PS2 MechaPwn by MechaResearch 2.00

[Agrippa]

I do not think so. There is a logo check during the booting of the game hardcoded in the ROM. Having a PAL console you cannot run the NTSC game. Only NTSC-U/C consoles do not have such check (and debug ROM's from all over the world). It is not a MECHACON thing. I knew about the PS2 logo checks, but I thought there is no check in the PS1 mode!

EDIT: Well, I am dumb, it is even written in the readme:

Why do PAL/NTSC-J consoles do not play NTSC/PAL discs (on scph-70000 and earlier) ?

The IOP ROM on those consoles have enforced strict logo decryption checks both in the PS1 and PS2 BIOS which the NTSC-U (also used in ASIA consoles) BIOS does not have.

Patch is ignored, because the PS1 mode is initialized in the PAL mode. The video mode is set up only once. That is why old PAL2NTSC intro selectors will not work. You have to use the PS1VModeNeg.

 

[Peppe90]

I do not think so. There is a logo check during the booting of the game hardcoded in the ROM. Having a PAL console you cannot run the NTSC game. Only NTSC-U/C consoles do not have such check (and debug ROM's from all over the world). It is not a MECHACON thing. I knew about the PS2 logo checks, but I thought there is no check in the PS1 mode!

Patch is ignored, because the PS1 mode is initialized in the PAL mode. The video mode is set up only once. That is why old PAL2NTSC intro selectors will not work. You have to use the PS1VModeNeg.

Yes I thought about the intro logo. However i don't know if there's a way to skip it. I tried launching the game with PSXLAUNCHER.ELF but it's BSOD anyway.

Also it's a pain doing this tests due to the faulty optical drive (it stopped to read DVDs a long ago, but still reads CDs, when it's in a good mood...).

I'll clean and grease the optical drive guides tomorrow and check that PS1VModeNeg.

 

[Agrippa]

No, there is no way to skip it. If you have got a DECKARD model you could change a region.

 

[Peppe90]

No, there is no way to skip it. If you have got a DECKARD model you could change a region.

Indeed I can just change region.

I quickly tried PS1VModeNeg. It is automatic, it seems its purpose is for making NTSC games to output PAL format (or viceversa) but it automatically set the VMode to the console region, so PAL to NTSC games keep outputting at 50HZ and NTSC games don't work.

GSM do the job well enough just setting it to NTSC.

Definitely this is a great exploit. It's a pity it is not compatible with older Ps2s.

 

[Zwei]

What do you mean with "locked console"?

without modchip

 

[HWNJ]

without modchip

The whole point of MechaPwn is not need for a modchip, so yeah...

 

[Peppe90]

I do not think so. There is a logo check during the booting of the game hardcoded in the ROM. Having a PAL console you cannot run the NTSC game. Only NTSC-U/C consoles do not have such check (and debug ROM's from all over the world). It is not a MECHACON thing. I knew about the PS2 logo checks, but I thought there is no check in the PS1 mode!

EDIT: Well, I am dumb, it is even written in the readme:
.

Also about the possibility to skip the Logo is reported in the readme, but it's only possible for Ps2 games.

After about a hundred tries the Ps2 managed to see a Ps2 DVD game (FFX international jap, original disc). Launching it from OSDSYS/PS2 Browser it just refresh the screen. But booting it from Ule works.

I patched a Ps1 NTSC-U game to Europe with Disc Patcher. Maybe this way the Ps2 will read it even leaving it as PAL DEX version (couldn't make the Ps2 to read it so far...).

For Ps1 games there's no difference between original and backup copies. I don't know about Ps2 backups (if they work even without the masterdisc patch). I'd like to do these tests, but the Ps2 drive it's pratically gone.

UPDATE: Good news! After thousends of lid opening closing the Ps2 could see the Ps1 game I patched (after it see it, the games work flawlessly, I don't know what's the problem of this drive).

It was FFVIII NTSC-U patched to Europe with DS 3.0. It works obviously at 50HZ (all fine though, also FMVs).

