Slim PS2 with SwapMagic
 

Hay guys, I know there have already been quite a lot of threads about this topic, but they're either outdated or do not help me right here.

So I am planning to get a new PS2 after my old kind of crashed lol so I want to get a slim one this time because they look cooler etc. Now I still have my SwapMagic 3.6 discs and (of course) I want to use them again. I read quite a lot about the fact that SwapMagic works rather fine with the small PS2s but my question is: Is it really that easy to install the tools; I really don't have to open the PS2 in order to get it working with SwapMagic, I just have to place those three tools and that's it? Is SwapMagic with a slim PS2 less annoying than the slidecard shit with the big one?

Thanks in advance for any info ;)

First of all, you should check the state of your old PS2: If it can still boot PS1 games, you should consider putting HDLoader on it, because it's probably the best solution for all your backup and import needs.

Well my old PS2 has already been given away to some guy who seriously wanted to pay 45 € for a non-functional PS2. I heard about that HDLoader thing, but I dunno, I mean, I would have to buy some adapter and a harddisk for that, right?

QFT. It's the only way to fly.

The whole setup to add to my own PS2, that is the adapter and the drive cost me under a hundred bucks and I didn't exactly shop around. It's not cheap, but it is the best thing you can do for a PS2.

The classic PS2 model is actually pretty hard to come by for a decent price now that HDLoader gets really popular. The network adapter isn't that expensive and everyone should have a spare old IDE harddisk lying around (even an old 20 GB model will hold up to 6 games and still load them significantly faster than from an original disc). Also don't forget that the HDLoader installation doesn't involve opening your PS2, it works with an unmodded console and the software itself is free.

If you plan to play backups and imports regularly, HDLoader is more than worth it.

Not so much where I live. I even have a spare.

I want to play imports, thanks to my country.

I have a PAL slim PS2, v14 - swap magic don't play 100% all imports, right? Do modchips? I ask because I plan to import a fair amount of games, and don't want to come across any refusing to load.

As for modding my PS2 - I have no issues with it as there is a store that specialise in console modding and repair in my city.

Swapmagic or modchip, folks?

Alright dude, you can use swap magic on the Slim one but you need to block off some sensors for it to work. The Slim PS2 has some sensors that tell the system when the lid is open so you would have to close those off. I would give you a link to the how to but i haven't read about it in too long to remember the link.

Yeah, you need the "Slimtool" for slimline PS2s. If you have a new 75004, you need the "Slimtool MK2".

I just ordered that Slimtool MK2 thing. Using Swap Magic with the slimline PS2 is much less annoying and difficult than using it with the old, big ones.

Something else... anyone knows whether PS1 backups work with Swap Magic?

I actually thought the cd version of swap magic was for the ps1 games but I was mistaken. I thought I was burning the games wrong and wasted so many disc until I found out that the cd version only plays PS2 cd type games.
You can use a gameshark or action replay disc to boot up ps1 games.

I use the gameshark CD to boot up PS1 games but for some reason you can't skip the stupid ad video. :/

Hey guys, so if I use this PS2 Slim Tool, will it still have to make my PS2 work harder to read the disc? That's ultimately what did my old version PS2 in.

The tool looks amazing, though!

Nah, not with the regular Swap Magic disc. My friend has one called Breaker Pro for playing PS1 games.

As for the tools to mod the PS2, they're very easy. I bought myself a slim PS2 about two months ago, and the Swap Magic disc/tools from a friend, and installed them with almost no trouble. The tool set that my friend gave me had five little plastic tabs in it, but some of them are for older versions of the slim PS2. If you have a slim PS2 that's newer than version 13 (or 12, I forget), then you only need three tools and don't have to open the PS2 at all.

What about original PS1 games? Doesn't say anything in the link given by Musharraf. Also, will I need a separate memory card to save NTSC US games?


EDIT: does swap magic work with dual-layer disc?

you can't use swap magic to play original or backed up ps1 games since its only meant for ps2 games. You'll need some different cd or some cheat cd.

I'm not sure if it will be the same but when i play PAL games on my ps2 both NTSC and PAL games get saved in the same memory card with no problems. I'm sure its the same for you.

Well, of course you can still play original PS1 games with your PS2, doesn't matter whether you use Swap Magic or not.

yeah but you can't use original ps1 imported disc on a ps2 with swap magic

SwapMagic doesn't boot backup/import PS1 games.
For a slimline PS2, you need some kind of tool set to block the sensors. I personally used Twisttool, as it was the only set that was guaranteed to work with ANY model PS2. It works great, the only problem was that I had a heckuva time trying to push the last tool into the slot between the hinge and the metal clip. A word of advice with that, since installation instructions are real sketchy: use a TINY flathead screwdriver and push down in the BACK of the tool.

Yours might go in easier than mine, who knows. All I know is, it took me two freakin' hours to install something that should install in 5 minutes. But good luck.

I like Twisttool better than magickeys or anything like that, because all of Twisttool's stuff is plastic and synthetic material, not metal, so it won't hurt your PS2 if you somehow someway accidentally touch something you aren't supposed to.

If you already have the swapmagic discs, any tool set will be dirt cheap for ya. Mine cost about $6.

Yeah, I had a lot of trouble with the last tool as well. But it eventually fit so that it worked. The only problem is that sometimes, the lid goes up, which isn't bothering me too much, though.

Tape and Tissue method. I don't know if I said it already, but you can open up your system for Sensor C without having to void your warranty by using a blow dryer on the sticker. I had that Magic Tool BS too--and it kept conflicting with the actual door hinge, forcing me to leave the door open in order for the system to be "closed."