Guides to jumpstart your Retrogaming lifestyle
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CRTGAMER
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Wii Key - Gamecube SD Gecko - PS2 HDAdvance/HDloader Guide

by CRTGAMER Fri Oct 15, 2010 10:38 pm

Wii Key - Gamecube SD Gecko
PS2 HDAdvance/HDloader Guide


PS2 Hard Drive Guide is in the second Reply below.


A more convenient way to play your games, Homebrews and EMUs using other forms of Media. These are "Soft Mod" so there is no Mod Chip with the risks of soldering associated with it. Last generation consoles are the pinnacle of modding. The most powerful consoles with mods that cannot be disabled by an online update.

This OP will deal with the Game Cube, I'll follow up with the PS2 in the second post.

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Wii - GAMECUBE Gecko SD Card Guide

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CRTGAMER wrote:SD Gaming is so simple

1. Copy DOL Game files from the PC to a 2gb SD Card.
2. Pop the SD Card Wii Key/Gecko adaptor into the memory port.
3. Run SD Media Launcher from one of the three Code Junkies discs.
4. Select a Game, Emu or Utility off the SD Card, Compact SD Gaming!

Below is what you need to play Games, Homebrew and EMUs in a SD Memory Card.

Action Replay or SD Media Launcher

The older Action Replay is hard to find but you can get the latest AR direct from Code Junkies.
http://us.codejunkies.com/Products/GCN-Action-Replay---USA___EF000194.aspx

The newer Action Replay does not allow code entry but almost all games are already in. It includes Freeloader to run import games. An undocumented feature , SD Media Launcher pops up when a SD Memory Card is detected with a Gecko or Wii Key Card. The Older Action Replay does not include SD Media Launcher, but uses the better SDLoad program.

The older rare Action Replay allows code entry and is very hard to find especially with AR memory card. Older AR won't run without AR card. AR cards are notorious for failing during code entry, make a backup of the AR file on genuine Gamecube memory card.

The older code entry capable Action Replay

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Newer no code entry Action Replay with hidden SD Media Launcher
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SD Media Launcher, SD Card Adapter, the disc is behind the label
http://uk.codejunkies.com/Products/GameCubeWii-SD-Media-Launcher__EF000580.aspx

SD Media Launcher Manual: http://www.datelcustomerservice.com/pro ... uncher.pdf
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SD Wii Key Gecko Card - Media Launcher Adapter
The Gamecube memory card is similar internally but not exactly the same as a SD memory card. The Gecko is a simple adapter to allow using regular SD memory cards.

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SD Memory Card
2gb limit. The SDHC 4gb and above can be made to work but are tricky. You will need the 2gb or smaller for the initial boot. I'll cover SDHC cards later at the bottom of this Guide.
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Putting the pieces together
We'll go with the newer Action Replay and SD Media Launcher first.

Format the SD card with a FAT16 filesystem (FAT12 and FAT32 are not supported).

Fill your SD card up with whatever Homebrews and EMUs of your choosing from the PC. Your discretion of what DOL files to install on the SD card. Plug the Gecko card or the Media Launcher Adapter with your 2gb or less SD card into either memory slot. Slot 2 is better, so slot one is free for the regular memory card saves. Loadup either SD Media Launcher or Action Replay. AR will default to SD Media Launcher if it detects the SD Card. Choose your DOL file from the memory card and enjoy!

The older hard to find Action Replay

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A better boot source, handles some of the more tricky DOL files.

Preparing a SD card from Windows, you'll have to Google the two files and download.

This procedure assumes that F: is the drive letter associated with your computer SD card reader.

Download SDPATCH,EXE and SDLOADER.BIN from your Google search.

Format the SD card with a FAT16 filesystem (FAT12 and FAT32 are not supported).

Run SDPATCH.EXE F:\
Note which drive label is the SD Card as in F:

Copy SDLOADER.BIN to the root directory of the SD card.

The SD Memory Card is now compatible with all versions of Action Replays and SD Media Launcher. Add DOL Games, Homebrews and EMUs of your choosing.

On to the fun part, the dreaded older Action Replay code entry.

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CRTGAMER wrote:Be sure to have a Gamecube Memory card plugged in with the AR file. You will need the GC memory card to save this long code entry. Run Action Replay in the Gamecube and Select Action Replay Codes. Select the USA flag.

Select -- ADD NEW GAME--
It is the first entry in the code list window.
Enter SDLOAD and push the done key in the on-screen keyboard. Use uppercase letters for SDLOAD.

Enter (m) as the code name, and push the done key in the on-screen keyboard
Enter the following code, and push the done key in the on-screen keyboard

7YPR-RKZZ-MH6W5
D26A-PE4J-1XX2W
ZJHY-B1ZH-6P00G


Select -- ADD NEW CODE --
Enter SDLOAD again and push the done key in the on-screen keyboard Again, use uppercase letters for SDLOAD.

