1. Q. How do I burn PS2 games?
A. Use DVD Decrypter or ImgBurn. Burn at 4x on a quality 8x DVD-R.
Guide: How to Backup PS2 DVD Games with DVD Decrypter and ImgBurn - XTREME-SOURCE

2. Q. Does the type of media I use matter?
A. YES: The OFFICIAL best media thread (noobs look!!)
If you're too lazy to read, use Taiyo Yuden, Verbatim, or Maxell High Grade (DVD+R's). The PS2 laser is picky, these are the only three types of media you should trust for maximum reliability and compatibility with your PS2. Avoid Memorex, Staples, Imation, Dynex, Princo, Bulqpaq, etc.
CMC Magnetics is garbage. Need proof (Thanks to Alkohol):
Attn: Newbies... this is why you should NOT buy CMC MAG or any other unknown media...
If you really want to do the PS2 backup thing right, pick up some Taiyo Yuden or Verbatim's. I only burn to TYG02, the 8x Taiyo Yuden DVD-R's. So far I've never had a lag, skip, freeze, or boot failure since I switched to Taiyo Yuden's. With results like that, why would I use anything else? The brand of media you use means very little.
The key determinant of media quality is the Media ID. For info on the Media ID, check the bottom of this thread.
Try this link for all types of different info on media quality, compatibility, and console reliability: VideoHelp.com - DVD Media, HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc Media list
DVD Media Quality Review: Recordable Dvd Quality Page 1

3. Q. Do I need some type of mod to play PS2 backups or imports?
A. Yes- You cannot boot PS2 backups without a modification, either a software mod or hardware mod!!! Do not ask about this in the forums!!!

You need a modchip: Lord Sesshomaru's PS2 Modchip FAQ Swap Magic: Welcome to Swap Magic 3 Official Web Site Memory Card Exploit (Doesn't work with v.11 PS2 and later): How to make your own Memory Card Exploit using the Independence Installer HD Loader: http://www.hdloader.com.au/hardinstall#prepare or
HD Advance: HDAdvance - The ultimate Game Storage Solution for the Playstation 2

4. Q. Is game X compatible with HD Advance or HD Loader?
A. HD Loader: Absolute Anime / HD Loader Game Compatibility List
HD Advance: HDAdvance - The ultimate Game Storage Solution for the Playstation 2
http://www.ps2nfo.com/ps2hdd.html


5. Q. What modchip should I get?
A. Matrix Infinity (Green Dot), DMS 4 Pro SE, or the Crystal Chip 1.1.
Read My ModChip FAQ: Lord Sesshomaru's PS2 Modchip FAQ - XTREME-SOURCE

6. Q. Can I burn Swap Magic, Breaker Pro, HD loader, or HD advance?
A. Yes, but the only way to boot a backup of these is with a modchip, an original version, or a MC exploit. Obviously that would defeat the purpose of using a burned copy of any of these boot discs.

7. Q. What do I need to use Swap Magic?
A. With fat PS2 v.1-11: Flip top: http://www.chipzone.com/installation...ptop/page1.cfm
Slide Card: Slide Card Installation and Usage Instructions
With Slim PS2 v.12-14
Flip top: http://www.chipzone.com/installation...ptop/page1.cfm
Magickeys (also referred to as slide tool, slim tool or, magic switch): MagicKeys and MagicKeys 2 Official Web Site!
Ghost Switch: Follow these easy steps to install your Ghost Switch 2
Tape and Tissue mod: From Pretense: If the fliptop doesn't work, just give up on it and do a tape and tissue mod. Open up your case again and tape the back sensor (toward the upper left and beneath the hinge part of the lid) with duct tape or even regular Scotch tape (I use several layers to be on the safe side), put the case back together, and stuff a small ball of tissue into the hole for the front sensor (lower right just above the power button).
Pics (Thanks to PSPness): Tape and Tissue Mod for Use with PStwo Slimline Models and Swap Magic
my tape and more tape

Just about the same, just a change on Censor 'A' and Censor 'B'

Censor B -
keep the top closed, while you tape down the disk stopper, using a few layers of duct tape
Fur
Censor A -
use tiny strips of duct tape to patch over the tiny censor. I used a screwdriver to help put on the tape.

8. Q. What should I use to download PS2 games?
A. BitTorrent, P2P, IRC, or newsgroups. BitTorrent is the easiest and most common way. You need a BT client like µtorrent, Bit Tornado, Azureus, Bitlord, Bitcomet, Shareza, etc. It is assumed you are backing up your own store-bought PS2 games!

9. Q. Where can I find PS2 games to download?
A.Ultimate List of BitTorrent Sites - XTREME-SOURCE

10. Q. What does rebuilding an iso mean?
A. It means that some games 4.36-4.38GB's may need rebuilt to work with Swap Magic. This isn't true for ALL games over 4.38GB's and differs on a game to game basis. The main purpose of rebuilding is to shrink the game's Table of Contents (TOC-the size of the game) in order to boot it with Swap Magic. The TOC for the Swap Magic DVD is around 4.37GB's. There is no need to rebuild games if you have a modchip. Another purpose of rebuilding is to make games run smoother. Usually the size of the game after rebuilding is smaller, but not always. Some games have dummy files used to beef up the TOC and help them run more smoothly. A good way to lower the game's TOC is to overwrite a large dummy file. If you are having trouble getting a backup to boot, and you're sure the media isn't the problem, try rebuilding the game.

11. Q. How Do I rebuild games?
A. With Nero and Isobuster (works as long as no single file is over 2 GB's): ANOTHER REBUILD GUIDE FOR PS2 USING NERO BURNING ROM
With CD/DVDGen: [GUIDE]Properly Rebuild PS2 Games to Work with Swap Magic [Dummys Guide]
With Expert (Gnie's new rebuilding tool):
Gnie's PS2 Auto Rebuilder Tool Download:
Expert v1.05
Instructions to Gnie's Tool ExPERT From Paddymail:

Here's how to use it.. it might not work for all games though.

Open the program.

1. Select the Shrinker_ps2_psp_CdDvd5_iso.epi on the plugins drop down list.
2. Select the iso you want to rebuild.
3. Click extract LBA.
4. Click extract file and wait for it to finish.
5. Click rebuild file and wait for it to finish.
6. Click rebuild LBA.
7. Burn the new iso with Nero or DVD Decrypter as usual.

Gnie's Expert Guide with pictures by Alkohol: Easy Methods to rebuild PS2 games, including GRAN TURISMO 4, 50CENT & XENOSAGA Episode 1 [page 18/39]

12. Q. I have Swap Magic 2.0 and game X won't work, what do I do?
A. Check here to see if there's a fix: SWAPMAGiCFiX.COM If not try Zone Loader, DVD Loader, or CD Loader, if it's a CD-ROM based game.

Q. Where can I find CD Loader, DVD Loader, Zone Loader, or Cogswap Loader?
A. SWAPMAGiCFiX.COM
Zone Loader CD: SKS Apps
Zone Loader DVD: http://sksapps.com/mis/PS2_ZONELOADER_DVD.rar
DVD Loader: SKS Apps
CD Loader: SKS Apps

13. Q. Game X doesn't boot with Swap Magic, what do I do?
A. Make sure your backup is burned properly. Use good media as posted in the link above.

14. Q. How do I burn PS2 CD-ROM based games?
A. Use Alcohol 120%, Nero, CloneCD, or CDRWIN.

Guide for each: How to Backup PSX/PS2 CD-ROM Games - XTREME-SOURCE

15. Q. How Do I burn PSX games?
A. How to Backup PSX/PS2 CD-ROM Games - XTREME-SOURCE

16. Q. What do I need to play PSX backups on PS2 or PSX?
A. Modchip or Breaker Pro: http://breakerpro.com/

17. Q. What does DVD-9 mean?
A. A dual layer DVD. Dual Layer discs advertise that they store around 8.5GB's. This is somewhat misleading, as they actually store around 7.95GB's of data. Swap Magic isn't compatible with DVD-9 games at present. The only way to play a DVD-9 without shrinking it to DVD-5 (single layer DVD) is with a modchip that supports DVD-9, or HD advance 3.0.

