[Help] Loading Games From The PS2 HDD...

The whole situation regarding HDLoader is pretty bizarre, but I'll do my best to explain. The original application is simply called HDLoader, and it used to be available as a pressed disc. That product has indeed since been discontinued.

There is now a new product called HDAdvance, but it is certainly not an improvement on HDLoader. Instead it is just the original HDLoader with the latest patches applied. These patches are also available on the internet, as is the original HDLoader, so there's no advantage to buying HDAdvance.

USB Extreme is, as the name suggests, for users of slimline PS2s who require an external USB hard drive. It isn't compatible with as many games as the patched HDLoader, but if you've got a slimline, you don't have the option to use HDLoader.

The best application to use is the original HDLoader with the latest compatibility patches applied. The way HDLoader patches work is a bit unusual. All the various patches are applied to the original application using a GUI patch program with which you can select the various options to suit your taste, and install an appropriate skin. The patched HDLoader's version number is the version number of the patch program which was used to create it.

The current version is 0.8b and you can find a patched HDLoader at SKSApps. You should also be able to get the original version as well as the patcher application there. It might be worth your while to learn how to patch the HDLoader, so that you can customise the options.

Even thought you could just download an ISO version of the HDLoader and burn it to disc, I don't necessarily recommend that. Some modchips support booting an ELF file directly from the memory card, which is by far the better way to execute HDLoader.

Assuming that HDLoader is properly configured, the CDVD drive should stop spinning as soon as HDLoader has been executed in any case, so you will still be saving wear and tear on your laser.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by BlueBomber

So let me get this straight. HD Loader is still the best, with 0.8B being the latest version so far.

Exactly. What you get when you buy HDAdvance is just the latest HDLoader.

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I remember you trying to explain to me about these ELF files in an earlier thread regarding saves from a flash drive, and I was confused as all hell. It looks like I should buckle down and learn it, though. If I do use these elf files from a memory card, do I not have to use my laser at all? I guess I don't really understand what an elf file really is, and why it's the best method to use.

An Executable and Linkable Format file is simply an application for PS2. Think of it as being the equivalent of a .EXE for PS2 consoles. When using a modchip with your PS2, or the Independance Exploit, it is possible to load and execute .ELF files from the PS2 Memory Card or PS2 HDD. The better modchips can boot the PS2 console directly from either of these devices. The facility to boot an .ELF from the PS2 Memory card or from the PS2 HDD is called DEV1 and DEV2 Boot mode respectively.

I'm pretty certain that the Matrix Infinity, DMS and Modbo chips all support these modes, but there are plenty of cheap chips on the market which do not. I would suggest visiting [URL=http://psx-scene.com/forums/]PSX-Scene[/quote] for help determining which type of chip you've got. Once you find out, you can figure out how to set up a DEV1 Boot.

I wouldn't recommend booting directly into HDLoader though, even if that's possible. I'd recommend you boot into uLaunchELF which is a file manager and Swiss Army Knife for PS2 homebrew applications. You can then launch HDLoader (and any other applications you wish) from the uLaunchELF front end. You can download a bootable uLaunchELF CD image from SKSApps, which you can then use to do the rest of the file management. You can transfer files to your PS2 either via FTP or from a USB flash drive.

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I'm curious to know, because my brothers PS2 is also modded, but his laser just bit the dust. The drive won't spin at all, and if there was a way to get around this then that would be awesome.

Assuming that his modchip supports DEV1 Boot mode, then he should be able to get around this problem. You'd need to use your PS2 to transfer the files onto his memory card, of course. It's important to realise that the PS2 Memory Card is just like any other storage device. Each saved game is simply a folder which is named by the product code of the game in question. There's usually a particular folder on the memory card into which you need to place your files, and a particular button you need to hold while booting. The method varies somewhat from chip to chip.

Sorry if all this sounds complicated. It will soon appear much more simple, after you get some hands-on experience with it all.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I'm so very sorry. Its a terrible shame that this has happened, and I wish there was some way to help you. You should probably check PSX-Scene which I linked to in my previous post for pre-modded systems.

You might still be able to fix your PS, but since I can't see the damage, I don't know if there's any way to fix that up.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.