BE CAREFUL, ONE WRONG ENTRY MEANS STARTING ALL OVER!

Enter the following code, and push the done key in the on-screen keyboard

AF4H-JPF5-H1B5J
MVAB-7TQE-ABZPB
V2CK-QQ1A-Y6P72
M5N6-CMMH-9EURT
0JFM-3A6C-VZ6VK
KYV8-0JGV-0GR1N
2EGU-HVKF-NDMCN
7AH0-J9JZ-HHGNJ
4MHU-G8XT-ZRYCJ
9474-KF41-8KG34
QMEV-G90N-A8RV0
KD4G-5QHV-74D46
V97K-652Q-Y4TEY
6M4W-9GPT-E99NG
QPFY-DJAF-E01FV
2Z6E-P2WY-24WV4
6NHW-G3NH-HP31Y
A2KF-MCKN-D645J
K5V8-EF9W-7GFQC
XTU3-269T-VH5NE
H9GP-C4PP-6FGF9
HF77-R45C-ZXPDV
22Y3-D98C-50AJM
WTWZ-EC88-U5ZTV
36G1-UGDG-J2G84
DUMT-15KR-DXJ8K
JV55-6VF5-2Z02T
D4R8-MVJ5-QGR21
1G3C-APD7-1CUVD


Select the code named SDLOAD in the code list window, and press the A button to enable it

The check box next to the code name should be filled when the code is enabled. Note that many versions of Action Replay contain a bug that will keep newly entered codes disabled. Make sure that the code remains enabled after a reboot.

Be sure the SD Gecko card is in GC memory slot 2!
Choose SDLOAD from Action Replay menu then after load select your DOL file and enjoy!

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Running GC games in a SD Card
With SD Card in the PC, create a GCGAMES folder. Use GCM-UTILITY0.5 to reduce your backed up Gamecube ISO or GCM file. Dump the file in the SD Card GCGAMES folder. Plug back in the Gamecube and run from SDBoot.

Use of SDHC 4gb and Larger
To use larger SDHC memory be sure to have SDBoot version 4 in the 2gb card. Load that first, then in turn read a larger SDHC memory card. You can hot swap the memory cards after a read is complete or have another SD Gecko card in the other GC memory slot.

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Action Replay - SD Media Manager - Free Loader
All three of these discs by Code Junkies have the same programs! The Action Replay section is disabled in Freeloader and SD Media Launcher, but the other two programs work in all three discs. SD Media Launcher automatically boots up if a SD Gecko Card is detected in the memory port. The SD Media Launcher is not in the older Code Entry Action Replay.

Older Action Replay on the left, the newer Action Replay on the right. The older AR labeled disc has the advantage of Code Entry and running PAL games correctly converted on a NTSC Gamecube.

PAL Doshin The Giant on NTSC: viewtopic.php?f=2&p=537000#p537000

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SD Media Launcher includes a SD Memory Card adaptor, compatible with homebrew.

SD Media Launcher.jpg
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Backing up Game Saves to SD Card

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The Wii can easily transfer game saves between internal memory and a SD Card for non locked saves. The Gamecube can transfer files between two Gamecube memory cards, but not to a SD Card without the right Memory Transfer Tool. Use a 2gb or less SD Card to avoid Gamecube read issues. Place the SD Card in your PC reader/writer.

Note that folders in the SD Card are created without Capital Letters.

1. Download GCMM.DOL.
2. Copy GCMM.DOL into the root of the SD Card
3. Create a folder mcbackup
4. Copy any game saves to \mcbackup
5. For the Wii the files should be in \apps

There is an older game save utility called MCBACKUP.DOL. It works but GCMM.DOL is much easier to use. Any backup game saves will be in the \mcbackup folder. You can download Gamecube game save .GCI files, a great way to get unlocked levels of game saves. The original Action Replay save file can also be downloaded, needed for the Code Entry Action Replay disc to work.

Remove the SD Card from the PC and bootup with the SD Gecko method of your choice. Run GCMM.DOL.

Gamecube: Press X to restore a game save and Y to backup a save.
Wii: Press + to restore a game save and - to backup a save.
http://code.google.com/p/gcmm/
http://wiibrew.org/wiki/GCMM
http://playground.ultimateamiga.co.uk/i ... ic=11474.0


GCMM
A GameCube/Wii application to manage Gamecube memory cards


Wii/GameCube memory card manager is a project which has evolved from the mcbackup example back on 2006. That example was intended to backup gamesaves over network and Akot added SD card support (through the SD gecko adapter) on 2007. In early 2008 justb and dsbomb rebaptized the project to it's current name, added support for savegame deleting, showing the savegames information and developed a nice GUI for it.

