The UK/PS2 Chip situation?

[Freak Machine]

I'm moving back to the UK with my NTSC 50001 PS2 and I started looking around for places to have it chipped, so I can play PAL games, and it looks like everywhere has stopped?

Am I looking in the wrong places and people still offer a chipping service?
Or should I look into buying a chip here in the US and hoping to find someone with the solder know-how back in the UK? I'm out of the loop!

With this being my first post, I realise this may need moved(or deleted?!) to the correct place. Sorry in advance, if that is indeed the case.

[MikeRox]

Sony have had a huge clamp down on modding in the UK m8. Think it's been officially classed as illegal to chip a PS2 console over here.

[VR46]

there's always the flip lid case and swap discs .... (about ?45 all in)

[Freak Machine]

I see. I've read some about the fliptop lid mod. I'm about as handy with stuff like that as Stumpy 'No Hands' McStumpy. It's a shame I don't have the time to get it modded here. I'm heading back in a few weeks.

[Marmite]

Mod lid is piss easy to do. Took 5 minutes. You just unscrew and unclip some things, replace the lid, then put it back together.

Honestly its not hard at all

[disco-tom]

Whether it's now classed as illegal or not, I'm putting this link here.

http://www.cdrom-guide.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=40

If the mods want to bin it, then go ahead. I, however, think that in bowing to the Sony bigwigs, we're losing our right to do what the **** we want with our own purchases!

[Papercut]

It is legally a grey area.

As a PS2 chip circumvents copy protection it may be considered illegal.

As a PS2 chip circumvents artificial region restrictions you could argue it is legitimate.

As a PS2 chip lets you run homebrew off CD-Rs you could argue that is fair use.

So... PS2 chips are neither legal nor illegal, until a specific ruling is made. However, in the UK, Sony won their last case which theoretically sets the precedent against mod chips. Sony also lost quite a few of their previous court cases, so it isn't clear cut.

[Salsa Party Animal]

All Sony have to do is sell us new multi region PS2 for importers to cut down chipping and piracy. It is a effective way to make chippers and modders out of business and easier to clamp down piracy.

[Freak Machine]

Mod lid is piss easy to do. Took 5 minutes. You just unscrew and unclip some things, replace the lid, then put it back together.

Honestly its not hard at all

This sounds good. I could buy all the gear for the mod from a site in the UK when I get back? Could you point me to a walkthrough on this mod, so if I can see what it entails?

[VR46]

think www.ps2case.com tells you, if not just google it.

I've done it also, 10 mins tops even for a novice

[Freak Machine]

think www.ps2case.com tells you, if not just google it.

I've done it also, 10 mins tops even for a novice

Is there a secret members entrance to that site? I can't seem to get into it!

See why I would have problems modding a PS2!

[anephric]

You can also use Swap-disc without the flip-top mod, if you so wish (it's cheaper, sub ?20).

You just need a "tool" (which comes with it) to hook open the drive. It's a fair bit of a pain, tho, and inevitably will knacker your drive (if you're not careful).

[Taurine]

Why not import?

Why mod it to play PAL at all? Its actually cheaper to buy US (well Canadian) releases from www.videogamesplus.ca, including international shipping, than it is to buy the PAL version. That's true for new software anyway. For used there is a lot of NTSC stuff on the UK eBay site, and most of it goes cheap from lack of interest. Or you could buy stuff at reasonable prices from NTSC-UK members in the trading forums :-)

Further benefits of not modding your console include never getting sucked into buying a crap game because it looks good on the shelf in your local shop, and never being tempted to warez a game!

[anephric]

Still regioned out of Far East. Superior Pal releases (Ico)... a rarity but they exist.

[Freak Machine]

I think I'm going to go with the fliptop mod

I've got a SCPH-50001 NTSC PS2, so if I get a fliptop kit back home will it fit my PS2? I'm guessing that the old case can be refitted? Do I need a special screwdriver?