Okay, you wanted a writeup from me, so I'll give you a writeup:
Hardware I used:
Fat PS2 - Version 4
HDD - 40 Gigs Official PS2 version
Official PS2 Network Adapter (obviously I set up my Internet Connection as well)
PS2 8MB Memory Card (I have 2 of them one for gamesaves, the other for the exploit and backups of other ELF files)
Pro Action Replay MAX disc
MAXDRIVE USB 2.0 Pendrive (comes with Pro Action Replay)
The process I went through started
HERE.
Basically I made my own custom exploit.max file with it's own TITLE.DB, I put it on the USB and used my Pro Action Replay Max to start up the USB and Uncrush it to the Memory card. UNCRUSH is very important because you don't want to end up with corrupt data here.
Then after choosing the disc I wanted to use for the exploit, my choice was Metal Gear Solid VR Missions, which works just fine I might add...you probably have your own fav PSone disc to use...but keep in mind 2 things:
1. Low disc scratch factor...makes it last longer.
2. Using only ONE Title.db saves on memory card space and exploit run speed.
Now, the exploit is installed on the Memory Card and triggers the program Launch.ELF, Launch.ELF basically lets me access all connected ports of my PS2 and at the SAME time lets me run any ELF (think .exe) programs I may have.
One such program you will need is HDLoader Patch...this lets you play imports rather easily. Exploitstation.com has a HUGE ELF library so getting the program isn't hard...and once you've installed the exploit and Launcher.elf you don't even need the Pro Action Replay disc to run your USB Pen Drive. It senses the connection just like a PC.
Putting additional ELF programs on there is easy enough, in fact you could even run ELFs straight off the Pen Drive if you wanted to. It'll just show up as corrupt data in "official" PS2 cards...so what you'll want to do is create a Partition on your HDD for ELF files...which can be explained
HERE.
Moving ELF files over to the partitioned section of the HDD is easy just go through Filebrowser in the LauncherELF and copy/paste the files where you want them. I made a backup of the Exploit on my HDD just in case...heh.
Lastly, you'll want HDL_Server.ELF, a stable Internet connection for your PC, and something to do while uploading backups...assuming you know how to make them....Magic ISO is a good way to make direct ISOs from your existing discs. Although I hear not all games work, most do...sadly Psyvariar 2 does not... ;___;
Anyway...get the program HDL Dumb for your PC and run it...but before you do anything....make sure you set up your PS2 internet connection, it should have a disc that lets you do this that came with the Network Adapter.
Next, run LauncherELF and then go to where you put HDLServer...it'll boot up like a DOS window and say it's IP Address is ready...now...once this is established go back to your computer:
Go to Internet Connections, Local Area Connection, and Right-click Properties:
Go down near the bottom of the list of connection Items to click on "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click the Properties Button...
MEMORIZE/SAVE YOUR CURRENT INTERNET CONNECTION INFORMATION IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO, I WILL NOT BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE IF YOU FORGET HOW TO RE-HOOK UP YOUR INTERNETS!!!
Now you'll need to click on "Use the following IP address": and set it up as something like this:
IP address: 192.168.0.1
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
The rest of the fields you leave blank. Click OK and then click close.
Assuming everything is working properly you can now connect to your PS2 HDD.
Go back to your HDL-Dumb Application that's open and click Attach...it should connect to the HDD connection that's been established. You can tell it's working because it tells you how much space you have left on your HDD, as well as you can browse/delete current file partitions (ISOs actually) on the drive.
Next, what you'll want to do is go Browse and get your ISO backup and name it to whatever you want it to be called...you can actually ignore most of the settings and other options HDL Dumb offers and just install the ISO straight up.
Go do something else, watch TV or whatever....this will take a while...it's slow but it works.
When it's done, and you're all done installing your backups, close HDL_Dumb, Turn Off/Reset your PS2 which turns of HDL Server then boot up the HDLoader Patched version via LauncherELF (you can actually create a shortcut to this as explained in the LauncherELF tutorial.) And then HAVE FUN!!!
Don't forget to restore your Internet connection to what it was previously!!
Things to note:
1. I'm only using ONE and only ONE disc to run everything, except for making backup ISOs of course. And I didn't ONCE push the eject button on the Tray...well, maybe to put the PSone disc IN, but once it's in there you don't need to do much else after that.
2. I'll say this again, once you get LauncherELF on the Exploit, stuff like USB and other things can run easily and transfer easily onto PS2...even things like the Playstation SNES emulator among other ELFs. This also means that via USB you can transfer gamesaves easily from USB to memory card. I forget the official PS2 save file extension, but you can view it with LauncherELF's file browser.
3. I've heard ways of compressing ISOs onto the drive to save space, but I haven't tried it as of yet, but since a lot of the backups I plan on installing are import shmups, that probabaly won't be an issue, most shmups take about a half hour or 20 minutes to install as they are usually 1 GB in size.
4. I used the HDLoader Patch, but there are other Loader ELFs out there worth trying. And NONE of which require a Modchip or disc swapping...which is the whole point of this thread, oxtsu!!!
Final comment:
Working ISOs on my Drive:
ESPGaluda
Raiden III
Guilty Gear X2
Guilty Gear XX Slash
Berserk: Dark Chapter of the Millenium Falcon
Super Robot Taisen Alpha 3
I have yet to try and install Gradius V as I've heard that has had problems, but I'll inform you guys of any developments.
Edit: Also, for no reason WHATSOEVER try and connect to ADNS for Online gaming via an exploit, you will not be allowed to play...and you may get in trouble...no official disc = no online game...simple huh!!!
The world would be a better place if there were less shooters and more dot-eaters.
Jesus' BE ATTITUDE FOR GAINS:
1. Pure, Mournful, Humble Heart
2. Merciful Peacemaker
3. Suffer for Righteous Desire
