[charlie_ps2]

G

This is definitive. It is a v5 if you run your finger on the top inside edge of the expansion bay. if there are three screwws, two on the plate and one recessed in a flange it's a v5. If not, it's a v4.

If it's a v5, then the NEO2.2 cannot boot DVD-Rs. Finished. You'll need the Origachip or the Messiah.

If it's a v4, then it gets complicated because somme versions of AR2/v2 work with DVD-Rs others don't and there is a version (I've forgotten) of AR2/1.9x that boots DVD-Rs by the method to which Argo referred you.

Whether you have a v4 or a v5, I strongly advise you to dump the NEO2.2 and go for one of the two chips I've mentioned. DBD-R booting is much easier (Origa = single swap, Messiah = No Swap).