PS2 OPL Network Setup Fails, No Error

[UltimusRex]

I randomly learned about Free McBoot and OpenPS2Loader recently and decided to dig out my old PS2 Slim (SCPH-70012) and add it to my retro gaming collection of modded mini consoles to revisit some old faves with my son.

I Purchased an FMCB memory card, an HDMI adapter, etc., and I organized my backup folder on my Win 10 PC with the OPL Manager tool. When I got my memory card with FMCB (and OPL 0.9.3), I setup my PS2SMB share and started setting up OPL on my PS2.

Where the network setup fails is pulling a DHCP address. I've also tried setting it up with a static IP, but it still will not connect to my network. I used to be a network tech, so I generally know what I'm doing, networking-wise. The other problem is that I get no error about DHCP not being reachable or anything like that, so I'm left not knowing what is going on.

I thought that maybe the old OPL version might have been an issue, so I figured out how to install the newer OPL v1.0.0, but the issue persisted with the new version... Below are my OPL Network Settings:

Advance Options..................Off
Ethernet Link Mode.............Auto

- PS2 -
IP Address Type....................DHCP
IP Address..............................192.168.1.222
Mask........................................255.255.255.0
Gateway.................................192.168.1.1
DNS Server...........................192.168.1.1

- SMB Server -
Address Type........................IP
Address..................................192.168.1.131
Port.........................................445

Share......................................PS2SMB
User........................................GUEST
Password..............................<not set>

The 192.168.1.222 address, Mask, Gateway, and DNS are what I set it to when I tried using a static IP, Changing it to DHCP didn't change anything. And the PS2 has never shown up on my router as a connected device. I tried changing the DNS to the same primary as my XBox One and PC, but that had no effect, not that I expected it to... I have a TP-Link Deco 5 Mesh network system, though both my PS2 and my PC with the SMB share are wired (through a couple network switches). I've confirmed that it's not a cable or switch port issue, as I've swapped the cable to my XBox One which was able to connect through, no problem. Like I said above, it doesn't give me any error codes or anything. I click reconnect in the network settings menu and it gives the spinning working icon for a moment, and nothing more. So it seems like it thinks it's connecting. But it's not.

I'm REALLY hoping the problem is not a dead built-in ethernet. But if it was, I would expect to get some sort of error, at least a DHCP host unreachable error, or something... So does anyone have any ideas what could be going on here?... I'm stumped.

 

[Berion]

Maybe OPL support only SMB v1?

There experimental fork of uLE with current SMB version support so at least You could check if error lies on Your network side or homebrew side.

 

[UltimusRex]

Maybe OPL support only SMB v1?

There experimental fork of uLE with current SMB version support so at least You could check if error lies on Your network side or homebrew side.

I have SMB v1 installed/enabled on my PC... But I don't think it's even getting to the point where it can try to connect to the SMB share since it's not even connecting to the network. Or am I misunderstanding something about how the OPL network setup works?

 

[Berion]

I never daily using network in my consoles, especially PS2, so all my advices are rather cryptic or blind shots in this matter.

I think that if You set network config, save it, enable network and go to SMB category, then OPL should trying to talk with other side.

 

[UltimusRex]

Hmmm... I have no way to confirm my PS2's MAC address to verify this, but it seems like I've actually got it connecting to the network now. It looks like changing it to DHCP doesn't actually change the IP address, etc. listed in the Network Settings... But it looks like it disappears from my network shortly after turning off my PS2 and appears shortly after turning it on and "reconnecting" in the Network Settings.

That DHCP thing is what was really stumping me. And I didn't notice Sony Interactive Entertainment in my connected devices before today. Maybe I changed something that I don't remember and it started working. I don't know... Still no games being listed in the SMB/ETH section, but now I think I just need to troubleshoot the share... I tried using NETBIOS instead of IP, and it threw me an error that it was unable to open the SMB, and with it set back to IP if I change the share name it gives the same error. It does not give this error when set to IP with the correct share name. So it appears to be able to reach the SMB share.

Now time to look around for SMB troubleshooting tutorials... Wish me luck!

 

[Peppe90]

I randomly learned about Free McBoot and OpenPS2Loader recently and decided to dig out my old PS2 Slim (SCPH-70012) and add it to my retro gaming collection of modded mini consoles to revisit some old faves with my son.

I Purchased an FMCB memory card, an HDMI adapter, etc., and I organized my backup folder on my Win 10 PC with the OPL Manager tool. When I got my memory card with FMCB (and OPL 0.9.3), I setup my PS2SMB share and started setting up OPL on my PS2.

