gist/gayming/playstation2/README.md

• PlayStation 2 notes
  • Subdirectories
  • PlayStation 2 System Configuration
  • TV configuration
  • Samba
  • FreeMCBoot
    • FreeMCBoot Installer configuration
    • FreeMCBoot Configurator
  • Open PS2 Loader configuration
    • VMC configuration
      • Why share VMC?
    • OPS2L Version

PlayStation 2 notes

I have a ProCaster TV which isn’t anything special unless it not being smart counts. PS2 is connected through RCA HDMI adapter/signal converter (archived)

NOTE! This directory contains .editorconfig and .gitattributes as for some reason everything related to PS2 is using crlf (aka “Windows style”) line-endings, so I am assuming that using lf would just mean things won’t work, so be cautious when editing things.
The file command may be helpful e.g.

% file SCES_509.16.cfg
SCES_509.16.cfg: ASCII text, with CRLF line terminators

Subdirectories

• CHT/ - OpenPS2Loader CHT/ directory
• etc/ - /etc/ directory, for the samba configuration file
• FreeMCB/ - mass:/ or whatever device/directory contains FreeMCBoot installer

PlayStation 2 System Configuration

System Configuration is the second option when booting without a disc.

• Screen Size: 16:9 as screens aren’t squares nowadays (if yours was, 4:3 or full)
• Digital Out (Optical): mine says On although I don’t remember touching it
• Component Video Out: Y Cb/Pb Cr/Pr removed letterboxing for me.

TV configuration

My TV has an aspect ratio setting and the universal remote control I am using has a 16:9 button that I just kept pressing until it said 16:9

Samba

• https://gitea.blesmrt.net/mikaela/shell-things/src/branch/master/etc/samba/playstation2.conf
• Remember firewalls!
  • sudo ufw allow samba
  • sudo firewall-cmd --add-service=samba --permanent --zone=home && sudo firewall-cmd --reload

FreeMCBoot

I downloaded it from ps2-home.com which apparently removes BOOT/LAUNCHELF.CNF which is reported to cause black screens.

FreeMCBoot Installer configuration

If you place files in INSTALL/BOOT directory of FreeMCBoot installation device, those will get copied to the memory card saving time and effort.
However they may not get automatically added to the menu, unless they are added into INSTALL/SYS-CONF/FREEMCB.CNF.

While it’s included here for reference, DON’T USE IT DIRECTLY just in case, use something like code --diff to compare it with your file and just use the piece if necessary.

The relevant piece is near the end,

name_OSDSYS_ITEM_6 = OpenPS2Loader
path1_OSDSYS_ITEM_6 = mass:/BOOT/OPNPS2LD-v1.1.0.ELF
path2_OSDSYS_ITEM_6 = mc?:/BOOT/OPNPS2LD-v1.1.0.ELF
path3_OSDSYS_ITEM_6 = mc?:/B?DATA-SYSTEM/OPNPS2LD-v1.1.0.ELF

In my case nothing else was using the ITEM6, so I copied prior example and put it in place. I also had a ESR.ELF named there, while I had to add OpenPS2Loader.

FreeMCBoot Configurator

FreeMCBoot Configurator is the seventh option for me and I set the following so that the boot animation with the boxes play, because of both nostalgia and the secret there 😉

• Configure OSDSYS options
  • Skip Disc Boot: OFF
  • Skip Sony LOGO: OFF
  • RETURN
• Save CNF to MC<0|1>
• EXIT

Open PS2 Loader configuration

Start (menu), settings. This is mostly personal opinions too.

• PS2 Logo: on
  • Some games allow progressive scanning by holding Triangle and Cross when the logo appears, so seeing them is easier.
• Write Operations On
  • Required for using same VMC across multiple games. ps2homebrew/Open-PS2-Loader#654 (Comment)
• Remember Last Played Game On Auto Start 9
  • actually not that good idea as it seems to cause every time game is switched to memory card.
• ETH Device Start Mode auto
• Default Menu ETH Games

Controller settings

• Configure PADEMU
  • Settings Mode: Global
  • Pad Emulator Off
    • Required for some games to work Open-PS2-Loader#842
      • I experienced this with Kingdom Hearts II not having background music.

Network Settings don’t have anything special to note. Remember to save changes

VMC configuration

• Select a game and press Triangle for Options
• Configure VMC
• This should be clear without extra documentation
• Remember to Save Changes

Note: PCSX2 can use the same VMCs as OPS2L, so if OPS2L has just small segment of unplayable game, PCSX2 can be used to get past it before continuing on OPS2L.

Why share VMC?

Using VMC shares space on the physical memory card and makes backups easier (e.g. script in this directory). When all games have their own memory card, there is less to lose if something goes wrong.

However there are games that give some benefit for having played other games e.g.

• If you have a Ratchet & Clank save on your memory card
  • Ratchet & Clank 2 provides the weapons returning from it for free.
  • Ratchet & Clank 3 provides skin and employee discount in vendors.
• If you have a Ratchet & Clank 2 save on your memory card
  • Ratchet & Clank 3 provides the weapons returing from 2 for free.

See also TvTropes: Old Save Bonus

OPS2L Version

My backup memory card is on v1.1.0, but due to it getting a bit aged, I had to upgrade the main to daily builds (currently bd6df259817242fd9cefcbf005489559068ededd).

Potentially helpful links:

• Previous stable to current daily diff
• Previous stable to my build version
• Difference between the latest two daily builds I have used

Note to self: my file name doesn’t match the version as I am lazy and don’t want to edit the config file.