game not working is it?

 

Well, I tried another one and got the same results. Some small research suggests I might just have the wrong brand of discs (I'm using memorex), leading me to think "what the fuck?!" This is really starting to get to be quite problematic...

 

well it works fine with an original game. When I put in my backups, I get the status message "unknown media in drive", and if I try to load it up anyways, it won't even get to the flashing colors, just hang on black.