Now, here is GCMM, ported to Wii and libfat. More important, mcbackup has never correctly restored the savegames, though it may sometimes work, it seems to be pure luck. This has been fixed. Enjoy.

Features:
-Backup savegames to front SD (Wii) or SD Gecko (Gamecube) in GCI format.
-Restore .GCI save games to memory card.
-Delete save games.

CRTGAMER wrote:Wii Game Save Naming Structure
Note that Wii game saves have a strange naming structure in the game saves when viewed on the PC. The save files do not have regular labels. For example Mario Galaxy game save will be labeled as RMGE.

The code breakdown:

R - Wii
M - Mario
G - Galaxy
E - English

Wii Code List: http://www.wiisave.com/gamecodes/

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Retro Game Emulation using a SD Card
Playing Retro games on an original console is always preferred to get the real feel of the game with authentic controls, video and sounds. However, Emulation offers convenience of saving space and storing multiple games on one CD or Memory card. Handy in changing games off a Menu with a simple press of a button vs digging out another game cart. How many can afford, let alone find a rare game cart or beta released game to play in its native format?

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Once you setup your SD Card for booting with SDBoot or going the SD Media Manager route, it is very easy to add an Emulator for older consoles. NES, Gameboy, Sega Master, TurboGrafx 16, Genesis, SNES and even N64 games can be emulated.

SNES9XGX

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I'll cover SNES emulation, other emulators install similar. Really there is not much to it. Use a 2gb or less SD Memory card to avoid read issues. Pop the SD Card into your PC reader/writer. Download SNES9XGX.DOL and SNES game roms. The Wii and Gamecube have different SNES EMU versions, optimized for each console.

Note that folders in the SD Card are created without Capital Letters.

1. Copy SNES9XGX.DOL into the root of the SD Card
2. Create a snes9xgx folder
3. Under \snes9xgx create a folder roms
4. Under \snes9xgx create a folder saves
5. Under \snes9xgx create a folder cheats
6. Copy SNES game Roms into \snes9xgx\roms
7. The saves folder is for SNES game save files
8. The cheats folder is for SNES cheats
9. For the Wii the files should be in apps\snes9xgx

Remove the SD Card from the PC and bootup with the SD Gecko method of your choice. Find SNES9XGX.DOL in the root directory and click A on the Gamecube controller. A menu will appear with a list of game roms that you installed in the SD Card roms folder. Select your game with the DPad or stick, pushing right or left pages up or down. The SNES games can be played with the Analog Stick or DPad. To get back to the SNES Menu and select another game, simply push left on the C Stick :mrgreen:

An easy label solution
A 2gb SD Card can hold the Emulator and many many game roms. Amazing how a little memory chip can hold so much compared to the physical size of just one game cart. There is a small risk of adding a sticker label to the SD Card. It might make the card too thick and cause problems in a tight memory slot. I found it is easier to just print a small Console Icon on paper and place the cutout right in the SD Card plastic case. 8)

Hundreds of Game carts on a SD Memory Card! :shock:

SD Gecko Wii Key.jpg
SD Gecko Wii Key.jpg (120.78 KiB) Viewed 83623 times

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GCOS
There is also GCOS.DOL which allows running your Gamecube Imports and backup discs. It can be downloaded and installed to the SD Card. After GCOS.DOL is booted up, swap in the import or a mini DVDR. Note that full sized less costly DVDRs will only work with a modded Gamecube top. The disc reader does not utilize all the space on the DVDR, just the inner part as in a regular Gamecube disc.

References
http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/SDload
http://wiki.scorpei.com/index.php/SD-Boot_compatibility_list
http://wiki.gbatemp.net/wiki/Gamecube_Backup_Launcher_Compatibility_List
Attachments
GC OS.jpg
GC OS.jpg (71.3 KiB) Viewed 100202 times
Last edited by CRTGAMER on Wed Apr 22, 2015 9:34 pm, edited 71 times in total.
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CRT vs LCD - Hardware Mods - HDAdvance - Custom Controllers - Game Storage - Wii Gamecube and other Guides:
CRTGAMER Guides in Board Guides Index: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1109425#p1109425

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CRTGAMER
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Re: Gamecube and PS2 Mod Guide: Alternate Media

by CRTGAMER Fri Oct 15, 2010 10:38 pm

PS2 HARD DRIVE HDAdvance/HDLoader Guide
The best way to play PS2 games, off a convenient menu driven fast hard Drive in a Fat PS2.

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HDAdvance/HDloader will install and run your PS2 games from a convenient hard drive inside your PS2. After install, put those valuable games away in a safe place, play off the installed game on the hard drive. One downfall is that online gaming does not work on the installed games. But the main advantage is games now run off a menu driven hard drive and load a lot faster. You can also install Import games, without having to solder in a Mod Chip.