18. Q. How do I shrink a DVD-9 game to DVD-5?
A. This differs on a game to game basis. Typically when shrinking a DVD-9 game to fit on a DVD-5 DVD, you'll want to take out FMV's, dummy files, and extras. Not all games have dummy files. For popular games search the forums and you'll find some nice rebuild guides for Xenosaga, God of War, and GT4. There's only 14 or 15 DVD-9 games at present, so don't panic. You only have to do this with Swap Magic or HD Advance 2.0 and earlier.
Official Gran Turismo 4 Rebuild Thread: Official GT4 dvd5 backup guide
Official God of War Rebuild Thread: The Official God Of War Thread ( SONIX tool fix fully working)
Xenosaga Rebuild Guide: Xenosaga Ep1 Rebuild Tutorial
Xenosaga Rebuild Guide complete with pictures by Alkohol:
Easy Methods to rebuild PS2 games, including GRAN TURISMO 4, 50CENT & XENOSAGA Episode 1 [page 16/39]

Here's a great DVD-9 to DVD-5 guide with pictures written by Alkohol: Easy Methods to rebuild PS2 games, including GRAN TURISMO 4, 50CENT & XENOSAGA Episode 1

19. Q. Where I can I find Apache 2, Winhiip, or PAL2NTSC patcher with Y-fix?
A. SKS Apps

20. Q. What are DNA's?
A. Any game made after 2003 for the PS2 that is online playable contains one or more image files that has a "disk
DNA checker." The online game server checks your game disk to see if it's the real thing or not. Thus, you have to discover which image file on the game disc has the checker file.

21. Q. How do I patch DNA's?
A. With Windip (recommended): WinDIP v1.7 Guide

Windip: http://sksapps.com/online/WinDIPv1.7.zip

22. Q. Where can I find DNA ID's?
A. NTSC-US: USA DNA$ Codes (don't worry its legal to post)
Updated NTSC DNA's thread: UPDATED NTSC DNAS LIST
PAL: PAL DNA$ Codes

23. Q. What version is my PS2?
A. PS2 Version Check PS2 Version Identification SCPH- version check which ps2 version
All Regions/Versions PS2: EurAsiaWiki - Ps 2 Version Table

24. Q. When I load up my HD Advance/HDloader, it just goes to the PS2 browser menu, what's going on?
A. If your HDloader crashes at the splash screen it is usually due to a HDD that is not compatible with the network adapter or incorrect jumper settings on the HDD.
HDAdvance - The ultimate Game Storage Solution for the Playstation 2
HDAdvance - The ultimate Game Storage Solution for the Playstation 2
Excellent HD compatibility list: PS2 Hard Drive Compatibility Chart

25. Q. How do I burn a PS2 CD-ROM based game to DVD?
A. The main reason for this is because the Swap Magic CD is notoriously fickle about loading games, plus for CD games over 640 MB's or so you need to use Breaker Pro as TOC disc to load.
It may be easier to burn them to DVD Ps2 CD to DVD: My Technique DVDScanlite: http://sksapps.com/mis/DVDScan37.rar

26. Q. I'm in the market for a modchip or premodded console. What chip should I get?
A. Lord Sesshomaru's PS2 Modchip FAQ - XTREME-SOURCE

27. Q. I can play SNES games on my PS2! How?
A. DVD-R: To All That Want Snes Station on DVD-R with nero
CD-R: Snes-Station

28. Q. I can play Genesis games on my PS2! How?
A. PGEN, a Genesis emulator for the PlayStation 2

29. Q. I have a version X playstation. Should I use DVD-R's, DVD+R's, DVD-RW's, or DVD+RW's?
A. Well the PS2 doesn't load +/- RW's well, if at all, so those are out. Not to mention they put terrible strain on the laser. v.1-3 PS2's work better with DVD-R's, v.4 PS2's and later should play DVD+R's fine. If you know of an exception to this, i.e. you have a v.9 which wont play+R's, or a v.2 which prefers DVD+R's, don't send me hate mail, it's just a rule of thumb. In general it's usually better to use DVD-R's when burning PS2 games. DVD+R's tend be of better quality than DVD+R's, DVD-R's tend to be more compatible with most stand alone DVD players. Booktyping DVD+R's as DVD-ROM's should provide greater compatibility with your PS2. It's highly recommended your burner supports booktyping/bitsetting if you use DVD+R's.

30. Q. Lord Sesshomaru, why are you so cool?
A. Glad you asked. I have as many women as you might expect for a fan of classic RPG’s, console mods, anime, and Star Trek.

31. Q. I have bills to pay, go to school, or have an expensive drug habit, what is the best mod solution for me, factoring in price?
A. Swap Magic 3.6+flip top=$35. Swap Magic 3.6+Ghost Switch, Slide Card, or Slim Tool=$25-$30.

32. Q. I want to know if I need to rebuild game X to work with Swap Magic, how big is it?
A. PS2 game TOC list - XTREME-SOURCE

33. Q. I have a Mac, how do I burn PS2 games?
A. Dual Layer or DVD-9: Dual layer backups on a Mac
Single Layer or DVD-5: Help with burning PS2 games with Mac please
Mediguru's all around terrific Mac Burning Guide:
Macintosh rip,compress & burn guide

34. Q. How do I burn God of War?
A. The Official God Of War Thread ( SONIX tool fix fully working)

35. Q. I'm stuck in game X, what do I do?
A. GameFAQs - PlayStation 2 - FAQs, Cheats, Codes, Reviews, Message Boards

36. Q. I patched a backup of Socom 2 or 3 with windip, and after the DNA's check, it says "cheating device error" and kicks me off, what's going on?
A. You can't play backups of these games online. They have added security measures which prevent backups from being played online. You can only play Socom 2 and 3 online with an original.

37. Q. I downloaded a PAL game, how do I convert it to NTSC?
A. Use Adrenaline patcher if it's an EA game: Console Gaming World - PS2 Utilities Note: I've been told this works for non EA games as well. The screen won't be perfectly centered, unless you have a modchip that forces video mode. Or patch with PAL2NTSC patcher with Y fix for non EA games: Patching PS2 PAL games to NTSC using PS2 PAL TO NTSC PATCHER WITH Y-FIX V1.06 BETA

PAL2NTSC with Y fix: http://sksapps.com/mis/ps2_pal2ntsc_yfix.rar

38. Q. How do I know if a PS2 game is CD-ROM based or DVD-ROM based?
A. If it's an original, check the back of the box. If it's a backup, check here: PS2 CD-ROM game list

39. Q. My original is long gone, can I finish multi disc game X using the disc swapping method?
A. Depends. If the game lets you save at the end of the disc, yes. You simply boot off the next disk using your swap method. If the game requires a mid game swap, no. For those you need a modchip with multi disk support like the DMS 4, Crystal Chip, or Matrix Infinity.

40. Q. I have a middle school diploma, a bottle of Jack Daniels, and a soldering iron, should I solder my modchip myself?
A. C'mon. What do you think? Absolutely, unequivocally, definitely, without question, NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Unless you are an experienced solderer, don't go near your motherboard with a 10 foot pole. There's no quicker way to ruin a perfectly good PS2, than with a shot of JD and a soldering iron. It's best to find an experienced solderer to attempt to a mod a PS2.

41. Q. I have a DMS 4, Matrix Infinity, or Crystal Chip 1.1 and I can't play backups, what's going on?
A. You need to flash the chip with the latest firmware. Download it, burn to CD-R using the Alcohol 120% burning guide posted earlier in the thread, put it in your PS2, and follow the onscreen prompts.
Matrix Firmware: [ T.M.T.] The Matrix Team - Matrix MXL, Matrix MXL2, MX-L Modchips Note: There are Matrix Infinity clones out there called "modbos." If you flash a modbo with the Matrix firmware, it'll destroy the chip. Before flashing make sure your Matrix is the real thing.

