PSTwo Mod-chip advice

[the_steadster]

Mod's: feel free to move/delete this post if it is inappropriate.

I'm Looking to get a mod-chip sometime in the near future for my PSTwo (the small model). It's a pal model, and I want a chip that'll do a number of things:

-Let me play import games for PS1 AND PS2 from everywhere, in their correct frequency (e.g. US games in 60Hz, PAL in 50Hz)
-Automagically boots all games without me having to fiddle with any settings
-As few as possible solder points - preferably to large points on the PCB
-Does not need me to put "magic switches" in. I can solder, but i can't put fiddly bits of plastic into places for shit.
-One with nice, clear, non-1337 instruction on the internet
-Is not swap magic based (can't be arsed to swap discs) or HD Advance (too much hassle to rip discs, plus i don't have a spare hard disk or a USB enclosure)

Also, approx. Prices and reputable places to buy will be appreciated.

Cheers guys! :D

EDIT: It's a SCPH-70003, if that helps

[Topic Archive]

The words 'PS2' and 'large solder points' don't go together I'm afraid.

[madhatter256]

The words 'PS2' and 'large solder points' don't go together I'm afraid.


Especially on the small PSTwo. I recommend you get the two tabs and do the swap trick with the swap magic discs. It will last longer compared to a modded PSTwo.

[the_steadster]

Damn. I'll still go for a mod chip, could be a fun adventure compared to puttiong 3 bits of plastic in. Plus, I am too lazy to swap discs if I can avoid it.
So without the requirement for large slder points, can someone still advise on a chip.

[madhatter256]

<<<Warning, MOds please remove if this is inappropriate, I'm not entirely sure since this a vendor's site.>>>

http://www.modchip.com/ps2/dms4order.php

DMS4 will automatically detect whether a PS1, PS2 CD-R, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD9 or DVD+RW, original domestic CD/DVD is inserted and then boot it without any interaction from the user.

Get the lite one, since the Pro only has a larger memory bank if you do homebrew programs for the PS2, which I doubt. It is also PSTwo compatible and they have instructions there (http://www.modchip.com/ps2/dms4v12.htm).

I bought from them before, I didn't opt for faster shipping so my item got to me in about 4 weeks lol, they are located in Austria apparently lol, but still the transaction went smooth, make sure you use SSL when ordering!!

[The VGM]

How can you be too lazy to swap discs? Jesus. All you have to do it put one in and then take it out and put the other in.

[the_steadster]

It's a pain in the behind though. Don't compain, the only reason I'm buying your cube is because I'm too lazy to swap discs!
I just hate always having to find the swap disc - Particularly since I would need one for PS1 and one for PS2. I'd much rather just stick a chip in there and be done with it.

Also Should mention that the shop really needs to take Paypal - I only have a solo card which isn't accepted in many places internationally, however I can use paypal with it

[Borman]

Does the DMS4 EZI work on the PStwo? If so, go with that, its solderless

[Primergy]

Ive read quite a few complaints about those solderless EZI versions!
As far as I know the soldering points are more or less the same - the pads with the contactswill be duct-taped to the console! (...)

PS2 (two) have small soldering points.. but also for the future a soldering needle (http://www.ersa.de/en/produkte/loetwerkzeuge/list-article.php?group_id=FLK&title=Micro-Soldering%20Irons) or even an amateur soldering station (http://www.ersa.de/en/produkte/loetwerkzeuge/view-article.php?id=357&template=template_stationen&title=Soldering%20Stations) is a good investition.
Training on an old electronic device .. maybe an old motherboard, PCI card etc.. might help?!
Hm, using thinnest solder and thin and coated (often transparent) copperwire (http://img.alibaba.com/photo/50147778/Polyesterimide___Polyamide_Imide_Enamel_Round_Copp er_Wire.jpg) with no plastic-shielding makes it easier. you only need half a second for a good connection. + the coating melts away and you dont have to cut off shielding from cables etc.
I found those single wires easier to tame and glue/fix to the board for a nice layout. You can bend the Wires in 90° angles and they stay put, thanks to the missing plastic-shielding.

Contra: all wires will have the same color ;)


Does the DMS4 EZI work on the PStwo?
-> From the DMS FAQs:
Q) Will a V12 version (PSTwo) of the DMS4 E.Z.I. and E.Z.I. Pro become available in the future?
A) Yes! We're currently working on an innovative solution for the PSTwo.... Stay tuned for more info!

[the_steadster]

Well I have one pretty fine tip for my iron, cerainly less than 1mm at the point. I think that would do the job. Might get some of that copperwire, looks ideal for this kind of thing - I'll just put tags on to remind me which wire is which.
I've done the region mod on the Mega Drive 1, However I'm guessing the PSTwo job is considerably smaller than this.
Looking at getting a DMS4 lite - looks to do everything I want. Anyone got any other ideas/horror stories with DMS4's?

