HUGE FAQ list, check before posting !!

The FAQs answered in this page are for beginner to intermediate modders. It you see anything wrong in the information below, please contact me.

>>>>> MODIFICATIONS <<<<<

Q) I backed up a game and the PS2 says "Please insert a Playstation or Playstation 2 format disc" against a red mist.
A) You need some type of modification for your PS2.

Q) I want to modify my PS2, should I?
A) If you want to then yes, but before you do anything else, make sure your PS2 can read DVD-Rs by burning a movie (that you own) on a DVD-R and try it out in your PS2, if it's a good backup and it doesn't work on your PS2, then don't get a mod, you are one of the unfortunate people with a PS2 that can't read DVD-R (no, DVD+Rs won't work either). If on the other hand, if did play, then check out your PS2 version and see what mods are compatible with your Ps2 and then choose from the list below of devices.

Q) What modification should I go with?
A) Well, it all depends on the person and their situation, but here's a product description:
Products with a ** require swap discs.
Slide Card**: It is a way to force your tray open without the PS2 knowing, letting you swap discs.
Flip Top**: This is a top cover that you put in place of the original that has a part above the tray that will pop up, allowing you to swap discs.
No Solder Chip**: There are only two available, one for a v4 PS2 and one for v5/6/7 PS2s. This chip ins plugged into 2 places in your PS2 and adds new functionality to the eject button. Holding it for 1-2 seconds until the reset button turns orange will make the tray open for 5-10 seconds, allowing you to swap discs. This method out of the 4 that require swapping is the most inconspicuous.
SBOX: External USB Plug**: These require 1 wire to be soldered in your PS2. Besides the solder, the device needs to be plugged into the USB port on your PS2.
Swap Discs (Swap Magic, Game Shark, Action Replay, etc...): These discs are for use with the above products. They don’t play all backups (in which case you need to go to http://swapmagicfix.com) and can be a hassle when it comes to ease of use.
Solder Chip (Messiah 2, DMS3, Magic V, etc..): All the chips have different features and are recommended on different version, but all the new ones have 1 thing in common, they can direct boot, which means that you do not need to swap any discs before putting in your backups. Since they require upwards of 20 wires to be soldered, there are places that will install them for about $50.
-There are other methods than the ones mentioned above, but these are the main ones that you should chose from, that is, unless you know what you're doing and don't need help from others about your choice.

Q) How can the no solder chips turn the reset button orange if there's no orange LED on it anywhere?
A) The chip tells the reset button to turn on both of its colors (red: standby, and green: on) to mix and make a pretty pathetic orange. Last I checked, red and green didn’t make orange, but whatever.

Q) I want a chip that requires soldering, but I don't feel comfortable soldering, what can I do?
A) There are numerous sites and people that will solder chips for you. For the most part, they sell the chip and an installation option. If you purchase both they will instruct you to send them your PS2 and then they will return your PS2 to you on an average of 5-14 buisness days. If you do not already own a PS2, a pre-modded PS2 is usually avaliable. A chip, installation, and return shipping will cost, on average, $110, depending on the chip, your location, and installer. Here are some recommended dealers that I know of: http://www.socalmods.com and http://www.xmodd.com

Q) How can I patch my game from PAL to NTSC?
A) follow the guide here (submitted by nrk4594): http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/121718

>>>>> BURNING / BACKUPS <<<<<

Q) How do I burn backups?
A) Get DVD Decrypter (free) and open it (make sure all other programs are closed and that you won't need to use your PC during the reading or burning process). Put your original in your DVD drive. Got to Mode > ISO > Read. Be careful not to go to IFO and not ISO on accident. Select the Source (The drive the DVD is in) and a Destination (the place on your Hard Drive where the temporary file will be saved). Check the right side with all the disc information and make sure it says "Number of Layers: 1" and not "Number of Layers: 2" (if it says 2, then you cannot burn without splitting the images which is out of the scope of this FAQ page). If it says 1, then click on the DVD to Hard Drive button. When the DVD is done Reading, take out the original and put in a blank DVD-R or DVD+R(if your PS2 can read it). Go to Mode > ISO > Write. Browse for your .mds file that you just made. Make sure the Destination is the DVD Drive with the blank DVD in it. Have Test Mode unchecked and BURN-Proof checked. Under Settings, have your Write speed set at 1x or the lowest you can possibly go. Click the Hard Drive to DVD button. Remember not to use your Computer while DVD Decrypter is burning.