DMS 4 Pro or Pro SE: http://www.teamtoxic.com.cn/downloads/ToxicOS-0.41.zip

Toxic OS MegaPack 1.0 (compilation of apps for ToxicOS, including USB drivers): http://www.sksapps.com/dms4/ToxicOS-Megapack-1.0.zip

DMS 4 Lite or Lite SE: http://www.teamtoxic.com.cn/downloads/ToxicBIOS-1.4.zip

Crystal Chip 1.1/2.0 Hacked Firmware V3.4 (iso): http://www.sksapps.com/crystal/cc_so...hacked_iso.zip

Crystal Chip 1.1/2.0 V3.4 v2
http://www.sksapps.com/crystal/cc_so...odified_v2.zip


BootManager MegaPack 2.3: http://www.sksapps.com/crystal/BM_Me..._Maker_v23.rar


42. Q. Where can I find Media Players for the PS2?
A. SKS Apps

43. Q. How do I FTP (File transfer Protocol) my PS2 or install games via my LAN?
A. Newbie Guide - PC to PS2 via LAN (Apps & Games)

44. Q. How do I make my own slide card?
A. [url=http://www.metacafe.com/watch/632349/how_to_make_your_own_ps2_slide_card/
[/url]

45. Q. I can't get Breaker Pro to work with a slide card, what's going on?
A. How do I boot PSX backups on my PS2 with Breaker Pro and Slide card combo?

46. Q. How do I burn PSX mod protected games?
A. First you'd need know if the game is mod protected: Playstation Copy Protection List Console Gaming World - Protected PSX Games
Then you'd need to download the patch: Console Gaming World - PSX Patches & Trainers
Then you patch it with PPFomatic: Console Gaming World - PSX - PPF Patch Engines
Then you burn it to CD-R with CDRWIN: Golden Hawk Technology Home Page
PPF and CDRWIN tutorial: Playstation Copy Protection List
In some rare cases you may download a mod protected game that's not in .bin format. For those you'd need to burn the game to disc using the guide for PSX games posted earlier. Then you'd use CDRWIN to extract a .bin file to your HD. From there continue as normal. Note: This process can also be used to patch PSX PAL games to NTSC and vice versa with PPFomatic.

47. Q. Should I get Swap Magic or a modchip to play PS2 backups/imports?
A. Depends. Swap Magic is inexpensive and works well. It isn't compatible with DVD-9 games. For games above 4.38GB's you may have to rebuild the iso or do a TOC refresh to boot it. This is a small percentage of games, around 5%. In general Swap Magic 3.6 is an excellent product. After rebuilding there isn't a single game which Swap Magic won't boot. A good modchip is the ultimate upgrade. It'll play PSX/PS2/DVD/CD backups/imports automatically. It's compatible with DVD-9 games, makes your PS2 a region free player, supports multi disc games, and you'll never have to rebuild a game or shrink a DVD-9 to DVD-5. The conversation about good modchips begins and ends with the DMS 4 SE Pro and the Matrix Infinity. They both do everything I mentioned above. For that functionality you would have to spend $100 to $110 for a professional install. It's expensive but you'd be able to play anything the PS2 is capable of reading. If you get a modchip make sure you use one of the reputable installers posted above.

48. Q. I'm using Swap Magic 2.0, is it worthwhile to upgrade to Swap Magic 3.6?
A. Swap Magic 2.0 is by all accounts inferior to Swap Magic 3.6. As many of you who use SM 2.0 already know, you have to look for fixes, patch games, and load games with the help of DVD loader, Zone loader, Cogswap loader, or CD loader, sometimes resulting in 3 or 4 swaps before you can play a game. Swap Magic 3.6 alleviates the need for all of that. Some people have Swap Magic 2.0 and get by fine. For them there isn't any point in upgrading. If you're having a nightmare of a time getting a game to work, especially a newer game, it's probably worth the upgrade. If not, then stick with SM 2.0. SM 3.6 will set you back $20-$30 depending on where you order it from.

49. Q. I'm rebuilding game X, I'm concerned it has dummy files. How do I identify the dummy files?
A. From Hursty: When you see the iso has dummy files.i.e 00DUMMY. 01DUMMY. GARBAGE, dummy, dummydata, dmydata, ETC, you need to get rid of them, by replacing them with a file. So on the desktop, right click the mouse, select "new" > text document and rename it as it appears in isobuster, then click enter. Then open the text document on the desktop, hit space once, then save, this will create a text document with 1 byte in it, Do this for all the dummy files you have, as some games have more than one.

50. Q. I don't have an 8x DVD-R. I have a 4x or 16x DVD-R, what speed should I burn at?
A. The general rule of thumb is to burn at HALF the maximum speed of your DVD-R. If you have a 4x DVD-R, burn at 1x or 2x. 16x media can have mixed results with the PS2. It's best to use 4x or 8x media. If you do use 16x media, use Verbatim or Taiyo Yuden.

51. Q. Can Swap Magic boot PSX backups?
A. No. To boot PSX backups you need a modchip or Breaker Pro.

52. Q. Can I use HD Advance/HD loader to boot PSX backups?
A. No there is no way to boot PSX isos off an IDE HD with HD Loader/Advance currently. It is possible to boot PSX backups off a USB HD with USB Extreme. USB Extreme is worthless outside of this ability, the load times are similar to play a game off disc, and there are massive compatibility issues.

53. Q. What is Booktyping?
A. Booktyping is the ability to burn a DVD+R so it that appears as a pressed DVD-ROM in any DVD-ROM drive it's inserted in. If you booktype DVD+R's, this allows for greater compatibility with most stand alone DVD players, including your PS2. Your burner has to support booktyping (most newer ones do).
Booktyping with Nero and DVD Decrypter: BookType BitSetting FAQ How to Guide to set DVD+R/+R DL/RW to DVD-ROM - BitSetting DVD,BookType DVD,DVDDecrypter,NEC,Plextor,etc | K-Probe.com

54. Q. I download PS2 games, music, and TV shows all the time. How do I keep from getting sued or receiving threatening emails?
A. Peer Guardian 2 is your best bet. It blocks around a billion known IP addresses from companies which are paid to monitor your download habits. You're never completely safe. The only way to avoid getting sued or receiving threatening emails is to not download any copyrighted material. Now if people were actually arrested for this, everyone in this forum would be getting cozy in a jail cell with this guy:



Get Peer Guardian 2 here: Phoenix Labs » PeerGuardian 2

55. Q. How do I create and upload a torrent file?
A. With Azureus: Guide: Create Torrents Using Azureus - No extra software required
With Make Torrent: http://forums.emuparadise.org/showthread.php?t=36213
With µtorrent: µTorrent - How to make a Torrent
(This guide is a bit out of date, but the general process is similar).

56. Q. I downloaded a PS2 game and I have files like Game001.rar, Game002.rar, Game003.rar, where's the iso?
A. I DOWNLOADED THESE .01 .02 /.001 .002/.part1.rar .part2.rar FILES....what do i do?

57. Q. PS2 games are great and all, but I like old school games. Where can I find rare PSX games to download?
A. EP New Releases :: Every GBA Rom! You have to sign up, but it's free. There are some rare gems there.

58. Q. When I click on a rar file and try to extract it, it says error no archive found, what's going on?
A. The file is corrupt or isn't finished downloading. Check the .sfv file to make sure all the files are present. Open it with a text editor like word pad and see if the files are there. Or use Quick Par to check all the files. Quick Par is program which checks the status of downloaded files, makes sure all parts of the downed files are present, and can potentially repair damage or corrupt archives. Quick Par Guide: The Quick Par Beginners Primer

59. Q. I have broadband, but I'm getting download speeds of 2Kb's a second, how do I speed it up?
A. You may have a NAT error. This is especially true if you're using Azureus and have yellow smiley's all the time. You can go to Tools--> NAT test to see if this is the case. A NAT error means you are behind a router or firewall and need to open the appropriate ports. The default listening port for Azureus is 6881. It uses both UDP and TCP. Remember, since Azureus is java based, you need to open TCP and UDP ports for javaw.exe as well! Most firewalls are easy enough to figure out, so I'll leave that to you. For info on configuring common routers check here: PortForward.com - Free Help Setting up Your Router or Firewall

Azuerus is a resource hog because it's java based, and can produce slow download speeds. Try out µtorrent. It's lightweight and easy to use. Note: Utorrent 1.7 and later were produced by BitTorrent Inc. There is some sketchy code in version 1.7 which may be used to track users IP addresses and download habits. Version 1.6.1 is the last version of utorrent which is open source. Utorrent 1.7 and later are banned on most private trackers. Use utorrent 1.6 or 1.6.1 to preserve your privacy and security!

