Thinking about getting a PSX console...

[dave4shmups]

The Sony PSX seems to be a lot cheaper on Ebay then Japanese PS2s, BUT I am worried about it's durability. I've heard that the PSX is not well ventilated, and has overheating issues that make it an unreliable console. I don't know if the PSX has as many issues with this as, say, the earlier models of the XBOX 360 did with the RROD. It looks like a really cool console, though, and if anyone on here owns one, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[Fudoh]

If you really mean the PSX (the white one with HDD and recording functions), those are supposed to have an extremely high failure rate.

[Ed Oscuro]

The Sony PSX seems to be a lot cheaper on Ebay then Japanese PS2s

???

The last time I looked, even ones listed as having problems playing back PS2s are more expensive than regular PS2s, Japanese or otherwise.

Dave, you're in over your head, man, don't do it. Even a hardware guru would have to think twice before taking on problem hardware like that.

[xorthen]

You're better off getting a Japanese PS2. You get a japan region dvd player, and it plays both japanese ps one and 2 games

[dave4shmups]

The Sony PSX seems to be a lot cheaper on Ebay then Japanese PS2s

???

The last time I looked, even ones listed as having problems playing back PS2s are more expensive than regular PS2s, Japanese or otherwise.

Dave, you're in over your head, man, don't do it. Even a hardware guru would have to think twice before taking on problem hardware like that.

Yeah, there's a guy on Youtube that I watch: lukemorse1 who's a real hardware guru, lives in Japan, and he had several PSX consoles a few years ago-all of them were defective. From what I gather, the issue is overheating. I've seen photos and a video of the PSX, and it really doesn't look like it has any vents at all. Maybe on the sides, but those just look textured.

It's just that Japanese PS2s are so hard to find anymore-Play Asia doesn't have any, neither do any other import sellers, except for individuals selling them on Ebay. And you can probably guess how high the prices are there!

[evil_ash_xero]

You could always get a US PS2, and get someone to mod it. It's pretty cheap nowadays. Of course, you need to know a modder.

I just had a PSX modded, and it cost me 10 dollars. I'm sure getting a PS2 modded will cost more(and you have to get the chip), but I doubt it's much.

PM me, if you want some info on who to contact.

[dave4shmups]

I know people have gotten modded PS2s from the neo-geo.com forums, but I think you have to have 10 posts on that forum, in order to access their shop/marketplace, whatever it's called. Is this true, or can you just jump right in, after registering?

[Astraea FGA Mk. I]

I use a NTSC-U PS2 slim with swap magic and "magic keys". Installing it is simple, place these 3 metal tabs on the 3 sensors under the lid making the system think the lid is always shut. The hardware is not modified or damaged in any way.
Booting and swapping discs is really quick and not much of an inconvenience. You can boot PS2 DVD, PS2 CD and PS1 games this way. Cheat menus are available if that interests you.

Another option is to get an external USB hard drive and a memory card with free mcboot on it. Put all of your games on the HD.

I think these methods are better after reading about the various mod chips available for both PS1 and PS2 consoles that seem to have compatibility issues and are difficult to install.

[matrigs]

I think these methods are better after reading about the various mod chips available for both PS1 and PS2 consoles that seem to have compatibility issues and are difficult to install.

It very much depends on the hardware revision of your console. There are several very easy to install models (big, visible solder joints) and some extra hard (soldering directly to ic pins the size of 0,1mm).

FreeMCBoot is the most convenient option to go, but a modchip has several advantages (at least the "modbo 760" one). For me the selling point was PSX compatibility, as with FreeMCBoot you still have to swap discs. With the modbo chip, the ps2 pretty much reads anything you htrow at it, pancakes included.

[Einzelherz]

I've got FreeMcBoot and as matrigs said, the only nuisance is disc swapping for PS1 games. I have mine set up to put in a PS1 game, hold X on boot, and then swap in the backup which is "easy" enough for me to deal with considering I didn't have to permanently modify my PS2 Slim.

[evil_ash_xero]

I know people have gotten modded PS2s from the neo-geo.com forums, but I think you have to have 10 posts on that forum, in order to access their shop/marketplace, whatever it's called. Is this true, or can you just jump right in, after registering?

Hmmm...wouldn't know about that, since I don't go to that forum.

There's a number of options to get modded PS2s, or to get one modded.
AssemblerGames Forum is a great place to find chips and people who will mod your system. I tend to get chips from members there.

[speedlolita]

It isn't that hard to install a PS2 chip. I make do with my £4 soldering iron, 70/30 fine solder, a multimeter with continuity test and a steady hand.

I'd recommend looking at a debug console personally. Can't fault mine.

[evil_ash_xero]

Some of us have no experience soldering.

[speedlolita]

Why not start?

Seems to be in line with your hobby.

[PAPER/ARTILLERY]

Why not start?

Seems to be in line with your hobby.

This. I learnt for this express purpose, to mod consoles and build pad hacks. It's not that hard to learn, the tools are cheap and it's a mighty useful skill to have.

[evil_ash_xero]

Why not start?

Seems to be in line with your hobby.

I have enough things to do.

Also, I would probably screw up the first few, and I don't have any thing to "practice" on.

[Einzelherz]

Why not start?

Seems to be in line with your hobby.

I have enough things to do.

Also, I would probably screw up the first few, and I don't have any thing to "practice" on.

It's not that bad, really. Get thin solder (I use 1/32") and a fine tip iron and you can't lose. The first thing I remember soldering was a Saturn mod chip about a decade ago, actually.

[speedlolita]

Indeed. While I appreciate that you may not have the time, it's definitely a worthwhile skill to have.