Q) Can my (Flip Top, Swap Magic, Slide Card, etc...) work online?
A) Many beginners are confused as to what is concerned with getting online, and your method is not one of them.

Q) How can I get online with my backup?
A) New games (released after the summer of 2003) have a DNAS id which the servers you connect to check for. Games released before or during the summer of 2003 can just be burned and played online. As for games with DNAS ids, you will need to extract the id off of your original game and patch your image file before burning it with the extracted id. To extract the DNAS id you will need to burn a Disc ID Utility CD (get the cue and bin here http://www.ps2ownz.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17105). To patch your image file with the extracted id before burning use Image Patcher (http://www.ps2ownz.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17888). Then burn the image as you normally would and the backup will pass the DNAS check performed when connection to the game server.

Q) I get a bunch of little files when I read the game onto my Hard Drive, why?
A) It is most likely because you have a FAT32 system. Your PC wont allow you to have files exceeding a certain limit. Just burn the cue or mds that was made along with them and you should be fine. If you don’t have a FAT32 system, then it might be because your burning software has been instructed in the options to split up files, check your preferences.

Q) What is the best DVD media to make PS2 backups with?
A) There is no BEST media, but based on many opinion polls Ritek G04 Grade "A" media has been the most successful for DVD game backups. (Contributed by _D3DAiM_)

Q) Can I burn above 1x?
A) Yes of coarse, that is if your media and burner allow it, but most people don't recommend it. It greatly increases your risk of burning with errors. I have only had errors when burning above 1x and I have learned my lesson.

Q) When burning with DVD Decrypter I get a DVD format not correct error.
A) This is most likely because the image is from a CD game, not a DVD.

Q) I found this really cheap media (around 50 cents or less)!! Should I use it?
A) No, this, usually no name media, is almost always really horrible quality, and will wear down your PS2 laser, not read for very long, and cause you numerous problems.

Q) Can I burn "On The Fly"?
A) Yes you can, but it is never recommended. Make a temporary image on your hard drive, then burn the image.

Q) Can I burn XBox images to play on my PS2 or Ps2 images to play on my XBox?
A) No, they will not work because in data in the images is not the same.

Q) Can I use DVD-R/DVD-RW/DVD+R/DVD+RW?
A) It depends on your PS2 version. v1-4 are iffy on booting anything but -R. Higher versions are better at reading more than just -R. In the end it depends on your individual PS2, some can read more than others.

Q) Why won't my backup load when using my Swap Magic Disc?
A) Some games listed here http://www.swapmagicfix.com will need a disc to be swapped in between your swap discs and the backup. There is more information on this at the site.

Q) Which CDLoader from SwapMagicFix.com do I use?
A) Above each collum it says either V1-6 FiX or V7+ FiX. Depending on what version PS2 you have, you will need the corresponding number. Example: a version 4 PS2 will need a V1-6 FiX. A version 9 PS2 will need a V7+ FiX.

Q) Should I put adhesive labels on my PS2?
A) This is HIGHLY recommended against. Most people that have used them, especially on DVDs, have had read problems either at the beginning or into use. When taken off with luke-warm water and soap, the DVDs read correctly. Again, it's your choice, beauty or use.

Q) Where can I download or buy pirated games?
A) Pirated games are illegal and always will be. Piracy questions are not be tolerated in the Afterdawn forums and will usually result in a ban. (Contributed by _D3DAiM_)

>>>>> PS2 HARD DRIVE <<<<<

Q and A Pending Contributions (If you have any, PM me; too tired to think right now)....

>>>>> ODD PS2 / CHIP BEHAVIOR <<<<<

Q) My PS2 shuts down during game play, what's wrong with it?
A) For the most part this happens when your PS2 overheats. Either your fan is not working, the vents are clogged or dirty, or you just need more cooling. So besides checking to see if it's working or cleaning the vents, I suggest getting an external USB fan that sends air into the case while the back fan pull it out, greatly increasing the air flow. they are usually about $8-10.

Q) My games look messed up on the TV (B&W, flashing, bad positioning, etc.)
A) Using a PAL game on an NTSC TV or NTSC game on a PAL TV, you need to patch your games. Here is a two way converter utility (click on the one labeled (NTSCCONV) http://www.psxforum.com/utilitiesps2.php

Q) The lights (eject and reset buttons) on my PS2 aren't behaving correctly (flashing, dimming, off, etc...).
A) It is most likely the ribbon cable that is damaged, out of place, or loose. Make sure it is securely in it's slot and then tape the cable to the top of the DVD drive to hold the ribbon in place.