[barakka]

DMS chips are notorious for being difficult to install and overpriced.
Go with a Matrix chip or an Origa2 if your PS is PAL, you will need to install also a fix to preserve your lens/Ba chip.
Installing a mod chip is not an easy task, you better pay someone to do it (it should't cost you more than 30~50Eur while chip prices would be in the ~30Eur range)
Swapdisks are overpriced crap!
If you want an alternative to modchips go with the HD + Hdloader/advance or free exploit.

[JTI2K]

If you are that lazy and willing to do some soldering stuff, why dont add the HDD adaptor?

Then you wont need to change disc ever :smt045

[Calpis]

I broke a 5XXXX on a DMS3 while solding a wire to a SMD resistor, with an 8W iron! There was one step where you were actually expected to scratch around some throughholes to make the point solderable.

[the_steadster]

If you are that lazy and willing to do some soldering stuff, why dont add the HDD adaptor?

Then you wont need to change disc ever :smt045

I cant use the official HD adaptor as I have a PSTwo, The slim model. And I believe that HD advance, which uses USB hard disks requires a boot disk, And can bugger timing up, slowing down loading etc., as USB is not as fast as the internal interface between the DVD and PS2.

I plan to install the chip myself - I like a challenge.

[Borman]

You can make the HD work with it though :) And theres an adapter that does it too. Not USB :P

[madhatter256]

I cant use the official HD adaptor as I have a PSTwo, The slim model. And I believe that HD advance, which uses USB hard disks requires a boot disk, And can bugger timing up, slowing down loading etc., as USB is not as fast as the internal interface between the DVD and PS2.

I plan to install the chip myself - I like a challenge.


Make sure that you have enough money to buy another PSTwo incase you screw up.

[Taemos]

I cant use the official HD adaptor as I have a PSTwo, The slim model. And I believe that HD advance, which uses USB hard disks requires a boot disk, And can bugger timing up, slowing down loading etc., as USB is not as fast as the internal interface between the DVD and PS2.

I plan to install the chip myself - I like a challenge.

Someone added an IDE hard drive to the PSTwo. I saw pictures of the thing running. I'd imagine it would be slightly easier than installing a mod chip, but then again you'd have to get creative in order to be able to close your PSTwo case.

As for how well swap discs work - I'll tell you when Raiden III comes out :).

[JTI2K]

Someone added an IDE hard drive to the PSTwo. I saw pictures of the thing running.

THATS what im talking about man, not the network adapter, yesh.....

I helped a firend to instal the thing, and no, is not easier than a modchip, is like double the soldering points.

But is just once, after that you wont`ve to stand up again to put a new disc :smt045

[PhreQuencYViii]

I never thought about if it was possible to put a HDD in a PSTwo, wow.

I use to have an IDE 15gb in my big PS2, but I had to give the network adaptor back to a friend, plus the stupid software that rips the games to the HD wouldn't rip any of my games, Devil May Cry was too scratched, Oni was too stupid (I think it was because it was a blue bottom regular CDROM) and DOA2...............actually I think DOA2 worked. I am pretty sure though you can't rip a few RPG's to the Hd because of them being dual layer dvd or something.

[Borman]

Most of those games have fixes out

[JTI2K]

you can't rip a few RPG's to the Hd because of them being dual layer dvd or something.

The problem is that the HD u used was two samll, only 15gigs man

If u want to backup xbox or PS2 games on a HD u need a minimun of 80GBs

[PhreQuencYViii]

The hard drive was empty though, I mean a single game couldn't use a whole 15GB could it? The book witht he software is the thing that said some RPG's wouldn't work, like FFX and Xenosaga, I dunno because I didn't try them, I only have the aforementioned PS2 games.

[Borman]

You have to apply a special patch, usually they cut the file size down to DVD5

[Primergy]

the_steadster:
Looking at getting a DMS4 lite
I would spend the ~10bucks extra and take the pro version. As far as I know you can use things like toxic OS and other homebrew crap only/best with the pro, as it has 2MB flashable RAM
From Modchip.com (http://www.modchip.com/ps2/dms4order.php):
"What is the main difference between DMS4 Lite and Pro?
The main difference is that Pro has 2MB of flash memory which allows you to store ELF's in it's internal memory. The Lite version requires the user to boot Hombrew ElF's either from CD/DVD or a memory card."

[XerdoPwerko]

Please, do not attempt to mod a PSTwo unless your soldering skills are Shaolin Master Microsurgeon Sniper level.
Even the old one is an absolute bitch to mod.

Please, reconsider Swap Magic, it's not that much of a Hassle.

[Primergy]

OK.. maybe I should stop kinda propagating PS2-modding...
or I might be held responsible for wrecked consoles

Maybe you dont have to be a shaolin but a PS2 mod DEFINETLY shouldnt be your first, second and third attempt in soldering at that small scale!

[JTI2K]

I say find some guy that knows about soldering and ask him to do it for you. Even if he want to get paid is way cheaper than a VGstore, specially if you want the HD adaptor