HD Advance

[ThoseOfTheUnlight]

Hi guys,

At the moment I've got a copy of HD Advance (think its version 1.1) running on a modded Japanese PS2 with a 60gb Maxtor hard drive.

However, I've heard that a new version 3 is out, which supports the copying of DVD-9's to the hard drive.

This would be ideal for me, as I'm a big GT4 fan, and would love the opportunity to cut down on loading times even slightly (not to mention reduce the wear on the laser).

Has anyone used version 3 at all?

[Mayhem]

News to me as well... not heard of this. Will go investigate (as I'm using 1.1 myself at the moment too).

[Mr Ono]

Oooooh, wait for results of investigations.

[Mofoman]

I have heard that this is true as well and that the new version of HD advance support's all the ps2 title's, whether this is true or not, is down to one of us getting it and then testing it out.I do not use HD advance myself as I have many official online title's that use the Sony official HDD.

[Mayhem]

I made an error above... I meant to type 2.1 not 1.1

Anyhow, I found a place selling 3.0 so I've ordered a copy. I've got God of War here which is on a DVD9, so soon see if it does what it says on the tin...

[ElAlcesDiablo]

http://www.hdadvance.com/hd_advance_how-to-use.htm

...and scroll down to "How to install DVD-9 games from computer to PS2 (for HDAdvance 3.0 only)"

I've not actually found anywhere selling 3.0 though.

How is the compatibility with this? I'm basically just looking for something that'll play imports on my pal ps2 - swap magic doesn't do dvd9s and I'm a bit scared of trying to mod it myself.
Does it work with ps1 games?

[Mayhem]

No, you can't rip or play PS1 games off the HD.

I am wondering if what they say there is that v3.0 allows you to rip import/copies games to the HD without the need for SM or a chip...? Both my PS2 are chipped, so can't try that part out

Still, we'll see assuming I get delivery of v3.0 from where I've ordered it...

[sj33]

You can run imports from the HD using this, or any other HD Loading software... but if you have an unmodded machine, you have to install the game via your PC using an app like WinHIIP.

Mayhem - What possessed you to buy HDAdvance if you have a modded machine? HDAdvance is just a dodgy hack of HDLoader, prepatched with all of the fan-made hacks and cracks to get stuff like 48bit LBA and DVD9 working. You could have used the original, free fan works.

[Mayhem]

Because I don't like using burnt software on the PS2... I've already almost knackered one laser out from using them (even with good quality CDs).

Though in the beginning I didn't have a modded machine btw... that only came later.

[Mayhem]

Anyhow, received HDA3, though as stated as per the website instructions as well, it can't directly transfer DVD9 games. It has the functionality though to allow you to transfer them between PC and HD with the HD still in the PS2 (as opposed to having to take the HD out of the PS2, open up your PC and connect it that way and use WinHiiP). That's the functionality that is "advertised".

Seeing as I've got DVD9 games, I might give it a try anyhow just to see if it does actually work. I've never used WinHiiP myself, but if that's the long term way to do DVD9 games (however few they are), I might use that and sell on the HDA3. Depends... I still need to flatten DVD9 games before using WinHIIP either way!

Though HDA3 now has 8 compatibility modes instead of the old 3. Depends if any of them are useful (and start to be documented) to get some of the games I currently can't use/rip to HD working.

Maybe I'll give the patched HDloader a whirl and laser be damned

[HHarm]

Where did you buy the 3.0?

EDIT: I'm looking for the Japanese version. Does the 3.0 actually have benefits over the 2.1? I can use a PC to transfer games and patch them.

[Mayhem]

I'd have to go look for the site, but it was the only place that actually had a proper picture of v3 up (as opposed to listing v3 but still having a pic of v2 up - v3 is in a blue packaging), hence ordering throguh them.

I believe only PAL versions are now released.

v3 allows you to play DVD9 games from the HD like the patched HDloader has for a while. It also introduces some of the new compatibility modes (so there's 8 now, instead of the old 3). It also allows you to transfer ISOs to the HD whilst it is still attached to the PS2 (as opposed to yanking it out and attaching it to the PC).

[HHarm]

Any idea if the 3.0 let's you play games that 2.1 wouldn't? (not meaning making it easier but getting new games to work that you couldn't get to work even by transferring the files with a PC and patching them)

[Mayhem]

Not sure... aside from the extra modes (which you access as before by pressing Select), I haven't gotten two games that didn't work before to boot now with it.

[mission]

Does any one know if gradius v works with this v3.0

Cheers.