Q) My PS2 can't read DVD, only CD. How do I burn games to CD?
A) Don't bother, just buy a new laser. This is defiantly something to not go cheap on.

Q) My PS2 with the Magic 3.1 won't boot all games like it's supposed to.
A) If your PS2 is a v7 then it will not boot all games. If you have any other version, then it could be a number of other reasons that it won't boot.

Q) I think I installed my chip improperly, what should I do?
A) Ask around the forums, but besides that, the question is out of the scope of this FAQ page.

>>>>> GENERAL PS2 <<<<<

Q) What version is my PS2?
A) Go to http://forums.psxforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2520 and find out.

Q) How to turn Parental Lock off?
A) Once the movie is playing, go Setup - Custom - Parental Lock and set to Off. However your PS2 might already be password locked, and when you insert a movie you're asked to move to different parental lock level, and you don't have a password. In this case when prompted for a password press Select and enter the master password 7444 (try also entering 7444 while pressing select). Now you can enter a new password, use something simple like 0000. Now you can start playing the movie and change the parental lock to off. One additional problem you might find is that once you're in the Custom menu, you can't select Parental lock, it just goes dimmed highlighted. To fix this you will need to open your PS2 and remove the battery and put it back in again, then try again and you should be able to get to the Parental Lock option in the custom menu. (Contributed by ferd2000)

>>>>> GENERAL CHIP <<<<<

Q) How do I temporarily disable my chip (a.k.a. sleep/stealth mode)?
A) Messiah 2: From "Stand-by" (red light), turn on the PS2 by holding the Reset button for about 8 seconds.
Messiah 2 (on a v9/10 PS2): From "Stand-by" (red light), turn on the PS2 by holding the Reset button for about 5 seconds.
The Messiah 2 chip will stay disabled until the PS2 is shut off or put back into "Stand-by."
DMS3: From "Stand-by" (red light), turn on the PS2 by holding the Eject button for 1 second.
The DMS3 chip will stay disabled until the PS2 is shut off or reseted or put back into "Stand-by."
Magic V: From "Stand-by" (red light), turn on the PS2 by holding the Reset button until logos and/or sounds come on.
The Magic V chip is disabled until the PS2 is shut off or put back into "Stand-by."
Magic 3.1: From "Stand-by" (red light), turn on the PS2 by holding the Reset button for about 2 seconds until the Eject button lights up blue.
The Magic 3.1 chip is disabled until the PS2 is shut off or put back into "Stand-by."
*There are now so many chips for me to research, if anyone has a chip to post feel free to PM me.*

>>>>> EMULATORS <<<<<

Q) I've heard that PS2s can play SNES and NES ROMS? How?
A) There is an emulator that you burn on a CD with your ROMs and your PS2 can play SNES and NES ROMs. You can get it here: http://www.gamebase.ca/snes-station/
If you need the instructions and can't find it on the page, then here it is: http://www.gamebase.ca/snes-station/files/snes_cd_020.pdf
Looking for ROMs of games that you own? try http://www.emuasylum.com (that's just one place of the thousands out there)

Q) In the SNES-Station instructions it says to go to File > Burn, but I don’t see Burn under File... What gives?
A) I'm pretty sure the instructions were written on a previous version of Nero, when there was Burn under File. Since there isn't for whatever case now, instead of going to File, just click on the CD with a match (Burn New Compilation).

Q) Okay, I burned the 3 files like it told me, but there aren't any games to choose from in the list, what happened?
A) ROMs are like games for your PS2, your PS2 can't play any games without the actual game. SNES-Station is like an SNES console for your PS2, you must supply it with games by burning the ROMs with the three other files.

Q) Can I play PS2 games on my PC?
A) There are emulators out there such as Bleem, but they don't work well and you can't get past the loading screen most of the time if you're lucky. Save yourself the heartache and just play your games on your PS2.

>>>>> MISCELLANEOUS <<<<<

Q) Does the whole backup thing only work with PS2 and XBox?
A) No, this stuff is also possible for the GameCube. Go here for more information: http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/61273

If you don't see your answer here, then it is more specific then this FAQ page is. What you will need to do, BEFORE posting, is go to the search field at the top of this page and try to find your answer. If you truly can't find your answer, then post. If you didn't try hard enough, we will know and tend to not answer your question, seeing as we've answered it 1000s of times already.