Where the network setup fails is pulling a DHCP address. I've also tried setting it up with a static IP, but it still will not connect to my network. I used to be a network tech, so I generally know what I'm doing, networking-wise. The other problem is that I get no error about DHCP not being reachable or anything like that, so I'm left not knowing what is going on.

I thought that maybe the old OPL version might have been an issue, so I figured out how to install the newer OPL v1.0.0, but the issue persisted with the new version... Below are my OPL Network Settings:

Advance Options..................Off
Ethernet Link Mode.............Auto

- PS2 -
IP Address Type....................DHCP
IP Address..............................192.168.1.222
Mask........................................255.255.255.0
Gateway.................................192.168.1.1
DNS Server...........................192.168.1.1

- SMB Server -
Address Type........................IP
Address..................................192.168.1.131
Port.........................................445

Share......................................PS2SMB
User........................................GUEST
Password..............................<not set>

The 192.168.1.222 address, Mask, Gateway, and DNS are what I set it to when I tried using a static IP, Changing it to DHCP didn't change anything. And the PS2 has never shown up on my router as a connected device. I tried changing the DNS to the same primary as my XBox One and PC, but that had no effect, not that I expected it to... I have a TP-Link Deco 5 Mesh network system, though both my PS2 and my PC with the SMB share are wired (through a couple network switches). I've confirmed that it's not a cable or switch port issue, as I've swapped the cable to my XBox One which was able to connect through, no problem. Like I said above, it doesn't give me any error codes or anything. I click reconnect in the network settings menu and it gives the spinning working icon for a moment, and nothing more. So it seems like it thinks it's connecting. But it's not.

I'm REALLY hoping the problem is not a dead built-in ethernet. But if it was, I would expect to get some sort of error, at least a DHCP host unreachable error, or something... So does anyone have any ideas what could be going on here?... I'm stumped.

In my (very little) experience with SMB, usually when you get no errors (like you see the loading icon, then no games on the list) it means the connection is ok but the path is wrong.

For example it happened to a friend when setting a mini-router (with USB input) for SMB playing. Following a guide he set a pendrive as the shared folder (PS2SMB) using OpenWRT, but he created a PS2SMB folder into the pendrive root and manually putted OPL folders and the games there.

OPL couldn't see the games since it was looking on the pendrive's root (indeed it created its folders there) and there were nothing inside CD/DVD folders.

He just moved the games to root:/DVD (or CD) for solving (and deleted the useless PS2SMB folder he created).

 

[UltimusRex]

Thanks for the responses, everyone... I kept tinkering and eventually got it working!

So, if anyone else finds this thread, experiencing a similar problem, I'll explain what I think got it working:

First of all, if you select DHCP in network settings, the IP address, etc. doesn't seem to update. It looks like that is only applicable to the Static IP option. It would have been nice for this to have been noted somewhere, in the tutorials or in the settings page. Anyway, my final, working Network Settings are as listed in my original post, though you can ignore the IP address and SMB Server Address, since those will be specific to your own network situation... In the end, if you get no error when you select "Reconnect", you're probably connecting to the SMB share, even though the permissions might not be correct.

On the Windows 10 PC, I had previously ONLY installed the SMB V1 Server, according to at least one tutorial I had followed. Apparently, this wasn't enough. I'm not positive which of these solved the problem, but I did a few things: 1) I also installed/enabled SMB Direct and (under SMB V1) SMB Client; 2) After restarting my computer, I revisited my PS2SMB share. Checking the share tab in the properties dialog, I saw it was no longer being shared (it definitely was being shared before installing those items and restarting), so I clicked on the "Share..." button (if I recall, the tutorial had me only click the "Advanced Sharing" button). Here I added "Everyone" and "Guest" to the share list and gave them both full read and write control. I double checked that everything was how it was before in the "Advanced Sharing" button, then tried turning my PS2 on and loading OPL again. Voila! All my game backups from that SMB share were listed and playable!

I hope this explanation can help others in the future. Feel free to ask me any questions if I was unclear on something. Happy gaming!

 

[Peppe90]

Thanks for the responses, everyone... I kept tinkering and eventually got it working!

So, if anyone else finds this thread, experiencing a similar problem, I'll explain what I think got it working:

First of all, if you select DHCP in network settings, the IP address, etc. doesn't seem to update. It looks like that is only applicable to the Static IP option. It would have been nice for this to have been noted somewhere, in the tutorials or in the settings page. Anyway, my final, working Network Settings are as listed in my original post, though you can ignore the IP address and SMB Server Address, since those will be specific to your own network situation... In the end, if you get no error when you select "Reconnect", you're probably connecting to the SMB share, even though the permissions might not be correct.

