5. Q. What modchip should I get?
A. Matrix Infinity (Green Dot), DMS 4 Pro SE, or the Crystal Chip 1.1. The DMS 4 Pro SE has a HD Loader built into the flash and all the feature's you'd expect from a quality modchip, I recommend the DMS 4 SE Pro, because it has a 2MB flash built into the chip, and it's only about $10 more than the DMS 4 SE Lite. If you're interested in playing games off a HD, take a look at the DMS 4 Pro SE.
http://www.dms3.com/dms4se/features.html
The Matrix Infinity is the grandfather of auto boot modchips. It was the first modchip to auto boot backups/imports with no swapping/resetting. It's feature packed and simple to use. Matrix Chips are probably a little more durable than the other two, and extremely reliable. There are a lot of Matrix Infinity clones out there, make sure you order from one of the reputable installers listed in this thread.
http://www.infinitymod.com/cgi-bin/matrix/site.pl?page=chip_infinity
The Crystal Chip 1.1 is the latest contender to graduate to the top flight chip category. It is feature packed, simple to use, and effective. The CC auto patches DNA ID's so you'd never need to bother with Windip, Winimage, or Disc ID Insertor. Definitely recommended if you play your backups online alot. To boot backups/imports the Crystal Chip requires the use of "hacked" firmware. It's simply the official firmware modified so the chip can boot backups and imports. Everyone who uses the CC uses the hacked firmware, so fear not. The only feature that the CC doesn't share with the other two chips is support for cheat devices like ARMAX or Game Shark.
http://teammodders.com/ps2_mc.php?ex=2#31 CC 1.1 Hacked Firmware v.19: http://www.forumconsolas.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1213
I personally have a Matrix Infinity and it works great. I have no regrets as to getting a modchip over Swap Magic. Once you have a quality modchip, you'll never go back to disc swapping again. It cost's a little more in the short term, but think of all the time you'll save rebuilding, shrinking DVD-9 to DVD-5, patching PAL games to NTSC, and the like. If you haven't noticed, most people who have trouble getting games to boot are Swap Magic users. This isn't nearly as frequent a problem for people who have modchips. Just some food for thought.
Note: v.12 PS2's will need a laser fix like the neo fix. This is necessary to keep the laser from burning out.
From KC36330, a professional modder and member of AD:
If your modder didn't install a laser fix then most likely your laser is now on its way out. All V12 PS2's require the laser fix, especially modded consoles. Even a new unmodded slimline v. 12 PS2 can burn the laser out in as little as a few hours of game play.
Laser fix info: http://www.modchip.com/ps2/v12laserfix.htm
Also be wary of this if you have a v.9 or 10 PS2, you will require what is known as a "Romeo Mod."
From KCC36630:
It's not really a DMS related mod, it is a V9/10 laser issue and is often refereed to by modders as 'Version 9/10 syndrome.'
As is the V9/10 has 12v driving the LA chip which feeds the focus coils for the laser. When scratched or low quality media is used the LA chip will feed a voltage to the focus coils. Anywhere from 0-12v (in an unmodded setup) and this voltage can cause coil burn out, damage to the LA chip from overheating, and even cause the ribbon cable to the laser (coils) to deteriorate which can lead to them shorting together and taking out the LA chip all together. The 'Romeo Mod' removes the 12v feed to the LA chip and replaces it with 5v. this is done by lifting pin 17 on the LA chip completely off the PS2s motherboard and soldering a 30 awg wire to the lifted pin and attaching the wire to any 5v source on the mobo.
One of the first tests on a V9/10 (prior to modding) that i do is to check the coil resistance, it should be 4.5-5 Ω each.
