PS2 FMCB Cannot launch programs on 50004-model

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porkpiehat

Forum Noob
Hi all,

I have a fat PS2, model 50004, two fresh FMCB memory cards and a FHDB drive. They all boot in the FMCB main menu, but when I start any program like ULaunchElf or OPL from the menu, the screen goes black and the PS2 shows no signs of life. Even FreeMCBoot Configurator cannot load. Only the Browser and System Configurator work.

I also have a fat model 39004 that I used with FreeHDBoot 1.93 for some time. I used this to create the two FMCB memory cards with the latest FMCB Newbie Package (v2 Basic).
On the 39004 both memory cards and the FHDB drive work just fine.
The memory cards are original Sony PS2 MagicGate, formatted before use. I tried Normal and Cross-Model install, different slots etc. The 50004 does not show any signs of a modchip with a clean boot, though I have not checked inside.

The PS2 is connected with a ps2-to-hdmi adapter, unfortunately that is my only option. I verified that all display settings are equal in the System Configuration. I also enabled audio for OPL, so I could at least get audio feedback if it would load. There is no audio at all, so it seems it is not display-related.

What I find online is possibly a corrupted FMCB, but they are just copied and work on the 39004 model.
Any ideas what might be going on - and how to solve it?
 
You seem to have a modchip installed in that 50k, even if it "seems" to you that it does not have one!

Try holding TRIANGLE + SQUARE after turning the PS2 on, or after a Hardreset!
 
Well well, what do you know?! With that button combination it does start directly into OPL v1.0. Is this expected behaviour?

I took it apart and you are right, there is a modchip installed! It's a blue circuit board with Actel Proasic Plus APA075-P chip. No brand logo or name on it. By the looks of it, it is a Matrix Infinity.

So now the follow-up question: how can I run FMCB with OPL? Can I permanently but reversibly disable the Inifinty chip without de-soldering the entire chip?
Reading a bit about the Infinity chip it is much more cumbersome than FMCB. And I only find the option to disable it for a single boot sequence, which is quite impractical.
I would be okay cutting a power supply wire for the chip, that still counts as reversible for me.
 
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That's typical sign of modchip existence which interfere with FMCB 1.9xx. For some, 1.965 works, for some 1.963 works. Version 1.8b/c should works with all modchips.

If card goes corrupted, it will boot without FMCB. If FMCB goes corrupted then You will get freeze on boot.

You cannot disable permanently modchip. You can de solder it, or at least cut from power.

You cannot perform proper OSD hack with incompatible modchip, that's the reason why You have black screen during app launch. If You go back from i.e OPL to OSDSYS, You will have the same issues like booting into it directly.
 
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Thanks for the fast replies. I'm happy to see there is still an active PS2-modding community!
Sorry for the delay in my last reply, it had to be approved first as a new member.

I downloaded the Newbie Package for Modchip. But before I assemble the PS2 again (it anyway needs a good clean first): would it be possible to simply disable the modchip by disconnecting it's power, rather than completely desoldering it? I think I would prefer that option if possible, so that I don't have to think about versions etc. It's disassembled anyway, so might as well do that now.

I have disconnected the 3v3 supply to the chip and taped the wire. I will assemble it later and test if everything works with my normal FMCB cards.
Thanks for the input!
 
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Great, now the 50k won't power on anymore.
I disconnected the modchip, cleaned the circuit boards with canned air, cleaned and dried the casing and reassembled it. It looks great again. But there is no power indicator when I plug it in.
There's 230V on the main input and there is a 12V supply to the mainboard, so the power supply board is fine. The power button's ribbon cable feels a bit wonky, I expect this is the culprit.
 
.. and it's all fixed. The ribbon cable had come loose, which caused the power issue. Turns out this PS2 won't boot without the modchip. Just a black screen, that's all. I reconnected the mod chip and it booted again. My guess is they cut some traces and rerouted these through the modchip.

The FMCB Modchip newbie package with FMCB 1.965 works with this Matrix Infinity modchip. I can't find the version of the chip, but it has a blue dot in the topleft corner.

So everything seems to be working fine now. Thansk for all your help!
Just one thing left to do; replacing the rumble motor fuse. It's quite boring without that.
 
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