On the Windows 10 PC, I had previously ONLY installed the SMB V1 Server, according to at least one tutorial I had followed. Apparently, this wasn't enough. I'm not positive which of these solved the problem, but I did a few things: 1) I also installed/enabled SMB Direct and (under SMB V1) SMB Client; 2) After restarting my computer, I revisited my PS2SMB share. Checking the share tab in the properties dialog, I saw it was no longer being shared (it definitely was being shared before installing those items and restarting), so I clicked on the "Share..." button (if I recall, the tutorial had me only click the "Advanced Sharing" button). Here I added "Everyone" and "Guest" to the share list and gave them both full read and write control. I double checked that everything was how it was before in the "Advanced Sharing" button, then tried turning my PS2 on and loading OPL again. Voila! All my game backups from that SMB share were listed and playable!

I hope this explanation can help others in the future. Feel free to ask me any questions if I was unclear on something. Happy gaming!

You meant you checked these?

My old PC had the SMB 1.0 options correctly set by default, but my friend also had to check one of them on his PC for the SMB to work with the Ps2 (btw I don't remember if with that disabled it appeared a error message or was just blank list).

 

[amirzaim]

Windows disables SMB1 by default in which you have to enable it via Windows feature section. However, things are going much irritating when any updates will just disabled it back!

Heck, even win10 updates just re-enabling back spectre/meltdown protection which had been disabled by registry modifications on older PCs.

Instead of relying on PC/laptop at all times, you can try setup SMB with mini USB router but the router must have SMB/file sharing feature.

 

[UltimusRex]

You meant you checked these?

View attachment 33199

My old PC had the SMB 1.0 options correctly set by default, but my friend also had to check one of them on his PC for the SMB to work with the Ps2 (btw I don't remember if with that disabled it appeared a error message or was just blank list).

From your picture, I checked SMB Direct, SMB Server (had already checked it from the tutorial I followed), and SMB Client. I did not check the SMB Automatic Removal.

 

[UltimusRex]

Windows disables SMB1 by default in which you have to enable it via Windows feature section. However, things are going much irritating when any updates will just disabled it back!

Heck, even win10 updates just re-enabling back spectre/meltdown protection which had been disabled by registry modifications on older PCs.

Instead of relying on PC/laptop at all times, you can try setup SMB with mini USB router but the router must have SMB/file sharing feature.

When installing the SMB stuff, I noticed that there is an "SMB Automatic Removal" option that you can install to have it remove it when it goes unused. I did not install that. So hopefully it will not remove SMB, but who knows what the next Windows Update will do. Plus, I've often found Windows shares to be very finicky. I have seen the idea of using a mini router with USB and SMB to connect directly to the PS2 and share games that way. I might try to set that up if the Windows share because too annoying to maintain, though I'd also need to buy a separate nice big USB hard drive to use for that. Currently, I've got a huge HDD stack attached to my HTPC where I keep all my media and retro game backups, so it's nice to just share from there, if possible.

 

[Peppe90]

When installing the SMB stuff, I noticed that there is an "SMB Automatic Removal" option that you can install to have it remove it when it goes unused. I did not install that. So hopefully it will not remove SMB, but who knows what the next Windows Update will do. Plus, I've often found Windows shares to be very finicky. I have seen the idea of using a mini router with USB and SMB to connect directly to the PS2 and share games that way. I might try to set that up if the Windows share because too annoying to maintain, though I'd also need to buy a separate nice big USB hard drive to use for that. Currently, I've got a huge HDD stack attached to my HTPC where I keep all my media and retro game backups, so it's nice to just share from there, if possible.

Using a mini-router is much more comfortable. I bought a OpenWRT one with USB input for about 10$ (shipment included) some years ago.

With that you don't have to bother leaving the PC on. Also after the initial configuration you're done forever, just plug & play with best possible performance (no worries about windows firewall slowing down your SMB playing).

I use it with a pendrive or a 2,5" HDD, so no need of external power supply (devices are powered by the mini-router that's powered from a Ps2 USB port).

You can use any HDD you already have.

 

[Windows10User]

Using a mini-router is much more comfortable. I bought a OpenWRT one with USB input for about 10$ (shipment included) some years ago.

With that you don't have to bother leaving the PC on. Also after the initial configuration you're done forever, just plug & play with best possible performance (no worries about windows firewall slowing down your SMB playing).

I use it with a pendrive or a 2,5" HDD, so no need of external power supply (devices are powered by the mini-router that's powered from a Ps2 USB port).

You can use any HDD you already have.

Could you tell me which nano router model you bought and how to set it with OPL? Also, if using SMB to play games from an external HDD connected to my laptop, I have some problems (like FMV slowdowns/freezes), but not if the games are in the PC's HDD, so have you had any problems playing games stored in the external HDD connected to the router?

