PS2:FMCB

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Revision as of 10:55, 17 June 2022 by Aphexgothic (talk | contribs) (more info + fleshed out freeDVDboot method)
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Free Memory Card Boot, also known as FreeMCBoot or FMCB, is a method of softmodding the PlayStation 2's memory card to load and install homebrew software on boot. This method, in comparison to modchipping, is not permenant, and easy to install and use. It is incompatible with models SCPH-9xxx, also known as the "Super Slim" models.[1] Every other model of PS2 is compatible with the exploit.

Installing FreeMCBoot

While installing FMCB does not require you to fiddle with internals, it does require the user to find a way to access the PS2's memory card, which has a proprietary connection. There are many methods to install FMCB to a stock card.

Pre-Configured Card

This is, without a doubt, the easiest way to get FMCB- a memory card with the software already installed. You can either buy one from a reputable ebay seller, or ask a friend with a modded PS2 to do it for you. There is no futher setup past this point- just plug in the memory card, turn the PS2 on, and FMCB will boot as normal.

Memory Card Adapter + Windows/Linux PC

This method uses the PS3MCA, an official adapter for PS1/PS2 memory cards that plugs into a standard USB port.[2] It was originally designed for use on the Playstation 3, but can easily be used on any Windows or Linux PC.
Windows

  1. Extract the .rar file found on the download page into your user directory.
  2. Install both "installer_x86" and "installer_x64" from the ps3mca-windrv folder.
  3. Insert the PS3MCA into your PC, and wait for all drivers to load.
  4. Run "mc_format.bat" to format the installed memory card (This will erase all data).
  5. Run either "full-install.bat" (installs FMCB + essential homebrew) or "lite-install.bat" (only installs FMCB and LaunchELF).
  6. Insert the patched memory card into your PS2 and press the power button. If the usual "Tower" boot screen is replaced with the FreeMCBoot logo, the mod is successful.

https://www.ps2-home.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=297

FreeDVDBoot (Disc Exploit)

This is the newest method of installing FMCB to a memory card, and utilises a backdoor in the PS2's disc authentication chip (also known as the MECHACON) to load a third-party program (in this case LaunchELF is included as an initial program) from a burned DVD-Video.[3] This method is proven to work on many models of the 'slim' PS2, but support for 'fat' PS2s is spotty.[4] This requires a blank DVD-R (preferred as read-only discs put less strain on the laser), a memory card, a DVD burner, and a working disc drive on your PS2. You can also install more homebrew using a supported USB drive.

  1. Check your console's DVD player version. Versions confimed to work with this exploit are 2.10, 2.12 and 3.04. You can find your console's DVD player version on the options menu of the PS2 BIOS (Triangle).
  2. Download the ISO from ps2-home or github.
  3. Burn the ISO to a fresh DVD-R. Make sure to burn at a low speed, and enable the "finalise disc" option if you are using IMGBurn. If no errors or faults pop up during the process, the DVD has been successfully burned.
  4. Set your console's language to English. This can be changed in System Configuration on the PS2 BIOS.
  5. Insert the disc into the console. After reading the disc, uLaunchElf will boot after a few seconds.
  6. To install FMCB, insert a supported USB drive with the FMCB installer. Navigate to the USB drive and launch the program.
  7. Install FMCB to the memory card.

If you cannot use a USB to install FMCB (or just prefer installing everything on one disc), you can create a custom install of FreeDVDBoot with this guide.

  1. ↑ https://www.ps2-home.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1248
  2. ↑ https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/Card_Adapter
  3. ↑ https://cturt.github.io/freedvdboot.html
  4. ↑ https://github.com/CTurt/FreeDVDBoot#phat-consoles
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