Hi, this is my first post here and I hope I don't sound like a retard but I want to get started in PS2 Development. I have some experience in C/C++ and now want to try programming the ps2. I noticed that a lot of you are not lisensed developers and still got your hands on that huge fatty looking PS2 that goes by the TOOL. My questions are, Where can I buy this from unofficially besides ebay, and if anybody had the toolchains or toolchain cds that are required to write software and could send them to me or point to me where I can download. Right now my ps2 can play burned disks so I guess thats a start for now.
I think you'll find that the vast majority of AG users (plus the site policy) forbids piracy of software. It's a misconception that those who are interested in any forms of development hardware tend to flaunt copyright. Most members on AG that I have spoken to are keen to preserve hardware because of their love of gaming, not to undermine developers & the industry in any way. If nobody looks after this stuff, then it'll end up in recycling skips etc and just disappear! If you truly are interested in programming for the PS2 then Sony produced a legally obtainable piece of software for the PS2 (older, bulky version) called "Linux". That's a pretty good place to start, but obtaining all the bits and pieces required can be time consuming. You will also need a monitor that syncs on green, but the Sony Linux community website has lots of relevant information. http://playstation2-linux.com/ As for where to obtain units etc, then it tends to be a question of trawling - sometimes for years to find bits and pieces. Once again, I don't think I know anyone on AG who would advocate handing over any software illegally.
Ok, I understand, but is there any place I can get the development software legally? If I have absolutly no other way of doing this I'll look into into the linux kit.
As you rightly pointed out in the first post you made, the material is really only legally available to anyone who has gone through the process of being licensed to use the hardware & software as a developer. As such it is therefore virtually impossible to obtain genuine material. Given AG's policies on copyright, that means that few people actually do own said software. This is also another reason why those who have obtained it are understandably reticent to sell it on once they are finished with it. Many people who collect the hardware don't ever see the SDK that allows development on the machines they own. Partly down to rarity, mostly down to cost, yet there are others that don't because that's not necessarily where their interest resides.
The only legal (depending of the country you live in) way to do it (without spending any money) is the homebrew sdk found at http://ps2dev.org
Alright, Hmm I looked into the PS2 Linux kit and it sold out in America. I guess I'm going homebrew. Well thanks for the answers
Well, further to the existing replies I d like to add this general line of wisedom: You can't barge into a party and the first thing you do is ask for a bottle of whiskey.
Yeah, that's a cool place for homebrew stuff. Info about ulaunchelf, SMS (Mp3 / Divx / Xvid Player) and FCEUltra (Nes emulator) are constantly updated.
Yeah, you'll find most people here like to spend loads on dev units and then let them rot on the shelf :noooo: (no offense to anyone, though sometimes I get a little peeved at it) I'd really like some more official equipment for my PSone devving, but as with PS2 it isn't at all necessary to get started. Just get yourself a PS2 Network Adapter and burn ps2link (I think it's called) to CD, or get that special USB link cable (forgot the name but it's included in the Sharkport as well) and use naplink. A final option would be using ulaunchelf to run code from a USB drive. There's also a program by Paradogs (I think) that allows you to upload code through FireWire, unfortunately I lost it when my HD crashed :-(
Consoles can be a really pain! The ps2 Linux is too expensive for what the ps2 is hardware wise. I was also interested or had hope to do some DEV on the ps2 but had not realized I needed the TOOL model in order to program ps2. I found out I'd have to MOD the 39001 model in order to program it, and thats the only way to program it. Partly what happen is I got the TOOL mixed up with the 39001 model and hadded noticed the differents do to the fact I had skimmed over parris post really quickly, bad mistake on my part! One can't DEV the 39001 without modding the 39001. I hadded planned on modding the ps2 39001 anyway and when I found out I have to in order to DEV, it stop me dead cold. Also limey problely right it would be awful on line do to its lack of memory. End of storie.
I had a GameCube but sold it a long time ago. As for programming, did mostly in College. :thumbsup: That was a good one
If you have an original style PS2 then you can run code using the independence exploit. You probably want an ethernet adapter & to do independence you need some way of transfering saves from the PC to the PS2 memory card & a PS1 game. You can also use a memor32, which already includes the method of getting files to the memory card. But it also means you don't have to use a PS1 game. You still want a ethernet adapter. Another advantage of memor32 is it works on a slimline, which already has the ethernet adapter. I'd never mod a console to develop on, there are usually safer & better alternatives.
If the installer knows what he's doing, there's no problem with modding. My PS2 was bought in Paraguay, already modded with a crappy Neo2.2 clone modchip. 6 months after i got it, my friend Marcelo replaced it with a Messiah modchip. 2 years ago, he replaced it for a Matrix Infinity, because it had Dev.1 (MC) and Dev.2(HD) boot modes, was upgradeable, not to mention it plays everything, including PAL games in color. (withouth component cables). To this day, my PS2 works great. The main problems with modchips are: - The first batch were crap, killed the DVD lens or even the DVD controller chip. After the Messiah, all modchips were almost 100% reliable. - Clones. The most famous modchip, Matrix Infinity, has tons of clones. DMS4 got rid of this, by having a encrypted code. - Bad installation. The installation is the most important aspect, since installing it on the wrong place, can cause interference (and then malfunction). Using the right wires and decent soldering are mandatory.