 

[Windows10User]

When installing the SMB stuff, I noticed that there is an "SMB Automatic Removal" option that you can install to have it remove it when it goes unused. I did not install that. So hopefully it will not remove SMB, but who knows what the next Windows Update will do. Plus, I've often found Windows shares to be very finicky. I have seen the idea of using a mini router with USB and SMB to connect directly to the PS2 and share games that way. I might try to set that up if the Windows share because too annoying to maintain, though I'd also need to buy a separate nice big USB hard drive to use for that. Currently, I've got a huge HDD stack attached to my HTPC where I keep all my media and retro game backups, so it's nice to just share from there, if possible.

I can't update OPL using the network update setting. I always have an error. I have to update it via USB or FTP. Does network update install a new OPL build or does it download files to make PS2 games more compatible? I always have an error when downloading PS2 games' configurations in OPL too. Where should one put the PS2 games' CFG files to make the PS2 games more compatible?

 

[Peppe90]

Could you tell me which nano router model you bought and how to set it with OPL? Also, if using SMB to play games from an external HDD connected to my laptop, I have some problems (like FMV slowdowns/freezes), but not if the games are in the PC's HDD, so have you had any problems playing games stored in the external HDD connected to the router?

NEXX WT3020. It was about 10$ but it is hard to find nowadays and also I think you can get much better (easier to setup) mini-routers at a reasonable price.

I never had any slowdown problem with it.
I had some issues using the PC (in my case it was the firewall settings, I solved tweaking them).
Maybe your PC has some old 1.1 USB inputs? Make sure you connect the USB HDD at least to a 2.0 USB.

 

[Windows10User]

NEXX WT3020. It was about 10$ but it is hard to find nowadays and also I think you can get much better (easier to setup) mini-routers at a reasonable price.

I never had any slowdown problem with it.
I had some issues using the PC (in my case it was the firewall settings, I solved tweaking them).
Maybe your PC has some old 1.1 USB inputs? Make sure you connect the USB HDD at least to a 2.0 USB.

It's connected to a USB 3.0 port. I already ordered TL-WR902AC. So, with this (or other) router one doesn't have to worry about Windows stop supporting SMB? Also, do you think a future router update (which I guess must be manually downloaded and installed) might break SMB feature?

 

[Peppe90]

It's connected to a USB 3.0 port. I already ordered TL-WR902AC. So, with this (or other) router one doesn't have to sorry about Windows stop supporting SMB? Also, do you think a future router update (which I guess must be manually downloaded and installed) might break SMB feature?

Yes, this has nothing to do with windows. Once you set it up and it correctly works, never upgrade or change anything.

I had to upgrade mine (I done it at first boot, when setting it up) 'cause with the default firmware it was not possible to create an user on it.
I never upgraded it anymore, I just add/enable new USB devices when needed.
As manufacturers suggest, you should never upgrade a router/modem firmware unless you experience problems, in which case you'd have to check the changelog if they possibly made a fix.
Never happened to me having the need to upgrade a main modem/router I use for internet, even less for using it on the Ps2 (being the Ps2 a stable software, you obviously won't need to upload anything also on the router side, once it works it will just keep working the same forever).

 

[Windows10User]

Yes, this has nothing to do with windows. Once you set it up and it correctly works, never upgrade or change anything.

I had to upgrade mine (I done it at first boot, when setting it up) 'cause with the default firmware it was not possible to create an user on it.
I never upgraded it anymore, I just add/enable new USB devices when needed.
As manufacturers suggest, you should never upgrade a router/modem firmware unless you experience problems, in which case you'd have to check the changelog if they possibly made a fix.
Never happened to me having the need to upgrade a main modem/router I use for internet, even less for using it on the Ps2 (being the Ps2 a stable software, you obviously won't need to upload anything also on the router side, once it works it will just keep working the same forever).

I don't know how to update the main router but I did update this nano router. Anyway, I still have stuttering and even no audio in some FMVs when using this nano router and these problems also happen if I use the PC, even though the stuttering is slightly less.

 

[Peppe90]

If it is only on some FMVs try if MODE 2 or MODE 1 solves. Sometimes it depends on the games. Even on internal HDD you can get stuttering on FMVs (like in Prince of Persia and other games) if you don't enable MODE 2.

 

[Windows10User]

If it is only on some FMVs try if MODE 2 or MODE 1 solves. Sometimes it depends on the games. Even on internal HDD you can get stuttering on FMVs (like in Prince of Persia and other games) if you don't enable MODE 2.

Already did, it still stutters and has no audio.