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PS1 games cannot be installed to the Hard Drive, only PS2 games. The regular functions of the PS2 such as DVD player and PS1 and PS2 disc games work as normal. It is better to save the mileage of the PS2 laser by installing the PS2 games, using a regular DVD player for movies and playing PS1 games on a PS1 console.

Note that there is also a USB Advance method for the PS2 Slim, however the transfer rate is slower. Not sure about online installed games capabilities in the USB situation.

PS2 Fat with Network Adapter and Hard Drive
PC IDE or PATA hard drives will work. Officially 120gb or less. I have a Maxtor 200gb and 250gb no problem. Western digitals do have connector alignment issues, easily fixed by trimming or removing the network adapter plate. Make sure the hard drive is set to Master jumper before putting in PS2. In case of a loose fit in the drive bay, Leave the PS2 flat, not standing on end to avoid the drive slipping off the connector inside.

Here is a Hard Drive Compatibility List:
http://ps2drives.x-pec.com/?p=list


Hard drive plugs right into the Network Adapter, IDE and Power connectors can shift to fit.
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You can trim or remove the metal plate for additional connector shift clearance.

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Slide hard drive and Network Adapter in the bay. Watch that the network adaptor lines up with the serial connections. Tighten screws with a coin.
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CRTGAMER wrote:The PS2 Network Adapter is a modders salvation, lucky it became so popular for online gaming. So easy to add a hard drive and even swap hard drives if one desires. Only tool needed is just a screwdriver or even a coin to loosen just two screws. How many other consoles or PCs are this simple?

HDAdvance/HDLoader
Commercially there is HDAdvance CD and DVD, no Mod Chip needed and works with an internal hard drive. The newer hard drive install program is HDLoader 8b+ which allows the entire dual layer 8gb God of War to run off the internal hard drive. HDAdvance direct PS2 game installs are slow but the offset is you don't waste time creating temporary ISO's of your PS2 games on the PC. Plus no hassles of moving that internal drive between PS2 and PC. DVD-9 games have to be backed up first on the hard drive, I'll cover that below.

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Simplest way is utilizing HDAdvance which is an older commercial release of HDLoader. Comes with a DVD HDadvance to install PS2 DVD games. Also with a second CD HDAdvance to install PS2 CD games. The reason for the two types is to match the TOC size. HDAdvance and HDLoader on the Fat PS2 setup will automatically format your Hard Drive when first installed. You know the hard drive is running, a yellow light appears in the bottom front whenever the hard drive is accessed. Bet you never knew the PS2 had a yellow light, in this case a good thing!

Simply select Convert or Install in the right hand column and place your game disc in the PS2 Tray when prompted.

Of note when installing games or renaming game files. Each game title has to have a unique name in the FIRST eight characters.

For example this will work, notice the number 2 is alphanumerically above the letter D.
DDRMax 2 Dance Revolution
DDRMax Dance Revolution

This won't work, first eight characters are identical. An error will occur.
Dance Revolution DDRMax
Dance Revolution DDRMax 2

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Leave the hard drive inside that PS2 Fat permanently. Removing and plugging into a PC for game installs is just giving more headaches, with drive errors or not being recognized. The internal install PS2 reliable method is slow but not bad. It will install a full 4gb DVD game in about 20 minutes. Less full DVDs even quicker, a CD in about 3 minutes. Takes longer to swap and configure drives going the PC nightmare.

Another undocumented advantage of HDAvance. Reports any errors during the install of your game. A great way for verifying ever bit and sector of used purchases! Better this way then discovering an error later during a level load lockup.

Free MCBoot
An exploit that allows booting of HDLoader with your memory card. Install using either your PC, Action Replay or ULAUNCH.ELF. There are some Racketboy members here who can set up your memory card. This does not allow a normal HDLoader style of direct install of PS2 CD games. The PS2 CD games can sometimes be installed thru the PC hard drive as backup ISOs. However, this does not work for every CD based game though.

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Exhuminator wrote:Okay, great, now I have a 50hz PAL PS2 game that's not gonna run on my USA PS2 nor be compatible with my NTSC CRT TV. So I make an ISO of Everblue's CD. I use a special software tool to patch the ISO's video header to support the NTSC refresh rate, with a Y offset of -48 to compensate for screen re-centering. But now I'm stuck with a CD image that's not compatible with Free McBoot. So I had to convert the CD image into a DVD image, not a simple task, considering I had to completely reconstruct the file layouts and sector mapping, etc. But, I did it, and the CD ISO became a DVD ISO. Next, I had to patch the DVD ISO to support Free McBoot. And lastly burn the image to a DVD.
emwearz wrote:http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=29221

Just a quick video I put together about playing original imports via FMCB.
I am sure this will be helpful to a few people.

