PS2 [MX4SIO/SIO2SD] SD Card Adapter and SD-driver for the PS2 SIO2 interface

TnA said:
Software-wise:
-I hope and think it MIGHT be possible to "refresh" the "SD-Page" (however it's name in OPL would be), if an SD is unplugged/changed! IF that is possible, users could even exchange their SD-Cards during runtime!


SD-Cards really could be used like "Modules" in a GameBoy and if the P'n'P-Support is possible (in OPL), it would be better than those old consoles with modules even! Why? You could "cycle" through "modules" (different SD-Cards) and games during runtime!

This is great for "recycling" old/small SD-Cards (especially because PS2-games are generally ~2.36GB [that's an older calculation by @dlanor, with 200-250 direct dumps from original discs WITHOUT ripping them]) and not bigger then a DL-DVD/~8GB and can often be ripped from a lot of junk without loosing features!) and up to 2TB-cards (or higher?), if someone really wants to have his entire PS2-Collection on one SD-card!
Click to expand...
Software wise it *can* work exactly the same as a usb stick, only a bit faster. It still runs on the IOP, with the same FAT32 driver. So keep in mind the same defragmentation and filesize limits. Hot plugging should be working (same as USB) but perhaps this still needed fixing.

dekkit said:
View attachment 25507
The hand drawn schematic isnt mine but is being used as the reference point.
Click to expand...
I know, it's mine :-).

dekkit said:
All - please review the schematic to ensure the pins are mapped correctly as the pin abbreviations vary.
Click to expand...
I've made another picture of the working device, so you can review:
20200424_080224.jpg
 
Awesome and that extra pic is most helpful!

Can you confirm those resistor values (?) and arrangement? Ie is that some form of divider and pull up?
 
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Maximus32 said:
Software wise it *can* work exactly the same as a usb stick, only a bit faster. It still runs on the IOP, with the same FAT32 driver. So keep in mind the same defragmentation and filesize limits. Hot plugging should be working (same as USB) but perhaps this still needed fixing.


I know, it's mine :).


I've made another picture of the working device, so you can review:
View attachment 25511
Click to expand...

I have everything I need to make one of these... except the resistors... damn.
 
Is that really all it takes? Just soldering in a SD to Micro-SD Adapter on top of an existing MC ? ... I might be able to pull that off. I don't have any stock resistors lying around, but maybe I can pull one off of something.
 
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I wouldn't attempt it without at least something to test it with software wise. Making the driver itself is probably beyond me, But making something that uses the driver ... that I could maybe handle.
 
I know that the driver is "working". I am not sure to what degree it can already be implemented in other apps like wLE, OPL's GUI.
I am also not sure, to which degree there is an "in-game-core" for OPL as of yet, but since it basically works like faster USB (and comes with the same limit regarding defragmentation), it can likely be implemented in a very similar way!
 
Updated schematic REV 1.0
Schematic_PS2 Memory Slot to SD Card_Sheet_1_20200425010618.png
Changes
- used a different symbol to made the pads easier to follow.
- with included images of PS2 memory card + SD Card
- included labels on each image
- included both SD and SPI mode labels on U1 SD CARD SOCKET (to help with mapping and DIY kits)

Query
- on ps2 memory card diagrams posted on the web i've seen pin 8 / pin 9 refer to the same pin - what is the official pin number? (my clone refers to as pin 8 as well)?
 
Initial PCB designs base on my approximations.
- the idea is to replace the PCB of an existing memory card (ie of a cheap clone) with a minor bit of modification; or
- 3D print a shell with a modified design.
- I've included a PDF (or paper print - check to see if the measurements will fit in a shell / pins line up)
- note the card will extend beyond the pcb to make it easier to remove.


FRONT 3D
3D_PCB_FRONT_PS2 Memory Slot to SD Card_Sheet_1_20200425010618.png

BACK 3D
3D_PCB_BACK_PS2 Memory Slot to SD Card_Sheet_1_20200425010618.png

PHOTO
PHOTO_PCB_FRONT_PS2 Memory Slot to SD Card_Sheet_1_20200425010618.png
 

Attachments

@Maximus32: Instead of adding the "crazy stuff" (I mean, it is "more and complex[er] work", IMO.) like game-loading via OPL (extra-settings, extra-page, extra ingame-core, etc.), would you mind rather adding general SD-Dongle-Support for the Apps-Page?

