Best Modchip for me

[Chew13acca]

I've decided to give TGA's buisness some boost and buy some of their import games. The only problem; I need a system that can play them.

So i can either enter the PYL tourney and hope i win, or i'd better find an alternative. After reading the DDRfreak thread about modding PS2's, i've decided to get use a modchip. Though expensive and POSSIBLY dangerous, I think that it'll be the best plan simply because i just plug it in and forget. And it gives me more than enough bonuses for the risk (burnt copies, so IIDX 3 and 4 are MUCh easier to get)

So my questions are;

Which is the best modchip, The least expensive, and the one easiest to install on a SCPH-50001 / 97011 model PS2 (that's the # on the front of the Instruction booklet)

Andy, is TGA carrying JP Max2 or Extreme? ( i think i'll start with those two and then delve into IIDX, then Pop'n.)

And finally, if i do buy a modchip, is anyone willing to help me install it and make sure it works? (i'll bring the PS2 to TGA and have it done there, much less hassle and i learn some about sautering at the same time. How's Soax's/ my party on APril 2?)


Thanks so much guys,
Chewie

P.S if you guys need more info that i didn't provide, just let me know how i can find the series/serial # of my PS2. Thanks.

[djbadiola]

There's a safer alternative to MOD chips, and they are called swap magic disks, the only ps2 modification U'll need to do is remove the front cover of the disk drive on ur ps2(instructions here: http://www.modchip.com/installpics/slidecard/slidecard.pdf
read page 2) next go purchase the swap disk/slide card on this site: http://revolution-sales.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=81&products_id=129
It's a lot safer than risking breaking ur ps2, it's what i use to play my import games i got on my last summer vacation to europe :)

SCPH-50001..... ur ps2 system's a version 9 model so the swap disk will work fine with it

[Chew13acca]

well from what i've heard, slide cards can ruin the open/close mechanism in the PS2. and i dont think i'll break it if i'm careful enough or have some1 who knows what they're doing install it.

EDIT: Though now that i've seen this http://www.modchipstore.com/customer/pages.php?pageid=24 , a slidecard sounds nice, but is it easy to use? it seems like it might be a bit hard to work perfectly. Just want to know



-Chewie

[djbadiola]

the slidecard is pretty ez to to use, all it's doing is opening the lock underneath the cd tray that keeps it in place, after u pull it out and insert the import game then slowly slide it back into the slot, the final slide fastens the lock back in place, it took me a few tries to get it right but its pretty ez. Just keep in mind that the Swapmagic disks will only work with ps2 import titles, if u wish to play import u'll need this different swap disk: http://www.modchip.com/breakerpro.htm (this also requires the use of a slide card to work)

[Chew13acca]

well, i've pretty much resolved on the idea of a fliptop. And there are plenty of places to get one.

does anyone have a reccomendation of where i can purchase one w/o getting my ass scammed off? *pardon the french*

[djbadiola]

www.revolution-sales.com (http://www.revolution-sales.com) Is where I purchased my swap magic disks/slide card(scam free)

[LL Cool L]

If 20 bucks isn't really a matter and you're ok with voiding your PS2's warranty, then a Flip-top is the way to go. Easy to install, easy to use. A slide card is just fine for someone who doesn't feel like spending extra on a flip top, and who doesn't want to void their warranty (slide card is the only method that doesn't void warranties). Also, the "ruin your ps2's motor" scare is vastly untrue. It really doesn't do a thing to the ps2's motor - all it really does is make the motor turn - the same thing that would happen if there was electricity running through it. Really, if anything, you'd ruin it faster by using it normally.

The only problem with slide cards is that you have to properly use it. I've had friends ruin their ps2's drive tray because they tried to pull it out too soon and ruined the gear teeth. But once you know how to do it, you realize how stupidly simple it is.

As far as modchips go, if you really wanted to get one I'd install it for you, but only if your ps2 is a v7 or below (I won't do v9's and above for many reasons, most which are tied to tricky points in the solder process that could easily ruin a ps2, and have in the past). I live in woonsocket so it would be simple enough to just meet you at TGA to get it done.

[Harmonixer]

Actually Andy, I installed a flip-top for a friend without voiding his warranty. All you have to do is use a hair dryer to heat up the "void" sticker enough so that it doesn't get ruined, but not so much it melts the plastic of the PS2. Then, once the flip-top is installed, re-apply the sticker. Sure, they'll wonder how you did it, but they can't prove in ANY way that the void sticker was ever removed.

[Chew13acca]

even then, i just feel like a slidecard is a hobbled together way of playing imports. it's just how i feel. not sure why.

WEll it's v9, so that takes you off. And i'd like to be able to put the original case back on if i ever sell the PS2.

So i think i'll just order a fliptop, and swapmagic v3 (how often do they upgrade these discs? will i need to buy new ones eventually?)

and how which should i get; Max2 or Extreme JP? I'll get my mom to get me it for B-day. And over summer vacation, i'll start IIDX. or Pop'n. Not sure which.

And then i can actually be good when i go to TGA. lol

[LL Cool L]

Actually Andy, I installed a flip-top for a friend without voiding his warranty. All you have to do is use a hair dryer to heat up the "void" sticker enough so that it doesn't get ruined, but not so much it melts the plastic of the PS2. Then, once the flip-top is installed, re-apply the sticker. Sure, they'll wonder how you did it, but they can't prove in ANY way that the void sticker was ever removed.

Yeah I know that works (although I wouldn't re-apply the sticker to the flip-top cover, just set it aside for later use with the old cover for when returning), but that method is pretty easy to screw up. You can either not heat it up enough and void the warranty, or you can heat it up too much and melt the sticker just enough so they get suspicious. It's hard to tell exactly when's the right time to start taking it off, so I say avoid the situation altogether and use a method that stays away from the warranty sticker completely.

The slide card isn't a hobbled together method at all - it simply opens the lock mechanism and lets you easily slide the tray open without damaging anything (unless you don't do it right, which is easy to do if you happen to be a complete idiot). The only thing that makes it ghetto is that most people just make their own slide card using an old credit card (or other hard-plastic card) instead of paying $10 for the ripoff cheap plastic one they provide you with.

On a further note, if you ask me the flip-top is actually MORE harmful to your ps2 than a slide-card. Since your ps2 is now opening from the top, that means it has seams on the top and it's much easier for dust to get inside the ps2. And with the drive bay's cover off (it needs to be removed for the flip-top to be installed), dust can settle like crazy in a flip-top ps2.

From flip-top users I know, alone, there is a high occurance rate in disc read errors and dead lasers. Anyone can tell you that a dead laser is ALOT worse than a dead motor. A new ps2 tray motor is relatively cheap and easy to replace yourself (and again, it's virtually impossible to ruin your motor with a slide card as long as you know how to do it). A PS2 laser is in upwards of $50 (obtained from various sites on the net), and I wouldn't recommend handling a laser without having ever done it in the past.

[Chew13acca]

oh.

And slide cards are dirt cheap anyways....

So i'll get one, but does anyone want to show me through it? i know there are sites, but if i could see some1 do it, and have them tell me where i go wrong, i think that'll make it a lot easier.

So how much are PS2 games now?