µTorrent v1.6.1 Build 490 (freeware)

Optimizing download speeds: GUIDE: Max Out Utorrent Speeds - XTREME-SOURCE

Tweaking: uTorrent Tweaking - XTREME-SOURCE

60. Q. Is there an emulator for Classic System X on PS2?
A. SKS Apps

61. Q. Can I play PS2 games on my PC with an emulator?
A. Yes: Emulators - NG Emulation source for Xbox, GBA, Nintendo 64, PSP, Nintendo DS and more! Hold on there speedy. First you'd need to find the PS2 bios via Google. Then you'd have to configure the plugins to get your games to load. There in lies the problem. There is little support and even less functionality for PS2 emulators. Most only load demos, and freeze when attempting to load a whole iso. In short, not worth it unless you're really desperate. PS2 Emulators have taken incremental steps forward. There are now games which are fully playable (mostly CD-ROM based games and low end DVD-ROM games), but the same limitations apply. You must have a beastly gamer's PC to emulate PS2 games. Advances have been made, but forget about playing games packed with FMV and top notch visuals like Xenosaga, WWE vs Smackdown, or God of War. Some games are playable, but due to the system requirements and small number of 100% playable games, PS2 emulation is still not a viable solution for playing most games.

62. Q. Screw the PS2, I wanna play PSX games on my PC, where can I find emulators for that?
A. Emulators - NG Emulation source for Xbox, GBA, Nintendo 64, PSP, Nintendo DS and more! These are a lot more doable IF: You find the PSX bios. For copyright purposes think Google. Then you have to have a reasonably powerful PC, let's say with around 512MB's of RAM. Then you have to configure the audio, video, and CD-ROM plug ins. These will differ greatly from game to game. Mix, match, and google are your friends once again. The two most stable PSX emulators seem to be PSXeven or ePSXe. Most games run fine depending on how much you have running in the background and your plug in configuration.

63. Q. I read that you suggested using Alcohol 120% to backup PSX games or PS2 CD-ROM based games. I don't have Alcohol 120%, I use Nero or CloneCD. How do I use those programs to back up PSX games or CD-ROM based PS2 games?
A. [url=http://www.xtreme-source.com/tutorials-playstation-2/1824-how-backup-psx-ps2-cd-rom-games.html[/url]

64. Q. I burned a game and the screen is flickering and rolling constantly, what's going on?
A. The video format is incompatible. You are playing a PAL game on an NTSC PS2 or TV, or vice versa. Your TV you can't change, the game you can patch with PAL2NTSC patcher with Y fix or Adrenaline patcher as posted earlier in the thread. Swap Magic has the option to force video mode, but it doesn't work with all games. Some games may still appear in black and white, those will still need patched. Good modchips like the DMS 4 and Matrix Infinity will force the video and have a Y fix built in, making for seamless play, regardless of video format.

65. Q. I suspect my laser could be dirty. Should I use a lens cleaner or open my PS2 and clean the lens with a Q-tip and rubbing Alcohol?
A. Avoid the lens cleaners. They have the potential to scratch the lens making matters worse. The best strategy is to open your PS2 and clean the lens with a Q tip and rubbing Alcohol.
Fat PS2 v.1-11: PS2 Do It Yourself Guide - Page 1 - Warning, Requirements, Starting
General trouble shooting guide: PlayStation 2 troubleshooting Questions & Answers | Answerbag.com

66. Q. I want to put multiple CD or DVD games on a single DVD, is this possible and how do I do it?
A. Yes. It doesn't work all the time. Some games have LBA checks, detecting whether or not there is more than one game on a DVD. For those games it won't be possible to compile them on a multi game disc. Even if it works, it doesn't necessarily work well.
Multiple Games in a Single 4.5 DVD

67. Q. I'm interested in a no solder modchip, are they any good and why I would I choose one over a solder chip?
A. The main reason would be to save money on installation, IF you are qualified to install it yourself, and of course there is no soldering involved. No soldering well your home free then, right?
Not: http://www.dms3.com/dms4ezi/download...ation_v1.4.pdf
The DMS 4 EZI Pro and EZI lite are the only solderless chips I'm aware of for the PS2 right now. They're around $30 more than their solder cousins and have all the same features. If you can handle the installation you'll save a grand total of $5 or so. Wow, what a deal. For about the same cost, you can have a pro do it. If your serious about a GOOD modchip and have $100 or so to throw down on a Matrix Infinity or DMS 4, pay a pro to do it and save yourself some time and aggravation. There are people who have solderless chips and love them, the ultimate decision lies with you. If you have any doubts about the installation process, DO NOT attempt to install a no solder chip. There are forums littered with failed attempts at installation of solderless chips and graveyards of useless PS2's. My recommendation is to pay a little more for a professional install of a quality solder chip, so as to avoid butchering your PS2.

68. Q. I downloaded Star Wars Battlefront 2, FIFA 07, or popular game X that needs rebuilt, burned them to DVD, and I can't get them to boot with my Swap Magic disk, what's going on?
A. These games have caused a lot of people problems. They may need rebuilt to work with Swap Magic 3.6 or they may not. Due to their popularity, there is ton of info on them in the forums. Search for either one. In general the same Swap Magic principles apply. Burn at 4x on a quality 8x DVD-R. Since both of these games are around the 4.38GB cutoff for Swap Magic, likely some people will have to rebuild and others will not. There are reports of both. Some people make a straight burn with DVD Decrypter and are done. Other people go through several coasters, rebuilds, and profanities before they get it right. Try a straight burn, changing speeds, rebuilding, using different media and burning software, until you get it right, it CAN be done.

69. Q. I'm a newbie? I've done this for years, why does my rating say I'm a noob?
A. User Rank Titles - XTREME-SOURCE.

Too lazy to click the link?

XS Enthusiasts
0 - 9 Posts

Junior Member
10 - 49 Posts

Member
50 - 299

Senior Member
300 - 599

Advanced Member
600 - 1499

Elite Member
1500 - 2499

V.I.P.
2500+

70. Q. Where can I find IML2ISO, Apache 2, CD/DVD Gen, and a host of other PS2 backup utilities?
A. SKS Apps

71. Q. What is USB extreme and how do I use it?
A. USBeXtreme - The ultimate Game Storage Solution for the Playstation 2
HDAdvance - The ultimate Game Storage Solution for the Playstation 2

72. Q. I'm considering getting a modbo, apple chip, or a magic chip, which should I get?
A. The modbo is actually a decent chip. It is a Matrix Infinity Clone, and it's not on par with the Big three (Matrix Infinity, DMS 4, Crystal Chip), but if you don't want to pay $10 more for a top of the line chip, consider the modbo 2.1. The modbo runs off the Matrix Infinity firmware. It is a clone, and as such, it's highly recommended to get one of the big three modchips.

The Magic Duo3 is also a quality chip. It's one of the only budget chips that is actually quite reliable. It direct boots everything, supports DVD-9 games (not DVD-9 backups though), and has multi disk support. An excellent value at around $20, if you can solder it yourself. If you pay a pro, it'll set you back around $70. (20$ for chip, $35, for install, $15 for shipping).
Instructions: http://www.mod-area.com/doc_folder/p...d-area.com.pdf
Specs: Duo 3 Gold PS2 ModChip :: Duo3 Gold For v1 to v16 Consoles!

