So, I want to play import PS2 games

VorpalEdge · Post by **VorpalEdge** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:19 pm

And I'm not quite sure how I want to go about doing that.

I have seen rumors of boot disks floating around (namely, Swap Magic), but from Swap Magic's website, it appears that the only way to get it working on a slim ps2 like mine is to mod it somehow. I would rather avoid this. But sadly, I am unaware of any other boot disks that could possibly bypass this requirement.

The other option I am aware of is to just get a jp ps2, but they're going for over $160 on ebay.. I am exploring options to get them more cheaply, but I am still rather hoping for a miracle boot disk.

I've tried searching on this forum, but I've come up short, so if material on this already exists, I missed it.

In any case, what am I overlooking, and what are my options thus far?

Specineff · Post by **Specineff** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:33 pm

Chubby PS2+HDD+Exploit. No swap, no modding, no need for import PS2. All you need is a memory card and a PS1 game.

VorpalEdge · Post by **VorpalEdge** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:39 pm

Can you explain?

ReKleSS · Post by **ReKleSS** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 1:25 am

The swap magic hardware mod is reversible. You most likely won't have to open up your console. Take a look at the magic switch v3 installation instructions on the swap magic site.

VorpalEdge · Post by **VorpalEdge** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 1:55 am

ReKleSS wrote:The swap magic hardware mod is reversible. You most likely won't have to open up your console. Take a look at the magic switch v3 installation instructions on the swap magic site.

Great, thanks. I guess I didn't read the site closely enough. I'll probably be getting this, then, since the fat ps2's bootup screen is so much slower than the slim's that it will probably take just as much time as swapping disks.

(this is only a slight exaggeration)

Hewitson · Post by **Hewitson** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 5:52 am

Get rid of your slimline and get a fat ps2 with network adapter. A PS2 without a HDD is useless.

Bootaaay · Post by **Bootaaay** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 6:50 am

Swap magic is really easy, just 3 small bits of metal with adhesive tape stuck to the bottom that you place inside the slim PS2's dvd tray - beware though, newer model slim PS2s have some of the holes you need to insert swap magic in blocked up making it imposible to use.

Post by **Ghegs** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:37 am

Hewitson wrote:A PS2 without a HDD is useless.

Silliness. My chubby PS2 happily plays imports of all kinds without a HDD or swap magic. Personally I'd recommend going the modchip route for the convinence surpassing that of the swap magic.

Hewitson · Post by **Hewitson** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:12 am

Ghegs wrote:
Hewitson wrote:A PS2 without a HDD is useless.
Silliness. My chubby PS2 happily plays imports of all kinds without a HDD or swap magic. Personally I'd recommend going the modchip route for the convinence surpassing that of the swap magic.

Having to swap discs every time you want to play a different game and having to wait for loading is silliness.

Post by **Ghegs** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:59 am

Hewitson wrote:Having to swap discs every time you want to play a different game and having to wait for loading is silliness.

Neither of which actually make a HDD-less PS2 useless.

Hewitson · Post by **Hewitson** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:34 am

That's a matter of opinion. I'm sure if you actually had a HDD in your PS2, you would agree with me. However since you don't I advise you dont argue about things you know nothing about.

Post by **Ghegs** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:06 am

Hewitson wrote:That's a matter of opinion. I'm sure if you actually had a HDD in your PS2, you would agree with me. However since you don't I advise you dont argue about things you know nothing about.

No, I wouldn't. Since in my world the word "useless" means of no use; not serving the purpose or any purpose; unavailing or futile | without useful qualities; of no practical good. A HDD-less PS2 can still play all PS2 games and imports through other means. An untouched PS2 can still play the games of its own region. Therefore, they have a use, they just aren't as capable and/or flexible about it.

And considering VorpalEdge already has a slim PS2, it makes sense for him to pick one of the non-HDD options for playing imports.

t0yrobo · Post by **t0yrobo** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:58 pm

It's likely that even with the magickey doodads you'll still have to open up your system. The hole that one of them is supposed to go through is covered by a little piece of metal that needs to be removed. Besides that I've been using swapmagic with a slim ps2 for about a year without any problems. It can be a minor pain to do the switch, but it ony takes a moment.

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 4:40 pm

For VorpEdge,

Or you could could "bit the bullet" and buy a JPN region PS2 console and not have to worry about modchips or swapmagic hacks. It'll work just fine with U.S. 120v A/C lines even though it's rated for Japanese 100v A/C setup...

Be sure to get a JPN PS2 console that takes internal HDD and Broadband Adapter (BBA) and not the extrenal versions of them for the for SCHP-10000 and SCHP-15000 series PS2 consoles...

