I just scored two original PSXs - What to do?

[Ninjamohawk]

(original grey design mind) They're both *mint* and run flawlessly and silently.

My question is, what cool things can I do with them? Are they easy to mod? I basically just want to play imports and backups.

[wingzrow]

If you can block it from knowing the top is open you can wait for the PS1 logo to load and then as the disc is spinning replace it with an import and it should play.

[Ninjamohawk]

Oh yeah I remember hearing about that back in the day.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Well you could always tape them together and make yourself a PS2! Right guys?!


....



Guys?

[Aussie2B]

Uh, make butt armor and cosplay as Ramza from Final Fantasy Tactics?

[Dr. Dib]

Well you could always tape them together and make yourself a PS2! Right guys?!


....



Guys?

Hey! I was going to use that bad joke!

Anyway, I guess the coolest thing to do with them is to play audio CDs on them. I remember when that was all the rage back in the 90s.

[ncman071]

one truly awesome thing you can do is play madden 97 or nba live 98.....its like an ea sports mod or something

[Leo_A]

You might have more luck at getting a serious answer from GameFaqs these days than here.

http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/916392-playstation

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Get a PS1 Breaker Pro disc.

It'll run you about $20 and you won't have to mod the PS1s to play imports, backups, homebrew, etc.

ItMightBeNES is a great NES Emulator for the PSX and you can fit an entire NES Rom Set on a single CD.

[Kyle15]

I also recommend the Gameshark. Easy, easy imports!

[shadowkn55]

(original grey design mind) They're both *mint* and run flawlessly and silently.

My question is, what cool things can I do with them? Are they easy to mod? I basically just want to play imports and backups.

Original playstations are super easy to mod. Only 4-8 wires depending on the hex code you use. The hex code is freely available in various places and you can program them onto off the shelf parts from Digi-Key, Jameco, Mouser, etc.

[vrikkgwj]

Swap in CDs for special people in Monster Rancher 2?

[WanganRunner]

If you have two of them, you can use the Playstation Link Cable.

(albeit with two monitors)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_Link_Cable


Wipeout or Bushido Blade over the link cable in arcade fashion would be rad.

[Icarus Moonsight]

My thoughts? 2 copies of Wipeout, 2 displays and a Sony System Link cable. More link games (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_Link_Cable)!

[MachineGex]

I got a whole bunch of those special springs that were made to hold down the lid switch. They are other ways to keep it down, but if you want to keep it original, the springs are nice.

[Natty Bumppo]

Do any of the disc swap methods allow you to play multi disc games? The one I have (I don't remember off hand which it is) would only let me play single disc games.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Do any of the disc swap methods allow you to play multi disc games? The one I have (I don't remember off hand which it is) would only let me play single disc games.

I can't speak for the disc swap methods, but with the boot discs you only need to have the spring holding down the door sensor for the initial boot. When you get to a section where it asks for a disc swap you can typically just take the spring out and swap the disc.

[riderpool]

Well you could always tape them together and make yourself a PS2! Right guys?!


....



Guys?

screw that duct tape the ps1s to a ps2 to make a PS4 then tape that to a PS3 to make the PS7!

[shadowkn55]

I can't speak for the disc swap methods, but with the boot discs you only need to have the spring holding down the door sensor for the initial boot. When you get to a section where it asks for a disc swap you can typically just take the spring out and swap the disc.

Generally with any sort of non-modchip boot, the system is tricked into authentication during start up. It's a bit tricky when you have a game that requires disc swapping midway without saving like Chrono Cross. The disc motor doesn't stop spinning unless the door hinge mechanism tells the system that the led is open. If you open the lid normally or take out the spring, the disc will stop spinning but the system will need to re-authenticate the disc. In order to get the system to play the second disc without checking the authenticity, you need to swap it while the disc is spinning and that is risky business.

[Ninjamohawk]

Is there a PSX boot disc like on the DC? Or do you mean any authentic PS game used as a boot?

EDIT: I can't believe I asked that noob-y of a question. Obviously not.

[shadowkn55]

There is something called the Breaker Pro but I have no idea how it works. Back in the day, there were two known ways to boot backups. The first was a modchip, it would inject the authentication code into the system as needed allowing backups and imports to play.

The second way was to use a gameshark-like device and a spring. The spring was used to trick the system into thinking the lid never opened. This is important because the system will recheck the disc for authenticity whenever the lid is opened. So with the gameshark method, you would place an original into the system and start it up. The system checks the disc and gives it the ok. With the gameshark menu is running, the disc stops spinning and you can freely open the lid and swap the disc with what ever you want. Since the system never knew the lid was opened, it still thinks the same original disc is in it and doesn't bother to check it again.