73. Q. I use a flip top with Swap Magic/Breaker Pro and I can't get my backups/imports to boot, what's going on?
A. Your lid may not be on tight enough or too tight. If you suspect it's not on tight enough, then place a minimal amount of pressure on the flip top while the game is spinning and see if that makes any difference. If that doesn't work, try reinstalling your flip top. If you believe the flip top is on too tight, then try unscrewing one or two of the screws on the base of your PS2. If that doesn't work try reinstalling it. Of course you'll want to make sure your laser and discs are dirt and scratch free.
Flip top Installation guide for "fat" PS2: http://www.chipzone.com/installation...ptop/page1.cfm
Slim PS2: http://www.chipzone.com/installation...-v12/page1.cfm

74. Q. I turn on my PS2, the disc spins and makes a "clicking" sound. It says "disk read error" in my browser, what do I do?
A. This could be a sign your laser is dirty or scratched. Clean it with a Q-tip and rubbing alcohol if you think it might be dirty, also be sure to check it for scratches. Fat PS2 v.1-11: PS2 Do It Yourself Guide - Page 1 - Warning, Requirements, Starting Consult the links listed earlier in this thread for info. This could also be a sign your game is dirty or scratched. You can clean it with rubbing alcohol and a lint free cloth or tissue. Only apply a couple drops of rubbing alcohol on the disc, 4 or so evenly spaced. You may want to use an eye dropper for this. Rub it with a lint free cloth or tissue in a non circular pattern until it's dry. Your other option is to buff out the surface scratches with on the disc with a "Game Doctor." I came across a $20 Memorex cleaning device at Wal-Mart which basically does the same thing. It worked wonders for my scratched Breaker Pro disc. The Game Doctor will set you back around $40. If the scratches are too deep, this won't make any difference. If you get the "clicking" sound with a backup, all these same things apply. Also MAKE SURE that your not using cheap media. Again check the links posted earlier in this FAQ. The OFFICIAL best media thread (noobs look!!)
Good PS2 disc read error article: Dealing with PlayStation 2 disc read errors: Page 1

75. Q. I heard you could damage your PS2 if use a slide card, is this true?
A. Yes and no. If you use the slide card properly, no. There is no long term harm to your PS2. If you use it improperly and try to jam the slide card in your PS2 before the front cover is removed, or try to jam it in the slide station in a frenzied search for the white tab that pops out the disc tray, then yes. This can damage the eject motor, rendering it inoperable. So be careful.
Swap Magic usage: Slide Card Installation and Usage Instructions
Breaker Pro usage: How do I boot PSX backups on my PS2 with Breaker Pro and Slide card combo?

76. Q. I have an ARMAX and Swap Magic, is there any way to use cheats with my backups?
A. Swap Magic 3.6 with Action Replay Max for PS2

77. Q. I have a modchip that supports DVD-9 games like the Matrix Infinity or DMS 4, how do I burn my dual layer discs?
A. You most definitely don't want to waste money on DL disc's, they're just too expensive for us po folks. You burn dual layer DVD-R's the same as single layer DVD-R's. Use DVD Decrypter or ImgBurn. Burn at half the max speed on a quality DL DVD-R/+R. Use quality DVD-R's/DVD+R DL's like Verbatim. Avoid Memorex. I personally use DVD+R DL discs (booktyped to DVD-ROM) from Verbatim with my Matrix Infinity. I have backed up MGS2 Substance, Xenosaga Ep.1, God of War, and GT4 flawlessly on quality Verb DL media.

78. Q. Sure I'm supposed to use DVD Decrypter, Alcohol 120%, Isobuster, DVD Shrink, Nero , CD/DVDGen and all this different software you mention for burning PS2 games, where can I download it?
A. This is for those exceptionally lazy people who don't realize that you click on the hyperlink of the program in question and it links you to a download page. So enjoy.
DVD Decrypter : DVD Decrypter download DVDDecrypter

FileForum | Download DVD Decrypter

Download DVD Decrypter 3.5.4.0 - filehippo.com


Alcohol 120%: Free downloads: Alcohol 120%
Nero: Nero Burning ROM v7.10.1.0
DVD shrink: (Not for PS2 games, but useful for shrinking DVD-9 movies to DVD-5) DVD Shrink v3.2.0.15 (freeware)
IsoBuster: IsoBuster v2.2
CD/DVDGen: SKS Apps
SKS Apps (everything under the sun for PS2 burning):
SKS Apps
ImgBurn (from Lightning UK, the creators of DVD Decrypter): The Official ImgBurn Website
i_suck's download page (tons of useful tools): http://ps2burns.host.sk/tools.html

79. Q. Where can I find ARMAX codes, updates, and the latest ARMAX media player?
A. Codejunkies - Cheat Codes for PS2, X-box & Gamecube

80. Q. Which games available for the PS2 are in DVD-9 format?
A. From Hursty: DVD9 Games list
1. 8.05GB USA Xenosaga
2. 8.02GB PAL Champions of Norrath
3. 7.94GB JAP GRAN TURISMO Concept(Traditional Chinese Version) SCPS55903
4. 7.94GB JAP Xenosaga
5. 7.93GB USA God of War
6. 7.74GB USA Champions of Norrath (SLUS: 20565)
7. 4.3GB NTSC DISC 1 champions of norath 8. 4.24GB DISC 2 champions of norath
9. 7.55GB USA The Guy Game (Mature Rating)
10. 7.20GB JAP Sakura Wars Atsuki Chishiyo Ni
11. 6.47GB USA Madden 2005 Collectors Edition
12. 6.40GB's USA Rogue Galaxy
12. 6.13GB PAL Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance
13. 5.99GB USA MGS2: Substance
14. 4.95GB USA GT4 (5,314,478,080 bytes)
15. 5.95GB 50 Cent Bullet Proof
16. 8.00GB Wild Arms: Alter Code F

81. Q. I downloaded a game and the rar file is password protected, where can I find the password?
A. Youceff P2P's Torrent Archive Password Database - Password List

82. Q. I'm not sure my burner is in DMA mode, how do I check?
A. DMA Mode for ATA/ATAPI Devices in Windows XP

83. Q. I have a modchip. I downloaded a PAL/NTSC game and my TV/PS2 is in the other video format. How do I force video mode?
A. With Matrix Infinity firmware upgrade 1.88:
Hit triangle+circle at boot up. Adjust the video mode to NTSC or PAL, whatever your TV/PS2 supports. Leave the Y-fix on auto. You may need to adjust to + or - 20 on occasion. The auto setting should work well.
With DMS 4:

Thanks to Doozerr2 from dm3.com forums

-> Playstation 2 game video fix

There are 4 different modes for the PS2 video fix, as described below:

- Color Carrier: The Color carrier of the video signal is changed to match the region of your console.
- Force PAL: Video mode forced to PAL (50hz), regardless of what video mode games try to set. Y-position fix applied.
- Force NTSC: Video mode forced to NTSC (60hz), regardless of what video mode games try to set. Y-position fix applied.
- Force PAL60: Video mode forced to PAL60, which is 60hz with PAL Color carrier. Y-position fix applied.

The y-position fix is used to shift the vertical position of the display to where it should be. For example, simply forcing PAL when a NTSC game is running will generally result in the display being far off center. The y-position fix corrects this and centers the display.

84. Q. I know you said I should get a DMS 4 or Matrix Infinity, but I'm interested in the Crystal Chip, is the Crystal Chip any good?
A. Yes. It direct boots everything and supports all the features of the Matrix Infinity and DMS 4. The Crystal Chip has an added bonus: It auto patches DNA's for online play. So you can play your backups online automatically without having to dink around with Winimage, Windip, or Disc ID Inserter, or any form of DNA patching. The Crystal Chip is currently the only modchip on the market that supports this feature. The official Crystal Chip firmware isn't capable of booting backups and imports. You need to download the hacked CC Firmware to boot your backups and imports. Don't let the "hacked" part scare you, it's simply the official CC Firmware modified so it can boot backups and imports. The official firmware doesn't boot backups and imports, because it's illegal in many countries to own a modchip, like the U.K. or Korea. It's still 100% legal in the U.S. If you play your PS2 backups online a lot, and are interested in getting it modded, check out the Crystal Chip.
Crystal Chips - Home
Hacked firmware: v3.4: http://www.sksapps.com/crystal/cc_so...hacked_iso.zip

Boot Manager MegaPack 2.3: http://sksapps.com/crystal/BM_Megapack_Maker_v23.rar

85. Q. I just bought a v.14 Slim PS2 and I'm interested in a modchip, what chips work with the v.14 PS2?
A. v.14: Matrix Infinity (Green Dot), DMS 4 Pro SE, Crystal Chip 1.1 or 2.0.

From KC36330, a professional modder and member of AD:

If your modder didn't install a laser fix then most likely your laser is now on its way out. All V12 PS2's require the laser fix, especially modded consoles. Even a new unmodded v.12 slimline PS2 can burn the laser out in as little as a few hours of game play.

