So does anyone remember FreeVast? PS2 plug-n-play modchip on a memory card basically?

[dao2]

You must rip and burn for this to work? That's odd.

cause itll only play games with whatever junk this loader needs installed, so the import won't have it already on it.... no playing imports ;p

[poloplayr]

i just want a way to play my JAP import PS2 games on my PAL PS3....pretty please?

[Xizer]

You must rip and burn for this to work? That's odd.

ESR utilizes an exploit in the PS2's DVD-Video functionality to load burned games. In order for this exploit to be used it requires a small hack to the ISO of the game to identify it as a DVD-Video file to the PS2. That is what it was designed for; backups. As a consequence of this, however, it can play backups from any region.

I am sure there is a program out there to let you disable the PS2's region encoding for non-burned games but I don't know where. I will look into this.

[Kitsune Sniper]

A standard Action Replay MAX for the PS2 can be used to transfer files from a flash drive using the PS2's USB ports. A Code Breaker can also be used. Code Breakers can be obtained for $15 at GameStop and Action Replays for $30.

Any flash drive should work, and the Action Replay even comes with its own.

Tell that to my Codebreaker disc. It doesn't like any of the flash drives I used.

[jcalder8]

Man that is awesome. I'm going to have to try this out.

[Oobgarm]

Tell that to my Codebreaker disc. It doesn't like any of the flash drives I used.

And the one I got didn't like three different PS2s I tried it in. Even exchanged it twice, no luck.

[Xizer]

Tell that to my Codebreaker disc. It doesn't like any of the flash drives I used.

I guess Code Breaker sucks then. Action Replay recognizes all of my flash drives. I can tell you that if you buy an Action Replay it will come with a flash drive that it does recognize.

Have you tried formatting the flash drives so they are fresh and clean? I know that a lot of flash drives come with this stupid proprietary software packaged onto them because apparently dragging and dropping shit in Explorer windows is too "advanced."

[Icarus Moonsight]

So it's rip, patch and burn. Now I understand. Just an extra step but, it's worthwhile if I can play imports without a hard mod. Still happy. It's like playing imports on a Saturn using the swap trip as the circumvent. Except instead of patching the region you're patching the format. Neat.

[Captain Wrong]

If you can use this to boot HDLoader, you can load your imports on that and play 'em and not have to futz with discs. I've had one JPN game give me trouble out of about 20 JPN and EU games I own using the HDLoader (and from what I understand, that's got nothing to do with my US PS2, it's the game itself.)

Of course, I may be missing what this is, but I'm assuming it's just an ELF Loader that doesn't need a PSX game to trigger it, correct?

[Icarus Moonsight]

Unless I got it wrong, yeah, I think that's it. Just put the card in a slot and away you go. (We'll, after you have patched burns.)

[Xizer]

If you can use this to boot HDLoader, you can load your imports on that and play 'em and not have to futz with discs. I've had one JPN game give me trouble out of about 20 JPN and EU games I own using the HDLoader (and from what I understand, that's got nothing to do with my US PS2, it's the game itself.)

Of course, I may be missing what this is, but I'm assuming it's just an ELF Loader that doesn't need a PSX game to trigger it, correct?

Yes, and it also works with any slim PS2, which lack hard drive capability unless you use a USB hard drive, which is extremely slow due to the PS2's old USB ports. That is why the burned games development is so important for anyone who doesn't have a fatty.

[Cryomancer]

So what all exactly does one need for this? I've got a fat ps2 with a fliptop and swap magic discs, and a stock slim.

I assume I need: a pc of course, a spare memcard i can format once (and then it works as normal, correct?), some sort of action replay / usb thumbdrive business?

i'm reading it over and something in the process still isn't quite clicking in my brain.

[Xizer]

So what all exactly does one need for this? I've got a fat ps2 with a fliptop and swap magic discs, and a stock slim.

I assume I need: a pc of course, a spare memcard i can format once (and then it works as normal, correct?), some sort of action replay / usb thumbdrive business?

i'm reading it over and something in the process still isn't quite clicking in my brain.

Can Swap Magic run .ELF files off of an inserted disc, or copy files from a disc to a PS2 memory card? If it can, I think you can burn the necessary files for this to a disc and bypass the whole Action Replay / USB drive step completely.

This is a tutorial I originally used to get this all going but I am sure there is an easier method now. Note that you do not need a hard drive or network adapter, unless you intend to run HDLoader to play games off of the PS2's hard drive:
http://forums.somethingawful.com/sho...9&pagenumber=1

This is the old "Independence" exploit that you need an Action Replay, USB flash drive, and PS1 game disc for. Once I had the Independence exploit up and running and could run homebrew on my PS2, I ran the Free MC Boot .ELF file in uLaunchELF and had it flash my memory card with the Free MC Boot exploit so I no longer needed a PS1 game.

[SegaAges]

I just want a way to finally play Initial D on my PS2

[Xizer]

Indeed. Wow.

Gonna have to try this out. I just need to borrow a PAL and Jp game to test before I start seeking imports to nab. Didn't Vib Ribbon get a PS2 sequal? Mojib Ribbon or something or other? That would be suspect zero then Sega Ages here I come.

I wonder. Will this work with PS1 format burns? Would be nice to get a back-up system to play existing dupes in case the PSX crashes and burns down the road.

There is an ELF file you can use to load burned PS1 games as well, it is kind of like ESR.

http://rapidshare.com/files/12171407...NCHER.ELF.html

[Oobgarm]

I'd assume that a USB HDD on a fat PS2 would work as well, bypassing the need for the increasingly expensive Network Adapter?

I've got some acquaintances that might dig this if so.

[Xizer]

I'd assume that a USB HDD on a fat PS2 would work as well, bypassing the need for the increasingly expensive Network Adapter?

I've got some acquaintances that might dig this if so.

The PS2 has USB 1.1 ports, I don't think a USB hard drive would even be worth it in terms of speed improvement over a disc.

The network adapter is only $15 at GameStop, dude. It's really not that expensive, I picked one up a few weeks ago.

GameStops at these locations currently have the PS2 network adapter in stock.

-Ridge Plaza
-Cincinnati Mills
-Rookwood Commons

[youruglyclone]

Can't wait to try ESR, thanks OP

[Captain Wrong]

Yeah, I've seen the network adapters for $15 at GS as well. Trust me, it's the best $15 you'll spend on your fat PS2.

[youruglyclone]

totally worked, thanks for the heads up OP!