PS2 [Tutorial] The Great PS2 AIO Guide

[T1t0]

Very nice AIO guide! In the last days I read about the new FDVDB method. Nice to see that there is development for a 20 year old piece of hardware. Meanwhile I'm using a PS4, but my PS2 is still there.

I have read a big part of your guide, but there is one thing I'm not sure about, so I registered an account:

With FDVDB I can install FMCB. I need a memory card an this memory card will be formatted, right? I can dump the files, but my question is where will they be saved? After installing FMCB, can I restore the save files right after finishing the process?

 

[Fin9ersMcGee]

Very nice AIO guide! In the last days I read about the new FDVDB method. Nice to see that there is development for a 20 year old piece of hardware. Meanwhile I'm using a PS4, but my PS2 is still there.

I have read a big part of your guide, but there is one thing I'm not sure about, so I registered an account:

With FDVDB I can install FMCB. I need a memory card an this memory card will be formatted, right? I can dump the files, but my question is where will they be saved? After installing FMCB, can I restore the save files right after finishing the process?

Personally, I make a backup of my memory card as a failsafe. Just in case. No one wants to lose their save games.

I also only use my FMCB memory card for FMCB. You can still save and load games from a FMCB memory card, I just like to have them seperate. 1 card for FMCB and another for my saves.

The save files are saved to a USB flash/HDD. And can be freely copied back and forth from memory cards and USB devices.
It will dump each save into its own folder, exactly like how it appears on the MC.

You can also use VMCs (Virtual Memory Cards) within OPL. These VMCs are (usually) saved to a USB flash drive I have permanently attached.

My personal setup is:
Games stored on internal HDD (fat with network adaptor)
FMCB memory card (used for just loading FMCB)
32gb USB Flash drive (all my apps, configs, VMCs and box art are stored here)

This is by no means a definitive setup as most storage media's can be used in conjunction with any other (eg, booting discs with ESR, split files on USB HDD, full ISOs on internal HDD, etc)

 

[T1t0]

Ok, thanks for your reply. When I install FMCB I have to use a prepared USB stick an when I start the process and dump the memory card files, then these files will be copied on the USB stick? Am I right?

 

[Fin9ersMcGee]

Ok, thanks for your reply. When I install FMCB I have to use a prepared USB stick an when I start the process and dump the memory card files, then these files will be copied on the USB stick? Am I right?

You are correct.
Copy the required FMCB Installation files to USB, access wLe using your chosen exploit, and select the FMCB installer elf.
Then use the FMCB installer to dump saves before installing.

This isn't a requirement, just a failsafe against losing save games

 

[T1t0]

@Fin9ersMcGee Everything worked, now I have FMCB on one of my memory cards. FDVDB worked flawless with my DVD-Version 3.11E.
I dumped the memory card before formatting it. Now I only have 4 files on the mc, the files from FMCB. On my usb-stick there is a mc0.bin. But the files from FMCB on my card take more place then it was free on mc before formatting.
When I start FMCB-Installer from the usb again, then I can only restore the complete mc. But then I will delete FMCB, am I right?
What do I have to do to only restore some of the savegames? How can I handle the mc0.bin on my pc? I thought, that I would get single folders for every single savegame?

Edit: I just realized that I obviously now need OPL to do some stuff. To test this I want to use a usb stick. In part four of your guide you said:

Attach drive to PC
- Navigate to the root of your drive
- Create 3 new folders
- Name this folders 'APPS'

How can this be done? I have to create 3 folders in the root of usb and then I should name every folder "APPS"?

 

[Fin9ersMcGee]

@Fin9ersMcGee Everything worked, now I have FMCB on one of my memory cards. FDVDB worked flawless with my DVD-Version 3.11E.
I dumped the memory card before formatting it. Now I only have 4 files on the mc, the files from FMCB. On my usb-stick there is a mc0.bin. But the files from FMCB on my card take more place then it was free on mc before formatting.
When I start FMCB-Installer from the usb again, then I can only restore the complete mc. But then I will delete FMCB, am I right?
What do I have to do to only restore some of the savegames? How can I handle the mc0.bin on my pc? I thought, that I would get single folders for every single savegame?

Edit: I just realized that I obviously now need OPL to do some stuff. To test this I want to use a usb stick. In part four of your guide you said:

Attach drive to PC
- Navigate to the root of your drive
- Create 3 new folders
- Name this folders 'APPS'

How can this be done? I have to create 3 folders in the root of usb and then I should name every folder "APPS"?

The "APPS" section of the guide is a typo, I'll have a quick look now and edit accordingly.

But you want to make three folders. 'APPS', 'CD' and 'DVD'

My bad on the backup part of the MC, I didn't actually know that it dumped it as a bin file. I think I may have backed up my saves by using the file browser within wLe, navigating to to mc0 (or mc1) and manually copying everything across.

It's much easier if you had a spare MC.

