PS2 FreeMcBoot or FreeHDBoot

[Geistmensch]

It's no longer secret that you can run the exploit on 3xxxx, 5xxxx, 7xxxx and even 9xxxx series. I've been personally using FreeMCBoot for more than 5 years, I have FMB installed on my secondary memory card since it doesn't matter which port you choose to boot into FMB, and I am saving my games in the primary slot.

However, even as someone who loves PS2 so much I have to admit the memory card feature is redundant and was the product of its time. No wonder PS3 and onwards saved games are stored in the native hard drive.

So my thought was, to completely be independent from memory cards just install FHDB and rely on VMC while running the OPS2L however I think VMC maybe not a reliable option as I thought however that's exactly how PCSX2 saves games because it really creates a virtual memory card to store the game you play exclusively.

 

[popckorn]

I just discovered FreePSXBoot lol
Burned 150 CD-ROMs last 2 months.
I am eyeing PS2s on Marketplace tho.
I am in no hurry tho. With my PSX backlog I will survive boredom by the time WWIII starts and we are left without internet. KEK

 

[DJPlace]

i have my hacked PS2 at my dad's i got a new tv but i should test the PS2 and the TV sometime when i get out there.

 

[Zerpina]

A long time ago, back when the Free McBoot exploit was discovered, a friend of mine showed it to me.
I had been using that up until the FreeHDBoot exploit was found.
Because, like spinning rust the HDD, a PS2 memory card will eventually fail.
Not that it's hard or expensive anymore to get a Free McBoot memory card... they’re what, 5 bucks on eBay?

That was until I found Batocera, and honestly, my poor Phat PS2 hasn't been touched since.
It's less of a hassle to just emulate, especially since I don’t have a TV anymore that natively supports RGB cables.

You know, retro nostalgia has made CRTs go from thrift store junk to basically gold these days.
At least where I live.
I saw an old used CRT for sale at a yard sale last year for 70 bucks... that was a 25-inch, I think.
I use to see these in Goodwills and thrift shops for 10-15 bucks.

 

[NeonKnights]

I have a 3001 fat model with a SATA modded network adapter and an SSD. I am currently using an FMCB card though I would love to be using FreeHDBoot instead, however I can't because I'm running the Grimdoomer OPL mod with an exFAT formatted SSD that allows you to drag and drop. The PS2 has been a pain to mod and disassemble, though a joy to play.

 

[nobitakun]

Well, I can't possibly agree that PS2 memory cards are redundant. For me are a must because taking saves out of the console is something I do all the time in order to back them up. One of the things I loved from 360 over PS3 is the possibility to use Memory Cards, and the very same moment I saw them very cheap because "nobody was using them", I bought a few and kept them safe, because for me it's the way to go.

Being said that, and as I am an old school player, the best way to play PS2 games is using FreeDVDBoot (which is not listed here by the way) and use a PSxMemCard Gen2 for saves.

If I had to choose another method, I would choose MX4SIO, as it is very easy. It is not as fast as HDD or Network, but I find it less "bulky" as I can use it with PSTWO and I don't need to have extra network cables around (where I have my PSTWO I have to install a long cable, so it's very annoying).

 

[NeonKnights]

A long time ago, back when the Free McBoot exploit was discovered, a friend of mine showed it to me.
I had been using that up until the FreeHDBoot exploit was found.
Because, like spinning rust the HDD, a PS2 memory card will eventually fail.
Not that it's hard or expensive anymore to get a Free McBoot memory card... they’re what, 5 bucks on eBay?

That was until I found Batocera, and honestly, my poor Phat PS2 hasn't been touched since.
It's less of a hassle to just emulate, especially since I don’t have a TV anymore that natively supports RGB cables.

You know, retro nostalgia has made CRTs go from thrift store junk to basically gold these days.
At least where I live.
I saw an old used CRT for sale at a yard sale last year for 70 bucks... that was a 25-inch, I think.
I use to see these in Goodwills and thrift shops for 10-15 bucks.
View attachment 70156

You know you could always go for the alternative option and get a P L A S M A.

 

[Zerpina]

You know you could always go for the alternative option and get a P L A S M A.

This is true, but I have gotten so used to using Batocera for PS2 and, honestly, for every other system I play. I really don't care to buy a TV just for the old systems. I don't play them enough anymore to warrant the expense.

 

[nobitakun]

You know you could always go for the alternative option and get a P L A S M A.

This is true, but I have gotten so used to using Batocera for PS2 and, honestly, for every other system I play. I really don't care to buy a TV just for the old systems. I don't play them enough anymore to warrant the expense.
View attachment 70188

I have tested plasma TV's because I was a fan of them and they are not suitable for retro gaming. They were superior to LED, specially Panasonic ones, which were magnifficient, but nowadays it's better to either invest in a slim CRT or get an OLED screen for "general purpose". I have what I consider one of the best CRT's (although it's only 21"), which is the Samsung SlimFIT, and with the right SCART cable the image quality is wonderful. Also, I like the audio is placed at both extremes. This is the model I have:

I bought it a few years ago for 30€, never had an issue. I know the image is a little dim in a corner, barely noticeable when playing, only when the screen has white all over, but if someday this thing dies, I will be looking for another one exactly the same model.

 

[Denmdm]

AABBSOOOLLUUUTEEELLYYY FreeMcBoot. Gawd damn I still have my old ass ps2 with my old ass TV I luv being all vintage

Thing about playing via USB is that some heavy games run slower, like imagine VCS already being barely above 20 fps on PS2 and then being booted via usb, dayum

EDIT: Didn't mean to say GTA VCS is a heavy game, the port just sucks in terms of performance