PS2 Trimming and DD Replacement Discussion (Best PS2 Modchip

[Zero]

Re: Best PS2 Modchip?

I did some google imaging and it is looking like the SCPH-700XX are big motherboards. Meaning the motherboard is about the whole size of the PS2 slim case perhaps there is a small 700XX but I have yet to find it online...

My SCPH-79001 is slightly bigger than a gamecube mobo (as Sony pointed out). You can cut off the edge sticking out (this has been confirmed by some modders from benheck along with Raizer). And of course you can trim the golden edges. My goal is to get one of the dimensions down to 4" or 4.5" at the very most. 4" would mean we could build an Envision sized PS2 portable.

4.5" is very doable, but 4" will be more tricky. Now, this is all in vain if the USB compatibility is bad to the point where you can't enjoy the games :/

Zero, do you know what the IDE points looked like on the older revisions? Was it a long set of female pin connectors? I was just curious if there might be some spots on the 79001 that we could solder to and get a working IDE connection.

EDIT: okay, I just had an idea. The PS2 drive looks small and people online say that mini DVDs work with the disc drive. So what if we KEEP the disc drive, turn it sideways on the back of the portable case, use a modchip, and burn the PS2 games to mini-DVDs allowing for a small portable??? What do you guys think?

Yeah, refer to these pictures for the points you can get IDE from.

As for mini-dvds, it would significantly reduce the number of games that could be played due to space limitations. Even if you could store more than 2.66gb on a dual layer mini-DVD, the PS2's laser is already iffy with dual layers to begin with.

Anyway, I'll test the USB compatibility later tonight and see if it's improved firsthand and if it's good enough for our needs.

 

[Tchay]

Re: Best PS2 Modchip?

Okay best of of luck, Zero.

I found this modchip site. It claims to allow you to run HDloader on your 79001 via memory card. But I'm not sure if it actually replaces the disc drive: http://www.game-chip.com/GM-806HD-1.htm

 

[SonyQrio]

Re: Best PS2 Modchip?

So, I'll be bored this weekend with an oscilloscope, datasheets, a soldering iron, and a few spare PS2 boards.

Would it be worth my time to find an IDE pinout for the SPSH-79001's IO CPU (CXR72680)?

 

[Joeyjoe9876]

Re: Best PS2 Modchip?

being a person who is currently running Freemcboot on his ps2, I can say that usb loading hasn't gotten much better due to the limited reading speeds. most games run decently but most movies (fmvs) are very laggy. Best options for loading are still the disk drive and HDD loading.

edit: I now see that this issue was already addressed in the previous page

 

[SonyQrio]

Re: Best PS2 Modchip?

IDE loading is equivalent speed wise to disk drive loading. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)

 

[Joeyjoe9876]

Re: Best PS2 Modchip?

It can actually be faster, hence the reason for speedhacks that actually slow down the reading speed to fix certain games.

 

[Zero]

Re: Best PS2 Modchip?

IDE loading is equivalent speed wise to disk drive loading. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)

Nope. It's a good amount faster, as you can see during loading screens. It's not an issue for most games, but as joey said, there are patches/modes in HDLoader/OpenPS2Loader that fix it when it does become a problem.

 

[Tchay]

Re: Best PS2 Modchip?

IDE loading is equivalent speed wise to disk drive loading. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)

Nope. It's a good amount faster, as you can see during loading screens. It's not an issue for most games, but as joey said, there are patches/modes in HDLoader/OpenPS2Loader that fix it when it does become a problem.

Did you get around to testing out your PS2?

And I really hate that mini DVDs cant hold more than 2.6GB. It would truly fix our problems to keep the disc drive. IDE sounds great, but the boards are massive and would probably be very hard to trim.

Ugh, I know there is a solution. We just haven't found it yet.

 

[Joeyjoe9876]

Re: Best PS2 Modchip?

we just have to start sanding down PS2s

 

[SonyQrio]

Re: Best PS2 Modchip?

Ah-ah-emm:

Would you like me to use my time to find an IDE pinout for the SPSH-79001's IO CPU (CXR72680)?

It's possible, I'm sure of it.

 

[Tchay]

Re: Best PS2 Modchip?

Have at it Sony. If you think there are IDE pinouts on the small rev mobo then Heck YEAH.

That would certainly be a solution. IDE runs great, and 79001s are the smallest out there.

I've looked at my 79001 but I don't know how to test it or what to look for really. Theres a lot of test points on the board....

 

[Zero]

Re: Best PS2 Modchip?

79001s are the smallest out there.

Nope, 90000s with the built in power supplies are. I just don't know how much it would cost to import one.

Also, I haven't gotten a chance to test it out yet, but joey's post makes me think it really hasn't gotten much better.

 

[Tchay]

Re: Best PS2 Modchip?

79001s are the smallest out there.

Nope, 90000s with the built in power supplies are. I just don't know how much it would cost to import one.

Also, I haven't gotten a chance to test it out yet, but joey's post makes me think it really hasn't gotten much better.

Oh yes! The weird looking ones that have a long sliver for the controller ports. I'll have to snag one of those online.

 

[Mako321]

Re: Best PS2 Modchip?

79001s are the smallest out there.

Nope, 90000s with the built in power supplies are. I just don't know how much it would cost to import one.

Also, I haven't gotten a chance to test it out yet, but joey's post makes me think it really hasn't gotten much better.

Import one? I got mine at gamestop for $20

 

[Ashen]

Re: Best PS2 Modchip?

Whats the dimensions of an uncut 79001 board?

 

[SonyQrio]

Re: Best PS2 Modchip?

Too lazy to get dimensions. About the size of a gamecube motherboard.

 

[Tchay]

Re: Best PS2 Modchip?

Whats the dimensions of an uncut 79001 board?

and here is my concept for trimming a 79001. I have 75% confidence that blue trim can be done (the chunk at the top left has been confirmed to be "snippable"). The bottom left aqua colored circle has a push switch that I think is lid detection. Easilly relocatable I'm sure. The green X is on a chip that I am hoping we can remove (maybe its for normal disc drive or something not needed). And last, the area bordered in green, I assume to be power regulation (aside from the battery which is probably for settings). Power regulation might be removable like on the gamecube. Red trim is theoretical depending on how many tiny components we can remove, 50% confidence in that.

 

[SonyQrio]

Re: Best PS2 Modchip?

I've done some research on what role some of the chips play. The one you X'd is removable.

I'll post my progress later tonight.

Also, are there any better pictures of the PS2 board?

 

[Mako321]

Re: Best PS2 Modchip?

Also, are there any better pictures of the PS2 board?

Look for installation diagrams of modchips, there are bound to be lots.

 

[Tchay]

Re: Best PS2 Modchip?

Sony, that is fantastic.

Eventually, I will remove the ports, get my board flat, and do a high res scan.

And I will inevitably break this board, at which time I will sand it down and do all that jazz I did with the gamecube. Anyone is welcome to beat me to the punch though. I haven't gotten power or AV cords yet.