Playing Imports

Is it a back-up or original.

It's original. I tried an English version of FFX and Xenosaga I. They both do it. Xenosaga I won't even load. There's a grinding noise and then everything stops. I checked all the discs. It's not bothering them. I never messed with the laser either when I was putting the top on. I didn't damage it.

did you make sure to exchange the white piece that holds the disc in place. Its either that or maybe something is pressing against the cover or squeezing it out.
I also found that some games work better when in vertical stand, but thats for copies. Worth a shot o_0

I got it to work. It looks like I just had the screws too tight. I loosened them a little and it's working now.

Xenosaga I is on a dual layer disc, and as such if you're using a swapmagic method it won't work. I had this issue too, it made me sad. IThe game now resides on my shelf until i can sort something out so i can play the damn game.

Does the motor even stop spinning if you use the swap magic disc.

When a Swap Magic is used with ANY method, games that exceed 4.37 gigs WILL need to be rebuilt--SW: Battlefront 2 and GT4 for examples. There is a rebuilding file that I found on the internet that worked for me.

Originally Posted by Musharraf

You can damage your lens if you don't close the drive with the Swap Magic instrument after you inserted the DVD

Yeah, the laser tries extra hard to read the disc, and since it can't it's just struggling. I'ev done that a couple of times myself on accident, but you don't need to reset, just slide to the left and you're set.

Does anyone know why the PS2 can read Swap Magic discs in the first place? Since it can, I don't know why they don't just create discs using the same method for homebrew apps, instead of all this memory card rubbish I keep hearing about.

Are there any methods for the opposite? I currently own a J-PS2, and would love to play some domestic games without shelling out a lot of cash.

Originally Posted by Elixir

Does anyone know why the PS2 can read Swap Magic discs in the first place?

Because it's like a boot device

Originally Posted by Elixir

Since it can, I don't know why they don't just create discs using the same method for homebrew apps, instead of all this memory card rubbish I keep hearing about.

Umm because that would be much more expensive (just imagine you'd have to buy a special DVD for that each time you want to burn a PS2 game), not to forget that whoever would produce those DVDs would umm violate the law?!

I'm sure violating the law doesn't concern a large portion of PS2 owners.

I'm also pretty sure that Sony don't condone the Swap Magic or the team behind this, either. Even if it doesn't void your warranty, it's still taking off the cover of your disc tray and manually dragging the tray backwards and forwards.

I'm going to end up downloading another Swap Magic disc, because the one I have now I haven't really taken much care of. Switching is just so annoying. I do take good care of my games, but unfortunately I can't say that for the boot discs. Oh well, since my PS2 isn't under warranty and hasn't been for awhile now, this would be a great opportunity to modchip it. Then it'll probably die.

Originally Posted by Musharraf

Because it's like a boot device

To be more technical, I believe the Swap Magic have the Crazy Taxi image mounted onto them, along with boot devices and files obviously.

Originally Posted by BIGWORM

To be more technical, I believe the Swap Magic have the Crazy Taxi image mounted onto them, along with boot devices and files obviously.

Excuse me?

Originally Posted by BIGWORM

To be more technical, I believe the Swap Magic have the Crazy Taxi image mounted onto them, along with boot devices and files obviously.

That.... doesn't make any sense. Crazy Taxi, to download, is 129 MB. You can download the Swap Magic disc for 41 MB. If it had the image of Crazy Taxi, it would be over 150 MB in total. And, well, since Swap Magic discs aren't 150 MB, I don't know how you can come to that conclusion.

Why would anyone want to download the fucking Swap Magic Disc? You cannot use a burnt boot CD/DVD...

Actually you can backup the Swap Magic discs, but it will not be a direct boot, making it an even longer process. You can always go about doing a TOC refresh to boot the Swap Magic discs, which also works.

It's still a bunch of hassle though.

Where can I find swap magic and the flip lid for 25 bucks like you guys are saying? I keep looking around and all I can find it for is around 30-35 bucks.

Alright, I realize this thread's a little old, but I thought it might be better to use it than to make a completely new one. For the record, I have read through the whole thread, and it's answered my questions for the most part. However, if possible, I'd like to get some of your opinions. If this would serve better as a stand alone topic, by all means split this post, or whatever needs to be done.

I currently have an old "fat" PS2, and have had this one for a number of years now. It's always run fine, with the exception of a few games. That is, ICO and Growlanser Generations. Both games run fine, but they make a "clicking" noise. However, the old scotch tape method solved that. There's been no trouble since. I think it's also worth noting that I do not have a Harddrive for the PS2.

In prepartion for Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria, I've finally gotten the motivation to get my PS2 to play import games. I have PSX-change 2.0 for my PSX, a disc changer in the same vein as BreakerPro, and that's always worked fine. I'm well aware of the different methods available for the Slimline and Old PS2 models.

My question is whether or not I should invest in a Slimline PS2, and the Magic Switch PRO/Swap Discs set, or if I should go with the Slider/Old PS2 combo.

I know, it sounds like a no brainer, since I already have the old PS2, but I've heard bad things about the the Slider method. I can't remember the specific grievences, but I seem to recall it ruins the motors or something. I've also considered picking up a Slim PS2 in the past, so I wouldn't have to deal with the clicking noises and so forth. But they're still around $130, and after dropping the cash for the Artifact Box, I don't really care to spend an awful lot more. But, the convenience of the Magic Switch sounds nice, in that it's easy to install, allows for PS2 imports, and would allow me to use my PS1 boot disc as well.

So, what do you guys think?

Originally Posted by Elixir

Might I add, these discs do NOT allow you to play PS1 games. So all those foreign/burned PS1 games are going to be useless unless you buy a modchip.

Y halo thar, Breaker Pro?

That works for PS1 much like Swap Magic does for PS2.

Originally Posted by Black Mage

My question is whether or not I should invest in a Slimline PS2, and the Magic Switch PRO/Swap Discs set, or if I should go with the Slider/Old PS2 combo.

I know, it sounds like a no brainer, since I already have the old PS2, but I've heard bad things about the the Slider method. I can't remember the specific grievences, but I seem to recall it ruins the motors or something.

Eventually it might do, but I've been sliding my slide card for a year now. The PS2 is 3 years old. It's running like a dream. On the other hand, I've heard bad things about the Slimline, for example, that it doesn't stand up to extended playing sessions too well. Having said that, can you even a buy PS2 that isn't slimline anymore? Choice made.

Originally Posted by Soluzar

Eventually it might do, but I've been sliding my slide card for a year now. The PS2 is 3 years old. It's running like a dream. On the other hand, I've heard bad things about the Slimline, for example, that it doesn't stand up to extended playing sessions too well. Having said that, can you even a buy PS2 that isn't slimline anymore? Choice made.

Right. I've heard bad things about Slimlines as well, which is why I'm asking.

About the slide card method, does that also allow you to use PSX boot discs on the PS2? I'm aware the Magic Switch method works that way, but say you pop in your PSX boot disc, does that work like normal and you follow up with opening the tray, or is that a no go?