Open PS2 Loader v0.9.3

[LentFilms]

After nearly 2 years, v0.9.3 of Open PS2 Loader (OPL) is finally out!
https://bitbucket.org/ifcaro/open-ps2-loader/wiki/Home



(ChangeLog)

Code: Select all

==== Version 0.9.3 ====
CORE:

* New RDB-based DECI2 Debugging System.
* Refactored and optimized core modules.
* New CDVDMAN streaming mechanism for better performance.
* Kinder, gentler, and hopefully better IGR mechanism
* Added support for the DTL-T10000, for debugging.
* Updated USB drivers - support drives greater than 1TB but less than 2TB in capacity, plus better reliability.
* Eliminated the need for user-configurable delays in USB support.
* Improved performance and stability of SMB support.
* VMC Fix - Slot2 should no longer clone Slot1 and vice versa
* Removed obsolete Compatibility Modes and needless GSM video modes.
* New PS2RD Cheat Engine port by Doctorxyz.
* Per-Game GSM Support.
* New super-slim EE core, making mode 1 (Alt EE core) obsolete.
* Added Accurate Reads mode, for emulating the reading speed and behaviour of the CD/DVD drive.
* The CallBack Timer (CBT) setting now uses a standardized value and was merged into Accurate Reads mode.
* Added a workaround for some clone network adaptors.
* Mode 7 "IOP threading hack" removed, as the new streaming mechanism has taken care of all related issues.
* New compatibility mode: "high module storage". For games that need OPL to store its modules elsewhere, to avoid a memory conflict.
* Improved reading performance of the cdrom device.
* Improved reliability of some CDVDMAN functions, for more consistent behaviour.
* Improved DVD-DL support.
* Changed "Disable DVD-DL" to "Emulate DVD-DL" to better explain what it does. It's to emulate DVD-DL support, for DVD9 rips (games with their 2 layers compacted into 1).
* Fixed support for SMB usernames and passwords that are longer than 16 characters (limit extended to 31).
* Fixed renaming functionality for USBExtreme games.
* Various fixes for games.

GUI:

* Improved the behaviour of the auto-refresh option.
* GSM moved to Game Options menu since its a Per-Game option now.
* Infamous "Blockhead Grande" theme bug SQUARSHED! (Themes should now get loaded correctly, regardless of display settings).
* New theme and logo design by Jay-Jay.
* Better error reporting and help messages in general.
* Network settings are now saved in opl_network.cfg.
* Improved stability, design and UI responsiveness.
* Added missing icon hints.
* Fixed the problem with the HDLDump server being difficult to shut down properly.
* Fixed HDD corruption caused by deleting a game from the HDD unit.
* Added a new network update mechanism, which allows game compatibility records to be automatically downloaded from the OPL-CL service.
* SMB server can now be specified by its NetBIOS name.
* IP address configuration can be set automatically with DHCP, although it is still recommended to reserve an IP address for the PS2 in the network because the DHCP reservation will not be ever renewed while in-game.
* Renamed "Enable Delete and Rename" to "Enable Write Operations".
* Changed the delete and modify VMC controls to be disabled instead of hidden, when writes are disabled.
* ISO disc images no longer strictly need to be named in a special format. Simply put your ISO files in your CD and DVD folders and OPL will find them.
* Renamed compatibility modes to have actual names.
* Game history will now be updated; the "towers" behind the "SONY Computer Entertainment" boot screen should continue to grow.
* Added support for OTF fonts.
* Added support for fonts stored on the HDD unit (root of +OPL partition; hdd0:+OPL/) and USB device (root of device; mass0:/).