[Parodius Duh!]

if you have any soldering skills, you should be able to find a ps1 mod chip with a little bit of hunting (and for very, VERY cheap these days depending on the chip).....its so much nicer then all this lame disc swapping crap.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Is there a PSX boot disc like on the DC? Or do you mean any authentic PS game used as a boot?

EDIT: I can't believe I asked that noob-y of a question. Obviously not.

No, the answer is obviously YES.

While we didn't see them manufactured until the final year or so of PSX production there are boot discs that allow for Import/Backup/Hombebrew to be run on an unmodified Playstation or PS One.

Unlike Game Shark or Action Replay discs there was no authentic Playstation game disc needed during the process. Much like the dreamcast boot disc you mention you boot these up and it says "insert import now", they only trick is that you need to have your door hing sensor tricked to stay down ... but most of these discs came with springs and cards to accomodate that.

However, unlike the Dreamcast boot discs, these can't be copied, they NEED to be pressed/manufactured in a process that can put whatever "authetication data" is needed in the section of the disc where CDRs can not.

The fact that they couldn't be easily copied/shared combined with the fact that most people had moved on to PS2 when these things were created kept them from being any kind of wild-fire PSX phenomenon like mod chips were.

They primarily went under the names "Breaker Pro" and "PSX XChange" and you can still find them for sale online if you google them.

[megasdkirby]

They primarily went under the names "Breaker Pro" and "PSX XChange" and you can still find them for sale online if you google them.

You can also use a GameShark and Pelican Codebreaker, as it does the same.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

You can also use a GameShark and Pelican Codebreaker, as it does the same.

Again,

so there's no confusion - the devices I'm describing are not "cheat code" discs that can be faked out by loading a real PSX game and then swapping it out at some point for an import/backup/homebrew.

These are one-shot straight-load boot discs, essentially one entire step less than using a Gameshark or a Codebreaker.

[Kyle15]

Again,

so there's no confusion - the devices I'm describing are not "cheat code" discs that can be faked out by loading a real PSX game and then swapping it out at some point for an import/backup/homebrew.

These are one-shot straight-load boot discs, essentially one entire step less than using a Gameshark or a Codebreaker.

I use my Gameshark to straight-up boot imports on the PS1 and PS2. Keep the sensors pressed down, swap with an import, and boot without codes. Simple as pie and cost me $4.99 at the time. You can't beat that! (The GS does not spin at all after the menu loads up. An added bonus.)

Also, I can confirm that these boot-discs and cheat discs don't allow multi-disc games. The system checks each disc, and only during "fresh swaps." (The sensors must be unpressed.)

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I use my Gameshark to straight-up boot imports on the PS1 and PS2. Keep the sensors pressed down, swap with an import, and boot without codes. Simple as pie and cost me $4.99 at the time. You can't beat that! (The GS does not spin at all after the menu loads up. An added bonus.)

Also, I can confirm that these boot-discs and cheat discs don't allow multi-disc games. The system checks each disc, and only during "fresh swaps." (The sensors must be unpressed.)

Hmm, okay. Well, if that's the case that's good to know.

Although, my experience with Gameshark/Codebreaker discs isn't 1:1. Do you know if there are variations on those discs (I know that there were tons released through the life of the PSX) where they added/removed that ability?

I've got one or two PS1 Gameshark/Codebreaker discs where I need to middle-swap a correct region/authentic game for the GameShark to read and THEN with the sensor tricked swap out the import/backup/homebrew, etc. to boot.

[megasdkirby]

Again,

so there's no confusion - the devices I'm describing are not "cheat code" discs that can be faked out by loading a real PSX game and then swapping it out at some point for an import/backup/homebrew.

These are one-shot straight-load boot discs, essentially one entire step less than using a Gameshark or a Codebreaker.

Oh yeah, I know. But basically they do the same thing anyway, plus they have the capability of using cheat codes as well as other functions. And there are times in which, money wise, it's the same or cheaper getting the Action Replay/Codebreaker instead of the Boot disc.

I have the PSXChange 2 (I think it's "2"), and I just use the others mentioned before more. Just a preference, I guess.

Oh, and games with CDDA tracks will not work properly. You can play the games, but you cannot hear any CDDA audio tracks. Never knew why, but I think it may have to do with the TOC or something.


Also, I can confirm that these boot-discs and cheat discs don't allow multi-disc games. The system checks each disc, and only during "fresh swaps." (The sensors must be unpressed.)

The only exception would be those games that "save" before loading the next disc. Many times, even though you can't swap in mid game, you can turn off the game and insert the new disc and load the save file...and it works. Not always, but it does work.

[Kyle15]

Hmm, okay. Well, if that's the case that's good to know.

Although, my experience with Gameshark/Codebreaker discs isn't 1:1. Do you know if there are variations on those discs (I know that there were tons released through the life of the PSX) where they added/removed that ability?

