HD Loader or HD Advance?

[Dragon2k4]

I've just recently got UK PS2slim and been wondering about getting a HD for it as i've musta been through at least 4 PS2's... The drives always died on me so this is a good reason to get a HD i spose.

I heard that by using HD loader or HD advance its possible to play import games without chipping, this true?

Also, what's this about HD advance requiring a network adaptor? Does HD loader require the network adapt' too?

Ideally id like to use a USB 2.0 hdd, would it require additional psu or source power direct from ps2slim?

I've got the the latest model i believe (SCPH-70004), is that compatible with the above loaders?

Finally, i was kinder reluctant in getting a ps2slim but had no other choice as other older models are no long produced, i heard that ps2slims overheat and such after after a while of play?

Cheers much!

[Pavey]

I may be well wrong but arent the slims not compatible with HD's?

I'm toying with the idea of a white one but cant decide.

[Il Postino]

I may be well wrong but arent the slims not compatible with HD's?

I thought this too, but I may also be wrong.


EDIT: Actually, I've just had a quick check and it seems that you can connect a hard drive to a PStwo, looks like it requires something called HD Connect. Don't know much about this to be honest. I may have got my wires crossed and it could be crap of course. Maybe somebody else here can tell you more.

As for HD loader and HD advance, as far as I know they do allow you to play imports on a non-chipped machine, but you'll need access to a chipped machine or PC, to get the games onto the drive in the first place (does that make sense)?

Not sure about PStwo build quality, I know some of the early ones were said to be a bit suspect, but I can't say I've heard too many complaints recently.

Cheers,

Si

[sj33]

You absolutely cannot use a USB HDD with HDLoader or HDAdvance. It's for use with IDE-based HDD's found on the old-style PS2 (or the HDConnect thing Postino mentioned), and even then, there are better alternatives now.

You can use 'USBExtreme' to load games from a USB HDD, though being USB1.1, it ain't very good.

[mid]

I've a vague feeling ToxicOS supports USB hard drives (1.1 again, though, as that's a hardware issue) but then you're chipping so it's kind of academic.

[mid]

Also, bear in mind that Sony have recently developed some really nasty protection mechanisms that detect whether they're being booted of the HD and then refuse to work; you still need to run Shadow Of The Colossus off DVD, amongst other things.

I was rather disappointed, to say the least.

[sj33]

Nah Toxic doesn't support USB. The forthcoming release will support it for apps and the like though.

[Darwock]

I thought HD loader was taken off the market anyway?

[sj33]

I thought HD loader was taken off the market anyway?

The original one was, but that's old and crappy now. There are alternatives.

You can download homebrew hacked versions of HDLoader, improving compatibility, adding features etc. Naturally you need a modded machine for this.

There is also HDAdvance, which is basically nothing more than the homebrew hacked HDLoader, ripped off, with changed graphics... but it's on a pressed disc, so probably the best solution on an unmodded machine.

There is also ToxicOS - the official continuation of HDLoader, basically a bios for the DMS4 Pro modchips.

[peeveen]

probably the best solution on an unmodded machine

Best solution if you've got an unmodded machine is to find someone who has a modded machine, get a PS1 game, a memory card with a few megs spare, and get them to install the Independence Exploit + latest HDLoader onto the memcard for you. Stick the PS1 game and the memcard in yer unmodded PS2, and HDLoader will boot.

[mid]

But the exploit doesn't work with slim PS2s anyway, so you're a bit stuffed there. Sorry.

However, those of us with 'big' PS2s can get the exploit onto the memory card with Action Replay if we don't know anyone with a modded machine.