Worth chipping a jpn ps2 with hard drive??

[mid]

Is there anything on the official hard drive you actually want to play (i.e. FF11)? If so, buy a second hard drive, if not just be prepared to reformat it.

Anyway, if you're already tooled up with network adaptor and HD, don't risk damaging your gorgeous blue machine by chipping, use Exploitstation's instructions to make an Independance Exploit save and run HDLoader (at least for the other region games) instead.

[wod]

i see theres a midnight blue ps2 on ebay at the minute and what can you do with the hard drive, save game saves on it ?

[nigel1210]

I don't want to play any of the offical games made for the hard drive, so formatting isn't a problem.

I like the idea of a mod chip becuase there will be no messing around, i've found somewhere that will fit the chip for about ?65, which doesn't seem to bad. Also the explot won't let me use other region ps1 games which i wan't to do.

Also the slimline ps2 doesn't seem to support the hdd, so it's put me off that a bit.

Anybody got any other suggestions?

[mid]

Ah yes, if you've got other region PS1 games to play then yes, you'll need a chip.

However, Independance Exploit costs nothing if you've got a friend with an Action Replay disc to put it on your memory card with, and you could very, very easily get a chipped PS1 cheap.

[sj33]

I have a DMS4 EZI Pro solderless modchip and it's never failed me in the 8 months I've had it. The Pro features all the lovely HDD options built-in too.
But don't let the fact that it's solderless make you think it's easy - there's practically no margin for error, I sometimes think I only managed mine with sheer luck.

The easiest, least risky method would be to install a HardDrive, use something like HDAdvance 3 (or better yet, use the exploit if you've got a mate who can install it for you) to boot the games, and install everything via your PC using WinHIIP. No opening up your machine then, you just have to go through the process of attaching the HDD to your PC every time you get a new import game.

Many people prefer to use a flip-top case and use the Swap Magic boot disc. This would be ideal for a PSTwo slimline, as you don't even have to open up your machine to use them on the slimline, you just need a Magic Switch Pro. This also gives you the option of booting PS1 imports using the Breaker Pro bootdisc.
I personally tire of that method though, never looked back since I got a proper mod.

A chipped Japanese PS2 (and a US PS2) will play all games from all regions and all DVD's from all regions.

BUT it will never play PAL movies, PAL games are fine though.

Just so's you know.

What the heck would be the advantage of a modded JPN/US machine over a modded PAL machine though? Isn't that importing for importings sake?

[mid]

I'm assuming that we're talking from the position that Nigel rather likes his gorgeous blue machine in its own right.

[wod]

i'd keep the console mint and untouched if i was him and buy a usa console

[nigel1210]

If i use the exploit is it possible to ftp my games to the ps2 instead of attaching the hdd?

I would rather have one machine that does it all than, have a usa ps2 and a psone hooked up as well.

Are people saying don't chip it because it may become collectable?

Thanks for the suggestions so far everyone.

[sj33]

If i use the exploit is it possible to ftp my games to the ps2 instead of attaching the hdd?

It is, by using a program called HDL_Dumb. You install the HDL_Dumb client to the PS2 along with HDLoader and LaunchELF (lets you choose different app) when compiling the exploit.

www.ps2hd.com has some tutorials you may be interested in.

[nigel1210]

Thanks for the info.

Anybody willing to put the exploit on my mem card if i chuck you a couple of quid???

[sj33]

Send it my way if you want. Gimme a PM.

[will2003]

haven't used them myself but from looking at this pic

http://www.dms3.com/dms4ezi/uploads/ezi_press4.jpg

it looks easy to fit

Avoid. Like. Plague.

If I was still doing console mods and repairs, I swear I'd be living in a penthouse in Miami with the money I'd make from repairing botched DMS Ezi attempted installs...

[sj33]

I'll agree that the installs are insanely easy to mess up... if it's not dead-on right, you break a pin on the DSP.

As I say though, mine has worked 100% perfect, couldn't live without it. Getting someone to solder one would be wiser though.

[wod]

Avoid. Like. Plague.

If I was still doing console mods and repairs, I swear I'd be living in a penthouse in Miami with the money I'd make from repairing botched DMS Ezi attempted installs...

thought so whats the best chips out now as i need to chip another ps2 aint done one since a messiah install on a v4 ps2

[sj33]

thought so whats the best chips out now as i need to chip another ps2 aint done one since a messiah install on a v4 ps2

DMS4 Pro is the only modchip to support HardDrive loading onboard. It has a bios called ToxicOS, which is the continuation of HDLoader - go for that if you use the HardDrive capability.

The O2Mod has some unique features, such as the ability to force a 60Hz by simply holding a button (DMS4 can also do this, but you gotta keep turning it on and off on the configuration), and can even force VGA mode on some games. You may prefer that if you'd use Force 60Hz a lot.
O2Mod only works on PAL machines.

Rumours are that a forthcoming DMS4 bios may support Force 480p, based on heavy demand... we'll see.