GAME FIXES & COMPATIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS:
* New patch: Choujikuu Yousai Macross
* New patch: Super Robot Wars IMPACT
* Drive state of sceCdStandby has been changed to PAUSE: Check iTV
* New patch: Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal
* New patch: The Oneechanbara
* New patch: The Oneechanpuruu
* New streaming mechanism for better playability: Various BEMANI games
* Initialization is performed for search functions: Lifeline

If the last build of OPL you used was v0.9.2 (AKA, the last stable build), you will be immensely surprised by this new release. It is better in every way and is, sadly, developer SP193's farewell gift from OPL.
Though the above does not mean OPL will be discontinued (its open source, anyone can work on it) but it does mean that OPL has lost its most active and best contributor in recent years.

I can't stress enough how much better OPL is over HD Loader Advance. It truly is not only the best HDD loader for the PS2 but the best homebrew app for it as well.

In other words, go download/upgrade to OPL v0.9.3 right now! You wont be disappointed.

[D.D.D.]

Thanks!!!!!

[d123456]

OPL rulez, thanks for the update.
I believe you can also integrate GSM for 480p forcing and ps2rd for Wide screen hacks now, to make your own HD remakes.
Thanks for the news.
But I think if I install this I will have to reassign all the VMC´s again to my games on the internal HDD in OPL, right?

[LentFilms]

OPL rulez, thanks for the update.
I believe you can also integrate GSM for 480p forcing and ps2rd for Wide screen hacks now, to make your own HD remakes.

Yes that's another good feature I forgot to mention (I use my PS2 on my SDTV so I don't use it. Hence the reason I forgot).

But I think if I install this I will have to reassign all the VMC´s again to my games on the internal HDD in OPL, right?

That's a good question. I'm actually not entirely sure since I don't use VMC's. Speaking of which how is the compatibility with those things? I've been thinking about backing up all my saves and making the switch to VMC's but I've been reluctant because of the nagging thought that it would only work with half of my PS2 collection.

[d123456]

OPL rulez, thanks for the update.
I believe you can also integrate GSM for 480p forcing and ps2rd for Wide screen hacks now, to make your own HD remakes.

Yes that's another good feature I forgot to mention (I use my PS2 on my SDTV so I don't use it. Hence the reason I forgot).

But I think if I install this I will have to reassign all the VMC´s again to my games on the internal HDD in OPL, right?

That's a good question. I'm actually not entirely sure since I don't use VMC's. Speaking of which how is the compatibility with those things? I've been thinking about backing up all my saves and making the switch to VMC's but I've been reluctant because of the nagging thought that it would only work with half of my PS2 collection.

I´d carefully guestimate about 90% works with VMC. Just try it, if after a while there are no problems I would say it will keep working, but it is always less reliable. But you can also download saves from gamefaqs for instance and use those if you ever lose anything

[D.D.D.]

This can be used with a HDD for internal or external HDD loading, right?

[LentFilms]

I´d carefully guestimate about 90% works with VMC. Just try it, if after a while there are no problems I would say it will keep working, but it is always less reliable. But you can also download saves from gamefaqs for instance and use those if you ever lose anything

Thanks for the info! I'll try and fiddle with this as soon as I get the chance.

This can be used with a HDD for internal or external HDD loading, right?

It can work for both (also SMB). However your definitely going to want use internal if you have that option since the PS2's USB ports are only 1.1. Resulting in choppy cutscene's, long load time and over all less compatibility.

[D.D.D.]

This can be used with a HDD for internal or external HDD loading, right?

It can work for both (also SMB). However your definitely going to want use internal if you have that option since the PS2's USB ports are only 1.1. Resulting in choppy cutscene's, long load time and over all less compatibility.

Okay, so since my PS2 is a slim w/chip, I guess to take advantage of HDD loading, just go get a used phat PS2 w/HDD adapter and LAN adapter. Any particulars to get or avoid??

[jinn]

@D.D.D
Which version slim do you have?

Right now I'm trying to get a hold of a 70000 series slim so I can perform an IDE and SATA mod.
This will allow to use an external HDD with eSATA.

[kiteJargon]

I was running this setup for a while by dumping my games onto my computer's HDD and running them over LAN. This is a godlike setup which certain games took to running buttery smooth and others like laggy turd buckets. OPL is amazing though any way you slice it.