PS1/2 PS2 softmod

[playallday]

ESR doesnt require a large game
cogswap does to get a large TOC off the disk before you switch them

I meant that this guide is for noobs and it doesn't mention cogswap. I have 2 ps2s, 1 with modchip and dead laser and 1 unmodded one. That's why i have lots of unpatched discs, which work with cogswap while i would have to patch and reburn them for ESR.

I really dislike CogSwap. But I'll add it anyways. I'll add it within the week (I hope).

EDIT: Oh, if anyone wants to do it now just take out the "ESR.ELF" and put the CogSwap.elf in with the the name "ESR.ELF"

 

[Devil May Cry]

Well, I wouldn't make this guide mention it as an alternate to ESR. If this guide is aimed at people with non-modded PS2s they should stick with FMCB and ESR as it is much easier and new people can be very reluctant on doing any sort of physical work to their PS2. I would suggest a mention of it if you were using a hardmod previously and already have the discs burned.

 

[xist]

Cogswap is a nightmarish alternative to ESR, and seen as very dated in comparison, which is probably why it isn't detailed in guides. Patching a game is infinitely superior to disc swapping and far friendlier for noobs. And whilst i've never used it i was pretty sure that burned NTSC games would work fine on a PAL console via ESR and vice versa.

 

[playallday]

Let's not make this a Mac vs. PC topic OK?

I'll put both in there and say that you should try to use ESR.

 

[WiiPower]

Ok i think it's time for me to explain why i would mention cogswap in the ESR guide(not recommend it, just mention):
I just softmodded my ps2 and and my 1st test disc just wouldn't start, i have a PAL V3 ps2, the game i tested is Final Fantasy X-2 NTSC-U burned on a Verbatim DVD-R. All i got was a black screen with ESR and a unknow media type in ESR gui. I double checked if the game disc is patched, so i backuped the disc and looked at it to see that it has the video dvd stuff on it. Ok, i read everywhere that the main error sources are DVD+Rs without bitsetting and bad burns, so i did a pi/po scan with Nero CD-DVD Speed tool and i only got a poor 94% rating because i used my notebook burner. Then i readjusted my laster in the hope this would help but it didn't. Finally i found out about cogswap, before i tested the swap magic .elf, but it didn't work too. And what's the result? All my discs work with cogswap, all DVD+Rs without bitsetting, all imports, all unpatched discs and the disc especially burned for ESR works with cogswap but not with ESR.

My conclusion:
ESR doesn't work with imports or is VERY VERY VERY picky when it comes to the quality of the burns.


PS: cogswap is very easy to use for me, because the scews in my ps2 are removed anyway and i just need to take the cover of the drive off and switch the discs.

 

[Pizzaroo]

weird WiiPower, I have really good compatibility with other region games. Some turn out black and white, but so far I've had 100% compatibility unless I forget to ESR patch it or burn it too fast.

 

[xist]

The black and white thing you're experiencing is simply because your television and/or video cable doesn't support the PAL format.

 

[WiiPower]

I think i solved my problem, but i don't recommend anybody else to do that. I got some reading problems with my backups, so i decided to recalibrate my laser again. I did benchmark the time a original game needs to be identified in Sony's disc and memory card browser. After setting the laster to my best result, 28 seconds, i still had some reading problems, so i decided to try something stupid: I changed the "power" of the laser with the 2 screws on its back. 5 degree clockwise and now i have 13 seconds till the ps2 identifies my original discs, my reading problems are gone and on top of that my ESR disc is working.

Messing with power of the laser can kill your laser and it WILL DIE SOONER if you increase it.

PS: And it's a bad idea to do the same as i did, because one screw is for cds and the other is for dvds.

 

[Goofy Time]

A wee bit of curiousity here, which may be needed to help me with my dilemma.

With my slim PS2, my codebreaker cannot recognize my USB, but with my fat PS2 (which barely works), it does. In theory, isn't the exploit just on the memory card and NOT the console? So say, if I mod the card on my fat PS2, the rules apply for the slim PS2?

EDIT: I now have everything installed..how do I play backups?

I was going to make a backup of FFX to try it out, but I lack a DVD to test it, and I want to make sure I didn't ruin anything by following the Noobie pack + Codebreaker instructions

 

[velocity37]

With my slim PS2, my codebreaker cannot recognize my USB, but with my fat PS2 (which barely works), it does.
That's a bug with codebreaker, it can't use USB port on slim PS2s.

QUOTE(Goofy Time @ Apr 12 2009, 02:42 PM) EDIT: I now have everything installed..how do I play backups?

