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

Ok. I am so confused by these HD programs.

According to the wiki, HD Loader has been discontinued, and a new and improved method called HD Advance is out. It basically acts as a pressed PS2 disc that will load up the interface to select games that are loaded onto your hard drive, right?

I have a modded PS2, so this may all seem kind of unnecessary for me, but I’ve been reading that using this program will still be of benefit as you wont put as much wear on your laser as well as the drastically improved loading times on games. From what I understand, because of the fact that I have a mod chip, I won’t necessarily need the actual retail pressed disc, but just a burned image of the latest version, right?

Here’s my question though. What the hell is the best thing to be using. I’ve been reading about all of these different versions like HD Loader, HD Advance, USBeXtreme, and all of this other whatnot. Out of experience for the people who use it, what should I get? Should I just search for a torrent of the latest HD Advance? Is it pretty easy to install and use? I am confused.

How ya doing, buddy?

Oh. Wow. You are awesome.

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

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.

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. Hell, I don't even know what kind of modchips we both have installed. Time to do some research on the forum of that site you gave me.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Hmm...this is what I ended up finding out after totally disassembling both of the consoles:

Brother's PS2 - v7 (SCPH-39001)
Modchip: MAGIC2 - v2
http://www.china-magic.com/magic2/di...magic2_v12.jpg

My PS2 - v9 (SCPH-50001 3C)
Modchip: U2 ASIA-CG

I don't think that either of those are considered too good, or support that dev1 boot mode, either. I couldn't literally find anything on my U2 Asia chip either. I guess they were both pretty old . Is booting from an .iso my only option, now?

Additional Spam:
oh GOD. I knew I should not have been doing this. I had to dig deeper in my PS2 than I had to in my brothers to figure out what kind of mod chip I had. In the process of putting it back together, I broke the fan plug square off of the motherboard. I am totally and completely fucked now, aren't I. Two completely broken/useless PS2's. Wow.

OK. GOD I'M PISSED BUT WHATEVER. I think I might just straight up get a whole new modded PS2, if this thing is unfixable. Does anybody know of any good deals that come with the chip pre installed?

How ya doing, buddy?

Yeah, it sucks. It's my own damn fault though. I just was not being as careful as I should have been. I alays forget how sensitive electrical componnents can be . I've calmed down since then, though (man, I was raging yesterday when it happened).

I'm talking to the guys over at that site, and they say that there should be no reason that I couldn't just solder it back on, but considering I have never used a soldering iron before, I guess we'll have to wait and see. It's already broken right? What do I have to lose by trying?

Also, Do I even NEED the fan? If worse came to worse, could I find an alternative way of cooling the console, whether it be an external fan blowing cool air inside, or anything like that?

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

That's what I originally thought, but they are indeed different models. I was going to take my disk drive and place it into his console, but it wouldn't fit and had different sized cords/ribbons/whatever they're called . I'm gonna swing it over to my uncles hopefully this weekend to try out this soldering thing. WISH ME LUCK.

I was speaking idiomatically.