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CRTGAMER wrote:[b]@ LentFilms - Eventually I might try Open PS2 Loader. For now I am content using a pressed disc of HDAdvance which loads most games just fine. For difficult games I also have the newest HDLoader installed as one of the "games" that loads from HDAdvance. All easily accessed off the hard drive without ever having to eject the tray or dealing with any disc swapping, HDAdvance permanently stays in the disc tray.

You can use HDAdvance/HDLoader if you like, if that's what you want. However, I myself would never recommend it to anyone.

Open PS2 Loader is one (free) elf that you can launch with out any disc, can use virtual memory cards, has overall more compatibility and uses the most up to date PS2SDK.

The flip top as well is out of date, as far as imports are concerned. HDLGameInstaller isn't region locked, so there's no need to mod the top of the console. Heck, even network installation has drastically increased in speed thanks to SP193's work on the new SMAP driver in OPL. I can now install a 3-4gig game now in about 15mins! I don't even bother anymore with DVD drive installs thanks to this.

Though again, you can use HDloader if that's what makes you comfortable, but I hope you now what your missing

LentFilms wrote:Also, despite what many recommend, don't use HDAdvance/HDLoader!
The software is almost a decade old. Use Open PS2 Loader, which is open source and recently got a new update (0.9.2).

Make no mistake, OPL has my highest recommendations.
However, HDLoader is still gets use, occasionally. There are always those few games that cooperate better, such as playing Samurai Shodown VI on SSCollection, or World Heroes Perfect on WHAnthology. On OPL, they just freeze up for me, regardless of settings.

Strange, I thought I heard before in the past that those games ran without issues. Though I don't own any of those games myself...

@ CRT - just give OPL a try. If you end up not liking it (which I don't see how) then no big deal. Just get some one to install FMCB (with OLP) on a memory card for you. The only thing you have to do is insert the memory card before turning the console on. If you end up not liking it, just take the memory card out or format it to remove FMCB.

When I "upgraded" from HDAdvance to OPL, I didn't have to do anything to my hard drive. First time I loaded up OPL it read all my games on the drive and I was able to boot all of them.

So, just give it a try. It's effortless.

LentFilms wrote:Strange, I thought I heard before in the past that those games ran without issues. Though I don't own any of those games myself...

To be clear, the other games on the collection work fine, just not the specific games ON the collection I mentioned (for example, Samurai Shodown IV works fine, only SS6 freezes at load).

But Who knows, maybe it's just the revision of OPL that I use (I think it's around r602, but I'll load up the most recent one sometime and let you know if it's any different).

OPL is great and if you set a hot key To load OPL before loading FMCB games like Vampire Collection won't crash. This should also work for other fighters.

But in all honesty nothing beat say modchip with OPL. You will be able to play PAL games without patching

jinn wrote:OPL is great and if you set a hot key To load OPL before loading FMCB games like Vampire Collection won't crash. This should also work for other fighters.

Yes, I've discovered this as well. It took me forever to realize why it would load sometimes and not others (I often use the hotkey, but sometimes not). And this is actually the only game that I need to do this with, so far...

Even so, Vampire Collection only works from a fresh boot (you can't boot another game on OPL and reset back to play, it has to be the 1st game loaded)...
... but who cares, it only makes me play that much more focused when I fire it up.

necro-bump!

was looking to setup my PS HDD loader again (old unit died a while back), i know it's easier on the laser if you rip from PC but i tend to just use the discs. ive got a swap magic disc with a toploader (not ideal) and a friend left a free mcboot memory card i've got to sort out, but ive had mixed success getting imports to properly load from said HDD Loader: Kenshin & Berserk worked, several others didn't (even trying different modes). just wondering if anyone knew a good resource for PS2 imports (particularly SHMUPs) & compatibility? i used to use stuff on afterdawn but it's been forever

I need to look into this hot key!!! Have few .iso not booting from OPL via HDD. Wonder if this would solve it?

@Irish, would be interested if you find an import compatibility list. I don't think one exist but even if you can find a partial confirmation list, let us know!

What games are not loading for you? I'd like to check against mine if I have it on my hdd.
Loading ulaunch from a hot key fixes a couple games for me, but it usually isn't the problem.

Also remember that some games won't boot if a PS1 (dual shock or not) controller is plugged in.