Use Imgburn to dump PS2 game to ISO. Use ESR Disc Patcher to patch ISO. Burn ISO. Simple as that.

 

[Goofy Time]

Ah...so it wont work with direct games?

I have an import copy of King of Colloseium II and it doesn't read.

Curious question: what do I do to boot backups? Do I just patch them and it self reads, or do I need to patch them, select an option like ESR or SMS to get it to work? I'm also curious as to if I can run a cheat disc before I boot the copied game..can I? Or am I shit out of luck with codes for backups? Like if I wanted to boot up Codebreaker and put in codes for Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, and then put in the copied game.

I don't want to be confused, as I was already confused for a good 3 hours following useless Youtube videos, yet I fucking cream it here in one sitting.

I'm mainly doing this, interesting enough, just for fan-translated JRPGs like Front Mission 5 when they come out. Call me obsessive

 

[playallday]

Ah...so it wont work with direct games?

I have an import copy of King of Colloseium II and it doesn't read.
You want PAL to NTSC right? If so you'll need to rip the game to your computer with ImgBurn, patch it with ESR, covert it with this and burn it at x2.4 with ImgBurn.

Curious question: what do I do to boot backups? Do I just patch them and it self reads, or do I need to patch them, select an option like ESR or SMS to get it to work?
Patch it with ESR, put it in your softmodding PS2 and play

.

QUOTE(Goofy Time @ Apr 12 2009, 08:38 AM)

I'm also curious as to if I can run a cheat disc before I boot the copied game..can I? Or am I shit out of luck with codes for backups? Like if I wanted to boot up Codebreaker and put in codes for Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, and then put in the copied game.

Sorry, you can't. ESR turns itself off.

 

[Tigran]

I get to where I am supposed to go to mass:/ but it never goes any further then that.

 

[playallday]

I get to where I am supposed to go to mass:/ but it never goes any further then that.

Take it out (while it's on) and put it back in. That happens to me all the time.

 

[RC89]

Hi. I'm going to softmod my ps2, already done softmodding with my nintendo wii.
- But i have a lot of questions before, maybe the answers are all in here, buts its a lot of pages to read.

1. Which boot cd to install the installer do you recon? Action Replay Max or the Codebreaker cd?
2. Do i have to patch the games and so on if i have an iso file?
3. If i have original can i just burn a copy, or do i have to rip it through ps2 somehow?
4. Anything important i have to know, i forgot asking about feel free to tell me

Thanks. - RC89

 

[playallday]

Hi. I'm going to softmod my ps2, already done softmodding with my nintendo wii.
- But i have a lot of questions before, maybe the answers are all in here, buts its a lot of pages to read.

1. Which boot cd to install the installer do you recon? Action Replay Max or the Codebreaker cd?
2. Do i have to patch the games and so on if i have an iso file?
3. If i have original can i just burn a copy, or do i have to rip it through ps2 somehow?
4. Anything important i have to know, i forgot asking about feel free to tell me

Thanks. - RC89

1. Use whichever is cheaper for you. Most of the time Action Replay's are cheaper, but try looking at some used one's. You might find something for $5 like me

.
2. Yes.
3. You would copy it onto your computer, patch it and reburn it. You don't even need a PS2 to do this.
4. Burn at x2.4 for best playback.

 

[RC89]

Hi. I'm going to softmod my ps2, already done softmodding with my nintendo wii.
- But i have a lot of questions before, maybe the answers are all in here, buts its a lot of pages to read.

1. Which boot cd to install the installer do you recon? Action Replay Max or the Codebreaker cd?
2. Do i have to patch the games and so on if i have an iso file?
3. If i have original can i just burn a copy, or do i have to rip it through ps2 somehow?
4. Anything important i have to know, i forgot asking about feel free to tell me

Thanks. - RC89

1. Use whichever is cheaper for you. Most of the time Action Replay's are cheaper, but try looking at some used one's. You might find something for $5 like me

.
2. Yes.
3. You would copy it onto your computer, patch it and reburn it. You don't even need a PS2 to do this.
4. Burn at x2.4 for best playback.

Thanks, i saw on the 1st page that you have to patch it and how to rip the game as well

. Where did you order the used one, cause i dont think a lot in Denmark have stuff like that

?

 

[playallday]

I got mine off Kijiji. But that's US and Canada only. Try looking for a used site like that.

 

[OneOfTheSame]

With this softmod would it be possible to play imported games? Like for example JP games.

 

[OneOfTheSame]

Also, I can just ask someone to put the "file" in my cards for me and I can loads it up fine correct?