US PS2 serial numbers some start with FU instead of just U

[Niku-Sama]

some US PS2 serial numbers some start with FU instead of just U and i was curious, why is that?

i just picked up a fattie for $5 bare console at the goodwill as is store and was thinking of modding it for my imports but when i looked up what mods would work with it i noticed the serial number starts with FU instead of just U like the others i have and was curious, maybe it was a factory refurb or something? i donno maybe some one else does.

also while i am at it, whats a good mod chip?

system is a 39001 fattie, looking for no swap i also have network adapters and hard drives available, did any one ever do any thing with a no swap mod chip that has some sort of HDD support?

[theclaw]

Yes, the desirable modchips let you install imports/backups to HDD without swap.

A modchip is not useless to hard drive owners. Especially if you're interested in PS1 games.

[RARusk]

Which modchips allow you to do this? And will they work with Open PS2 Loader?

[Niku-Sama]

Yes, the desirable modchips let you install imports/backups to HDD without swap.

A modchip is not useless to hard drive owners. Especially if you're interested in PS1 games.

i never said it was useless?

i'm just looking for a mod chip that makes it so i can run any thing i want and not get in the way with any funkyness the hard drive things an added bonus because that way load times would be much faster