"Slim" PS-2 Modding reliability.

[retroborg]

Hello,
I was wondering if the new "Slim" PS-2 model, can be modded more easily & if they’re more reliable than the older bulky PS-2 models?
I have modded (for others) up to models 50004 V10-11 which need about 24-25 wires to be soldered on the PCB (depending on the mod chip), but I have not modded anything for almost 2 years mow, so I would like to know if the new "slim" models require less than 20 wires and if it’s more stable / reliable than the older models once it is modded? Also do they need to be soldered on “tricky” spots as they were on the 50004 models?
If it’s easier, I might consider buying a new one just for that task, instead of opening my good old bulky 50004 model.

Any diagrams / links?

Also is it possible to play original imported Japanese PS-2 games on a un-modded PS-2 with the use of a region boot-disc like the Dreamcast. (Or any other similar method)

Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[Angelus]

this is the wrong forum to be asking about modding a console. This is solely a DVD backup site, and console related questions aren't usually allowed.

[retroborg]

I'm sorry.
I know that there are some very knowledgeable people here that might have known the answer.
What is the best forum for posting queries like these?

Thanks in advance.

[Kyoji24]

They are easier to mod but fact is the slim ps2 mod chips burn out the lens a whole lot faster than than the older(bigger) ps2 models. I say stick with the older ones if you can, rather than having to buy a new lens every other month.

[retroborg]

From experience at my previous job, PS-2 modding does not provide 100% reliability / compatibility & wears down the laser (Especially on the 50004 model which I have)

That’s why I turned towards the newer slim models in case they were more reliable systems to mod, but I might end getting Swap Magic & GameShark for the slim model instead. (I don’t like forcing the motorized tray with swap magic on my 50004 model)

How reliable is Swap Magic & GameShark on the Slim PS-2s?
How do they work exactly?
Do you have to install a small springs under the DVD's flip-top mechanism to force it open?

Does it wear down the lens like the mod chips?

And what are their game compatibility / reliability?
Can it play Japanese imports?

Thanks in advance.

[Kyoji24]

They are more reliable seeing that they are software encrypted onto a disc that loads rather than the chip. I say stick with them seeing that your more into the slim ones rather than the chip. Most new slim ps2's have a switch on the front where you push and the top flips up where as you don't have to buy a flip top. Just load the swap magic disc before you put in your burned game and you should be fine. I don't have a slim ps2, I have the earler(bigger) model but my cousin uses the swap magic on his slim ps2 and it works fine for the games that I have made for him.

[retroborg]

The reason I did not like the Swap Magic for my "bulky" 50004 model, is that you use a small credit card / latch thing to pry the DVD door open whilst powered up & then inserting the boot disc. However, that stresses the motor of the DVD lens and that’s something I would like to avoid.

But if it's not the same case for the "Slim" models & you say that Swap Magic is reliable/compatible with all "home made" PS-1/PS-2 on the slim model and even plays imports (Which mostly interests me), then I will be sure to check it out & give the old bulky model to my Mom since she needs a DVD player to watch movies on ;)

Does that apply to GameShark as well?
Are they also Boot discs?
I've heard good things about them.

Thanks for the cool info.

[Kyoji24]

There are boot screens on the swap magic, not to sure for gameshark(didn't use that one much). But you won't have to use the swap card on the newer slim ones cause they have a pop up cover like the flip top. Just load up the disc and you should be fine.

[retroborg]

Hello,
I have a SONY PS-2 Model 39004 and recently I got a mod chip Mars III MA-502 for it.
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/747/chip8qs.jpg

Before I install the chip, I noticed that it’s not mentioned in the diagrams how many times I have to press the reset button in order to change between the PS-1, PS-2, DVD Movie & Original game modes.

The guy at the shop told me that once I successfully install the chip, I turn on the console, insert a disc and do the follow Reset procedures for the different modes:

2 x Reset for:
DVD Movies
Original Games
PS-1 Copies

1 x Reset for:
PS-2 Copies

Are the above reset sequences right, so I can do some proper testing once I install it?
It’s been two years since I installed a mod chip but never this specific one before, so if anybody could tell me how it works exactly before I install it, I would highly appreciate it!
(It would be very frustrating to re-solder everything, only to find that I’m not pressing the reset button the right amount of times)

Thanks in advance.

[rail grinder]

well this post isn't much help but that seems to be a lot of button pressing to load stuff up ... my brother and a buddy of mine have magic 3.1 mod chip clones and i'm not 100% sure but they way they boot their discs are as follows:

ps2 (orignals and backups) -> press power/reset button

ps1, dvds (backups and originals) -> hold power/reset button until blue eject led turns on

with regards to your mod chip, here's something i found on google:
http://www.okokchina.com/product/ToysGamesandSports/GamesandAccessories/VideoGames/Mars-Pro%20MA-502C_0542321235562182.htm

on the other hand i personally just run 95% of my games (orginals and backups) on my unmodded v1 ps2 off a hard drive. games load way faster and the laser rarely gets used at all. but that's a whole different story altogether ...

[retroborg]

Thanks a lot for the link with the reset button info on the Mars Chip!
I really appreciate that!!!

I also found these instructions for anyone interested:
Basically they're the same like the ones you posted.

Operating Instructions for all installed PS2 M-Chip 2 (aka Mars Chip) modchips:

http://www.chipzone.com/installation/playstation2/operating/mchip2op.cfm


Well, it turns out that the Matrix Infinity SE DNS 1011 is a clone of the MATRIX INFINITY ACTEL based IC and it can not be updated!

I noticed in the Matrix Infinity home site that the MATRIX INFINITY ACTEL based
IC is a universal chip and it's supposed to be compatible with all PS-2 Models from V1 - V14!
http://www.infinitymod.com/cgi-bin/matrix/site.pl?page=chip_infinity

That looks very interesting indeed, but is it so?

Would it work perfectly on a V7-V8 39004, on a V9 GH23 5004 and on a Slim PStwo model and would I have to re-adjust the CD/DVD Lens resistance for the V7-8, V9 & Slim PStwo if I install the Matrix Actel Based IC?
I wouldn't want the laser lens to die out after a month. Or has this issue been resolved with the Matrix Infinity chip?

I also found the following chip at a shop:

ACTEL
A545X08A-F
TQ100 0347
F

Is this an older version of the Matrix Actel based IC chip and can it be updated or is it another clone of the Infinity?
It costs 10Euros

Thanks in advance.

[dragongodz]

retroborg - Wilbert already asked you if you realised this is not a games board which should have been a rather huge hi nt not to post about such things. asking about mod chips etc goes way beyond that and has been dealt with before. i even started a thread some time ago because of games topics
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=105697

but really all you have to do is read this sticky
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=57466
and it should be clear that posts that may be related to backing up ps2/xbox games, which mod chips could easily fall in to, should be posted elsewhere.
yes you mention playing imported games aswell but again this is not a games board so that should be asked elsewhere.