>>>>> LINKS <<<<<

(Contributed by ShadowNyt)
Technical help for cleaning and adjusting your PSX and PS2 lasers to extend their life span, and even revive what appeared as dead lasers:
http://www.cyber-mag.com/station/laser.html
General help with what tools are required, how to solder, and general electronic information from wire, solder to equations etc:
http://www.cyber-mag.com/station/ps2tips.htm
A compilation page on how to prevent and to fix the V9 syndrome:
http://www.cyber-mag.com/station/laserV9.htm
PAL to NTSC patching guide by nrk4594
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/121718

-Hope this helps you guys,
Ender88 (You can also IM me on AIM at Patricodog)

 

well i got a q that aint in here...

how much time did it toke to write all this?...

/me hopes for copy and paste answer...

 

nope, just wrote that this mourning, i love to help people. noobs get their repetitious questions answered in one place, and the people that answer dont have to answer the same questions 100 times.
_X_X_X_X_X_[small]V4 PS2 w/ Messiah 2 v1.30
DVD Decrypter @ 1x (yes, it takes forever, but i dont get errors or waste media)
TDK all the way!
QUESTION: If you seperate all the gummi bears in a package according to color and then eat them one color at a time, would it be[/small]

 

Well this is good help, for at least 3 days or so, then it will be off in the back pages, along with other old threads. It's a dark and dangerous place back in 20+ pages of afterdawn, lol. The MAIN things newbs need to know is how to use the "Search"! Include that in your FAQ pleze.

 

Will do, thanks for the tip.

 

Maybe you should think about talking to a moderator and getting this topic posted as a sticky. It is a very good faq.

 

thank you so much for your comment, it really makes it all worth while. At the top i commented to the admin that he might wanna sticky this, but I'll email him as well.

 

[bold]yes this is indeed very helpful. the mods should defintely post it as a sticky. by the way where have the mods been these days? this aint no time for a vacation. get ur asses back here!

 

w00t stickied. I'll be sure to update whenever I see another common question. If you guys have one for me too add, tell me.

 

Glad you got it stickied. It will help all the newbs, I wish I had a faq like this when I started out. I'm famous YAY!

 

updated 2 FEB 04 If anyone wants to contribute to the FAQ, I'll add your info and credit. I think it might need a couple common solder questions.

 

updated 3 FEB 04, added chip disabling question.

 

Nice FAQ, the only thing i found that was untrue (at least from what i have noticed) was the line about backing up a DVD movie. Before a had a modchip my PS2(V7)wouldn't read back up movies. Matter in fact it still won't read movie backups even with a modchip, BUT i have had no problems with games! All of the PS2s that i have modded and all of my friends PS2s never played movie back ups either. And they are good backups because they work in my stand alone dvd player.

 

I never mentioned backing up movies specifically. Any movie that I have ever backed up with DVD Decrypter works on my v4 PS2 and Living Room DVD Player, sorry you haven't had luck with that.

 

But you mentioned testing your PS2 with a movie backup. And all i was sayin is that it might not be a good idea to tell people not to get a mod just because their PS2 won't read movie back ups.

If i would have followed what you said, i would have never gotten a mod even though i can play backed up DVD games.

 

You must be doing something wrong cuz any reputable installer will tell you to test your PS2's ability to read DVD-Rs with a backed up DVD movie (since movies don't need any modding to play, but will determine if your PS2 laser can read DVD-R media) before sending your PS2 to them. That shouldn't be the case, there has to be something else that you haven't noticed yet.

 

Can you solve my dilemma? I have a full PS2 game backup already on my hard drive...not an image file, but the game files just as if you were exploring the actual game disc in your DVD drive. Now...how do I properly transfer it to a DVD disc? If you can help that would be sweet!

 

Just curious, but y? Hmm I've never had that before, but my guess is this: Out them all in one folder, and then search for the collection with DVD Decrypter. My take on it is that DVD Decrypter will see all the files as it does when looking on a DVD (both locations are on hard media), and it will think its just a DVD and let you make an image of it. If not, then burn all the files with NERO (which im pretty sure will not work when played, or if it will burn, again, never tried it). and then have DVD Decrypter make an image off the DVD you burn. Maybe someone else has an answer to your question, I've always just made an image.

 

im kinda new to this but i have one question. is it possible to backup ps2 game and then play it without any mod chip and other addons and if so, whats the procedure. i did some research oin this topic some months ago and found that certain procedures exists but i forgot those.

 

I cant stress this enough, just modify your PS2, everything else is just a hassle.