86. Q. Where can I find good deals on legit Taiyo Yuden's and Verbatim's?
A. DVD-R, DVD R Media, Buy DVD Media,DVDR Blank Media, DVD+R,DVD R,Double Layer,Dual Layer,Printable DVD,DVD Cases, Duplicator, USB Flash Memory, Inkjet Cartridges
Great List of Merchants locally, online, in the U.K., etc:
digitalFAQ.com | Where to Buy DVD Media

87. Q. Is there a list of games that require special procedures to burn (rebuilding, overwriting dummy files, etc)?
A. List: Games that Do or Do Not Require Special Procedures to Burn.

88. Q. How do I burn PS2 DVD games with Alcohol 120%?
A. How to Backup PS2 DVD Games with Nero Burning ROM and Alcohol 120% - XTREME-SOURCE

The first part of that guide is for Nero, Alcohol 120% is covered in the second part.

Note: I use Alcohol 120% as my backup program for ripping scratched originals. DVD Decrypter can be picky with scratched discs, even when set to ignore read errors. Alcohol has ripped some horribly scratched games for me. At times I've let it run six to eight hours to get a usable image. This will put undue strain on your burner and not recommended. If your original game is too scratched to rip, cut your losses and find a download for it.

89. Q. How do I burn PS2 DVD games with Nero?
A. How to Backup PS2 DVD Games with Nero Burning ROM and Alcohol 120% - XTREME-SOURCE

90. Q. I am frustrated with slow bittorrent download speeds/inactive torrents, is there an alternative method of downloading PS2 games?
A. Yes- Newsgroups: Slyck's Guide to The Newsgroups - Intro

91. Q. What is the Media ID of a DVD and how can I find it?
A.The Media ID of a DVD is the true measure of it's quality. It contains prerecorded info about the disc's manufacturer. The quality of the disc will vary depending on the media code. The media code isn't visible on the disc or the packaging. To check the media ID, Open DVD Decrypter, insert your disc, and check what it says under Media ID or Manufacturer ID. You can also use a program called DVD Identifier which is very useful. You can find it here: DVD Identifier - Your DVD, HD DVD & Blu-ray Companion
Compare the Media ID to this link: digitalFAQ.com | Blank DVD Media Quality Guide
Huge List of Media ID's (Thanks to DogBomb): Nice List of DVD Media and Codes

92. Q. What is firmware and why should I care?
A. Firmware as defined by AD:
Sort of a "operating system of the hardware", an embedded instruction set built-in or flashed into a hardware equipment, such as a router, CDR drive, DVD-ROM drive, washing machine, etc.
Newer Firmware can unlock new features that are sealed on certain DVD Burners like booktyping, or simply enhance your existing Burner by improving burn quality and media compatibility. Keeping your Firmware up to date is essential to ensure quality burns and maximum functionality from your DVD Burner. When flashing your burner with new Firmware, be very careful. Make sure you shut down all programs running in the background, the DVD-ROM drive is empty, and you follow all the directions included in the Firmware download exactly. A bad flash can fry your DVD Burner. Proceed with caution. You can find all the Firmware you'll ever need here: The Firmware Page :: Index

93. Q. How can I tell if my burned disc is of good quality?
A. Well besides you using quality media like Taiyo Yuden or Verbatim's, you can use a program called Nero CD/DVD Speed to measure the quality of your discs. It measures POF, PIF and gives your disc a quality score based largely on it's prerecorded Media ID. In my experience that's the key component to getting a good quality score. A crap manufacturer like CMC Mag won't maintain a great quality score over time, even if you follow all the advice given on AD for successful burning. You don't need to know exactly what PIF's and POF's are, just know the more of them, the more likely your disc will skip, lag, freeze, or not boot at all. When people say CMC Mag or Memorex media is crap, that info is based largely on many Nero CD/DVD Speed scans by burn enthusiasts on CMC Mag media that have yielded terrible quality scores. Try it yourself and see. You can find Nero CD/DVD Speed here: CD Speed homepage Plextor DVD Burners aren't compatible with Nero CD/DVD Speed. For their DVD Burners you need to use a program called Plextools, which does about the same thing as Nero CD/DVD Speed minus the quality score. You can find Plextools here: PlexTools - Download Page
DVDInfoPro is a popular alternative to CD/DVD Speed: dvdinfopro.com - Home Page
K-probe is a scanner specifically for Liteon Burners: CDRLabs.com - Kprobe

CD Freaks links which contain info on PI/PO scans:
Interpreting PI/PO error scans - Blank DVD Media Tests - Club CD Freaks
CD-DVD Speed Disc Quality (PI/PIF) Test - Media Testing/Identifying Software - Club CD Freaks
Pif - BenQ DVD Burner / Philips DVD Burner - Club CD Freaks
Help understanding CD/DVD Speed's "Score" - Media Testing/Identifying Software - Club CD Freaks
The Big KProbe2 Thread - Media Testing/Identifying Software - Club CD Freaks

94. Q. I can't get my backup of Dragon Quest VIII to work with Swap Magic, how can I get it working correctly?
A. Rebuild the game with Nero and IsoBuster. If a straight burn of this game doesn't work, try rebuilding. For purposes of this guide, overwrite the dummy file.

Things you'll need:
1. A DVD Burner.
2. 8-10GB's of free Hard Drive space.
3. Quality DVD Media like Taiyo Yuden or Verbatim.
4. A copy of the game iso (either from an original or one you downloaded).
5. DVD Decrypter: Download DVD Decrypter 3.5.4.0 - filehippo.com
6. Nero: Nero Burning ROM
7. IsoBuster: IsoBuster v2.0

1. Insert your copy of the game in your DVD-ROM drive. Open DVD Decrypter. Decrypt the game to your HD with DVD Decrypter. Click MODE-->ISO-->READ, then Click Decrypt. Once that's done, create a new folder on your desktop. Right click on the desktop. Go to New-->Folder. Name it DQVIII.

2. Open IsoBuster. Click File-->Open Image File. Browse to the DQVIII iso you just decrypted. Double click it.

3. You'll see all the game files open in IsoBuster. Hit ctrl+A and right click on the files. Click extract objects. Select the DQVIII folder you just created on your desktop as the destination. It'll take 10 to 15 mins for the extraction process to finish.

4. Once the process is finished, open the DQVIII folder. Right click in an unoccupied section of the folder. Click New-->Text Document. Double click the new text document. Once it's open, tap the space bar once. Go to File-->Save as. Browse to the DQVIII folder. Click on the "save as type" box. Select all files from the drop down menu. Double click the DMYDATA folder. Windows will tell you the DMYDATA file already exists and ask if you want to replace the existing DMYDATA file. Click yes. The new DMYDATA file should be 1 byte. Now if you still have a new text document in your DQVIII folder after overwriting the DMYDATA file, delete it. If it's still there, you must delete it. If it's not there, then move on to the next step. Here is a list of files that should now be in the root directory of the DQVIII folder (If the files aren't in this order, it doesn't matter. When rebuilding with Nero and IsoBuster, the order of the files doesn't matter):

1. BIN
2. MODULES
3. MOVIE
4. DATA2.DAT
5. DATA2.HD6
6. DATA.DAT
7. DATA.HD6
8. DMYDATA (should read as 1KB in windows, after overwriting it).
9. SLUS_212.07
10. SYSTEM

5. Close IsoBuster. Open Nero Burning ROM. If you can't find it, you may not have Nero Burning ROM installed. You need Nero Burning ROM for this, smart start won't work. Under New Compilation select DVD from the drop down box. Click on DVD-ROM (UDF/ISO), it's the last option. Click new. Open the DQVIII folder if you haven't already. Hit Ctrl+A. Once all the files are highlighted, right click them and click copy. Now right click in Nero and click paste. Once all the files are in Nero, click the burn icon. Make sure that "no multisession" is checked under the Multisession tab. Make sure "write" is checked under the Burn tab. Set the write speed to 4x. Burn to quality media like Taiyo Yuden or Verbatim, as always. Click Burn. Once the disc is done, it should be 3.84GB's. This should work, if a straight burn doesn't.