But at least you have the bin file, you could restore onto that memory card and yes, you would lose FMCB, but then you could use FDVDB again to get into wLe and manually copy those saves like I previously explained

 

[SaltyTaffy]

That's a shame. Sounds like you did some new things with the PS2 and maybe learned some new things about PS2s though. So that's definitely an upside! Any new project, success or not success is time well spent.
If you buy the SCPH-30001 and FMCB it you can then use that to make an FMCB card for your slim for homebrew and stuff. So there's still some life in it. The only problem is does FDVDB support
SCPH-30001? I haven't followed the progress in the last day or 2.
Sorry about the PS2 laser being done, I assume you can buy a complete assembly and replace it if you were so inclined. It's a bummer, hopefully you've had some fun during the process even if the end result isn't the most desirable.

The slim isn't completely dead for sure. I might rip out the disk drive and make it into a pseudo MAME machine once I get FMCB on it. The PS2 will still boot fine without a disk drive, right? Could you link me to where I could get a complete assembly to replace the laser, if I go that route? Either way, I've wanted a fat model over my slim for awhile and this finally got me to grab one.

I'm not sure if the SCPH-30001 supports FDVDB, but I imagine it will in the future. It solely depends on the DVD firmware version, right? CTurt's been making new ones for new revisions (such as the 3.04 one today) so it's gotta be only a matter of time.

Don't have another dvd burner nor different brand discs....
Annoyingly, I tossed an old laptop out not so long ago, and that had the dvd burner that I used for making burns back in the day for the 'swap disk trick' using 007: Agent Under Fire, among other burns.
I guess new discs over new burner will be the cheaper option, so I'll order a pack of verbatims soon

I doubt it would be cheap since I'm in the USA, but if you want me to send you the 6 or so discs I burned after I'm done with them you're more than welcome to have them - I'd probably just throw them away, anyway. I've got 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x, etc. I got one 4x to actually boot on my PS2 slim before it froze launching InstallFMCB.elf, so one of them definitely works. The others might work too and my drive was being weird, but I don't know. I can throw in a couple blanks too.

 

[Fin9ersMcGee]

The slim isn't completely dead for sure. I might rip out the disk drive and make it into a pseudo MAME machine once I get FMCB on it. The PS2 will still boot fine without a disk drive, right? Could you link me to where I could get a complete assembly to replace the laser, if I go that route? Either way, I've wanted a fat model over my slim for awhile and this finally got me to grab one.

I'm not sure if the SCPH-30001 supports FDVDB, but I imagine it will in the future. It solely depends on the DVD firmware version, right? CTurt's been making new ones for new revisions (such as the 3.04 one today) so it's gotta be only a matter of time.



I doubt it would be cheap since I'm in the USA, but if you want me to send you the 6 or so discs I burned after I'm done with them you're more than welcome to have them - I'd probably just throw them away, anyway. I've got 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x, etc. I got one 4x to actually boot on my PS2 slim before it froze launching InstallFMCB.elf, so one of them definitely works. The others might work too and my drive was being weird, but I don't know. I can throw in a couple blanks too.

That's a very kind offer, Taffy. But honestly, you are right. I checked my local second hand shop (thrift store) and they sell dvd burners for £2.50 ($3.12), so turns out its actually cheaper for me to buy another burner than more discs lol.

I think the postage might also be more than the price of 5 verbatims off ebay.
But again, much appreciated.

 

[baldjared]

The slim isn't completely dead for sure. I might rip out the disk drive and make it into a pseudo MAME machine once I get FMCB on it. The PS2 will still boot fine without a disk drive, right?

I'm pretty sure the PS2 boots happily with no drive, I've never done it myself, but I also don't remember anyone saying theirs didn't boot without it.

I've wanted a fat model over my slim for awhile and this finally got me to grab one.

You won't regret that fat, get a network adapter and use an internal hard drive and never look back. It's what I use and it's a pleasure to play with.

Could you link me to where I could get a complete assembly to replace the laser, if I go that route?

None of the places I go to for video game stuff seem to sell lasers, but this link should give you an idea of what I think you would generally want. At least it should give you an idea of what naming to look for on your broken assembly to choose a proper replacement. I'm thinking from what I'm seeing that you want a
TDP-182W Laser assembly
PVR-802W laser

https://store.richspsxparts.com/pl270sev12la1.html
I've never used this seller, so don't take it as a recommendation of the specific seller. I generally buy Canadian or Chinese so as not to get hit with duties so have very little knowledge of US sellers.

 

[Coro]

That's a very kind offer, Taffy. But honestly, you are right. I checked my local second hand shop (thrift store) and they sell dvd burners for £2.50 ($3.12), so turns out its actually cheaper for me to buy another burner than more discs lol.

I think the postage might also be more than the price of 5 verbatims off ebay.
But again, much appreciated.

i got a digital tv tuner for $3 US at a thrift store...record to usb...it tells what show is about and what coming on next 24 hrs not just name of this show...it plays my mp4 files just fine and i can easyly convert on pc...also has hdmi and lets ant still go through so i can record one show and watch another. i think its a good deal! even said never used on the ziplock bag lol

 

[T1t0]

My bad on the backup part of the MC, I didn't actually know that it dumped it as a bin file. I think I may have backed up my saves by using the file browser within wLe, navigating to to mc0 (or mc1) and manually copying everything across.

