PS2 HDD question

Greatsaintlouis · 04-14-2004

So I fired up my new copy of Resident Evil Outbreak to give it a play, and watched it load...... then I ran around for a few minutes, and watched it loooaaaddd..... and then I went through a door, and waited for it to loooooooooaaaaaaaaaddd..... and then I switched the game off in frustration. :Hangman:

The load times in this game are ridiculous - I haven't seen it this bad since first or second-gen Playstation games. From what I hear and from what is written in the manual, the load times can be greatly shortened with the PS2 HDD. There are 2 problems to this: The HDD here in the US is $99, and it comes with Final Fantasy XI, a game I already have on PC. So there's basically no compelling reason to spend $99 on a 40GB hard drive (can get the from $40-$60) and a game I already have. :snipe:

So what I want to know is, is there a way to use a normal PC hard drive to work with the PS2? Like could I use a copy of the HDD tools disk that comes with the FFXI pack (hint, hint, anyone who bought it :prayer: ) to reformat a normal PC hard drive to be usable in the PS2? Or could I import (assuming I could get my hands on one, hah!) a Japanese internal PS2 hard drive to use?

Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

**TheDeathcoaster** · 04-14-2004

Firstly, Why is everyone complaining about the loading times. When I got Outbreak back in December (Jap version) I never noticed an extreme difference in the loading times between it and Code Veronica.....is it maybe something to do with the US version? *shrugs*

If you have a modchip in your PS2 there is a boot tool you can use to format a PC HDD to work in a PS2. I used to have the disc iamge for it...but since I couldn't get it to work with my system I deleted it. (I use a Swap Magic disc to play my imports....so I figured i'd give it a shot but no luck :( )

Give it a quick google and you're bound to dig something up (hell, If I did it then anyone can ^_^).

Oh, and whats this about a HDD tool with FFXI on PS2? I wouldn't mind *borrwing* one to get an old PC HDD in my system finally ^_^

Anonymous · 04-14-2004

Yes you can use a normal pc HDD, but they are about 3mm too long and protrude from the back of the PS2. Everything still works but its not a snug fit. Apparently... I have not done this myself...

**TheDeathcoaster** · 04-14-2004

My HDD fitted fine in it without sticking out the back....but maybe its just dependant on which model of HDD you have?

Anyway, here is teh link with the details of the process

http://www.brookfresh.co.uk/forum/vi....php?topic=374

And here is the site with the PS2 HDD tool

http://www.dms3.com/cgi-bin/dms3/site.pl?page=downloads

By the way, that isn't the same tool which I tried using for my HDD attempt.....but apparently it is the one to use.

Good luck ^_^

Greatsaintlouis · 04-14-2004

I've never tried Code Veronica, but I was getting >1 minute load times just going through a door to another room inside (i.e. walking into the restroom in the bar). As for the HDD utilities disc included with FFXI, I'm not totally sure what it's about, but from what I gather it has recovery tools and other stuff for the HDD, so I'm wondering if a formatting utility is very far out of the question.

I'm trying to burn that utility from the website you provided, and I suppose I'll find out once I try, but will the formatting allow you to move saved files onto the HDD through the Browser, like you can with the official HDD?

Chief Chujo · 04-14-2004

http://www.penny-arcade.com/view.php3?date=2004-04-12

You don't write for PA do you GSL? :smt043 :smt043

IIRC you had to patch your games to get them to work with a non official HDD. So it would be pretty usless for outbreak unless you only wanted to play offline.
Could be wrong but thats how I remember it.

DCVision · 04-14-2004

Aside from the load times sucking... is the game actually good?

I've heard good stuff about it... but I could see where nearly 1 min load times I would be pulling my hair out. Veronica was never that bad.. (at least on the DC as that's the version I own) and was an awesome game.

Maybe try it on someone else's PS2?

**Yakumo** · 04-14-2004

I never noticed an extreme difference in the loading times between it and Code Veronica

I honestly don'T remember the DC version of Code Veronica or the complete version having loading times. You'd just open the door then the screen would cut to the typical Res' Evil "Walk through the door" screen then popped up the next screen.

Greatsaintlouis, maybe your copy out outbrake is faulty?

Yakumo

AntiPasta · 04-14-2004

...or how about your PS2 laser? I remember you ranting about it being goofy :p

**Johnny** · 04-14-2004

Resident Evil: Outbreak from what i heard install some gigabytes on the PS2 HDD and make loading faster.

But it has to be the original PS2 HDD. A PC HDD works if you have a modchip called DMS3, but it only works to install Mediaplayer, backup memory cards and stuff like that.

For games, they need the original PS2 HDD. I will wait till they decide to release the HDD alone, or if SCEA don't do that, i might get it with FF XI but will never register or play. Actually i would delete it from the HDD ( It can be re-installed since it comes with the disc). FF XI with the latest patches use almost half of the 40GB hdd. since i don't want to play, why would i keep it on the hdd?

:axe:

**A. Snow** · 04-14-2004

The load time for Outbreak wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst either. Then again I had a Sega CD once upon a time so anything seems fast compared to that. That system had load times.

Alzaire · 04-14-2004

I've seen people claim Outbreak's loading time is 12+ seconds. I own the game, and I have personally sat down with a watch and timed it, and it never went above 8-9 seconds for the loading times in any scenario. At first, it is a little annoying, but once you get used to it, it's not that bad.

As for the game itself, it's ok. It really disappointed me cause I was expecting a whole lot more from it including more scenarios, bigger scenarios, more NPC interaction, important choices/decisions, ect ect. But it's ok, I just hope File 2 does better.

**TheDeathcoaster** · 04-14-2004

I've got to agree with Alzaire about the actual game....its a good game but it still lacks alot of the coolness it was originally intended to have.....personally I would buy Outbreak when Cheaper and get File 2 as soon as its out. But hey, If you liked the other Biohazard games as much as I do, then you need to buy the game ASAP ^_^

Greatsaintlouis · 04-14-2004

Anti and Yakumo: I'm not sure how to tell if the copy is faulty or not - everything else seems to work just fine, just long load times. And Anti, yes, my PS2 was goofy, but it was never anything with the laser, it just flat-out wouldn't boot. Now I'm using my roommate's PS2 with the scary Thai Modchip ("You'll boot this game or else, bitch!" *PS2 makes grinding noises for 30 seconds* *game boots*)

Chief Chujo: No, I don't write for PA (that would rock tho) but I do remember reading that article and thinking it was just Gabe's usual impatience for games that make you wait. The real thing was just as slow as they said.

And for anyone asking if the game is good: despite the load times, I'd say yes. The graphics are VERY beautiful, but sadly the typical Resident Evil "left and right turn, while up and down walk forward and back" control scheme is STILL in place, which is a bit irritating but you get used to it enough. I haven't tried it online yet, but the offline mode is a bit confusing, what with all the friendly NPCS running around. I didn't play it long enough to figure out how to give orders and form meat shields around me, as I put down the controller in disgust after the third loading in - I kid you not - 5 minutes. So yeah, I found it nice, but I'd really like a HDD for it. If some of these homebrew hard drive solutions don't work, I'm about ready to open up the Linux kit again (Trigga was looking at buying it but haven't heard from him) and using that drive - it's official at least. Of course, I formatted it to put Linux on it, so I may be screwed that way too....

And in the manual, it says that about 1GB of the game is installed to the drive, in case anyone is wondering.