PS2 first-party memory card formatting?

[Kitsune Sniper]

I recently got a Sony-branded PS2 memory card through a trade, and it seems to work fine, but there's one file I can't delete. It's named "Crushed Save Files" and it's apparently from one of those Action Replay thingamajigs.

Well, I deleted everything on the card except for that, and I don't have 8000 or so K available. I have like 7000k. So I'm guessing I have to format the card, but I can't see a way to do so.

I know the Dreamcast had this feature, so it seemed odd that the PS2 does not. Is there a way to wipe the entire card without damaging it or using a third-party tool?

[shadowkn55]

If you have some way of running an elf (exploit, modchip, swap magic, etc), you can use mcformat to wipe the memory card.

[Kitsune Sniper]

If you have some way of running an elf (exploit, modchip, swap magic, etc), you can use mcformat to wipe the memory card.

... I have no idea what you're talking about so I'll just say "... abuh?"

I don't have anything to mod my PS2 or something similar right now. :(

[shadowkn55]

Elf is short for executable link file. It's basically a small program. Mcformat is a homebrew program compiled into an elf that allows you to wipe your memory card clean. Since the program is homebrew, the only way to get it to run is with the methods mentioned above.

The exploit method is free so try it out. http://www.exploitstation.com/

[Kitsune Sniper]

I have a slimline PS2. So that won't work. Damn.

I just tried to access the memory card again and now the PS2 is saying the data is now "Corrupt Data" and won't let me do anything about it. :|

[shadowkn55]

I guess your options are to get a mod of some sort or find somebody with an exploitable ps2. Depends on how bad you want that space back I suppose.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I guess your options are to get a mod of some sort or find somebody with an exploitable ps2. Depends on how bad you want that space back I suppose.

It's not so much the lack of space, what worries me is that the card may become damaged with use due to the corrupt data. I have no idea how they work... it just makes me think of my old floppy disks and how even one bad sector meant that the surrounding area would go bad soon, you know? :)

I still appreciate your help. I'll try to figure out what to do sometime soon.

[agbulls]

You know, I wouldn't bother with any other that. Here's a much better option that is without a lot of mod/homebrew hassle:

1. Go to Walmart
2. Buy a memory card
3. Open up the package and take the new card
4. Put your old card in the package
5. Return to the store

Done!

[Kitsune Sniper]

You know, I wouldn't bother with any other that. Here's a much better option that is without a lot of mod/homebrew hassle:

1. Go to Walmart
2. Buy a memory card
3. Open up the package and take the new card
4. Put your old card in the package
5. Return to the store

Done!

I'm a lot of things. A liar, a cheater, and sometimes, I take advantage of others for my own gain.

But I am not a thief. I'm not proud of many things I've done in the past, but I try my best. Stealing from Wal-Mart isn't something I want to do.

[skaar]

I wouldn't really classify that as theft - returned stock gets returned for credit to the manufacturer, who then refurbishes/destroys it. Total loss... not so much for anyone, really. Sandisk actually recommended I do exactly that for my mp3 player once when it went tits up on me.

[skaar]

And isn't there a format option right in the dashboard? I haven't use the actual Sony dashboard for awhile (I'm a dirty dirty modder) but I seem to recall the option.

[omnedon]

agbulls you have a PM. Discussion of fraud, and how to perpetrate fraud is not welcome on DP.

[ProgrammingAce]

There is no "sanctioned" way to format a ps2 memory card. You can do it using an action replay or the like, but there's no way to do it from the console itself.

I don't know if you were planning to keep it, but i'd toss it on ebay with a note describing the issue. Someone w/ a modded console or action replay would be able to fix it fairly easily.

[Kitsune Sniper]

agbulls you have a PM. Discussion of fraud, and how to perpetrate fraud is not welcome on DP.

Please don't be too harsh on him. Lots of people don't think doing something to a company like Wal-Mart is bad for whatever reason.

ANYWAY!

I don't really need a second PS2 Memory Card. I had hoped to get an extra one for cheat codes and the like, which is why I accepted the trade where I got the card to begin with. :)

(Even though I got super screwed on it... I traded a game for it and it's incredibly scratched, blargh.)

Maybe I'll put it up for trade here. Thanks, everyone.

[shadowkn55]

Corrupt data on the card doesnt always mean you have genuine corrupt data. Sometimes if the program creates data without an icon to go with it, the browser interprets it as corrupt. I have hdloader stored on my card and it appears as corrupt data but everything works fine.

[MonoTekETeA]

Kitsune, I'll swap with you if you would be up for paying the shipping. I have a few and two modded PS2s, so clearing it wouldn't be a problem for me, and I have a few extra memory cards to boot. Black or Red?

[agbulls]

Please don't be too harsh on him. Lots of people don't think doing something to a company like Wal-Mart is bad for whatever reason.

ANYWAY!

Appreciated.

I think you guys know me well enough to know that I'm not going to recommend fraud as a good way to get what you want. Mentioning that swap thing at Walmart is no "secret underground fraud method" -- although I would agree it is wrong and dishonest, and likely DOES constitute fraud. I was making that recommendation half-heartedly, since the mod-software option sounded like a no-go.

We need to relax peoples, relax! :)