I've got one or two PS1 Gameshark/Codebreaker discs where I need to middle-swap a correct region/authentic game for the GameShark to read and THEN with the sensor tricked swap out the import/backup/homebrew, etc. to boot.

I just checked and my disc is a green-case variant Action Replay. (Aren't they made by the same company?) According to someone on Gamefaqs (which isn't always trustful of course) this same technique worked with one of the Gameshark variants.

Sorry for reporting Gameshark at first. It has the exact same menu (save for a different color scheme) as the Shark menus I've seen.


The only exception would be those games that "save" before loading the next disc. Many times, even though you can't swap in mid game, you can turn off the game and insert the new disc and load the save file...and it works. Not always, but it does work.

Well yeah, those are the easiest to use. I've never come across one though.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I just checked and my disc is a green-case variant Action Replay. (Aren't they made by the same company?) According to someone on Gamefaqs (which isn't always trustful of course) this same technique worked with one of the Gameshark variants.

Sorry for reporting Gameshark at first. It has the exact same menu (save for a different color scheme) as the Shark menus I've seen.


I know that the PS1 Gameshark Lite code disc that came with one of the PS2 GameSharks (and a few of the USB keyboards) works to boot imports, etc. but you need to swap in a legit US PSX game as an in-betweener.

I have one and I've used it as such on both PS1 and PS2 with a flip-lid.

In any case, if some Codebreakers and Gamesharks work, that's cool and good to know.

[Ninjamohawk]

No, the answer is obviously YES.

While we didn't see them manufactured until the final year or so of PSX production there are boot discs that allow for Import/Backup/Hombebrew to be run on an unmodified Playstation or PS One.

Unlike Game Shark or Action Replay discs there was no authentic Playstation game disc needed during the process. Much like the dreamcast boot disc you mention you boot these up and it says "insert import now", they only trick is that you need to have your door hing sensor tricked to stay down ... but most of these discs came with springs and cards to accomodate that.

However, unlike the Dreamcast boot discs, these can't be copied, they NEED to be pressed/manufactured in a process that can put whatever "authetication data" is needed in the section of the disc where CDRs can not.

The fact that they couldn't be easily copied/shared combined with the fact that most people had moved on to PS2 when these things were created kept them from being any kind of wild-fire PSX phenomenon like mod chips were.

They primarily went under the names "Breaker Pro" and "PSX XChange" and you can still find them for sale online if you google them.

I meant a burnable boot disk like the DC ones. I looked in to Breaker Pro, etc but I'm just going to get a chip. They're way cheap and the solder points on these boards (they're both SCPH-750X models) are gigantic.

If I mod chip both systems I could potentially sell off one for a tidy profit.

[buzz_n64]

I thought most people have stopped calling it by that name after the system officially called the PSX came out.
http://www.videogameconsolelibrary.com/images/2000s/03_Sony_PSX/03_Sony_PSX_Display_1.jpg

Playstation and PS are more acceptable terms. PSone or PS1 not so much because it sometimes is confused with the slim compact model. Just my two cents.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I thought most people have stopped calling it by that name after the system officially called the PSX came out.
http://www.videogameconsolelibrary.com/images/2000s/03_Sony_PSX/03_Sony_PSX_Display_1.jpg

Playstation and PS are more acceptable terms. PSone or PS1 not so much because it sometimes is confused with the slim compact model. Just my two cents.

I'll never be able to stop myself.

Sony and developers referred to the Playstation as PSX far FAR too much during the system's life to shake that as a moniker/abbreviation, even if Sony eventually did make a failed multimedia/DVR PS2 with that as its official title.

Plus, find me a person who actually HAS a PSX and I'll ask them if it ever causes them any confusion.

[Aussie2B]

I kicked the habit of using "PSX" a few years back, but it doesn't bother me if other people do so. The real PSX is so obscure (and Japan-only) that it's very rare for anyone to be talking about it.

[allyourblood]

I kicked the habit of using "PSX" a few years back, but it doesn't bother me if other people do so. The real PSX is so obscure (and Japan-only) that it's very rare for anyone to be talking about it.

I passed one of these up locally less than a year ago. I'm not sure what's it worth, but the guy wanted $250, which, even though it was perfect and in the box, sounded absolutely outrageous at the time.

And despite this thing's existence, I still prefer to abbreviate the original Playstation to PSX. I remember when I worked at Toys R Us back around 99-00... Sony sent us this weird letter (along with some t-shirts and promo crap) asking that we not refer to the Playstation as PSX, even in our internal communications. I always thought that was really weird.

[WCP]

My thoughts? 2 copies of Wipeout, 2 displays and a Sony System Link cable. More link games (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_Link_Cable)!


This is exactly what I was thinking. Link cable all the way. Especially Assault Rigs and Destruction Derby. Wipeout is a no-brainer :)