So no need to change Ps2 region:

- Ps1 PAL games: just work
- Ps1 PAL to NTSC games: work, use GSM for 60HZ
- Ps1 NTSC games: work when patched to Europe with DS 3.0, use GSM (480i) or PS1VMNeg (240p) for 60HZ

- Ps2 original games: if different region, must be launched from Ule
- Ps2 ESR patched backups: doesn't work
- Ps2 clean backups: -update- only old CD games work: https://www.psx-place.com/threads/mechapwn.33498/page-3#post-289188

 

[Agrippa]

I quickly tried PS1VModeNeg. It is automatic, it seems its purpose is for making NTSC games to output PAL format (or viceversa) but it automatically set the VMode to the console region, so PAL to NTSC games keep outputting at 50HZ and NTSC games don't work.

No, its purpose is to patch the PS1DRV to launch a game with a different video mode, since it's region specific. Regardless of the disc inserted, it will always set the console default video mode during the boot up of the PS1 mode (be it a PAL for a PAL console, or a NTSC for a NTSC-U/C console).

This tool does read the licence code in the executable file name to determine the video mode. That is why the NTSC patched PAL games are identified as a PAL game.

Also about the possibility to skip the Logo is reported in the readme, but it's only possible for Ps2 games.

Yes, because after the verification of the disc as a PS1 one, the PS2 does change its mode of operation to a different one. I do not think it could be patched by software.

After about a hundred tries the Ps2 managed to see a Ps2 DVD game (FFX international jap, original disc). Launching it from OSDSYS/PS2 Browser it just refresh the screen. But booting it from Ule works.

It's a regular behaviour when the verification passes, but the region does not match. You will get a constant Browser loop. It's the same in the PCSX2 when using a PAL ROM with a NTSC game for example with a full boot option.

I patched a Ps1 NTSC-U game to Europe with Disc Patcher. Maybe this way the Ps2 will read it even leaving it as PAL DEX version (couldn't make the Ps2 to read it so far...).

It will be sufficient to boot, though in the PAL video mode (read first sentence).

For Ps1 games there's no difference between original and backup copies. I don't know about Ps2 backups (if they work even without the masterdisc patch). I'd like to do these tests, but the Ps2 drive it's pratically gone.

No, they will never work without the Master Disc patch. It was said and written a thousand times or more.

 

[Peppe90]

No, its purpose is to patch the PS1DRV to launch a game with a different video mode, since it's region specific. Regardless of the disc inserted, it will always set the console default video mode during the boot up of the PS1 mode (be it a PAL for a PAL console, or a NTSC for a NTSC-U/C console).

This tool does read the licence code in the executable file name to determine the video mode. That is why the NTSC patched PAL games are identified as a PAL game.

Thank you for the deepening. I'll test it with FFVIII USA (that I patched to Europe with DS 3.0) to see if it overwrite the DS 3.0 patch, allowing the game to boot in its native NTSC format.

GSM perfectly works for outputting the game at its correct 60hz speed, but since you have to set NTSC it output 480i instead of the original 240p of the game. It's good anyway but there's some flickering.

It's a regular behaviour when the verification passes, but the region does not match. You will get a constant Browser loop. It's the same in the PCSX2 when using a PAL ROM with a NTSC game for example with a full boot option.

Indeed. Btw every Ps2 game from different region boot and works perfectly launched from Ulaunchelf. Good enough.

It will be sufficient to boot, though in the PAL video mode (read first sentence).

Yes, I updated my previous message with some tests I managed to do afterwards.

No, they will never work without the Master Disc patch. It was said and written a thousand times or more.

It is not so well specified actually. Indeed I tried Ridge Racer V USA clean backup copy and it works as an original game.

It is recognized as a Ps1 disc (either in Ps2 browser and Ule). It doesn't boot from OSDSYS/Ps2Browser (probably 'cause it's NTSC-U, it gave me BSOD exactly as Ps1 games from other regions). Though, from Ulaunchelf it boots and plays perfectly.

I'll update if/when my Ps2 will manage to read a DVD backup copy (these damned Ps2 slim drives are able to turn a 5 minutes test to a couple days long effort).

