Sony PS2 Tool guide update request - help!

Frankentool, lol nice one :110:

Forgive me if this is a dumb question but, can the TOOL display debug info from retail disks, or only if the game has code in it to output debug info?

 

If you can get a retail title to run on a Tool you'll get a display of certain information on the Linux side of the unit. So, for example you'll get information on files, the hierarchy and the like. It's not terribly exciting to watch and is often scrolling so quickly that you can barely catch it!

In order to really get an in-depth analysis of retail titles you'd need to use the far more elaborate T15k Performance Analyser, which just throws reams of information at you and allows you to get massive amounts of information, capture it and then manipulate it.

Sorry if this is vague, but it's midnight and I am completely shattered. Just thought you might appreciate a reply.

 

Nice! Did you check whether the DSIDB output shows a different setting of the DIP switches?

:thumbsup:

The TOOL can debug retail titles; i.e., you can set breakpoints, single-step through the (assembly) code, watch/change memory etc., separately for both PS2 processors. This is, if you get the game to boot. There are TOOLs for all three major regions, and japanese TOOLs can only boot japanese retail titles (directly); retails from the other two regions are not recognized at all. However, all TOOLs from all regions can boot master disks; so in order to start a retail game on an arbitrary TOOL you might have to patch the image to master first.

Some games might have debug output still enabled, but the PS2 kernel is generating debug spew itself, too. For example, whenever an ELF is loaded for the game (overlays included), a corresponding message is displayed in the debugger.

 

The EE/GS self test switch is special, the Tool displays vertical color bars on the video out, and the leds on the Tool's mobo are..., well I have a video somewhere, so you can see for yourself!

A lot of the games I've tested (in the other hand I don't have that many games...) have debug output still enabled, like Shadow of the Colossus for example...

 

So its a P.I.A to get a retail disk to run on a tool?

 

It's not a PIA, just sometimes you end up with weird/funny results

 

Nope, its not, as long as you know what you are doing :033:.

As I wrote above, japanese TOOLs cannot start retail games from other regions; that is a hardware limitation of the drive mechanism controller (to be more specific: its firmware, which is distinct from the PS2 BIOS) and cannot be worked around in software. Besides that, TOOLs will happily boot both retail and master discs if you ask them nicely ;-).

Indeed. "Asking them nicely" is to be taken literally, as there are titles that will not boot on a TOOL using the run-of-the-mill dsreset/dsedb+reset parameters. I happen to have a QA release of a certain game lying around which my TOOL doesn't want to boot unless some kernel API parameter consistency checks are turned off.

By the way, I would strongly discourage anybody from using the TOOL for playing games unless he really needs to; i.e., when tinkering with the game's internals. That is, unless you have a DVD emulator mounted and can convince the game to work with it; exchanging a bad laser pickup is a real P.I.A OH:.

 

Having done so several times for various units I completely agree! It involves removing the top plastic section, facade and to make it easier, the HDD set. The only way to get at the DVD unit is by taking the Tool to bits! Proper P.I.A. I tell thee!

 

Right, I have been somewhat sidetracked all of a sudden.

Can I ask anyone who obtained the word document I created a while ago with basic PS2 Linux commands etc to send it back - I can't find it anywhere. Of course I could type it out again, but it would be a pain.

Also received a few interesting bits of additional information from various members. Thanks for those.

The images I have of the T14k are excellent! Now all I need to do is obtain one ;-)

Also looking for a working PS2 Tool controller, but also advice from anyone with a fully functional PS2 Tool that's managed to repair a faulty PS2 Tool controller PCB.