Image Playing PS2 Imports via Softmod (FMCB) Tutorial

DVD-9 games such as God of War
Backup your dual layer DVD-9 games to the PC Hard Drive. Create an ISO file. Attach the PS2 to your PC with a Cat 6 crossover cable. Run HDAdvance 3.0 while holding any controller button in port one to go to Ethernet mode.

Troublesome CD games such as Half Life that will not install thru HDAdvance can also be installed by the PC backed up ISO method.

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In the PC, go to Control Panel\Networks
Set the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
IP Address - 192.168.1.111
Subnet Mask - 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway - leave blank
If the IP Address doesn't work, try changing the last 3 digit number to 110 or 112.

CRTGAMER wrote:Use HDL DUMB 7.3, newer versions may not support larger hard drives.

Run HDLDUMB in your PC. Transfer your DVD-9 ISO files to your PS2 Hard Drive. Or you can use WINHIIP if you want to temporarily connect the PS2 drive inside your PC as a D drive. There has been problems going this route in getting the PC to recognize the PS2 formatted drive.

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HDLoader can be ran from FreeMCBoot or HdAdvance. HDAdvance 2.0 loads 3.0 installs just fine.
HDLoader 8b+ can run God of War 1 and 2 as well as other tricky to run games and has different boot options.

For hard to load games, highlight the game and press select. Older versions of HDAdvance/HDLoader only have three modes that can be enabled. Usually enabling one or more may get that tricky game to work.

The newer HDAdvance/HDLoader has additional modes by pressing SELECT on your game controller.
I listed HDAdvance and HDLoader separate. Both are the same functions, worded slightly different.

HDAdvance Modes.jpg
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HDAdvance 3.0 Modes
Press SELECT on the controller

1. Slow HDD access: As known as Mode1 for HDAdvance 2.0. Enable slower HDD access. Passes data from the HDD slower for games that rely on the speed of the data is coming from the CD- DVD.

2. Disable DVD9 support: As known as Mode2 for HDAdvance 2.0. This this use to enable/disable the DVD9 games supports.

3. Kill HDA after launch: As known as Mode3 for HDAdvance 2.0. Remove the Loader from the memory after the game is patched. Some games flush the location where the loader is (because some cheat programs use the same location), and if after that the game resets the IOP (when the loader kicks in to patch stuff) and the system is still patched to enter the loader it crashes.

4. Date/timefix 2: This option is use to fix those games with Date/Time error when playing with HDAdvance.

5. Date/timefix 3: This option is use to fix those games with Date/Time error when playing with HDAdvance.

6. Disable network support: Some games has network supports for online playing and may having trouble when loading with HDAdvance, this option is use to disable network support of the game

7. Disable UAB patch: Enable/Disable if you having problem to start games from HDAdvance.

8. Soul Calibur2: Enable supports for “Soul Calibur2

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HDLoader 8.0 Modes
Press SELECT on the controller

1: Slow hdd acess = MODE 1
This mode slows the hdd access to the the speed of disc transfer

2: Disable DVD9 support = MODE 2
This mode disable hdloader support to dvd 9 games and might work with some games.

3: Kill hdl = MODE 3
This mode will kill the hdl so it doesnt run in ps2 memory and making the ps2 think that the is being run from CD or DVD.

4: Date and time fixes 2
There was a problem with some games while saving so lets say this option is a gem and fixes that.

4: Date and time fixes 3
There was a problem with some games while saving so lets say this option is a gem and fixes that.

6: Disable network adapter /network support
Like the name say disable so it disable,s network adapter /disable networking b/w pc lan line.

7: CzC patches
These are number of fixes for hdloader by the great hacker Crazy C, fixes Shadow of Colossus and other games.

8: Soul Calibur 2 and Suikoden V patches
These are game fixes on HDLoader for those games.

There are even custom Splash Screens and Backgrounds you can patch in.

Install Imports and Backups
For Import games or Backup CDRs and DVDRs to install, you need either a Slide Tool or Flip Top. Basically you are bypassing that eject disc region boot detection. The Flip Top is less risk of damage over the Slide Tool and very convenient as another way to change discs. The Flip Top is a whole new top cover replacement, Gamebit Tool is not needed to swap that top cover. Be careful with when using a Flip Top, wait for a prompt before opening that lid!