 

[Agrippa]

Thank you for the deepening. I'll test it with FFVIII USA (that I patched to Europe with DS 3.0) to see if it overwrite the DS 3.0 patch, allowing the game to boot in its native NTSC format.

It will not overwrite the Disc Patcher patch. The Disc Patcher in the case of the PS1 game just does patch the licence string information ("Licensed by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc./Europe/America"). What the PS1VModeNeg does is patch the PS1DRV to run the PS1 mode with the correct video mode, if it is mismatched.

A PS1 NTSC game -> Disc Patcher patch to Europe (to pass the region check) -> PS1VModeNeg to patch the video mode.

I believe setting the DECKARD console with the NTSC-U/C data using the MechaPwn (for example SCPH-77004 to the DTL-H77001) would disable the region check, since the American ROM's are stripped from this protection.

It is not so well specified actually. Indeed I tried Ridge Racer V USA clean backup copy and it works as an original game.

It is recognized as a Ps1 disc (either in Ps2 browser and Ule). It doesn't boot from OSDSYS/Ps2Browser (probably 'cause it's NTSC-U, it gave me BSOD exactly as Ps1 games from other regions). Though, from Ulaunchelf it boots and plays perfectly.

Because as long as the disc is verified, then the access to it is granted by the MECHACON. It may work with the early games, but if you come across the game with the Media Check (so called "EA protection" back then), the game would crash after detecting the disc was verified as a PS1 one.

It is how the first modchips worked, since the first games were released on the CD or could be ripped from the DVD to CD. They were authenticated as a PS1 discs. And it is the similar case, when the PS2CD disc is being verified as a PS1 one due to the MECHACON not differentiating between the two.

 

[Dny777]

I have a scph-77004 pal ps2 and I used mechapwn to set it to DTL-77004 I have freemcboot at the latest update and I want to play Final Fantasy 9 at 60 Hz (NTSC) is it possible? (I have a ps1 memory card but it's new stuff to me, I've tried psxlauncher but no result not even the PAL version didn't worked...). Any advice, please?

 

[Peppe90]

It will not overwrite the Disc Patcher patch. The Disc Patcher in the case of the PS1 game just does patch the licence string information ("Licensed by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc./Europe/America"). What the PS1VModeNeg does is patch the PS1DRV to run the PS1 mode with the correct video mode, if it is mismatched.

A PS1 NTSC game -> Disc Patcher patch to Europe (to pass the region check) -> PS1VModeNeg to patch the video mode.

I believe setting the DECKARD console with the NTSC-U/C data using the MechaPwn (for example SCPH-77004 to the DTL-H77001) would disable the region check, since the American ROM's are stripped from this protection.

Now it's clear, thank you.

I tested FFVIII (ntsc-u, patched to europe with DS 3.0) with PS1VModeNeg and indeed it perfectly works. The game plays in its correct/native NTSC 240p video mode.
GSM NTSC mode is brighter and overall have a little better quality (being the game displayed at full SD resolution).

However PS1VMNeg is more immediate (i.e. you can set it with FMCB autolaunch, so just put the Ps1 disc and power on the console) and "240p" completely avoid the flickering on CRT Tv, picture is more stable and comfortable to the eyes. So it's good to have the choice.

Thank you for the advice. I might set the Ps2 to USA DEX to see if it will read Ps1 Europe games. Just for testing, because that way it'll lose european languages (well it is all just for testing: of my 3 deckard Ps2s no one have a working optical drive).

Because as long as the disc is verified, then the access to it is granted by the MECHACON. It may work with the early games, but if you come across the game with the Media Check (so called "EA protection" back then), the game would crash after detecting the disc was verified as a PS1 one.

It is how the first modchips worked, since the first games were released on the CD or could be ripped from the DVD to CD. They were authenticated as a PS1 discs. And it is the similar case, when the PS2CD disc is being verified as a PS1 one due to the MECHACON not differentiating between the two.

You never stop learning

 

[Agrippa]

USA ROM has got the same languages as European one. But if you have got a normal install of the FMCB (instead of the multi-install) the FMCB will not be loaded, because of the MagicGate region mismatch.