95. Q. I'm in the market for a new DVD Burner, which one should I get?
A. That largely depends on what features are important to you, how much you're willing to spend, and the performance of the DVD Burner under a variety of circumstances. Any good review of a DVD Burner contains a wide variety of tests and quality measures.
Reviews of most newer model DVD Burners: CDRLabs.com - Home
http://www.cdfreaks.com/article/search/B
VideoHelp.com - BD, HD DVD and DVD Writer list

96. Q. How do I extract music tracks from PS2 games?
A. (Thanks to Ofnir1) Extracting music from A PS2 game

97. Q. You said cheap media is crap. Well I use Memorex, Princo, Bulqpaq, or Generic brand X and it works fine, why should I use Taiyo Yuden or Verbatim over my brand?
A. This gets asked a lot and it's simple. Cheap media doesn't fail with every game, just with some. It'd be easy to detect if it failed 80% of the time. That's not how it works. It tends to fail with certain games more than others. Cheap media like CMC Mag degrades over time, wears down your PS2 laser, and is more likely to skip, fail to boot, or lag after six months to a year. Use Memorex media with your PS2 backups and lemme know when your laser needs replaced. I guarantee it'll wear down sooner than it would if you're using Taiyo Yuden or Verbatim. The cheap dyes on the bottom of crappy media force your laser to strain that much more to read your backups. TY's and Verb's use quality dyes which go easy on your laser. Don't say you haven't been warned. Don't come crying to me when you need to shell out $50 for a new laser.

98. Q. How do I use Bittorrent? I don't understand any of this stuff about clients, seeds, and torrents, can you help me?
A. Yes- BitTorrent Tutorial - Wiki.theppn
Brian's BitTorrent FAQ and Guide

99. Q. How do I transfer my iso from my PC Hard Drive to my PS2 Hard Drive with Winhiip?
A. Transfer game images to PS2 from PC using USB and WinHIIP - GCN
PS2 HDD Dumping Tutorial - Mininova Forum

100. Q. How do I boot my PS2 backups with ARMAX?
A. (Thanks to Jjax) A Complete Guide: Loading Backups with Action Replay Max (no modchip required!)

101. Q. Where can I find Gnie's IML2ISO v.4?
A. IML2ISO 4.01 SKS APPS

102. Q. I want to upgrade my Firmware, but I'm afraid I'm going to fry my DVD Burner, what do I do?
A. Paddymail's checklist contains some useful protective measures for upgrading your firmware. The process isn't a 100% idiot proof, but with his check list, it's as close as it's gonna get. It contains a bunch of other useful info for PS2 backups as well.
Checklist... having problems with your backups?check here!!

103. Q. I try to get online with my PS2 backups/originals and I get DNA's error XXX, what's going on?
A. Download SKS Apps DNA errors list: SKS Apps

104. Q. I can't get my DMS 4, Matrix Infinity, or Crystal Chip 1.1 to boot backups/imports, what's going on?
A. You need to flash the chip with the latest firmware to boot backups and imports.
DMS 4 Pro SE or Pro: http://www.teamtoxic.com.cn/downloads/ToxicOS-0.41.zip

Toxic OS MegaPack 1.0 (compilation of apps for ToxicOS, including USB drivers):
http://sksapps.com/dms4/ToxicOS-Megapack-1.0.zip

DMS 4 Lite or Lite SE: http://www.teamtoxic.com.cn/downloads/ToxicBIOS-1.4.zip

Crystal Chip 1.1/2.0 Hacked Firmware: http://www.sksapps.com/crystal/cc_so...hacked_iso.zip

Crystal Chip 1.1/2.0 Hacked Firmware V3.4 v2:

http://www.sksapps.com/crystal/cc_so...odified_v2.zip

BootManager MegaPack 2.3: http://sksapps.com/crystal/BM_Megapack_Maker_v23.rar

Matrix Infinity: [ T.M.T.] The Matrix Team - Matrix MXL, Matrix MXL2, MX-L Modchips


Note: There are a ton of Matrix Infinity Clones out there. If you flash a Matrix Infinity clone with the official MI firmware, you'll fry the clone chip. That's a little gift from the Matrix Team to you for not researching and making sure you got a legit MI. After reading this FAQ, there's no excuse for ending up with a MI Clone.
Use Alcohol 120% to burn the bin file to CD-R.

Alcohol 120%: Free downloads: Alcohol 120%

Burn the Firmware to CD-R with these instructions:
1. Unzip the firmware.
2. Insert your blank disc.
3. Open Alcohol 120%.
4. Go to File-->Open and browse to the cue file. Double click it.
5. Once it's open under Alcohol 120%, right click the cue file and click image burning wizard.
6. Select your recorder, leave the write method alone, set the write speed to 1/4 max speed of the disc, the datatype to PS2, and click next.

105. Q. How do I play PS2 games from another region online on my region PS2?
A. The short answer is you can't. The long answer is you can, but it's a pain. First you'd need to download Paradox's Console ID Changer: SKS Apps
Then you'd need to find a valid PS2/ilink ID for the region you wish to play online games with. These ID's are hard to come by, if any online servers detect multiple Console ID's online at the same time, you will be banned permanently. This isn't like getting kicked off for an hour because of cheating or using a modchip, this is for good. Once your Console ID is banned, you're history unless you change it with Paradox's Console ID Changer. So you'd have to have a valid PS2/ilink Console ID from the desired region. Nobody in their right mind will give you their Console ID. Don't ask for them either, that violates every piracy law known to man. Look around the net, but don't expect Sony to be so stupid as to allow a Console ID on a board somewhere to be widely used. They didn't get that rich and powerful by being that idiotic. Likely any such ID's you find will have long since been banned. Once you switch your Console ID to the desired region, you will be able to play online games from both regions, the original region of your PS2 and the region of the new ilink/Console ID. I.E. If you want to play PAL games online on an NTSC-US PS2, you can only do so if you change your PS2 Console/ilink ID to a valid PAL Console/ilink ID. Then you'll be able to play PAL and NTSC games online. Furthermore, Paradox's Console ID Changer only works on v.1-8 PS2's. So if you have a slim, forget about it. See how long this question is. In the end, it's a waste of time to mess around with changing your PS2 Console ID.

106. Q. Where can I find top notch Taiyo Yuden or Verbatim media locally?
A. This is somewhat of a crap shoot. Big manufacturer's like Fuji and Sony have at one point past or present payed Taiyo Yuden to manufacture media for them. The big companies slap their name on the label even though the discs were manufactured in Japan by Taiyo Yuden. These discs will always be made in Japan. Authentic TY media isn't made anywhere else. Even if it says Made in Japan on the label, there is no guarantee of getting authentic Taiyo Yuden media. You could still end up with Sony or Fuji media codes. Hence why I said this is a crap shoot. Places like Comp USA, Office Depot, Sam's Club, and Staples will carry Made In Japan branded discs. If you don't want to risk getting non TY discs, you can find 50 packs of Verbatim in the afore mentioned chain stores. There's a trick to spotting Taiyo Yuden's under the Sony label. Newer 8x Sony DVD+R's (Media ID: Yuden000T02) will have an octogonal spacer (piece of styrofoam) on top of the spindle. 16x Taiyo Yuden DVD-R's (TYG03) will also have an octogonal spacer on top of the 50 spindles. You'll still want to check to see if it says "Made in Japan" on the label, but newer batches of TY's can usually be identified by the octogonal spacer. One other alternative is the Made in Japan High Grade Maxell DVD+R's. They will say Made in Japan on the label and "High Grade" as well. These are excellent media. Remember when using DVD+R's, it's best you have a burner that supports booktyping/bitsetting, and a v.4 PS2 or later. Much thanks goes to kivory666 aka "docTY" for this information. He is indeed the Taiyo Yuden master. The best place to get authentic Taiyo Yuden media is from reputable online vendors like DVD-R, DVD R Media, Buy DVD Media,DVDR Blank Media, DVD+R,DVD R,Double Layer,Dual Layer,Printable DVD,DVD Cases, Duplicator, USB Flash Memory, Inkjet Cartridges Rima.com DVD R Media,DVD-R Media,DVD-RW,DVD+R Media,DVD+RW,Buy Blank DVD Media,Dual Layer,DL DVD R Media,DVD-RAM,CD-R,CDR,CD-RW,DVDR,CD DVD R Media Storage Online Shop,CD DVD Labels,CD DVD Burner,DVD Drive,Ink Toner,Ink Cartridges,Pen Drives or Newegg.com - Buy Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

107. Q. I've read your FAQ and I've still got questions about backups, modding, DVD media, DVD Burning, and firmware, are there any other guides that can help me?
A. Yes. Most of these are already stickied at the top of the PS2 DVD Forums.

