I would be grateful if someone with a little more know how, would be kind enough to point me in the right direction with a few questions re: moving toward HDD gaming.
My intention is to remove the need for actual games discs as I have two boys who have just about wrecked every disc they get hold of. A good example is: we are on our second copy of Lego Starwars 2 and we only got it about 3 weeks ago :(
We are fortuntate enough to have a net adapter, a chunky PS2 and I have a 120GB Maxtor that fits a treat! So it's really a case of what else do we need? I have tried to search this out before posting, but when I think I've nearly cracked it, there is some other info that adds to the confusion.
I'd like to know what software we need -
HD Advance or HD Loader?
I have a feeling that it is purely down to preference, but I'd sooner stick with the most popular/widely used.
Dependant on which one we use, is it possible to remove the need for any discs being used after it is initially setup?
I know you need to install the app initially, but is it used everytime you load a game from HD?
If so, is it possible to get around this by using a mem card? This is one of the aspects I picked up on here, but did not really follow it very well.
Sorry for such a lengthy post!
I'd just soomer approach this with guidance from someone a little more quipped to tackle this!
I have some of the smae questions as dekd. Specificly:
"I know you need to install the app initially, but is it used everytime you load a game from HD?
If so, is it possible to get around this by using a mem card? "
Every time I turn on the PS2, I'd need to boot with HD Advance (or HD Loader) first?
Note:I already own a commercially purchaed version of Swap Magic, so am I correct that I could instead boot with Swap Magic, then swap in a version of HD Advance that was a backup, then play games from the hard drive?
Also, I've read that you can use a memory card exploit that will allow you to boot, but some porgrams don't like being BOOT.ELF - will Hd Advance work from the memory card?
HD advance and HDLoader are the same. Except HDLoaders free :) and aparently the latest patched versions are more cmpoatible etc.
But u will need to either have a way to play back up games on your ps2, or exploit someway to you memory card.
Quote:I know you need to install the app initially, but is it used everytime you load a game from HD?
Well yes, when hdloader loads up it shows a list of games on your hdd etc, you have to get to this list to open the game up.
Quote:If so, is it possible to get around this by using a mem card? This is one of the aspects I picked up on here, but did not really follow it very well.
Yes u can stick hdloader onto you memcard, but u need a way to install it onto your memory card, either by playing backup cd's,. Then once it is on your mem card, u will need a ps1 game no matter what to play the exploit.
The easiest way for you will be hdadvance...
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Quote:Every time I turn on the PS2, I'd need to boot with HD Advance (or HD Loader) first?
You only need to boot with one of them Either loader or advance...
Quote:Note:I already own a commercially purchaed version of Swap Magic, so am I correct that I could instead boot with Swap Magic, then swap in a version of HD Advance that was a backup, then play games from the hard drive?
Yip that should work.
Quote:Also, I've read that you can use a memory card exploit that will allow you to boot, but some porgrams don't like being BOOT.ELF - will Hd Advance work from the memory card?
You can stick HDloader onto your memory card, but it can get quite tricky on how to do it if you dont know what you are doing...
