PS2 modding opportunity... flip top questions...

The Coop · Post by **The Coop** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:56 pm

So it looks like I might get the chance to make my PS2 import friendly in the not too distant future. Seeing as I have an older model PS2, I went and did some digging. Here's what I found out...

- Swap Disc 3.6 looks to be one of the best swapping components, since it seems 3.8 wound up loosing some compatibility.
- I can go the mod chip, "pop top", or "slide tool" route.

I already know mod chips are out, as I'm not about to start fucking around with my PS2's circuitry. I'm not taking the chance of a bit of solder hitting the wrong spot. I'm not particularly fond of the "slide tool" idea, as it sounds a bit questionable and little too finicky. So, that leaves me with the "pop top" mod. It looks simple enough to install, but I'm curious to know if there are any known issues with it. I'm also interested in finding out more about the Swap Magic 3.6, and its limitations (possible compatibility list?).

Can anyone here give some insight (or links) about these two things? Is the "slide tool" as iffy as it sounds? Are there any tidbits I should make sure of before ordering a "pop top" (besides being sure it's for the old PS2 and not the slim one)? Also, where would you guys suggest I order them from as a US resident? I found a few sites that offer the SM discs and a pop top for the older PS2s (like eStarland and PS2cover), but digging up reviews or feedback on these sites hasn't been too fruitful.

Any help would be appreciated

jonny5 · Post by **jonny5** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:00 pm

in before the lock

but ya....PM me if you want and we can discuss much better alternatives to swap discs and the like

mjclark · Post by **mjclark** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:02 pm

For non-intrusive modding what about using a Memor32? If you flash the firmware with Memento then your PS2 will boot NTSC and PAL.
Check out the site: http://www.mementoteam.com/index.html
We've got one and it works a treat

themachinist · Post by **themachinist** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:00 pm

Get the swap disc 3.6 and fliptop. My friend has that old ps2 and his works well.
I have the slim ps2, so the swapping process is a little different, but similar and I haven't had any compatibility issues with my import ps2 games.

Pixel_Outlaw · Post by **Pixel_Outlaw** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:04 pm

There is some discussion about swap disks ruining your laser over extended use. Due to bad sectors on the disk underside.

Frederik · Post by **Frederik** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:28 pm

mjclark wrote:For non-intrusive modding what about using a Memor32? If you flash the firmware with Memento then your PS2 will boot NTSC and PAL.
Check out the site: http://www.mementoteam.com/index.html
We've got one and it works a treat

Wow, they even had this thingie at Amazon. I was going to buy a Swap Disc for the Cave ports, but now I´ll get this. I hate messing around with hardware. Being able to make backups of your saves is a neat bonus

The Coop · Post by **The Coop** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 12:32 am

I couldn't find anything about the Swap Discs causing a problem, but I did find a lot about burned copies causing extra wear on the laser, based on the quality of the blank CD/DVD brand used. Not really a concern for me, as I don't go down that road.

However, I did notice that there seems to be three versions of the flip top for the fatter PS2s. One is for PS2 v1-3, one is for PS2 v4-7, and the last is for PS2 v9-10. The v1-3 flip top is nowhere to be found, and that's (of course) which type of PS2 I have (v3 to be exact). It's a 10 screw system, but one of the things I noticed as I've browsed is that the 8 screws on the newer versions of the PS2 seem to be in the exact same spots as 8 of the 10 screws on the older PS2s. It looks like the only difference is those two extra screws. It makes me wonder if it's possible to attach the v4-7 flip top and just not use those two extra screws (and not have things all loose and rattling).

The Coop · Post by **The Coop** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:08 pm

Sorry to revive this, but I'm still trying to find out what's what here.

I can't find anyone still selling a PS2 v1-3 flip top, and I have yet to find anything that explains what was changed within the system when it went from 10 screws, to 8 screws. As a result, I still have no clue if a v4-7 flip top can be made to work on my v3 system.

Can anyone help out with this info?

jonny5 · Post by **jonny5** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:13 pm

why so set on swap magic and flip tops?

i would just get rid of the slim and softmod a fat ps2 with an HDD.....

The Coop · Post by **The Coop** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:17 pm

jonny5 wrote:why so set on swap magic and flip tops?

i would just get rid of the slim and softmod a fat ps2 with an HDD.....

Because they're considerably less expensive than the kits and equipment needed for the HDD mod setup. Money is an issue here, and there isn't going to be more of it coming in for this. Oh, and I have a fat PS2 (the v3 I referred to).

jonny5 · Post by **jonny5** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:23 pm

how much does swap magic and a flip top cost?

cuz if you already have a fat ps2 then selling the slim would pay for everything for a softmod with money left over....

all you need for a softmod is memory card, network adapter and any ps1 game...oh ya....and an HDD....doesnt have to be big...and a copy of codebreaker

PM me and maybe you can avoid having to find codebreaker.....i can set up the memory card for you and just send it to you....

its an option anyways

The Coop · Post by **The Coop** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 8:12 pm

jonny5 wrote:how much does swap magic and a flip top cost?

cuz if you already have a fat ps2 then selling the slim would pay for everything for a softmod with money left over....

all you need for a softmod is memory card, network adapter and any ps1 game...oh ya....and an HDD....doesnt have to be big...and a copy of codebreaker

PM me and maybe you can avoid having to find codebreaker.....i can set up the memory card for you and just send it to you....

its an option anyways

I don't have a slim PS2. Never did

The prices I've seen range from $20 for Swap Magic 3.6 and slider tool, to $24 for Swap Magic 3.6 and a v4-7 flip top (both are at GoCyberShop.com). It goes up from there as you shop around to places like eStarland.com, modchipstore.com, modchop.ca, and PS2Cover.com. I did find one place that still supposedly sold the v1-3 flip top, but their front page was copyrighted 2005, which made me wary.

The Coop · Post by **The Coop** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:38 pm

Feel free to lock this thread, oh ever watching mods. I decided to go with the slider tool/Swap Magic 3.6 combo. Not as easy as the other options, but it's cheap, it works, and it'll let me play some imports like Thunder Force VI and Fantasy Zone Complete Collection.

Thanks for the offers and info that were given in this thread

LOCK AWAY!

Specineff · Post by **Specineff** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 1:37 am

Exploit and Chubby PS2 FTW.

ArmoredCore · Post by **ArmoredCore** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 8:25 am

flip top for the ps2 slim is the bomb. u can even do the swap trick to play back up ps1 games. ive done it for like 2 years str8 now, sill no problems with my ps2.

Jockel · Post by **Jockel** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 9:38 am

yeah, if it's REALLY just for imports you can get the MC exploit.
i can make you one and send you the MC.
if you want to play backups on it, you need to patch the iso beforehand, which makes it a BIT inconvenient. But patching just takes like 3 seconds.
shoot me a pm, i can give it to you pracitcally for free (but i want a new memcard or some money in exchange)

DBH87 · Post by **DBH87** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 10:33 am

Swap magic ruined my laser, but it is a good method for playing imports. Only problem is that if you have a slim ps2 and dont have the flip lid, you have to open the console up and place tape over the lid switches so that it thinks the lid is closed when swapping discs.