Playing PS2 games off an external HDD

Hi all,

I'd like to know if it's possible to play PS2/PSone games on a PS2 (either slim or fat) from an external (USB) or internal hard drive? Specifically, I'd like to know:

(a) Do I need to have my PS2 "chipped" in order to do this?
(b) Do I need to run a DVD (HD Advance, for example) to do this, or is there a way I can run the games from the HDD without using the DVD drive (say, using software on the memory card instead)?
(c) Do the games run okay, or is their performance effected/altered?
(d) Does anyone have any links etc to suitable products for this?
(e) Do games played from the HDD still need to be in the region of the console, or will they play discs (iso's) from any region?
(f) Will it play PSone games as well, or only PS2 games?

I'm asking because my little twin kiddies have started crawling and going through my DVDs and games, and I'm worried that as they get older, they're going to wreck them. I'd rather back them up to a HDD and then store them away if at all possible.

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks in advance,

Dave

 

I can't answer most of your questions, because I frankly haven't tried it myself.

Apparently, using a phat PS2+Network Adaptor (Which has an IDE in the inside) you can install some standard computer HDDs (for a compatibility list, just google).

Then, you either need a pressed HD loader disc (which is basically a packaged version of a memory card exploit as far as i know) - which is useful if you haven't got a modded console OR you can manage to get a similar effect using some memory card tricks.

From what I have personally experienced on other people's PS2 some games run 100% fine, some might have small glitches and some might not run at all, depending on the version of the exploit used.

No idea about PS1 games.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_Loader

 

Using a external (usb) hdd decreases the performance boost you get when using an internal hdd. So if you have the posibility, go for a internal HDD in the PS2 'fat'.

Once games are on the HDD it doesnt matter which region their from. Also your console don't need a chip to load games from the hdd. You can also add games by FTP or by connecting the hdd directly to your PC. (this way you can add imports to the HDD without the use of a chip!)

 

I.e. there's the USBExtreme loader .

Haven't tried it myself either but I think I read that performance is not as good as running from dvd or internal ide (usb 1.1?) and compatibility is lacking too but I might be off there...

PS1 games won't work from either internal or usb hdd.

 

a)No
b)Yes or yes (hdadvance is a commercial rip-off from the people behind swap magic of hdloader), you can run it with either the ps1driver exploit, the memor32 card, or a pressed disc whether it is hdadv. disc or swap magic and the necessary files on a memory card or usb mass device...
c)Most of the time they run better, and the loading times are greatly reduced
(best example I have is Vice city when you change of island)
d) it's free, you can find more informations on psx-scene forum
e) any region games will work, some games don't work, a compatibility list is at ps2hd.com
f)ps1 games don't work


PM sent.

 

I want to achieve this as well, but i m short on cash.

Is the only thing really needed an HDLoad file on the mem card?if yes, I can contrust such a DVD and create a special mem.card on a friend's modded ps2.

 

yes you can do that. When I did mine I used a action replay to transfer over the hacked save. The way it works is it exploits the way the PS2 boots PS1 games. If a hacked file is on your mem card when your PS2 boots up a PS1 game the games ID number (SCUS 72189 or something like that) is checked aginst a list of ids stored in the hacked save file.

If the ID matchs the expoit kicks in and the PS2 will boot a elf file from your memcard. Most people use whats called a key launcher. The key launcher is a basic main menu thing. From it you assign each button (or some of them at least) on the controller to a diffrent elf file. For example my X button will launch HD Loader when its pressed and my O button will launch a FTP server program when pressed.

Once you get that working all you have to do is get the games on the HDD and boot them with HD Loader and they will play fine Keep in mind that while MOST games work there are a scant few that do not.

If you have any spacific questions let me know and I will try to help you out more, I know how big of a pain it can be to get it all set up.

 

since i m a GC expert of sorts, but a PS2 noob, could someone please provide the files for the latest HDLoad+anything else(+custom settings/interface etc) needed so I can burn a CD and do the job [transfer the files from CD to memcard] on a modded PS2?

The reason I m looking into HDLoad is mainly because my PS2 is old, and I don't want to wear out the laser, so I d rather use the HDD. Alas, I ll still have to purchase the discs in order to store them on the HDD, so there goes any illegality concerning what I m asking for.

PM please if you are kind enough to provide your fellow member with assistance! thanks in advance lads!

 

Barc0de you can get the HDloader files as well as other from http://www.sksapps.com/ under ps2 apps.

 

If your looking for a simple alternative to the Independance exploit and you have the cash, you could always just get a DMS4 which has HD support built into the modchip firmware.

It's actually what I have in my slim, which has the IDE moddification done to the motherboard.

 

many thanks 3do!

is the .elf file the only item needed then?

do I just burn it in mode2? (ie, how do I create an .iso of the desired Disc)

@Trenton: I do not intend to chip my console. I understand that the PS2 is still alive and kicking, and I don't really wish to run backups - only games from my hdd. Thanks for the suggestion though =)

 

sorry barcode i wouldn't know what you need to do since i am a ps2 noob and was going to try this exact same thing not that long ago but i didn't have the time so gave up.

 

http://www.psxforum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=22747 do the instructions regarding the CNF files stand for the newest version of the HDL application? (8c)

just noticed that you need an additional exploit in order to run .elf files - and in the process, there's some pressed disc involved that costs a good 40USD.

 

barcode I can send you my mem card save if you would like. All you should have to do is find a way to get it to your mem card and BAM! all done! Mine already has all the things you need like FTP and 2 versions of HDLoader. (1 0.8C that I tweaked and modded myself) and a stock GoWII one.

The save file replaces the system file on your mem card so if you already have a system file (and you should if you use the mem card at all) then you will need to remove it before putting a new one in.

 

Barc0de, you can find numerous tutorials all over the net and step by step apps to do the job for you, like the ps2 independence exploit compiler:
http://www.sksapps.com/index.php?page=exploit.html
You need a ps1 game obviously, a memory card and a fat ps2.
If you need help, just PM.

Mic, I didn't use the ftp anymore, I find ulaunchelf more reliable to copy saves, either via host or an usb mass device...

 

merci beaucoup UJ!!

Micjohvan: please check your PMs=)

 

Barcode, I sent you a PM with all the details and stuff. Let me know if I can be of anymore assistance.

 

My PS2 is modded, so i have HDLoader running from the HD itself. Actually the boot.elf i use is uLaunchElf 4.12. From there i load HDLoader, SMS, PGen, Beats of Rage, ...

USBExtreme isn't worth the trouble. Most games aren't compatible, and even those that work, have slow loadings.

 

Yeh, the PS2 is 1.1 USB, so loading is much slower on it than even thru the DVD drive.

 

If your good at soldering than throw a modchip in there.And dont use a usb hdd,internal hdd is the way to go.