Possible to install hard drive in PS2, without net adapter?

Hey there everyone!
I have been reading about the PS2 hard drive adapter, I've learned that it's possible to mod it, so you can use a Sata hard drive instead of a IDE drive.
However I was just considering, if it would be possible to install a hard drive without the actual adapter. By soldering from the connector on the PS2 to a Sata adapter?
Let me know if this is totally impossible, or if it's been done before somehow
Thanks!

- Madsmaten

 

I haven't heard of it for Fat PS2s nor can I find any info of it online other than apparently the IDE pins are accessible via the expansion port.



However, for certain Slim PS2s, it's possible.
http://hackaday.com/2005/02/14/hack-your-pstwo-to-support-a-hard-disk/
https://www.assemblergames.com/foru...tation-2-SATA-HDD-adapter-Has-anyone-tried-it

 

Very interesting reading! Thank you for that.
Where I live, those network adapters are extremely pricey, so I thought I just tried to ask in here.
Since there aren't much info on the subject, would I be better of, just trying to find one with a fair price you think?

 

I'd be willing to sell you mine for cheap. Its useless to me since I have a SCPH-18000 model now.

 

They are quite cheap here in the USA. I see them go on eBay for about $12 here. If you can, get one from the USA.

 

Not possible because the SPEED chip will be absent. The DEV9 and ATAD modules will have nothing to talk to.

For the SCPH-70000 series, those ATA connections are from the SPEED chip.

 

HD Pro afaik can be installed through matrix chip on any slim. Dunno how it works.

 

But the adapter is what secures the hard disk to the console. How you will mount it without one?

 

I am very interested! But perhaps, it is something we should talk about in private messages, however I imagine that shipping to Scandinavia is quite expensive.
Does the 18000-model have the modem and hard drive built in, since it's no longer useful to you?

Yes I have been searching ebay as well, problem is that shipping to Scandinavia often runs up at a 20 dollars + import charges.
So that's really a bummer

Aaaaah, okay well that makes sense actually. I should be looking for one of those adapters I suppose

Mmmmh, interesting. I have a Modbo 760 laying around, do you think it could do the job as well?

Well if you use a 2.5" data hard drive, there would be a lot of room left in the hard drive chamber.
I don't think It would be difficult to secure it, however it might become a homemade solution

 

No. It also uses other chip.

If you do not have suitable PS2 for NA, maybe finding SCPH-70000 with broken laser in your area will be cheap. Though you won't be able to use HDD OSD (well it's useless and only support drives up to 137GB).

 

I currently have a 2.5" sata in my PS2 at the moment. Of course it wouldn't move around if you don't move the console.
Right now the hard disk is suspended by the network adapter on it's own.

You'd need a good bracket or something to keep it in one spot.

 

Okay then. The SCPH-7000 is the slim one, which you can solder the hard drive on to yourself (Because the points haven't been removed from the board) right?
I will check the market, and see if I can find one. Is there a good tutorial somewhere for soldering the hard drive?

If installing in a SCPH-7000, is it still possible to convert it to sata?
I imagine that I would install it using a IDE-cable, and then convert it, using something like this:

Would that be possible at all ?

- Madsmaten

 

No. It has a different network adaptor (SCPH-10190) that only has connections for an external HDD unit and an Ethernet port.

It can support up to 1TB, if you have the right version. But then APA will start to result in poor performance when you have enough games installed.

It acts as an external ATA controller (Via the first word at the boot ROM and some CD/DVD registers), but has no support for DMA at all. Hence its performance will be worse than the fat PS2's ATA connection, but you will still be able to use a HDD.

I have the Sugoi TR2535 adaptor in my SCPH-20400 enclosure, and it's also a perfect fit for the SCPH-10350/SCPH-10281: https://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?45730-The-SystemTalks-Sugoi-SATA-TR2535-adaptor

You could try that. If the adaptor plays nicely with the PS2, then it should be fine.
BTW, PlayStation 2 model numbers have 5 digits, so you mean a SCPH-70000 (70K) series.

 

If you don't have sata ide adapter now it will be easier to buy this thing: http://www.maxdiypower.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=80
It's much easier to install and tested.

It's easy to make bracket with thick cardboard for example.

 

Yes, you could use an IDE to Sata adapter with it.

I've used cheap IDE to Sata converters from eBay in fat PS2 and Original Xbox before without issue, so something like this should work with a Slim.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/PATA-IDE-TO-...15-Pin-3-5-2-5-SATA-HDD-DVD-SU-/201214643372?

Check this mod out where this guy installs an SSD via IDE to Sata converter + internal micro SD adapter inside a PS2 Slim. Site's in Japanese btw but it's got pics.

http://vaot.mydns.jp/fc/SsdInPS2.htm
Google translate link: https://translate.google.ca/translate?sl=ja&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fvaot.mydns.jp%2Ffc%2FSsdInPS2.htm&edit-text=

 

Or like this: https://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?48051-PS2-Slim-with-SATA-SD-Adapter

 

Well I just bought the one I posted in the picture, I hope I can make it work out

I'm still little confused whether I should buy a PS2 network/harddrive adapter. Or buy a Slim and modify it?
What is recommend, if I want best performance ?

And btw! Thank you all for all the answers (so far) I'm getting smarter by the minute in here!

- Madsmaten

 

By far the easier way: Fat PS2 + network adapter.

There's many tiny solder points on the Slim for the hard drive mod so if you decide to go that route, make sure your solder skills are up to it.

 

For use with minimal/no hacks at all: get an actual PlayStation 2 that can support the HDD unit (fat PS2) and a network adaptor. No need to worry about modding the console to get the ATA interface installed.
If you either cannot get a complete set or a SCPH-70000 series is more economically viable, go for it.

Performance will most likely be the same because we're talking about official hardware.

 

Madsmaten, It seems you have bought an sata to IDE44 adapter.
PS2 NA needs sata to IDE40 adapter.

Maybe it will work with modification.