PS2 SoftDev2 MBR KELF [POC/WIP]

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alexparrado

alexparrado

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SoftDev2 is an MBR KELF built by using my kelftool release (https://www.psx-place.com/resources/kelftool-fmcb-compatible-fork.1104/) along with a minimalist installer based on @sp193 FMCB/FHDB installer and some homebrew (OPL and ULE).

SoftDev2 will boot from your HDD (__mbr partition) by launching:
  • OPL by default
  • ULE if you hold :but cir: key during boot
  • HDDOSD or OSDSYS browser if you hold :but tri: during boot.
Please use SoftDev2 on your own risk.
 

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alexparrado said:
Added :but tri: launch key to fallout OSDSYS browser.
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Does this function launching "rom0:/OSDSYS" or "hdd0:/__system/osd/osdmain.elf"? Would be great to have a way of booting FHDB+HDD OSD if user have it and for some reason want boot it.

Could You add for me first seeking path: "hdd0:/PP.HOMEBREW/boot/" instead of "hdd0:/PP.SOFTDEV2.APPS/"?
 
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Berion said:
Does this function launching "rom0:/OSDSYS" or "hdd0:/__system/osd/osdmain.elf"? Would be great to have a way of booting FHDB+HDD OSD if user have it and for some reason want boot it.
Click to expand...

:but tri: launches "rom0:/OSDSYS" after patching it to skip-HDD boot in ROMs below 1.60. Well, never thought about using SoftDev2 along with FHDB, more likely HDDOSD, however I'm not sure if I'll add that functionality in the future.

Berion said:
Could You add for me first seeking path: "hdd0:/PP.HOMEBREW/boot/" instead of "hdd0:/PP.SOFTDEV2.APPS/"?
Click to expand...
Sure, I'll DM you when it's ready.
 
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Maybe decrypted FHDB could work, similar solution like in FunTuna (exploit>loader>FMCB executable). And if we be able to run FHDB, it will automatically adopting HDD OSD. So from Your side, it would be a matter of just adding another hot button and file to the installer. I'll try.

Thanks. ^^
 
Berion said:
Maybe decrypted FHDB could work, similar solution like in FunTuna (exploit>loader>FMCB executable). And if we be able to run FHDB, it will automatically adopting HDD OSD. So from Your side, it would be a matter of just adding another hot button and file to the installer. I'll try.

Thanks. ^^
Click to expand...
I'll try that approach, hopefully it'll work.
 
Another feature which comes to my mind is restore FHDB function. On maybe "Select" button or some button combination to not press it accidentally? In attachment is FHDB loader from "hdd0:/__mbr", from last FHDB version. What do You think about that?
 

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Berion said:
Another feature which comes to my mind is restore FHDB function. On maybe "Select" button or some button combination to not press it accidentally? In attachment is FHDB loader from "hdd0:/__mbr", from last FHDB version. What do You think about that?
Click to expand...

Not sure about permanently storing a file which will be occasionally used. In addition, SoftDev2 aimed to unlink from FHDB binaries, taking into account there is no available source code for that project.
 
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Ok, I have tested and it works (launched via uLE and also as replacement for OPL file (it was easiest to test for me)). I attached FHDB so You can add it. ^^ It also works with FHDB + HDD OSD.

But... uLE doesn't work launched from hot button (MBR.XLF from v1.02). Version of uLE published with SoftDEV2Installer v1.0 hangs on main menu with on top "No Disc found!". After replace it by i.e uLE from FMCB/FHDB, it doesn't hang but buttons doesn't responding.

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But why no to allow user to choose if he want Your loader or want back to FHDB? Anyway, it is Your app. I just giving You some ideas for nice features. That would be smooth and painless way for the user and doesn't need FMCB/FHDB source code, just placing loader and recalculate two values.
 

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Berion said:
Ok, I have tested and it works (launched via uLE and also as replacement for OPL file (it was easiest to test for me)). I attached FHDB so You can add it. ^^ It also works with FHDB + HDD OSD.
Click to expand...
Did you use kelftool to decrypt?

Berion said:
But... uLE doesn't work launched from hot button (MBR.XLF from v1.02). Version of uLE published with SoftDEV2Installer v1.0 hangs on main menu with on top "No Disc found!". After replace it by i.e uLE from FMCB/FHDB, it doesn't hang but buttons doesn't responding.
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Sorry, didn't understand well what is the setup you used for this test. ULE launched from FHDB as ELF?
 
Yes, decrypted by standard kelftool from origin repository.

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Test no.1: I have put decrypted FHDB in SoftDev2 partition as "FHDB.ELF" and launch it by uLE. It works, FHDB works and also adopted HDD OSD (so it seems both using hardcoded paths to resources on "hdd0:/__system" and "hdd0:/__sysconf").

Test no.2: I have renamed "OPNPS2LD.ELF" to "OPNPS2LD_.ELF", and renamed "FHDB.ELF" to "OPNPS2LD.ELF". I turned off the console and turned off power switch (to be sure nothing in RAM survived) and turning console on as normally. It automatically start to FHDB + HDD OSD.
 
Berion said:
Yes, decrypted by standard kelftool from origin repository.

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Test no.1: I have put decrypted FHDB in SoftDev2 partition as "FHDB.ELF" and launch it by uLE. It works, FHDB works and also adopted HDD OSD (so it seems both using hardcoded paths to resources on "hdd0:/__system" and "hdd0:/__sysconf").

Test no.2: I have renamed "OPNPS2LD.ELF" to "OPNPS2LD_.ELF", and renamed "FHDB.ELF" to "OPNPS2LD.ELF". I turned off the console and turned off power switch (to be sure nothing in RAM survived) and turning console on as normally. It automatically start to FHDB + HDD OSD.
Click to expand...

I see, but what exactly is the scenario where ULE fails?
 
Not in that specific scenario. A different case. Look:

Test no.3: I installed SoftDev2 Installer with default files (resources from v1.0 and MBR.XLF from 1.02, all took from Your github repo). Pressing circle, launching uLE. And this one hang and shows me "No disc found!" on the top bar.

Test no.4: I replaced "hdd0:/PP.SOFTDEV2.APPS/ULE.ELF" by uLE version which normally works for me (wLE from FMCB/FHDB v1.966 installer). And this time, cross and circle buttons aren't responding (maybe it also hangs, but without this information on top bar).
 
Berion said:
Not in that specific scenario. A different case. Look:

Test no.3: I installed SoftDev2 Installer with default files (resources from v1.0 and MBR.XLF from 1.02, all took from Your github repo). Pressing circle, launching uLE. And this one hang and shows me "No disc found!" on the top bar.

Test no.4: I replaced "hdd0:/PP.SOFTDEV2.APPS/ULE.ELF" by uLE version which normally works for me (wLE from FMCB/FHDB v1.966 installer). And this time, cross and circle buttons aren't responding (maybe it also hangs, but without this information on top bar).
Click to expand...

Mmmm, I see. What about OPL, does it get properly launched? So, this is an issue with latest update.
 
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