Setting up a PS2 HDD

[nakamura]

Hey people I wonder if anyone can help me.
I have a chipped PS2 series 3000 Japanese model with over 100 titles from all regions and also have the 40gb HDD Final Fantasy XI boxset but I never got around to using it.

Is it possible to use the HDD for all save game files and the PS2 as some sort of media centre in general? I do not have a network adaptor as yet but there are a few knocking about for a fair price.

My PS2 is my most used system, 90% of my gaming time is via this machine so would love to enhance my gaming setup and alienate memory cards.

Thanks.

Martin.

[speedlolita]

Save game files, no.

Media Center, sort of. You can play most music files and XviD/DviX files through it.

Does the Final Fantasy XI boxset not come with the network adaptor? (Just a hard drive?)

[nakamura]

Just a hard drive.

Damn such a shame you cannot use save files. Would have made life so much easier.

[speedlolita]

Tell me about it. Lol!

[smouty]

1631210Does the Final Fantasy XI boxset not come with the network adaptor? (Just a hard drive?)

That wouldn't make sense as you can't use the game without a HDD and a HDD without a net adaptor.

You can load your (PS2) games from the HDD though without any hardware modding which is quite nice.

[speedlolita]

Yeah, feels weird though. Games are too smooth.

[nakamura]

May invest on one. Not so fussed now as the main thing was to eliminate my many memory cards.
Cheers.

[J0e Musashi]

If you had a PS2 setup like what I have for sale in my thread then you could indeed use the HDD to store game saves and eliminate memory cards. I'm 99% sure you can rip CDs to it too. And seeing as it has a built-in net browser, you can erm, browse the intertrons.

[nakamura]

How can you do that then? I know i need a network adaptor.

[J0e Musashi]

You get a utility disc with the HDD that updates the PS2's firmware, which allows it to see the HDD on the PS2 browser screen. You can then copy between memory cards and HDD at will. The HDD acts as a giant memory card. You can create seperate folders for PS1, PocketStation, PS2, and PS2 BB-Unit saves.

[nakamura]

Can you access the HDD as a memory card in game?
Also does it matter if my machine is chipped? Will it affect my console?

[J0e Musashi]

It depends on the game. Some offer direct HDD saving. Final Fantasy X: International being one of them. You can also install it to the HDD to reduce loading times. Otherwise you copy your save from the HDD to a memory card and do it that way.
You cannot completely erradicate memory cards as one must be in the PS2 for the HDD/BB Navigator firmware to be active.

I don't understand the second part of your question. Does what matter if your machine is chipped, and will what affect your console?

I'm beginning to find this thread confusing. I think both smouty and speedlolita are referring to a PS2 setup with a HDD and unofficial software (HDDLoader etc), whereas I am referring to the official software, which I believe you have if you own the FFXI boxset. Two very different setups indeed.

[nakamura]

Yes I have the official setup. I was just wondering if the HDD software is compatible with other region games thats all. As in I have a US spec Utility disc and a mix of US/JP and UK software.
Probably a silly question but I am much more at home under a bonnet than I am with computer hardware!

[J0e Musashi]

I don't follow what you mean, sorry. But NO games outside of Japan other than the USA version of FFXI can save directly or be installed to a HDD.
Your chipped PS2 will not read your USA utility disc anyway so it appears that you are buggered. The utility disc will check that your PS2 unit ends in a 1, which matches the USA. As it ends in a 0 because it is from Japan you are all out of luck. You need either a USA PS2 or a JPN FFXI kit.

[nakamura]

Right thanks. That is what I wanted to know and you have answered all my questions.
I have a japanese PS2 and with the HDD lying around I thought I would try to hook it up but I am not that bothered about it.

Sorry if my question wasn't clear! I was feeding the little one at the time.

Cheers.