 

[metroid_maniac]

I have a scph-77004 pal ps2 and I used mechapwn to set it to DTL-77004 I have freemcboot at the latest update and I want to play Final Fantasy 9 at 60 Hz (NTSC) is it possible? (I have a ps1 memory card but it's new stuff to me, I've tried psxlauncher but no result not even the PAL version didn't worked...). Any advice, please?

You don't need psxlauncher any more. Switch your console to DTL-H77001 because that setting is region free - your NTSC copy of Final Fantasy 9 should boot up in the correct video mode automatically. If you want to play a PAL game again, use PS1VModeNeg.

 

[Hugostoso]

Does this means we can turn a retail PS2 unit into a DTL debug unit ?

 

[metroid_maniac]

Does this means we can turn a retail PS2 unit into a DTL debug unit ?

It's not a full TEST unit, since it doesn't contain the DSP that allows you to decrypt the PS2 logo on a master disc. But it does most of the things a DTL-H console would.

 

[Peppe90]

I have a scph-77004 pal ps2 and I used mechapwn to set it to DTL-77004 I have freemcboot at the latest update and I want to play Final Fantasy 9 at 60 Hz (NTSC) is it possible? (I have a ps1 memory card but it's new stuff to me, I've tried psxlauncher but no result not even the PAL version didn't worked...). Any advice, please?

@metroid_maniac already answered you. I add some thing since you're in PAL territory and you may want to play FFIX with your language.

- So if you're english, just play the NTSC-U version of the game (same translation as PAL english but plays at correct 60hz speed).
However you have to set the console as suggested, to USA DEX version (77001), otherwise the game will run at 50HZ.
If you want to keep the Ps2 as a PAL DEX as it is now, Use PS1VModeNeg for Ps1 USA games to run at 60HZ: PS2 - PS1VModeNeg | PSX-Place (psx-place.com)

- if you're not english, you can play FFIX PAL version at 60HZ using GSM (selecting NTSC. It will output the game in 480i).
Or, you can change your Ps2 as suggested, to USA DEX (77001). This way the game will automatically run in NTSC (240p).

Side Note: FFIX also plays pratically perfect with POPS. Only, if you make Quina to learn Limit Globe, don't use it (it will freeze the game. I'm not aware of any other ability or circumstances that make the game to freeze. Use the #NOPAL cheat in case you play the PAL version for make it to run at 60HZ)

 

[Peppe90]

USA ROM has got the same languages as European one.

Good, I didn't knew it.

But if you have got a normal install of the FMCB (instead of the multi-install) the FMCB will not be loaded, because of the MagicGate region mismatch.

I done the multi-install.

About this. There's actually need of the multi-install or also the cross-region install is good enough?

One last question about the PAL/NTSC matter. Talkin about PS1VModeNeg you said:

No, its purpose is to patch the PS1DRV to launch a game with a different video mode, since it's region specific. Regardless of the disc inserted, it will always set the console default video mode during the boot up of the PS1 mode (be it a PAL for a PAL console, or a NTSC for a NTSC-U/C console).

This tool does read the licence code in the executable file name to determine the video mode. That is why the NTSC patched PAL games are identified as a PAL game.

So the last remaining scenario (that's also the first one I asked for): PS2 is set to DTL-H75004 and I want to play, i.e, FFIX PAL in NTSC 240p.

Then, how could I make PS1VMode Neg to see my PAL game as NTSC?
I guess I'd have to extract the ISO, edit the executable's licence code and repack. Or perhaps there's some patcher to do it easier?


P.S. When testing FFVIII yesterday I noticed it could see the Ps2 MC, I don't remember if it is normal behavior. I didn't tried to save though.

 

[laukinming]

Does the newest version still allow backups?

I saw the revision of the readme, and they removed all reference to the work"backups."

Just wondering.

 

[metroid_maniac]

Does the newest version still allow backups?

I saw the revision of the readme, and they removed all reference to the work"backups."

Just wondering.

PS1 backups and PS2 masterdiscs still work.