PS1/2 Softmod some questions (yeah another topic)

[vree]

So yea I know I know another topic asking for questions that might have been answered.
I searched trough the other topics and thought I understand-ed everything but yeah it's just too confusing...

So here are some questions that come up in my head:
1) what is the best softmod out there to run games from an internal or external hard drive?
2) are there issues if running from an external hard drive instead of an internal?
3) what is all this talk about esr patching? Do I always have to do this internal & external hard drive?
I even read somewhere that it wasn't necessary anymore?
4) I read somewhere on here that OpenPS2Loader is currently the best. But then someone said something about "PS2 Free HDBoot", what the hell is that?
5) How do I search for a internal hard drive that fits?

I currently use swap magic, but I'm sick of swapping and burning discs...

Thanks in advance for your time and patience.

 

[Armadillo]

Free Mcboot is the best softmod. It gives you the option to boot applications directly from the browser.

PS2 is only usb 1.1, so running from an external drive is slow and lots of games have issues doing so (fmv stutter, long loading etc).

ESR is a progam. It's for running burnt discs on an unmodded ps2. Discs have to be patched and then ESR run on the ps2 to boot them. If you are running from hdd, you don't need to use it.

Openps2loader is the best. Free Mcboot is the softmod, that lets you load stuff like Openps2loader.

Most HDD fit. I think it's only some Western Digital that have size issues, but even then network adapter can be modded to make it fit.

 

[vree]

Thanks for the info I successful installed free mcboot.
And now I installed OpenPs2Loader.

But when it boots I only get 3 options: about / exit / Power off?

Did I do something wrong?

I don't have the network adapter yet for an internal drive. Do I need it for it to show other options?
I just thought to set this up so when the network adapter arives I'm ready to go

 

[Armadillo]

Unless they have changed it on the latest version, you can flip pages with either the d-pad or shoulder button (can't remember which as I haven't used it in a while). You should be able to do it with no hdd connected, the page for hdd games will just be blank.

 

[vree]

Thanks for the tips, but it seems to do nothing at all. Tried every button press :S

EDIT: tried another version. Seems to work now.

Thanks for all the info. It has been amazingly helpfull

 

[vree]

Ok another question.

Would this drive work in the ps2????

http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Barracuda-3-5-Inch-Internal-ST1000DM003/dp/B005T3GRNW

I think so but want to be sure :S

 

[Armadillo]

What network adapter do you have? That drive is SATA, the official network adapters are PATA. So won't work with an official network adapter, if you got one of the 3rd party ones that are SATA, then it should work.

 

[vree]

Haven't bought it yet. But will probably be the official one.

Would this one work:

http://www.benl.ebay.be/itm/PC-Hard...K_Computing_HardDrives_RL&hash=item20da275041

 

[Armadillo]

Works fine. I forgot, there is a nice database of drives here

http://ps2drives.x-pec.com/?p=list

That one is reported as fine .

 

[vree]

Armadillo, you have been a great help. I bought the network adapter and that HDD today.

Now the only thing left ist the waiting game

 

[vree]

Yea another problem...

I putted some games on the HDD using winhiip.

But when I plug it in the PS2 it says no games detected with open ps2 loader or HD loader. (0GB used)
When I put it back in PC there are games on there.

Tried changing the jumpers. But that didn't help...

These 2 settings I tested, but nothing seems to work. Any ideas???

 

[Armadillo]

Wiggle the network adapter. They were not really designed to be unplugged/plugged in all the time, so the connector on the network adapter and socket on ps2 can get worn/loose and sometimes can need a little bit of moving around to get it picked up.

 

[vree]

Yeah it seems to have fixed itself.

All is good now. Many thanks for the support trough these steps.
I'm now ready to go and play all singstars xD

So this will probably be my last post in this topic, unless new problems arise xD