NEO2.5 DVD-R Issue

[fenston1]

Just installed my first NEO2.5... Seemed to be easy enough (I'm getting used to doing all of the soldering now!) All originals work fine, all PS2 CDR backups work fine, and all PSX CDR backups work fine. DVD-R backups (I finally recieved my Pioneer DVR-A03, thanks for the advice Charlie!) don't want to boot. Someone said it was due to the version of GS (v2.01). I was informed I must use GS v1.93 to have it work. Anyone have any input? As always, thanks in advance.

[charlie_ps2]

Glad you like the A03. Hope you are using firware 1.65 or later.

Can you refresh us as to your PS2 model? v5? v4?

My advice to people with v5 PS2s is not to bother with NEO2.x but we'll see what you've got before developing that scenario.

[fenston1]

Thanks Charlie.
SCPH 30001R v4. Following the instructions on doing the swap, everything seems to go according to schedule, as far as auto opening and closing the drive, blinking lights, etc. until the second swap. My GS screen shows a graphic of the controller and "Press X" (at the bottom is "O" to return to the main menu) Does firmware 1.65 make a significant difference? (I'm at work now, so I'll have to doublechack when I get home.)

[charlie_ps2]

Firware 1.65 produces more reliable generic burns. Where 1.55 produced indiffeent burning results, 1.65 improves the burn.

Are you copying an original? Which software and which tutorial (although I don't suspect anything amiss here).

[fenston1]

Yes, I've actually backed up a few of my origianals using Prassi. (I like to create a *.GI to my harddrive, then burn it to the DVD-R afterwards.) So far the only one's I've actually burned to DVD-R are GT3 and GTA3. By the way, I just went to Pioneer's site and downloaded Firmware 1.68. I'll update when I get home. All of my burns claim to be "Successful".

[charlie_ps2]

Well I'm fairly sure that with a v4 GS2/2.x doesn't work with DVD-Rs and you need to use 1.9x.

[fenston1]

Just came back to work from lunch and found a PS2 GameShark v1.9 for $39... It was mismarked behind all of the newer v2.01 GS at Toys 'R Us. I guess luck was shining on me today. (If my wife asks me why I got another one, I'll say I wanted her to have one for Valentine's Day... She'll know I'm full of $#!@) Hope this works!

[fenston1]

By the way Charlie, did you download the newer FirmWare for the Pioneer?
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pioneer/CDA/ServiceAndSupport/SelfHelpForIndDet/1,1457,2344,00.html

[charlie_ps2]

Thanks. I've upgraded to 1.68.

Well done onm the GS2/1.9x. I do the same as you going into stores and looking down the back for AR2/1.9x. That's good currency!

Let us know what happens.

[dezza9995]

I have this same problem on my PAL 30003 with AR2 1.71. how did you fix this problem.

[fenston1]

Well, I finally found the culprit. Reading through other threads, I've found that the AR has similar symptoms to the GS... GameShark v1.9 isn't good enough it seems... It won't recognize in my PS2 as a valid disc, but GSv2.01 won't boot up the way the NEO2.5 instructions claim to work... Looking around and making some new contacts, I've acquired a GSv1.93, which should be the answer to all of my DVDr prayers. (Everything else still works perfectly... CDRs: PSX and PS2, and Originals: PSX, PS2 CD and PS2 DVD.) Lots 'o annoying trial and error, Sony protected themselves well this time around! (lol)

[charlie_ps2]

But not the Messiah! v5 doesn't defeat the Messiah (nor the Origachip).

[fenston1]

I think I'll be getting the Origachip (NTSC?) for my next mod. I'm starting to do these more for locals, and would like to find something not so "hit and miss" as my personal unit. It is a learning experience, and that's half the fun anyway... My wife just thinks it costs too much with all of these extra pieces laying around! (lol) I'll just mod some friends that don't need DVDr capability.