Newbie Question

[Slick]

Hey gang,
I have a few questions that I couldnt find posted anywhere else on here.
Firstly how do I know what "version" my PS2 is?
I'm assuming its the SCH....below which I found by booting my system without a disc.
Are any of these what I go by?
Console SCH-35001
Browser 1.20
Cd player 1.20
Ps driver 1.10
Dvd player 1.30u
Secondly I only have a CD-R/RW which is an LG CED-8120b.....am I correct in thinking I could burn some games (the blue ones I believe) with my CD-R/RW?
I will however need a mod chip to play my backups should my original be damaged......
I do own an AR (action replay) version 2.3 I believe which is useful (required)with some chips.

Any personal reccomendations for a mod chip and DVD burner (should I decide to buy one) would be much obliged.
My computer is a P4 2.0ghz
256 ddr ram
if that matters in my burner options.
I hope I included all needed info...........
Thanx

[Oxfam]

I cant answer your other questions as im pretty new to the PS2 too

But you can use your CDRW to make an image of the game on your HD and then take out the disc and put a blank in and then burn the image

The Messiah 2 mods are prolly the best ones around

[mrpatel]

scph-35001 = v4 PS2

as far as dvd burner, members here like the pioneer A04/5, although I don't know about system requirements.

[ottoman]

Yeah, in fact u could go for the pioneer A-06 then u have the choice of using dvd-r or dvd+r.

I think system requirements for dvd writer r something daft like a 266MHz processor or similar so u should be fine.

As for mods, there is only one _ Messiah 2.

Do not be seduced into fitting a cheaper more convenient sounding mod like the no solder mod. Go for the best from the start.

[ottoman]

As for burning ps2 CD's, Yeah, should be no problem.

Software wise, I would use Alcohol120% to copy them although I think Nero does just as good job these days.

A lot of people recomend CloneCD but unless It likes yr CD Burner it can be a bit of a pain in the ass!

Regards

[BG]

I agree with everything these guys said.....

EXCEPT!!!! (You didn't think I was going to go that easy did you )

Get the Pioneer A05.....

No reason to spend the extra money on the A06 when the only difference is the capability of +r/+rw......

You don't need it...... And the discs are higher in price....

[ottoman]

Normally I would agree with u BG but several people on the forum (GURM one of them) claim to have more sucess with dvd+r on version 4 ps2's so can't hurt to have the choice ( except hurting your wallet a bit!)

Regards

[Slick]

Thanx for the quick response guys
Here is what I think I "learned"....
SCH 35001 means I have a version 4 PS2.....don't know how ya got that but thanks ,why can't it just say version 4!!!
Pioneer dvd burners are the ones of choice so I see from just about everyone on here which makes things easy EXCEPT why would I want to spend more money on the A06?? That'll just allow me to burn different movies right? It'll have no affect on me burning PS2 games correct?
OTTOMAN your comment caught my eye though ..."people on the forum (GURM one of them) claim to have more sucess with dvd+r on version 4 ps2's.... "
Are you (and anyone else) saying that if I were to get a burner and one of the programs mentioned It will still just be hit or miss whether I can get the game burned and functioning????
I was under the impression that most games were burnable, Atleast older games.
How often does Sony or whoever change they're "format"?
I believe (correct me if i'm wrong) games started out on cds then went to dvds and now there is dvd9.....does this mean potentially that I may need to buy a new burner for another format in a few months to make backups??
Or is that not possible because I suppose my Ps2 can only read what it was built to read!
Is there a way to upgrade my PS2 version.......not that I want to just asking....

Please forgive my ignorance in any of the above I have read so much in the past few days my mind is swollen!!!

Thanks again

[ottoman]

Version 1 to 4 have weaker lasers than version 5 to 9 and some people have trouble getting dvd-r and dvd+r to read reliably.

Usually dvd-r r better with ps2 than dvd+r but I know that several people swear by dvd+r with version 4 ps2's. PM Gurm for more details.

All games are copyable except for dvd-9 games. There is no dvd-9 burner and no intention of making one so u won't have to buy a new burner shortly.

The reason dvd-9 games r not copyable is because they are dual layer dvd's and dvd-r only have a single layer and can only hold half as much.

Regards

[Gurm]

Oh sure keep dropping my name!

I don't claim that +R is better for v4 across the board. I'd wager that across the board, the ONLY discs you can pretty much say will work 90% of the time in v4's (those that do NOT have major laser damage already) are -R discs.

I said that MY v4, as wel as my brother's and my friend's... all of which have seen similar use/abuse and were purchased at the same store at the same time as part of the GT3 pack... run +R a treat, and dislike -R.

- Gurm

[ottoman]

Easy fella!!!

So after preaching about dvd+r for months u is now gonna back pedal wen it comes to the crunch.

I just thought that it wouldn't hurt to have the choice of both, don't take offence m8ee.

Regards

[Slick]

Easy boys play nice now.......
I suppose it can't hurt to have the option to use both +R and -R .

A question I have though is this......is it possible to upgrade my ps2 version via one of the ports on the back or some other way?
What are the differences between say my V4 and the latest version?Is it just software or hardware or both???

Also anyone here in my neck of the woods to mod my PS2?

Ottawa Canada

[ottoman]

Only way to upgrade your ps2 version is to go out and buy a newer version PS2 unfortunately.

Regards