PS2 Network Adapter/Hard Drive Issues

[Rupert H]

I recently acquired a PS2 Network Adapter and fitted a 120GB hard drive to my PS2. I was hoping to use it firstly, to install games that have an official instal option (Street Fighter Zero Fighters Generation, Vampire: Darkstalker's Collection, Resident Evil Outbreak) and also to install progressive scan patched versions of games I already own (Mushihimesama and Ibara) via HD Loader.

None of the games that use the official install option seem to recognise the hard drive. Does anybody know if you can install official-install games onto a 120GB hard drive or does it only recognise the official 40GB Sony Hard Drive? I'm also wondering if HD Loader formats hard drives in a way that allows for official installation and HD Loader installation.

Hopefully this thread doesn't skirt to closely to discussing piracy -- that's certainly not what I'm using it for. Can anybody with any hands-on experience with this shed any light on the situation? I know it's not exactly a shmup-related but there's a serious lack of information online.

[jonny5]

you need to use something like winhiip or the boot cd for HDLoader to format the HDD for PS2 use

then it should work as normal with both install games and HDloader stuff transfered on with winhiip

[Specineff]

Official install games will only see the official Sony HDD.

HDLoader won't format the HDD to allow for official install. You're better off ripping the disc straight to HDLoader. Load times will be exactly the same. Just don't go online with that, okay?

[Chi_Ryu]

None of the games that use the official install option seem to recognise the hard drive. Does anybody know if you can install official-install games onto a 120GB hard drive or does it only recognise the official 40GB Sony Hard Drive?

Nope, only the official one. It means you are SOL for getting Street Fighter Zero Fighter's Generations working :{ With your drive, the only option you have is using HDloader (and I'd suggest getting freemcboot working so you can boot straight to the hard drive froma memory card - no CD needed).

Ibara/Mushi will install fine, though.

[jonny5]

sorry for the mis-info about the legit install titles....news to me....

[Rupert H]

Thanks very much for the replies. That's all cleared up then. I knew I could rely on shmups for the knowledge.