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Be sure to match your part number to the right Flip Top version. Instructions in the attachment below.
Go Cyber Shop wrote:http://www.gocybershop.ca/customer/product.php?productid=153&cat=191&page=2

The version 1, 2 and 3 PlayStation 2 all have 10 screws on the bottom of the unit.
SCPH30001 v1 = Serial# begins U1
SCPH30001 v2 = Serial# begins U0
SCPH30001 v3 = Serial# begins U1 Date 1A
SCPH30001 v3 = Serial# begins U2 Date 0D
The version 4, 5, 6 and 7 PlayStation 2 all have 8 screws on the bottom of the unit. The 4 and 5 also have the electrical warning stamped on the bottom of the PlayStation 2 case.
SCPH 30001 v4 = Serial# begins with U0
SCPH 30001 v4 = Serial# begins with U1
SCPH 30001 v4 = Serial# begins with U2
SCPH 30001 v4 = Serial# begins with U3
SCPH 30001 v4 = Serial# begins with U4
SCPH 30001 v4 = Serial# begins with U5
SCPH 35001 v4 = GT3 Edition
There are 3 different motherboards for the
SCPH30001R - Version 4, 5 and 6
SCPH30001R v5 or v6 Motherboard
SCPH39001 v7SCPH50001 v9 or v10 (open machine and match boad to v9 or v10 diagram)

You can make your own slide tool out of a old credit card.
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To use the tool, the CD Tray cover needs to be removed.
A risk of damage, that's why the Flip Top is the better way to go.

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PPF Patch Games

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Some games will not work with HDAvance/HDLoader or other hard Drive loader programs.

Sometimes a simple change of the SYSTEM.CNF file with a text editor is all thats needed. The game Scarface for example, will not work without a fix. Create an ISO to the hard drive from the game disc. Open the system.cnf with notepad and add a 1 after the SLUS211.11 (1) and then rebuild with your ISO creation program. Burn the ISO to a DVDR and install to the PS2 Hard drive. Boot HDAdvance/HDLoader and with Modes 1-2-3 enabled in the game.

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Another easier method is downloading a PPF PATCH for a particular game and applying it to a disc image with a PPF patch program.
PPF-O-MATIC V3.0

A PPF-Patch is very simple. Just load in a PPF and the corresponding BIN file by clicking on the Floppydisk icons. You can also open an Explorer window, drag and drop a PPF and a BIN file into the PPF-O-MATIC 3.0 window.

After you opened all the necessary files, press the APPLY button. The patch only takes a couple of seconds, now you can burn the ISO to disc and install to the Hard Drive.

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SATA Drives
There are mixed results of using SATA drives with and adaptor. Some adaptors work, but also issues of enough clearance inside the PS2 bay. SATA Drive access speed will be limited by the IDE conversion.
flamepanther wrote:http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=328569#p328569

I got it working! I used an adapter made by PAC Link. Here is the info on the package for anyone who wants to identify it:

Plu# 5983774 RH-SATA-PATA
SATA TO PATA BACKPLANE
ADAPTER FOR IDE DRIVE

Note that while it says it is a "backplane adapter for IDE drive" it is made to connect to a SATA drive, so that it can be used as an IDE drive.

The IDE cable connector and the power connector on this adapter board are very close together, so it will be necessary to either trim something to fit, or remove the power socket and solder power to the board directly.

-Disassemble the network adapter.
-Discard the dial-up modem and speaker.
-The IDE data and power connector boards get pushed back where the modem used to be. File down or remove any risers that get in the way, but no more than you have to.
-The main PCB goes back to its original position.
-The SATA adaptor, connected to the IDE power and data connector boards, goes where the IDE connectors would have been originally.
-Reattach the metal plate that you had to remove to access the internal parts, after making any modifications necessary to accommodate the SATA connector.
Here is a HTML help file in RAR format, thanks flamepanther for the link.
PS2 IDE SATA Adaptor Guide

Note that the IDE and power connectors have to be lined up to fit the Network Adaptor.Image
Some adaptors that won't fit due to alignment or thickness.

SATA Network Adaptor
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/2-5-3-5-sa ... 0000-54329

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There is also a Sata Network Adaptor available. From one of the sale sites:
http://www.game-modchip.com/sony-ps2-ne ... ore=french

Attach your Serial ATA hard disk into PS2 with Network Adaptor and then boot HD Advance on PS2 console.

Support HD Advance 3.0 and up
Support SATA Hard Disk
Support all brand 2.5 HDD up to 1.5TB
Support all brand 3.5 HDD up to 2TB

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I have a preference to HDAvance, a trouble free inexpensive purchase, about the price of one good PS2 game, worth the investment. No patching with ESR routines needed. With both CD and DVD versions included of correct TOC size, a breeze to install both blue CD and DVD games internally direct to the hard drive. Only time I remove HDAdvance disc is if I need use CD HDAdvance disc to install CD games or the DVD HDAdvance disc to install DVD games. For PC transfer use the ethernet crossover way I mentioned earlier. Either type HDAdvance (even 2.0 with a 3.0 install) disc will run either type game already installed. I also have a multi-boot HDLoader 6 up to HDLoader 8c in the Hard Drive for tricky to run games such as DVD9 God of War. Turn on PS2, HDAdvance boots first which then can load if needed, HDLoader as one of the "Game" selections. All my utilities also run off the initial boot of HDAdvance including ULaunch, SNES-GENESIS EMUs, and Home Brew games such Geo Tron.

