A few questions on PS2

Hello

I am a new member on this site and first like to greet you all and thank you for such photos and informations. I wasn't able only to understanf what you were talking a few years ago and now i know a little more about it. So thank you and i have now make the pace to enter this forum.

I am a programmer at school and i would like to write some games and stuff on PS2 (demos) and so on...I don't want those modchipped Playstation and i would like to have clues from you and answer perhaps.

I have read some posts of course...and if i am not in the right section or say something wrong juste delete or modify

Can i buy some tests PS2 from members?
I know how to programm software but how can i burn my sofware to be
sure that it will be the same CD on real PS2 (not tests)?

Are PS2 TEST units equal to PS2? A burned CD will be read without modchip?

Through CD/DVDGEN i think...

Thanks for your reply...

 

The easiest way to develop for PS2 is to go to www.ps2dev.org, ang get some tools. The stuff there canl help you to dev appz like HD Loader and SMS, or homebrew games like Geotron, Flashback, ...

Don't know how would cost to get TESTs or even TOOLs, I guess they wouldn't be cheap.

 

Thank you for your reply, i already program on PS2 and make it work on a PC or PS2 but my schoolmates and professors want to buy one. I read all posts and i don't see the difference yet between TEST units and TOOLS one. Well let's say i have the right hardware. With the right burner can i burn a CD/DVD that will be read in Retail PS2? Or this CD/DVD must be masterized (is it the right word?)?

 

You will struggle to get a home burned disc to play on a retail console!

A TEST PS2 will play burned games if you burn them the correct way but I know of nobody that has managed to get a home burned disc to play in a retail console WITHOUT using a chip or swap device.

 

Has anyone ever tried putting a burned PS2 disc that is DVD+R but booktyped to DVD-ROM into a retail unit? For those that don't know what booktyping is, it can only be done with DVD+ format media. It allows you to change the disc format identifier at the very start of a disc to DVD-ROM so it tricks devices into thinking the discs are DVD-ROM.

 

Golberg> with what softwares could you do that?

 

You can do that for -R media too, as with +R only if your drive "supports" it however.

To change the booktype, you generally must reflash the drive's firmware.

And no, a DVD-R masquerading as a DVD-ROM will not be bootable... Think about Hong Kong silvers, they are REALLY stamped DVD-ROMs and not bootable.

 

I am a monument to all your sins.

 

I didn't notice this before; there is a huge difference between a TEST and a TOOL. The TEST as you know is just basically a regular PS2 console just with some extra abilities, obviously the ability to play burned discs amongst other things. The TOOL on the other hand is a full blown computer used for programming the games; it also has an inbuilt TEST board that allows it to run the games using similar hardware. There is also a massive size difference between the two, see this thread: http://assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8864

By the way, where do you live?

 

Thanks a lot for your replies.I am so impressed by the hardware stuff. I feel like a kid in a bakery or rather at a game shop....

In fact aside from buying a unit (and the TOOL one ) my intention is to discuss what is the correct way to make a disc bootable in a retail PS2. It is definitely not for piracy or playing games but more to learn how to make real programs like homebrew.

I don't mean home made DVD or CD but glassmaster in a fabric.I think the way is not as simple as making an ISO with the right format but rather i think a special Sony software is used to generate the master CD/DVD?

Sorry but LMK means what? (lol) I will contact you of course.

 

I am from FRANCE guys.

 

As PA said, if you are paying for a replication run (ie stamping discs) you can make a PS2 disc that boots in a retail console without issue. The simple fact that HK silvers don't boot is only a testament to the fact that the people making them don't give two shits and are only in it for the profit (well duh, what did you expect, they are pirating discs after all).

Don't plan on booting a burned disc in a stock retail console. Not going to happen.

-hl718

 

I just want to make programs with my PS2 TOOL and test them then i want to
make this thing play in a retail. So i (my school) is ready to pay for testing the CD that we are programming.

I am sure that it is impossible to burn it with classical home dvd burner
How can we do? Which fabrics or society knows how to make a PS2 bootable media? Do you know any way?

Sorry but i don't understand this words "stamping discs"..you mean "masters"

 

1. Become a registered PS2 developer.

2. Get pre-approval from your SONY account manager.

3. Buy the required hardware (PS2 TOOL, compilers, Debug Stations, CDVDGen + compatible burner)
4. Produce and test game.
5. Burn master discs using CDVDGen on approved media.
6. Submit to SONY for testing (6 to 10 disks, depending on region) .
7. Go back to 4 if title rejected.
8. Pay SONY to produce a run of your title (minimum of 1000 units I believe)
9. Distribute your title.

Yes, I know you are talking about home-brew, but this is the only official way to get your code on to a disc that can be used in a retail console. Any other way would find you and your school in breach of numerous copywright, licensing and (possibly) patent infringements.

If this is for an educational establishment, SONY may be prepared to provide some hardware and assistance, but you would have to contact them. They would probably still want signed NDAs and still restrict certain information. Most likely though, they would point you to the Linux kit, or Net Yaroze.

 

Ok but i know that a product called Swap Magic is out allowing to play backups on retail consoles.

http://www.divineo.fr/cgi-bin/div-fr/ps2swap36.html

It is then a homebrew program, i have seen PS2DEV libraries in it.
I don't think that they went through Sony. I thought it was simplier.

 

I am a monument to all your sins.

 

If you have one of the "slim" PS2s, then the Swap Magic discs aren't *that* bad. The device that is supposed to let you switch between an open/closed state wasn't made very well, though (at least, mine wasn't), so I'm forced to tape down the front sensor whenever I use it.

Simply put, if you have confidence in your soldering skills, you may want to go with the modchip. If not, the swap discs aren't a bad alternative.

Edit: For some reason, I didn't read the thread as much as I should have. I don't have a lot of experience on the homebrew aspect, since I only use my swap discs to boot my single burned PS2 disc, so I'm not quite sure if they'll work the same way. I'll leave my post intact, though, since it may help.

 

Hello,
the swap magic discs are not legit, they are like the action replay, not authorized by sony but they run on retail unmodded ps2.
The story of their making is interesting...
CodeX, do you have a TOOL or do your school have one?
What is your school by the way?

If you're looking for a TEST i suggest you to check the ebay thread or the ebay website directly, for example a DTL H30001 E with the external hdd and pc card has been sold a few hours ago for £349...

I just remember that the action replay max may allow you to run homebrew code from a burned cd or from an usb storage device, at least it can run the genesis emulator, maybe you can replace the genesis emu .elf with another executable, i'll try that later.

 

Thanks for all your replies

Action Replay is for sure is a legal product and Sony agree Datel to make it.
But Swap Magic is not approved by Sony.Can you tell me the story of Swap Magic?
I like stories.

I am in "Centre de Formation AFPA" near PARIS and we are looking for buying a TEST or TOOL unit but i wonder if it very useful...because we cannot make a real CD...

Do you know any fabrics to make a real CD?