I started off padhacking controllers for an arcade stick around 2009 (09er!) and then moved on to pro sound mod my Game Boy, install switches in a Mega Drive and then eventually move on to more intricate stuff.

Really satisfying getting things cheap that are slightly dysfunctional and then repairing them.

[LSU]

I've got a slim JP PS2 which I use most of the time for gaming and also a PSX 250Gb which I occasionally boot up. I really only have the PSX because I like collecting consoles, also it's there as a backup just in case my slim PS2 ever dies. Be aware that there's no option to display system menus in English on the PSX, so you're stuck with the Japanese XMB interface. Bottom line is - if all you want to do is play games then the slim PS2 weighs far less, takes up far less room and consumes less wattage. The only possible gaming advantage is I read somewhere the PSX can use its HDD for PS2 games that do use the HDD, but I havent ever tested that myself so can't vouch for that.

[dave4shmups]

If I was to buy a used American slim-PS2, are there any modchips that can be installed that would allow me to play both Japanese PS1, and Japanese PS2 games? I don't really have the need for an HDD, and, AFIK, the slim-PS2s were (and still are) much more durable then the older fat PS2s.

[evil_ash_xero]

If I was to buy a used American slim-PS2, are there any modchips that can be installed that would allow me to play both Japanese PS1, and Japanese PS2 games? I don't really have the need for an HDD, and, AFIK, the slim-PS2s were (and still are) much more durable then the older fat PS2s.

I think they all do. Well, the Matrix Infinity does. But I think that's the norm for the PS2 mod chips.

[dave4shmups]

I've got a slim JP PS2 which I use most of the time for gaming and also a PSX 250Gb which I occasionally boot up. I really only have the PSX because I like collecting consoles, also it's there as a backup just in case my slim PS2 ever dies. Be aware that there's no option to display system menus in English on the PSX, so you're stuck with the Japanese XMB interface. Bottom line is - if all you want to do is play games then the slim PS2 weighs far less, takes up far less room and consumes less wattage. The only possible gaming advantage is I read somewhere the PSX can use its HDD for PS2 games that do use the HDD, but I havent ever tested that myself so can't vouch for that.

Have you ever had any overheating problems with your PSX? Speaking of modding, I wonder if it's possible to mod a PSX to make it run cooler somehow?

[speedlolita]

If I was to buy a used American slim-PS2, are there any modchips that can be installed that would allow me to play both Japanese PS1, and Japanese PS2 games? I don't really have the need for an HDD, and, AFIK, the slim-PS2s were (and still are) much more durable then the older fat PS2s.

The Modbo 4.0 and Matrix Infinity are probably the chips you're going to come across most frequently nowadays. Could grab some over on ASSEMblergames, and there are people there that can even install them. The Modbo 4.0 is particularly inexpensive and should do exactly what you want. I plan to install one in my SCPH-90003.

[dave4shmups]

If I was to buy a used American slim-PS2, are there any modchips that can be installed that would allow me to play both Japanese PS1, and Japanese PS2 games? I don't really have the need for an HDD, and, AFIK, the slim-PS2s were (and still are) much more durable then the older fat PS2s.

The Modbo 4.0 and Matrix Infinity are probably the chips you're going to come across most frequently nowadays. Could grab some over on ASSEMblergames, and there are people there that can even install them. The Modbo 4.0 is particularly inexpensive and should do exactly what you want. I plan to install one in my SCPH-90003.

Great; thanks!! I wonder if there are any online stores that sell modded PS2s? I don't think Ebay lets people sell modded consoles.

[zaphod]

Modchipping a ps2 is easier said then done.

The console is designed to fry your laser when reading burned media. No joke.

Additionally, there are bugs in the mechacon software that make it crash if a modchip isn't correctly installed, especially on the newer consoles.

Only the consoles that free mc boot does NOT work on can be reliable modchipped among the slims without self destructing. (Sony had to remove the traps because they were sued over their self destructing slims)

I just use free mc boot and hdloader/open ps2 loader, and install ps2 games to the hard drive. you need a ps1 for gradius gaiden anyway, so just play your ps1 games on one of those, which IS easy to stealth chip.

[Xan]

Do you have any sources for that story? First time I hear about this.

[blizzz]

What's the name of the modchip for PS2 slim consoles? I've got a 9004 from '00 that is not compatible with FMCB. Is there a chip that will allow me to play NTSC games (original disc) in 480p on a PAL machine?

At the moment I'm trying to find a USB stick that is compatible with Swap Magic to autoboot OpenPS2Loader. All the sticks I've tried don't work, the only thing that works is my PSP and a USB3 external harddrive I have. I swear that I had one that worked a couple years ago before I moved...

[speedlolita]

Do you have any sources for that story? First time I hear about this.

It's the reason the Romeo mod exists. Only exists for machines V9 and after too.

As long as you have a multimeter to hand for continunity testing there's no reason you would incorrectly install a PS2 modchip. I've done some with my £5 multimeter and £10 iron. No problem.

FreeMcBoot is an okay solution but to be honest it doesn't let you boot originals from any region which is a huge downside for me. I'll take a DMS4 Plus / Debug machine any day.

[Xan]

So you mean games burned with ESR will counteract that laser burnout thing? Thinking about it, I do recall reading that ESR causes those discs to be actually read as video DVDs by the PS2...

[shmuppyLove]

The problem with Free MC Boot is that you either need a modded console to start with, know someone with a modded console, or buy a MC with it already installed.

I don't recall if any of the exploits allowed you to install it without a modified console? Or there may be some game-specific exploits similar to the Wii ones for softmodding ...