CRTGAMER wrote:The PSX Guncon Lightgun Adaptor SCPH-5501/SCPH-10130U can also be used as a video splitter for the PS2. Connect Component cables for the HDTV and a small Composite LCD screen at the same time. This is perfect for the PS2 when doing direct hard drive installs. Monitor the install on the small screen while watching TV, jump back to 480p after the install.

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I love collecting original complete games too. This is why I like HDAdvance, to protect my investment with an added convenience. I install the games directly from the original disc straight to the internal hard drive. I then put the complete original games away for safe keeping. The installed games are easily selected from the hard drive menu and load a lot faster.

For an Action Replay unlock solution, I break out the original disc and boot it from Action Replay. The cheated game is then saved as a normal in game save to the memory card. Next time I play, I load the installed game from the hard drive and choose my save file complete with all the unlocks.

When I buy a new game, I simply install to the hard drive, deleting older ones I no longer play. The Original Game Discs are in the shelf ready to reinstall when I want to play a game again years later.
CRTGAMER wrote:http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=396755#p396755

A purchased Ubisoft game I can install to the internal Hard Drive without online authentication, Bah Wa Ha Ha Ha! I love the PS2!


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References
http://ps2.x-pec.com/hdloader/
http://members.cox.net/awoolcott/HDLoaderImportFAQ.htm
http://www.hdadvance.com/hd_advance_how-to-use.htm
http://www.gocybershop.ca/customer/home.php?cat=15


Game Compatibility List.
http://list.sksapps.com/index.php?page=faq_compat_list.html
http://www.absoluteanime.com/hdloader.html?page=0


Older HDAdvance/HDLoader Post.
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=281892#p281892

CRTGAMER wrote:Now is the time to get Game Boy Advance, Gamecube and PS2 titles at Gamestop.
Inexpensive, and a huge Selection. Get them before the the cases and manuals get tossed!
d123456 wrote:Another OPL trick!
After pressing L1, L2, R1, R2, L3, R3 (all six R buttons) at the same time your ps2 will shut down for when it´s that time of the night.

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An important related PS2 item.
CRTGAMER wrote:PS2 case cracking the game disc

Crap! Crap! Crap! Crap! Crap! :x

Okay laugh at my pain and don't make my stupid mistake.

You know how when you remove a movie disc from a case you depress the center? Seems a normal way to remove a disc from the case. Press the center and remove the disc in one action. I forgot something in the older PS2 Sony memory card holder cases.

The center has to be depressed and released BEFORE removing the disc. The center holder has to pop the disc out all the way off. If the disc doesn't pop off, the center has large tabs that will really grab the disc when removing.

In my stupidity I removed the disc like a DVD movie, pressing down the center and pulling the disc at the same time. DVD case and my big paws tug-of-war won and the disc lost. Really didn't take much for that heartbreaking loud crack.

From now on I'm pushing the center, even when replacing a disc back in a PS2 case. PS3 cases are similar, though not as bad.

I take pliers and pinch in the centers of all my Gamecube and DVD movie case disc holders. No more flexed discs from a rigid center. Now the discs pop out easily without fear of cracking the center.

Man this design is worse then the ECO cases. Okay has anyone else done something this foolish?

A Re-Emphasize for the older PS2 memory card cases:
Press and Release the center, BEFORE removing the disc.


I did a "Plier" squeeze affect with my fingers on a few of my tight Gamecube disc holders. Don't care if discs are just loosely held by the hub, cases not going to be shipped to Alaska or placed in a paint shaker, just in the shelf. Games discs slip out easy now. Same principle may work on tight DVD and XBox 360 cases.
Attachments
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Last edited by CRTGAMER on Tue Aug 29, 2017 7:10 pm, edited 149 times in total.
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CRT vs LCD - Hardware Mods - HDAdvance - Custom Controllers - Game Storage - Wii Gamecube and other Guides:
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noiseredux
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Re: Gamecube and PS2 Mod Guide: Alternate Media

by noiseredux Fri Oct 15, 2010 10:44 pm

awesome CRT thanks. I have a hard-modded Cube, but my 2nd Cube I haven't intalled a chip in yet. Maybe I'll soft-mod it using yr guide for the hell of it. :)
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arion
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Re: Gamecube and PS2 Mod Guide: Alternate Media

by arion Fri Oct 15, 2010 11:12 pm

How exactly do you install gamecube discs onto a sd card with gcos ?
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gtmtnbiker
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Re: Gamecube and PS2 Mod Guide: Alternate Media

by gtmtnbiker Sat Oct 16, 2010 12:13 pm

Personally, I wouldn't bother discussing USB Advance. Open PS2 Loader is the replacement that is under very active development. I'll see if I can come up with some PS2 info for you that you can include your page in the next week or so.