I think that might be interesting, to show off that it can already load arts and I am not quite sure to which degree apps can be compatible to it! Possibly it should pretend to old apps started through it, that it is simply "mass"?

The ART-loading-code could then be reused (for an "SD-Page), while one feature (loading stuff like art and hopefully apps, but not yet games) is already "done"/available!
 
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I updated the first post a bit!
THX to @jolek for the Tipp with the BB-Code for tabs (I honestly never used that one before!)!

If anyone has some ideas to contribute to the project, go ahead!

If anyone has ideas what should be added to the first post, please mention them!


It is STILL partially a placeholder!
I will add pictures, instructions and more links, Infos and also tabs later on, but it is a beginning to collect all infos in the first post! ;)
 
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Fin9ersMcGee said:
So the software side of things is done? Driver plus OPL support?
Click to expand...

TnA said:
I know that the driver is "working". I am not sure to what degree it can already be implemented in other apps like wLE, OPL's GUI.
I am also not sure, to which degree there is an "in-game-core" for OPL as of yet, but since it basically works like faster USB (and comes with the same limit regarding defragmentation), it can likely be implemented in a very similar way!
Click to expand...

TnA said:
@Maximus32: Instead of adding the "crazy stuff" (I mean, it is "more and complex[er] work", IMO.) like game-loading via OPL (extra-settings, extra-page, extra ingame-core, etc.), would you mind rather adding general SD-Dongle-Support for the Apps-Page?

I think that might be interesting, to show off that it can already load arts and I am not quite sure to which degree apps can be compatible to it! Possibly it should pretend to old apps started through it, that it is simply "mass"?

The ART-loading-code could then be reused (for an "SD-Page), while one feature (loading stuff like art and hopefully apps, but not yet games) is already "done"/available!
Click to expand...

It was already working as part of the BDM (Block Device Manager) project. BDM replaces usbhdfsd, and presents the first partition it finds as "mass" or "mass0". The second as "mass1", the third "mass2", etc...
So to all existing "normal" applications, it should just work by replacing usbhdfsd, with:
- bdm - the manager itself -> already in ps2sdk
- bdmfs_vfat - the fat32 driver -> already in ps2sdk
- usbmass_bd - the usb block device driver -> already in ps2sdk
- IEEE1394_bd - the ilink/firefire/ieee1394 block device driver -> already in ps2sdk
- sio2sd_bd - the sio2sd block device driver -> by @wisi , not in ps2sdk

So from OPL, if you go to "USB", you're in fact going to "mass0" and you'll see whatever gets plugged in first. This I had already working. In-game however is much more difficult, but was also working. So... that's the good news...

---

Now the bad news. sio2sd DOES NOT work on slim ps2 models. I forgot all about this but when dusting off my old code and trying it on a slim model it wasn't working and I remembered.

---

And lastly, @dekkit : nice work ;)
 
Well, I know that it replaced USBHDFSD "simply", BUT I did not know that it already works (specifically in OPL!)!

So... It can already load games in OPL from the "Dongle"? @Maximus32


Regarding "multiple devices support"... I think this can be stripped off of it, AT LEAST FOR THE "In-Game-Driver"! It would be interesting to keep it for the "full" driver!


What I meant regarding apps... Well... Yes! It is possible to ADD support to apps, but I am concerned about those old apps... We can't add support to every single app, or it would take a lot of work at least!


Btw.: @wisi is the @sp193 of hardware and @Maximus32 a "mix", lol!

Btw.: @STLcardsWS: I can "mock it up" to be posted as a "News-Thread" but I think it is better to give it A BIT more time!?
 
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Just to clarify, the original IC on the memory card doesn't get use?
I could technically dremel the bottom PCB off, giving more space for an SD card for a sealed unit?
 
Fin9ersMcGee said:
Just to clarify, the original IC on the memory card doesn't get use?
I could technically dremel the bottom PCB off, giving more space for an SD card for a sealed unit?
Click to expand...

Purely for testing of course, I have a literal handful of 512mb to 2gb SD cards floating around. And lots of ps1 memory cards
 
Fin9ersMcGee said:
Just to clarify, the original IC on the memory card doesn't get use?
I could technically dremel the bottom PCB off, giving more space for an SD card for a sealed unit?
Click to expand...

Could even use one of these if you want to create a quick version and convert an existing mc using the schematic (now includes both sd and spi abbreivations which will make it easier)

You probably want to cut the old traces on mc pcb to ensure they only connect to where you need them.
sd_mmc_card_breakout__bob-12941__01.jpg
 
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