PS2 [Need Information] First Setup HDD/FD External for PS2 with Matrix Modbo Chip 5.0

[fndrsm]

Hey guys,

Newbie here. Just want to restore my PS2 with broken laser.

I'm planning to install the Matrix Modbo Chip 5.0 on my PS2, so i can play with external HDD or Flashdisk. But I really confuse what I need to do with the HDD. There is various explanations on youtube of how to setup the HDD. Like example :

1. Put the PS2 file system on the HDD (Some of them include OPL, Ulaunch and Codebreaker)
2. Directly input the game and setting the booting mode with OPL manager without the Ulaunch and PS2 system file.

So, how do correctly done this? I want to use OPL and Codebreaker if needed. (Bytheway, I know how to drag and drop the game to HDD or using USButil)

Couple question :

1. Do the PS2 file system is needed? In my case using Matrix Modbo Chip 5.0 (not using FreeMcboot)
2. How the Ulaunch work? Whats the function.
3. Which .ELF files that to be needed on the HDD?

I include image below of what my HDD and the system folder contain. Let me know which files is needed. Many Thanks!!

[Sorry if you can't preview the image, just open in the new tab]

 

[Berion]

You don't need modchip, it is even strongly not recommend to install any because introducing incompatibilities with various of software. Instead, use FMCB or PS2BBL+XEB.

https://www.psx-place.com/threads/how-to-hack-playstation-2-in-2022-roadmap.37271/

Put the PS2 file system on the HDD

• External devices (USB, i.Link, MX4SIO) using MBR on FAT32, on latest OPL version also exFAT on MBR or GPT. Games (*.iso, *.zso) are put in filesystem space in CD and DVD folder or cut by 1GiB pieces in root but index file is needed for them.
  
• Internal HDD using APA and games aren't put there in filesystem space (PFS, EXT2, RFS etc.) but instead filesystem space, replacing it.

- - -
Question 1 have no sense. Questions 2 and 3 are to generic.

 

[fndrsm]

I see. I want to use Modchip because it's cheaper to me for this time than buy NA SATA for internal storage and FreeMcboot MC (i have broken laser, cannot read disk to make my own FreeMcboot). So the PS2 can boot up to Mass Drive (HDD/FD external).

Sorry for Q2 and Q3. I'm just trying to find the step by step tutorial from the very basic knowledge, because on the internet it just scattered.

I have read the link you given. So the FMCB/FHDB zip which contain System and Boot folder, can be directly copy to the HDD external? Or it just for internal use like it written?

Thanks for the answer.

 

[fndrsm]

You don't need modchip, it is even strongly not recommend to install any because introducing incompatibilities with various of software. Instead, use FMCB or PS2BBL+XEB.

https://www.psx-place.com/threads/how-to-hack-playstation-2-in-2022-roadmap.37271/

• External devices (USB, i.Link, MX4SIO) using MBR on FAT32, on latest OPL version also exFAT on MBR or GPT. Games (*.iso, *.zso) are put in filesystem space in CD and DVD folder or cut by 1GiB pieces in root but index file is needed for them.
  
• Internal HDD using APA and games aren't put there in filesystem space (PFS, EXT2, RFS etc.) but instead filesystem space, replacing it.

- - -
Question 1 have no sense. Questions 2 and 3 are to generic.

Thanks, I have done preparing the ps2 since 3 days ago. Now I understand the file structure on the HDD. I have tested play on couple games that i download, and i made to use cheat device .elf file. But maybe i still try to find the best GSM setting to the game will look like so HD not pixelated on 1080p monitor.

I'm using PS2 to HDMI.
Set the game to HDTV 1080i
Playing Ace Combat 5
But stil pixelated (maybe because it strected.

How to make this like, not strected but still HD and widescreen. thanks.

 

[Berion]

You need FMCB 1.966 installer, and You need run it from USB by any method. What You shows on this screen is some mess.

- - -

PS2 resolution is 640x480/448/512 and lower. You will not upscale it to 1920x1080 without loosing quality using Your cable, and You will not force PS2 to upscale games to 1080i. It doesn't work as You think it works.

For displaying games in 16:9, in almost all cases You need hacking them. There are so called widescreen patches for that purpose.