Is there any particular reason to be using Costis' SD Loader? I would think that emu_kidid's SD loader is a better option since it's under active development. Is there anything that Costis' loader can do that emu_kidid's cannot?
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arion
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Re: Gamecube and PS2 Mod Guide: Alternate Media

by arion Sat Oct 16, 2010 2:12 pm

Gcos does not run iso files as described however Sdboot does fit the description.

For further information

http://thepurplecube.org/index.php?topic=822.0
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CRTGAMER
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Re: Gamecube and PS2 Mod Guide: Alternate Media

by CRTGAMER Fri Nov 26, 2010 6:46 pm

gtmtnbiker wrote:Personally, I wouldn't bother discussing USB Advance. Open PS2 Loader is the replacement that is under very active development. I'll see if I can come up with some PS2 info for you that you can include your page in the next week or so.

Is there any particular reason to be using Costis' SD Loader? I would think that emu_kidid's SD loader is a better option since it's under active development. Is there anything that Costis' loader can do that emu_kidid's cannot?
Gamecube
Do you mean emu_Kidd's SDBOOT not SDLOAD?
I have pretty good luck running the Costis SDLOAD for some older Homebrew DOL files. Files that will not run with SDBoot or Media Launcher. SDLoad will only work with the older code entry Action Replay as described in the OP.

Most of the time I go straight to a DOL file with SD Media Launcher in the newer Action Replay.

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PS2
I have only have the PS2 Fats because of the better internal drive speed, USB a bottleneck on the PS2 Slims.
Curious about your experience with Open PS2 Loader, how is the access speed?

arion wrote:Gcos does not run iso files as described however Sdboot does fit the description.
Gamecube
Thanks for pointing these out. I corrected the wording in the OP.
SDBoot runs you GC games from the SD Card.
GCOS runs your GC games from the Disc.

PS2
Big update, added more clarification of the different mode settings in HDAdvance/HDLoader.
As in my other guides, I often update the OP and in this case the second post with fresh information.

EDIT
I just discovered this on the PS2 HDAdvance/HDLoader installs!

Of note when installing games or renaming game files. Each game title has to have a unique name in the FIRST eight characters.

For example this will work, note 2 is alphabetically above D.
DDR Max 2 Dance Revolution
DDR Max Dance Revolution

This won't work, first eight characters are identical.
Dance Revolution DDR Max
Dance Revolution DDR Max 2



More PS2 information, instructions on how to install a Flip Top.

Also added SATA information. Thanks flamepanther !
Just added a very nice SATA Mod HTML rar link.
PS2 Network IDE SATA.jpg
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Yes, that is a PS2 Network Adaptor with a SATA connecter. :shock:
The instructions are in the RAR file at the PS2 Hard Drive section.

PS2 Slide Tool Template
Attachments
PS2 Slide Tool Schematic.jpg
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Last edited by CRTGAMER on Fri Mar 09, 2012 8:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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CRT vs LCD - Hardware Mods - HDAdvance - Custom Controllers - Game Storage - Wii Gamecube and other Guides:
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Re: Gamecube and PS2 Mod Guide: Alternate Media

by noiseredux Sun Dec 26, 2010 10:21 am

SD Memory Card
2gb limit. The SDHC 4gb and above can be made to work but are tricky. You will need the 2gb or smaller for the initial boot. I'll cover SDHC cards later.


can you elaborate on this section about using more than 2gb SD cards on the Cube.
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CRTGAMER
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Re: Gamecube and PS2 Mod Guide: Alternate Media

by CRTGAMER Sun Dec 26, 2010 1:36 pm

noiseredux wrote:
SD Memory Card
2gb limit. The SDHC 4gb and above can be made to work but are tricky. You will need the 2gb or smaller for the initial boot. I'll cover SDHC cards later.
can you elaborate on this section about using more than 2gb SD cards on the Cube.

At the bottom of the Gamecube Guide:
CRTGAMER wrote:Use of SDHC 4gb and Larger
To use larger SDHC memory be sure to have SDBoot version 4 in the 2gb card. Load that first, then in turn read a larger SDHC memory card. You can hot swap the memory cards after a read is complete or have another SD Gecko card in the other GC memory slot.

Code Junkies also sells the cheaper SD Media Launcher by itself.
http://us.codejunkies.com/Products/GCNWii-SD-Media-Launcher__EF000589.aspx
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CRT vs LCD - Hardware Mods - HDAdvance - Custom Controllers - Game Storage - Wii Gamecube and other Guides:
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noiseredux
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Re: Gamecube and PS2 Mod Guide: Alternate Media

by noiseredux Sun Dec 26, 2010 2:19 pm

thanks, CRT - missed that.
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