Hello, I've been planning to buy a PS2 for collection purposes and to play some games on it. For some reason I love launch models, so I'm probably going to buy an SCPH-10000. But first, I'd like to know if there are any big problems with this model (as in problems that cannot be easily fixed). Also some info on modchips for this particular model would be nice. However, even if the launch model is defective, I'm probably going to buy it for collection purposes, but then I would need another PS2 to play games. Which model is, according to you, the best to just play on it with the best audio/video quality and the best compatibility? Thanks for the answers, and I apologise in advance if these questions were asked before, I've search on the forum a little bit but I haven't found any information other than how to modchip a PS2. Edit: Looking at this post it seems that the SCPH-1000 would be a good option assuming the drive is in good condition, but it may have troubles with some homebrews, but since I only want to play official games, it should be fine, although another PS2 would still be nice if I ever want to run a homebrew. Any suggestions?
SCPH-10000 has clock generator malfunctions. http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?47713-SCPH-1000-PS2-Graphic-Issues Best model for gaming is SCPH-7700x imo
Launch models suffered from drive issues years ago. I wouldn't go for one, personally. I have the last model of the original (pre-slim) style. Lovely machine. Here's a list of models in somewhat broken English: http://maru-chang.com/hard/scph/index.php/second_son/english/
I have to agree with l_Oliveira that the launch models feel to be superior in quality, compared to the newer consoles... but that's probably because it had a heavier construction. I found that it has its own share of problems, after losing two sets after many extensive programming sessions. :X SCPH-10000 (Both releases of it), SCPH-15000 and the SCPH-18000 GH-003: KHS-400A laser (hard to find a 1:1 replacement!), poor CD/DVD drive tray design (l_Oliveira says that it's prone to getting stuck as dust accumulates), clock generator problems (apparently due to age?) and is difficult to maintain (parts are hard to come by) due to its considerable differences in design from the expansion bay models. SCPH-18000 GH-008: Like a newer expansion-bay model (Has the newer EE), but has a PCMCIA slot instead. This may be more reliable than the earlier consoles, but it's not a launch unit. Just don't mod the console if you really value it. Just get the HDD unit and use OPL to play games off it. The Protokernel consoles (SCPH-10000 and SCPH-15000) have no problems running homebrew software. Some homebrew software don't work well on them because: 1. The kernel is older and has design faults that got rectified by Sony via patches, which get installed by newer Sony software. Homebrew software generally (the patches were only introduced in mid-2013) lack these patches. However, using the Sony system driver update or FMCB v1.9 will solve this problem. 2. Homebrew software seem to have to tendency to use board-specific files like the X-modules (e.g. rom0:XSIO2MAN) and/or rom0:LIBSD. These files are missing from the Protokernel ROM because they didn't exist back then. There is no fix for this, except for rewriting the software to not do this. As for getting another PS2 for gaming, just get a newer expansion-bay set. I vote for the SCPH-39000 series (v7/v8) because it doesn't have the problems that the SCPH-50000 series has, and still has the i.Link port. Slims are only good if you want a console with a reliable CD/DVD drive. They can't have a HDD unit connected to it. If you go for a slim, go for the SCPH-75000, SCPH-77000 or SCPH-79000 series. The SCPH-70000 series has a lot of problems. The SCPH-90000 series seems to be crap (poor quality construction and the later units can't support FMCB).
FMCB would be better than getting a modchip, just my 2 cents worth. That way you don't risk damaging anything important.
OK then I'm going to buy an SCPH-10000 and an SCPH-39000, thanks for your explanations and suggestions But reading your posts, it seems clear that I would need to learn a lot about the modding possibilities before to try to mod any of the two models. FMCB seems like a good option, but could you explain me how to install it on a PS2 (or just give me a link to a guide)? Or does anyone think that there is an even better option than FMCB? A. Snow: Yes, a debug PS2 would be pretty nice but for now I'll stick with "regular" PS2 (though I may buy one in the future)
Get a PS2 memory card USB reader, and drag the FMCB onto it. Otherwise you'll need Action Replay to copy the exploits on.
OK, I remembered that I own an official Memory Card to USB adapter from Sony (the one for PS3). Following this tutorial and using a Windows XP Virtual Machine (didin't work on Windows 8.1), I managed to install FMCB on a Memory Card. I tried it on an SCPH-30004 that I own and it works! I'm going to try to see if it works well, but while I'm testing, can someone tell me if this model, which is European (PAL), can play US/Japanese games at 60 Hz with FMCB?
FMCB can not circumvent region lock for official games afaik. I'm not sure though. You can rip them, patch with ESR patcher, burn it and then FMCB with ESR will run them. Game of any region will work that way.
OK, I'm in the process of burning a Japanese game right now, I'll try that and report if it works or not (and more importantly if it will run at 60 Hz).
I tried ESR just now and I can confirm that it works and the Japanese game that I tried was indeed running at 60 Hz (using an RGB SCART plug). Then for now I'll just buy the SCPH-10000 and use this PS2 for gaming purposes. Thanks a lot everyone!
Yeah but you could also enter a cheatcode in bios for regionfree dvd! How do you do this "Sony system driver update" you speak of? And also when was FMCB 1.9 released?
That only works for the DVD player v1.00, which only works without hackery for the first (launch) SCPH-10000. The re-release of the SCPH-10000 and every console after it will reject this DVD player. The Sony system driver update is automatically installed onto your Memory Card when you install the Browser v2.00 update (HDD OSD) on a SCPH-10000, SCPH-15000 or SCPH-18000 unit. It's required because these early consoles are unable to check the HDD unit for browser updates on their own. The FMCB v1.9 series had 4 releases to date, as you can see in the release thread: http://psx-scene.com/forums/f153/fmcb-v1-9-series-release-thread-116247/ v1.90: 2013/08/17 v1.91: 2013/08/19 v1.92: 2013/08/22 v1.93: 2013/10/13
Well, uLE can boot just about any game using the hot swap method. If you feel like swapping and don't want to damage the motor go to uLE's settings and turn Disc Control :ON. After you save it with those settings and restart uLE you will notice that it stops the disc completely. Hot swap for your import/backup and go to CDFS and then just boot up. The boot (ELF) file should start with the following even though you can load other ELF's as well: SCUS SLUS SLES SCES SLPM Also note that some games that reboot or load other ELF files after the game has been started will check the disc for authenticity and if it detects that it's not a legit disc or one from your region it will go back to the menu. Video patching may also be required for games that use a different video signal than yours. Although I prefer SP193's ESDL (USB) as it play most games I have with no problem, it's slower loading but it saves your laser and motor.
Since he got a fat PS2, he might as well get a network adaptor and HDD unit to game with. The gaming experience will be unparalleled.
True, but I myself never was able to get the LAN setup working with OPL. BTW, I thought you left for the army or something.
