Well I picked up Splinter Cell today and have good news. In case you don't already know, you can disable your apple by holding reset while booting for about 5 seconds. Here are my results.
Original with normal boot----> Boots fine but get
RSOD when starting a new game.
Original with apple disabled---->Boots fine and starts new game fine.
Backup with normal boot---->Boots fine but get
RSOD when starting a new game.
Backup with apple disabled---->
RSOD. Duh!
I thought no this can't be. The apple is perfect and I am going to proove it.....and I did! I found a loophole.
For booting a backup do a normal boot. When starting a new game if you choose to save, let it save. It will then say saved correctly with the option to hit ok. Simply push X and the open tray button on your ps2 simultaneously. You will now just have a black screen. Let your tray stay open for a second or two then close the tray. Your game now boots perfectly.
Do this same method when starting a new game without saving as well. You will be asked do you want to save. Say no. Then you will be asked are you sure? Highlight yes and hit X and the open tray button simultaneously. Then close your tray after a second or two.
This also must be done when loading a saved game. Just highlight your saved game and hit X and open tray button simultaneously. Then close your tray after a second or two.
I still have no complaints about the apple.