Paddymails Checklist: Checklist... having problems with your backups?check here!!

Alkohol's DVD-9 to DVD-5 guide: Easy Methods to rebuild PS2 games, including GRAN TURISMO 4, 50CENT & XENOSAGA Episode 1

Sulaim's Program Checklist and FAQ: BEFORE POSTING ANYTHING - LOOK HERE-IT HAS LINK TO ALL PROGRAMS

Mik3h's Rebuilding/Media/Repair guide: PS2 Games Stuttering And Skipping... Slow loading times..Or Just Not Booting Up At All? Take A Look Inside

Hursty's Winrar Guide: I DOWNLOADED THESE .01 .02 /.001 .002/.part1.rar .part2.rar FILES....what do i do?

Liquidus X's Official Best Media Guide: The OFFICIAL best media thread (noobs look!!)

3DLuis' Rebuild Guide: [GUIDE]Properly Rebuild PS2 Games to Work with Swap Magic [Dummys Guide]

Gnie's Expert Guide by Alkohol: Easy Methods to rebuild PS2 games, including GRAN TURISMO 4, 50CENT & XENOSAGA Episode 1 [page 18/39]

Dogbomb's Huge Media ID List: Nice List of DVD Media and Codes

Kivory 666's Official DocTY Taiyo Yuden thread (Questions about Taiyo Yuden DVD Media answered by "Doc" a TY expert):
Official docTY Taiyo Yuden thread

My Modchip FAQ: Lord Sesshomaru's PS2 Modchip FAQ - XTREME-SOURCE

Paddymail's Programs Checklist: TROUBLE FINDING PROGRAMS? - CHECK HERE!!

Quite frankly if you look through all this and can't solve your problem it's unbelievably complex or you're just not following directions.

108. Q. How do I boot PSX backups with a Memory Card Exploit?
A. (Thanks to Boobooman): my little guide to playing a psx backup on a ps2 with a mem card expoite

109. Q. I'm getting Disc Read Errors left and right, I've tried everything and still can't get my PS2 working. I'm at my wit's end, what do I do?
A. Assuming your laser isn't dead and you're using quality media or originals, then check this fantastic PS2 Repair Guide: Exploitstation PS2 Repair Guide

110. Q. I want to backup Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance. I have Swap Magic or a modchip that doesn't support DVD-9 backups. Is there any way to backup Metal Gear Solid 2 onto a single disc?
A. Metal Gear Solid 2:Substance is about 6.4GB's. That makes her DVD-9 or Dual Layer. There's no way to shrink it to a single DVD-5 (single layer) disc. However, you can back it up on two DVD-5 discs so that it's playable with Swap Magic or a modchip. Be forewarned this isn't for noobs to attempt. After reading the guide you'll understand why. It involves hex editing, rebuilding, and a lot of different utilities. If you're desperate to play the game and you think you can handle it, then give it a try. Otherwise get a copy off eBay for cheap.

Guide: Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance PAL
If you'd rather download it: http://www.freewebs.com/mybackups/Me...2Substance.zip

111. Q. How do I backup PS2 games or booktype DVD+R's to DVD-ROM with Nero, Alcohol 120%, ImgBurn, and DVD Decrypter?
A. With ImgBurn and DVD Decrypter: How to Backup PS2 DVD Games with DVD Decrypter and ImgBurn - XTREME-SOURCE

With Nero and Alcohol 120%: How to Backup PS2 DVD Games with Nero Burning ROM and Alcohol 120% - XTREME-SOURCE

112. Q. I'm tired of my current BitTorrent Client, which one should I use?
A. µtorrent. It's lightweight, fast, and easy to use. It'll rarely go over 6MB's of system memory. µtorrent is a great BitTorrent client.

µtorrent:
µTorrent v1.6.1 Build 490 (freeware)

Optimizing download speeds: GUIDE: Max Out Utorrent Speeds - XTREME-SOURCE

Tweaking: uTorrent Tweaking - XTREME-SOURCE

113. Q. I want to play PS2 games off an IDE Hard Drive with a slimline PS2. Is that possible?
A. Yes- if you have a v.12 or 13 PS2. HD Connect is an IDE connector soldered to your slim PS2's motherboard which allows you to connect an IDE HD and play games off the Hard Drive. To do so, you will need a DMS 4 Pro SE modchip. HD Combo is a similar product which also runs off the DMS 4 Pro SE. A premodded DMS 4 Pro SE with HD Combo sells for around $270. Using ToxicOS, you're able to load games off the HD, like you would with a fat PS2. The solder points for HDConnect have been removed on the v.14 PS2. As such, it is not possible currently to play games off an IDE HD with a v.14. You can use USB Extreme/Advance to play games off a USB HD. However, data transfer is slow and there are numerous compatibility problems, generally you're better off playing games from disc.

HD Connect Overview: HD-Connect Overview! - PS2HD [ Download Playstation 2 games to your hard drive]

HDCombo Homepage: HDCOMBO - Expand your possibilities | Space & connectors for 3,5" hardddisk inside

114. Q. The big three modchips (MI, CC 1.1/2.0, DMS 4) aren't available in my area. I'm interested in the Ghost 2 chip, is it any good?
A. Yes. The Ghost 2 is a very solid chip based off the old messiah code. It supports the same feature set as the big three, and the firmware is upgradeable via CD. It never caught on like the Matrix Infinity, Crystal Chip 1.1/2.0, or DMS 4 Pro SE. I don't fully endorse it, because I don't have enough long term data to go on. The big three have been tested ad nausem, and help up incredibly well. I can't say the same for the G2 chip, but the limited data I have on it suggests it's a good alternative to the big three.

Specifications: Team G2 and Ghost2 now becomes DME

Firmware: http://www.ghost2.net/zetha/G2_Fw_RC4_v2-22.rar

Recovery disc (recover from bad flash, initial use required to program eeprom)

NTSC version: http://www.ghost2.net/zetha/gh2_ntsc_sw_1.31.rar

PAL version: http://www.ghost2.net/zetha/gh2_pal_sw_1.31.rar

Config Manager: http://www.ghost2.net/zetha/gh2mangr_1.30.rar

What is Config Manager?: Team G2 and Ghost2 now becomes DME

Danin's Installer (similar to Toxic OS MegaPack or Crystal Chip Mega Boot Pack, compilation of apps for G2 chip):

No HD Version: http://www.ghost2.net/zetha/danin_installer_nohdd.rar

HD Version: http://www.ghost2.net/zetha/danin_installer_hdd.rar

115. Q. My DVD Burner is a rebadge, how do I find out who manufactured it originally?
A. A rebadge means that a company payed another one to manufacture a drive for them. Sony is a good example, they pay Liteon and BenQ to make most of their drives, then slap the Sony name on them. You may need to find out who the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) is for cross flashing or book typing purposes. Videohelp.com is an invaluable resource.

VideoHelp.com - BD, HD DVD and DVD Writer list

Type in your make and model drive, and it'll bring up a whole host of useful information. Personally, I disregard their user reviews on media compatibility, a lot of people will say CMC Mag works great on this drive etc, it makes you wonder as to the knowledge level of the reviewer.

116. How do I rip God of War 2 from DVD-9 to DVD-5?
A. God of War 2 DVD9 to DVD5 Tutorial - Console-Exploits.com - Video Game Console Exploits and Modifcations

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wow...everything i ever need for my ps2 in one thread! this will make some people's lives easier!

good work

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http://xsgfx.com/images/jdv1198464634p.jpg
thanks to .:MAG:.

Good to see this here! Now, I can link to it here at XS when on other sites...

[Edit] Also, for question 36, as of recent, there has been a number of people playing their Socom 3 PAL backups online. Not trying to nitpick...just wanted to throw that out there.

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::XSGfX::
::My dA::

Last time i checked p2p was legal, lol. 1. Q. How do I burn PS2 games?
A. Use DVD Decrypter. Burn at 4x on a quality 8x DVD-R.
Guide: http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/1/298323
Does this rule apply to Xbox?

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[SIGPIC]http://www.xtreme-source.com/../../../image.php?type=sigpic&userid=4363&dateline=1174244 009[/SIGPIC]