It's much easier if you had a spare MC.

But at least you have the bin file, you could restore onto that memory card and yes, you would lose FMCB, but then you could use FDVDB again to get into wLe and manually copy those saves like I previously explained

Mmh, ok. Thanks for your reply. I have a second mc. Maybe I should backup the files from this mc manually, then, after copying restore the bin to this mc and I don't have to touch the FMCB mc.

Alternativly, is it possible to copy the FMCB files via the browser from one mc to another and make the other mc also "FMCB-installed"?

 

[Coro]

Mmh, ok. Thanks for your reply. I have a second mc. Maybe I should backup the files from this mc manually, then, after copying restore the bin to this mc and I don't have to touch the FMCB mc.

Alternativly, is it possible to copy the FMCB files via the browser from one mc to another and make the other mc also "FMCB-installed"?

IIRC you must use installer

 

[Fin9ersMcGee]

Mmh, ok. Thanks for your reply. I have a second mc. Maybe I should backup the files from this mc manually, then, after copying restore the bin to this mc and I don't have to touch the FMCB mc.

Alternativly, is it possible to copy the FMCB files via the browser from one mc to another and make the other mc also "FMCB-installed"?

I don't think its possible to manually copy the FMCB files. You have to use the installer.

 

[TnA]

New 4x disk no longer being recognized and my burned DVD from earlier is no longer being recognized. Still recognizing PS2 discs just fine though. This damn thing has a mind of it's own.

Dude... Sooo close and then this?
Turn "Diagnosis" ON and insert a disc!

 

[jolek]

I don't think its possible to manually copy the FMCB files. You have to use the installer.

Only latest version 1.966 from 13\04\2019 has got it block for FMCB folder in PS2 Browser:

FMCB installation folders are now marked as non-transferrable in the browser.

However you can copy these files with wLe from one MC to another...
Unfortunately it will not work. FMCB has to be installed.

 

[dmartinvera00]

Hi. I read the whole tutorial, but I ask the same way. A few years ago I tried to install the freemcboot menu on my ps2 scph-90001 with modchip matrix but could not due to incompatibility. A few days ago I found out about the freedvdbot and wanted to know if with this new discovery I will be able to play backups using a usb pendrive. Thanks for the guide. Greetings from Argentina.

 

[Fin9ersMcGee]

Hi. I read the whole tutorial, but I ask the same way. A few years ago I tried to install the freemcboot menu on my ps2 scph-90001 with modchip matrix but could not due to incompatibility. A few days ago I found out about the freedvdbot and wanted to know if with this new discovery I will be able to play backups using a usb pendrive. Thanks for the guide. Greetings from Argentina.

You can use Fortuna on that model.
Follow Part 1 - FDVDB until your in wLe on the ps2, then go back up and start from Part 1 - Fortuna.

 

[TnA]

1. Burn the Hybrid-Disc
2. Insert it into the PS2.
3. wLE should start
4. Put the FMCB-Noobie-Package, the Fortuna-PSUs and @HWNJ's OSDSYS-Launcher on the USB-Storage-device.
5. Start the FMCB/FHDB-Installer via wLE's Filebrowser.
6. I'd choose Multi-Install
7. Copy the Fortuna-PSU via "Copy" & "PSUPaste" to the MC!
8. Replace the BOOT.ELF with HWNJ's OSDSYS-Launcher!

Once you reboot, it either launches FMCB automatically (if you have an old SCPH-900XX) or you can manually launch FMCB via the Fortuna-Icon!

 

[Clutz450]

Amazing guide. I wasn't able to view all of it as part of the right side of the screen is cut off on my phone (as someone earlier had posted as well) so I don't know if you covered this and I missed it, but can you include some of the issues you may come across when trying to use a large internal HDD? Like the largest size you can install and the problems that come with adding such a large drive? Or how Winhiip has a limit to how many games you can install? Or anything else like that. There is a really long youtube video which kinda goes over all of that if you haven't had experience trying to install a 2TB drive and need some information on it. Hope it helps and thanks again for the greatest guide.

 

[Fin9ersMcGee]

Amazing guide. I wasn't able to view all of it as part of the right side of the screen is cut off on my phone (as someone earlier had posted as well) so I don't know if you covered this and I missed it, but can you include some of the issues you may come across when trying to use a large internal HDD? Like the largest size you can install and the problems that come with adding such a large drive? Or how Winhiip has a limit to how many games you can install? Or anything else like that. There is a really long youtube video which kinda goes over all of that if you haven't had experience trying to install a 2TB drive and need some information on it. Hope it helps and thanks again for the greatest guide.

Haven't looked into anything larger than 500gb (I don't own enough ps2 games to fill that up, also didn't want to buy more HDDs, as I have loads).

I will add things as I go over them, this guide isn't complete yet (I want to go over BB Navigator and browser 2.00, as well as cover some hardware related things like SATA upgrade boards for first release slim/network adaptors)

There's actually way more tiny bits of info like you mentioned, I just covered the basics/intermediate.