Nebie needs help - please

[kirbinster]

My son just got a PS2 and I would like him to be able to play backups. I understand there are differences between chips and what you have to do as far as swap or no-swap, but that is about it. The unit label says SCPH-30001-R with a date code of 1C - what version is this? I would like something that installs as a external cartridge or internal without soldering.

What limitations do I have once I alter the unit? What card do you experts suggest and what would it cost.

Thanks!

[bighap]

Go here to identify what version you have. If you have the screw its a v5. As for an external chip that requires no soldering, there's no such thing in existance. There is one that only requires 1 wire to be soldered but it sucks. It would be best to invest a little money and buy a Magic 2 and have somebody install it for you such as www.freedomlives.com . Hope this helps.

[lufcfan]

Right then,
basically you have a V5 console. This is important because you need the right chip for the right version console. There are different types of chip - Swap and No-Swap. These are pretty self-explanitory. A swap chip involves buying a boot disc like a Game Shark or Action Replay along with a No Solder Modchip. The discs can cost anywhere from £40-£60 and the chips £20 and up. These are needed because you need to put these discs in, boot up the game, swap the AR or GS for the backup and hit X. Very confusing, a waste of money, time and effort. You are also limited by the AR or GS by not being able to boot games which are over 640MB. This means you can't swap DVD Backups unless you have a Neo 2.2 which damages your laser and requires soldering and a double swap with AR or GS. No solders don't like DVD backups very much. Again pointless. Swap chips are not very good. They were at the time but are showing their age now and are being phased out by new Copy protections like FADE which can detect whether the game is recorded onto a CD-R and promptly stopped working. FORGET A NO SOLDER MODCHIP. YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BUY A NEW NO SWAP SOLDER MODCHIP!.

Either way you are going to have to open up your console and void the warranty so you might as well put something in thats worth the money and hassle...

I have the Messiah modchip. It is a SOLDER modchip which has 23 wires to install. There will be modchip fitters in your area who will be able to do the job or contact Charlie_ps2 on the forum - He'll do it for you. It boots everything no swap - CD-R, DVD-R DVD films, HK Silvers, Imports, and originals for BOTH PSone and PS2! Magic2 also does the same job but I hear it has a few bugs. Messiah is £45.00 from Lik-Sang.com - a real bargain but forget the No Solder idea! It isn't a good solution to your needs.

Even when you weigh up, the more able and better equipped Messiahs and Magic2's are CHEAPER than the POOR no solder / swap chips...

No Solder / Swap Chips
No Solder / Swap Chip _______________ £20.00 / £3.99 - 40.00
GS / AR Boot Disc ___________________ £40.00 - £60.00
TOTAL ____________________________ From £43.99 - £100.00

No Swap / Direct Boot Chips
Messiah / Magic 2 ___________________ £45.00
TOTAL ____________________________ £45.00

See which one makes sense? At the end of the day you can open up your PS2 and put in some HUGELY expensive chip and boot disc combos like Neos and No Solders and lets be honest the SUCK! or, you can get a Solder / Direct boot modchip like Messiah and save yourself a lot of trouble and stress. Take My Advice, you'll regret it if you go for the Swap / No Solder chips. You will only be coming back here all the time asking for help with problems like 'Backups Won't Boot' or 'Game Slows and Crashes --- HELP!' Don't put yourself through it - Get a Messiah or Magic 2 and no worries... Happy Gaming

[charlie_ps2]

This link may explain your options better.

Link Here