PS2 Tool The Basics

[Parris]

is this the first of the TOOL's for a full custom MoBo swap perhaps???

Sounds like an ideal candidate if it is dead.

It may be perfectly viable. The first unit I had is actually in perfect working order other than the laser! That's all that stands between it being spare parts (and as you said a custom candidate) and full operation!

If you end up with a unit (or two) that are spare parts Matt, let me know. I am going to be looking for the blue VGA ported PCI card I think as the 233MMX is not really the way to go if turning one of the units into a good Linux PC lol

[port187]

I've got a tool here that does not boot at all (blue light etc. comes on - but doesnt power up (no HDD activity, no fan activity nothing)

Any ideas appreciated:)

Did you check if it eventually boots up the PS2 side on the TV? does it make any kind of sounds / beeps when booting that could indicate were the problem is located? you could offcourse test the PCI card of another tool like Parris said to be sure its a faulty PCI card if nothing else works out, that or try to replace the memory as that's easier then replacing the whole card.
Did you check the jumper settings/ same as other TOOLs?

[port187]

It may be perfectly viable. The first unit I had is actually in perfect working order other than the laser! That's all that stands between it being spare parts (and as you said a custom candidate) and full operation!

If you end up with a unit (or two) that are spare parts Matt, let me know. I am going to be looking for the blue VGA ported PCI card I think as the 233MMX is not really the way to go if turning one of the units into a good Linux PC lol

If you are not planning to use it as a dev machine or play games on it, then why not install windows 2000 on it ;) or a dual boot so you can still play the games.. but it would make an really cool looking pc ;) and playing games is nice it can be done but i am pretty sure everybody would prefer to use their test or retail ps2 for that instead ;)

[unclejun]

I'd like to put one of those in the Tool:
http://www.neatek.com/webdata/index....emart&Itemid=2
or
http://www.globalamericaninc.com/sbc/pci_sbc.php

[Festerfly]

If you are not planning to use it as a dev machine or play games on it, then why not install windows 2000 on it ;) or a dual boot so you can still play the games.. but it would make an really cool looking pc ;) and playing games is nice it can be done but i am pretty sure everybody would prefer to use their test or retail ps2 for that instead ;)

Hmmm.. now theres a thought.. are the HDD changeable to larger ones to allow more room?

[mattcp]

won;t have any of those i'm fairly sure, only had 2 of that spec sadly :(

i'll try that 'dead' tool again later.

i also have one where the eject of the drive doesnt work at all - there is no blue LED at all - i think the power to the drive itself may be bust somewhere along the line - i have stripped it down and tested some fuses on the 'board' that the drive connects too - but all were ok, also repalced the switch pcd itself in the unlikely hope that it could just be the switch.

It may be perfectly viable. The first unit I had is actually in perfect working order other than the laser! That's all that stands between it being spare parts (and as you said a custom candidate) and full operation!

If you end up with a unit (or two) that are spare parts Matt, let me know. I am going to be looking for the blue VGA ported PCI card I think as the 233MMX is not really the way to go if turning one of the units into a good Linux PC lol

[Parris]

won;t have any of those i'm fairly sure, only had 2 of that spec sadly :(

i'll try that 'dead' tool again later.

i also have one where the eject of the drive doesnt work at all - there is no blue LED at all - i think the power to the drive itself may be bust somewhere along the line - i have stripped it down and tested some fuses on the 'board' that the drive connects too - but all were ok, also repalced the switch pcd itself in the unlikely hope that it could just be the switch.

You tested each strand of the long, thick IC cable? Are they all returning a current? Just a case of sitting with a probe at both ends lol - fun!

Also check to see whether any of the internal IC cables or connections have been damaged - can't see how they could in a sealed unit.

[Parris]

May have missed someone posting info on this already (if so, I apologise) but how do I go about changing the user name that the PS2 Tool boots up to in BASH? I.e. the logon user name?

Not read anything on it...

[Festerfly]

a bit O/T i guess but is it possible to change the main PCI from the earlier 233MMX set to the later style 'Blue VGA' board ? I.e. - are the other componants essentially the same?

[Parris]

a bit O/T i guess but is it possible to change the main PCI from the earlier 233MMX set to the later style 'Blue VGA' board ? I.e. - are the other componants essentially the same?

You can indeed swap them out - the slot on the Linux board is a standard PCI slot and from UJ's & Port's discussions it looks like a few half sized PC PCI cards might work.

They tended to be used in professional / industrial applications. Not that common on eBay either.

[Festerfly]

so if i did want to get all fancy with my TOOL in the future then i wouldent be held back by having the MMX model?

[port187]

so if i did want to get all fancy with my TOOL in the future then i wouldent be held back by having the MMX model?

Well you will, for one the PCI cards are really hard to find and probably expensive at that (maybe with some luck and somebody that doesnt know what it is or what you want to use it for lol) and if you keep the original 233MMX board it still remains a question if its possible to upgrade with an AMD 550MHz and 2x64MB EDO.

Or try to PM this guy (http://www.virtual-hideout.net/forum...3507cfc6de026e) maybe he still has it for sale, 100 US is not that bad.

[Festerfly]

what i meant was aside from the Possibility of a CPU change (to AMD for instance) and the RAM upgrade could 'any' other PCI card be used, or would it need to be the PCI815VE?

[port187]

May have missed someone posting info on this already (if so, I apologise) but how do I go about changing the user name that the PS2 Tool boots up to in BASH? I.e. the logon user name?

Not read anything on it...

Once logged in with root execute the following command:

adduser
or more specific: adduser -u parris -p password -g root -d /home/parris (or leave out the -g if you dont want your user to have root priv's)

To change this users password do:

passwd parris

And don't forget to add the 'startgame' aliases to your new .bashrc location at /home/parris/.bashrc

[port187]

what i meant was aside from the Possibility of a CPU change (to AMD for instance) and the RAM upgrade could 'any' other PCI card be used, or would it need to be the PCI815VE?

My best guess at this moment would be yes, but to be sure somebody would have to test this.

[Festerfly]

hmm, that might be best left to some some with an already broken MMX PCI tool who is needing to change the board.

Appreciate the knowledge though Port. LD

[Parris]

Hmmmmm, and asking someone to test such a theory is like asking someone to place their hands in a blender to see if the blades are still spinning. If a unit was dying, then perhaps it is more likely the person would attempt such a feat.... why are you looking at me? My T10k only needs a laser... get off!

:noooo:

[Parris]

Once logged in with root execute the following command:

adduser
or more specific: adduser -u parris -p password -g root -d /home/parris (or leave out the -g if you dont want your user to have root priv's)

To change this users password do:

passwd parris

And don't forget to add the 'startgame' aliases to your new .bashrc location at /home/parris/.bashrc

Thanks!

[Festerfly]

Hmmmmm, and asking someone to test such a theory is like asking someone to place their hands in a blender to see if the blades are still spinning. If a unit was dying, then perhaps it is more likely the person would attempt such a feat.... why are you looking at me? My T10k only needs a laser... get off!

:noooo:

GWAN!!! :love2:

[port187]

Hmmmmm, and asking someone to test such a theory is like asking someone to place their hands in a blender to see if the blades are still spinning. If a unit was dying, then perhaps it is more likely the person would attempt such a feat.... why are you looking at me? My T10k only needs a laser... get off!

:noooo:

Aren't you even tempted to test one of these cards?? :nod:

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/level.itml/icOid/7342

Although I don't think the Pentium 4 card will fit in the TOOL :/ but enough choice if you have the budget for it.
But if it doesnt work you have a really expensive card eating dust :crying: