Started collecting bits for a PS2 Slim project

[MegatronUK]

Bought myself a SCPH-70003 slim, a HD-Connect kit (http://www.modchipman.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and a DMS 4 Pro chip (http://www.consolesource.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).

The console came with 2 pads a memory card and the following 12 games:
Colin McRae 2004, DragonBall Z, Dynasty Warriors 2, FIFA 2007, Juiced, MoH Frontline, Reign of Fire, Sonic Heroes, Spawn, Spiderman 2, Tekkan Tag, True Crime LA.

I've also picked up the following extra games:
Final Fantasy X (6.00), X-2 (5.99) and XII (5.99), Devil May Cry 1 (1.99) and 2 (3.99), Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec (1.99), Gran Turismo 4, Valkyrie Profile 2 (5.99), Zone of the Enders (1.99), Odin Sphere (4.00), Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 (6.00 for both), R-Type Final (4.00), PSI-Ops (1.99), Gungrave Overdose (2.99).
Currently got my eye on a couple of Transformers games, Devil May Cry 3, Zone of the Enders 2 Special Edition and Ghost in the Shell.

This reminds me when I started buying some Xbox games last year - there are just so many AAA titles for £5 or less its unreal!

I've got a 7" widescreen that I've taken out of a Pioneer sat nav system that I'm going to attempt to use - I managed to find an engineers manual for it and it seems that it runs on +5v and +12v.

My initial idea is to go laptop/clamshell again, as I am doing with my Minimig project, but a thinner, more elegant looking design - probably using a aluminium folder. No internal batteries - primarily just a +12v input (with a switch mode regulator for the PS2 +8.5v line), but the potential to attach an external battery pack (again, in a nice slim aluminium case) to the back.
I might not even bother putting controller/memory ports in the case and instead fit a couple of big memory cards internally and a couple of Logitech wireless dual shock receivers; the less holes to cut the better!.
I'll probably remove the optical drive, as hinges, opening lids etc, are just more things to make, but I will be fitting a laptop hdd to store all the games on.

[argelfraster]

havent seen a completed ps2 in awhile, ill be watching your progress.
Good luck.

[MegatronUK]

I'm thinking about something like this:



...as a case, with a sheet of brushed aluminium over both the PS2 in the bottom section, and the LCD in the top section. No need to keyboard/mouse or built in controls like my current project, so it can be much slimmer.

[XCVG]

That case is too small, but good idea. I don't like the idea of no memory card or controller ports though. Maybe just one memory card and one controller port? With a built in controller 1 or something?

In any case, nice idea, and wow you got good deals.

[MegatronUK]

I don't think it should be too small - according to the reference section the PS2 slim motherboard is 206mm x 140mm; the dimensions for that cd case are 270mm x 160mm, by 41mm high.

I'll wait until the console arrives and it's been modded and tested until I start looking at cases seriously though.

[AngelArm1110]

its a little late now i guess, but i would recommend you use the HD Combo, rather than the HD Connect





i dunno, i think its a more efficient take on the connection of the HD to the PS2
BTW, maxtor HDs have the highest compatibility with the PS2

[MegatronUK]

The HD Combo is a bit overkill really for what I want to do though - I only really need the cables to the motherboard and the IDE header (which I'll be modifying to a 40 to 44 connector to use a 2.5" drive), in that respect the pcb and cables that comes with the HD Connect are a fair bit smaller and neater, so it will be less hacking about to fit it in a small enclosure; the fans, larger case, on/off switches, and caddy of the HD Combo, well... it's just extra stuff to remove.

However, if I were doing this to an actual slim PS2 to use as a console, then yes; the HD Combo is definitely the nicer setup to have!

[vskid]

This reminds me when I started buying some Xbox games last year - there are just so many AAA titles for £5 or less its unreal!

I love older systems. Most Xbox, PS2, and GC titles are probably about as low as they'll get, been replaced by newer systems but still not "classics".

I've got a 7" widescreen that I've taken out of a Pioneer sat nav system that I'm going to attempt to use - I managed to find an engineers manual for it and it seems that it runs on +5v and +12v.
just a +12v input (with a switch mode regulator for the PS2 +8.5v line)

You may be able to run the 12v line off of 8.5v. It would save you from using a regulator to get 8.5v from 12v. Worth a try, at least.

[XCVG]

This reminds me when I started buying some Xbox games last year - there are just so many AAA titles for £5 or less its unreal!

I love older systems. Most Xbox, PS2, and GC titles are probably about as low as they'll get, been replaced by newer systems but still not "classics".

I've got a 7" widescreen that I've taken out of a Pioneer sat nav system that I'm going to attempt to use - I managed to find an engineers manual for it and it seems that it runs on +5v and +12v.
just a +12v input (with a switch mode regulator for the PS2 +8.5v line)

You may be able to run the 12v line off of 8.5v. It would save you from using a regulator to get 8.5v from 12v. Worth a try, at least.

Yeah, but good luck finding an 8.5V battery. Best to use a 12V source, makes adding a battery WAY easier.

[MegatronUK]

Well both the DMS4 chip (consolesource.com - the only place i could find with them still available) and the HD-Connect (modchipman.com - still has stocks of them) have arrived. Still waiting on the PS2 - it's been over a week now and no sign of it.

[MegatronUK]

Console arrived last thursday, seems to work fine.

Stuff I've bought since last time:

1x RGB SCART cable
1x 64mb Datel Max memory card
2x Logitech wireless controllers and receivers
1x 320GB 2.5" 5400rpm hard disk
Devil May Cry 3
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts 2
Armored Core 3
Armored Core Silent Line
Front Mission 4
Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex
Beyond Good and Evil (got this for the Xbox already)
God of War 2

Now that the Minimig Amiga laptop/portable is just about finished (needs d-pad and fire buttons wiring in along with the batteries) I'll probably start working on this pretty soon. First steps will be:

1. Confirming my LCD works with +5v and +12v feeds and standard RGB/Sync signals.
2. Fit mod chip and laser fix board.
3. Initialise hard drive and copy across the games.
4. Test and make sure the console works all ok.
5. Dissassemble PS2 and locate suitable case for it and the LCD.

[MegatronUK]

Looks like I might need another screen because I still can't get this one to display an image, even though it powers up now.

Anyway:

Neofix Xii laser fix fitted:


HD-Connect cables soldered:




Next the mod chip and +5v and ground lines for the new 320GB 2.5" laptop drive.

[XCVG]

For a 7" screen, there isn't that much. There's the crappy Intec Wii screen, and there are portable DVD players (need 2 boards ). There are also those DVD player things with two screens for your car.

[MegatronUK]

Well, that didn't go too well.

Everything fitted, including the modchip and the system powers up fine to the browser/settings menu, but no modchip that I can see (does it need to be flashed somehow?) and the dvd drive is not spinning any more (although the laser moves when you put a disc in and close the lid).

Great. 20 tiny little wires to go back over

[MegatronUK]

Ok, so drive not spinning was a tiny bridge on the neofix board, but after fixing that (and testing with the laser fix removed completely) I'm now getting a weird symptom; the dvd spins up, but not to full speed, and the lens keeps clicking - as if the motor is not driving fast enough for the system to start reading the disc.

In better news I can actually see the "DMS4 IS DISABLED" message when I hold the DMS configuration button on startup, so at least the chip is functioning. I also now know that there is nothing flashed to the chip, so it has to be written in order to do anything (hence the need for the dvd drive first!).