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

brokenhalo · Post by **brokenhalo** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 5:12 pm

i bought a set of swap magic discs and a flip top lid for my slim ps2. you have to take your ps2 apart to install the fliptop lid (which voids your warranty) but it works perfectly. the disc swaping only takes an extra 20 seconds of your time, so as long as your not changing games every five minutes it isn't a bother.

Motorherp · Post by **Motorherp** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 6:02 pm

I use swap magic with the slimline PS2 as well and it doesn't particularly bother me either. I didn't even have to open up the unit or make any external mods like other people seem to have had too. Just stuck back the disc brake, covered the eject hole, and inserted that little metal rod thing into the hole at the back which was a little fiddly but only needs doing once. Having said that though, I will probably be picking up a JP PS2 at some point anyway since swap magic on the PS2 doesn't work for PS1 games.

Hewitson · Post by **Hewitson** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:20 am

Motorherp wrote:I will probably be picking up a JP PS2 at some point anyway since swap magic on the PS2 doesn't work for PS1 games.

Why wouldn't you just get your existing machine chipped?

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 10:16 am

good luck finding somebody reliable to chip it - and even then there's shipping to be paid for, always a joy

RackGaki · Post by **RackGaki** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:34 am

FreeVast + Free MC Boot is the cheapest option. Unless you count the monetary value of your time, because you should be prepared to dump quite a bit into this before you get anywhere.

iatneH · Post by **iatneH** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:27 am

t0yrobo wrote:It's likely that even with the magickey doodads you'll still have to open up your system. The hole that one of them is supposed to go through is covered by a little piece of metal that needs to be removed. Besides that I've been using swapmagic with a slim ps2 for about a year without any problems. It can be a minor pain to do the switch, but it ony takes a moment.

No it doesn't. I'm using magic key on my slim PSTwo, it has that metal plate but the little skinny steel piece goes in the tiny hole and snakes its way down to the sensor switch. I didn't have to remove anything at all.

Anyway, another recommendation for Swap Magic + magic key. Swapping really isn't that much of a hassle, unless you spend more time switching games than you do playing.

Hewitson · Post by **Hewitson** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:10 am

Ed Oscuro wrote:good luck finding somebody reliable to chip it - and even then there's shipping to be paid for, always a joy

You don't have chip shops where you live?

VorpalEdge · Post by **VorpalEdge** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:42 am

I went and read the detailed instructions for the installation of the magic switch. They are... disappointing. Among other things, the hole for "tool a" does not exist on my model, and my model (scph 79001) isn't even listed on their website. I got it last Thanksgiving, so... heh, that option's out, unless I happen to get lucky and:

I'm using magic key on my slim PSTwo, it has that metal plate but the little skinny steel piece goes in the tiny hole and snakes its way down to the sensor switch. I didn't have to remove anything at all.

Would this tiny hole be the one right above where you were supposed to normally insert tool a (warning: pdf file)? And if so, I could still stick the tool into that tiny useless hole despite the larger one being covered up?

As for the subject of chipping: I don't have a solder, I don't know of anyplace nearby that could do the chipping (I'm sure there is, but I'm new around here, and besides, I don't have a car), and even if I did have a solder I couldn't chip it myself because I don't have the right set of screwdrivers.

Lastly, on the subject of harddrives: what are they even good for? Sure, I guess I could reduce loading times if I really wanted to, but... it's not worth the money. Do they have some other function?

iatneH · Post by **iatneH** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:14 am

I installed tools A, B, and E. The skinny steel thing I was talking about is tool E.

As written in the notes at the beginning, only one of C, D, and E are required, and tool E is recommended first as it does not require opening the console.

But since you said you have a very late model PSTwo, the hole could very well have been covered up. But take a look, there should be a tiny gap right next to the lid hinge.

Hewitson · Post by **Hewitson** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 6:43 am

VorpalEdge wrote:Lastly, on the subject of harddrives: what are they even good for? Sure, I guess I could reduce loading times if I really wanted to, but... it's not worth the money. Do they have some other function?

I would use the word eliminate rather than reduce. Switching the machine on and having a menu come on with 100 games ready to play without having to put the disc in is just great.

Really brings a new lease of life to the machine. I use mine a hell of a lot more since i got the HDLoader.

zaphod · Post by **zaphod** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:31 am

Yeah. hdloader rocks, and is one of two ways to play imports on your NA machine without voiding the warranty.

The toer way is free mc boot and fre vast, when it gets released, which will let you play patched discs without a swap.