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HD Loader users: how's it going? What has your HD Loader experience like?

R

RaymondCarver

Member
Does the thing work most of the time provided you look up compatibility charts? Are you having flawless operation, or do you have to kick it around a little to work?

I'm curious because I just got myself one, and I noticed I'd have to jump through a few hoops to make Viewtiful Joe work. On most oeverything else, load times aren't something I worry about now. The only thing there is to worry about is incompatability.
 
It's going great. Vast majority of games works perfectly 'out of the box', some require tinkering with ISO images to work (like all DVD9 games and also Viewtiful Joe, for example)

Even the most of newest games, to my great surprise, work perfectly. I guess developers just don't care about implementing some HDloader protections.
 
Thumbs up. Way up. All the way up to the knuckle!

It's a good piece of software, and I wouldn't be caught dead playing GTA:SA without it.
 
Yep its excellent. I use it for games that have long loading times like GTA and cd based games so far its been perfect for me. I
 
I mentioned before that USB HDD support was almost bound to come, didn't think it would be happening THIS soon ;)
Click to expand...
Wow. So that thing is not a hoax, I guess. Does that mean that PSTwo *really* has USB2 ports?
 
...and I just thought it was the dust and scractch content on the Joe DVD.

Now, how is the ISO tinkering done? I want Joe to work on here, and I want to be as neo-Luddite as possible about it.
 
So, when you play GTA: SA... what does it do? Does it just load the initial game faster, or do things pop up less in the actual game? Like, are things aleady loaded up in the scenery at all times?
 
WhippinSean said:
So, when you play GTA: SA... what does it do? Does it just load the initial game faster, or do things pop up less in the actual game? Like, are things aleady loaded up in the scenery at all times?
Click to expand...

Faster loading overall, and the fact that you're saving your DVD drive from being worn out faster than normal. GTA games tend to be very demanding on the drive.
 
HDAdvance is great, I rented Burnout 3 and decided to hang on to it, if you know what I mean.

It's a good piece of software, and I wouldn't be caught dead playing GTA:SA without it.
Click to expand...

Wait a minute, I thought you couldn't use DVD9. How did you get this work?
 
Technically, is that even illegal? I mean, you're allowed to use the function of the HDloader (right?), and a rented game is technically in your possession while you have it...there's no specific law against it. It's like installing a game on your hard drive and returning it to the store. No theft or illegal copying is involved.
 
I have just used it to play some imports like SFIII/Katamary and it worked fine. With SA works great and as already said it saves your DVD drive :) .
 
The Prime Director said:
Technically, is that even illegal?
Click to expand...
Yes. Just because you own a legal copy of software that potentially allows pirating, it doesn't mean using it to pirate is suddenly ok, or legal.
By your logic, if I should copy games with Sony's official CDDVDgenerator software (which as a PS2 developer I have legal right to use), I'm not doing illegal copying either.

And second, HDLoader isn't a legal app to begin with, not only it allows bypassing security for other games - it also bypasses load protection on retail PS2s with a nice little hack so it can boot itself in the first place.

Marc said:
Does that mean that PSTwo *really* has USB2 ports?
Click to expand...
Well if it doesn't, it won't exactly help your load times to install stuff on HDD, but it would still make it sort of nifty for portability purposes (not having to carry a bunch of DVD cases with you).
Anyway I still don't know myself :P One interesting thing about this is that now you can do what I suggested Sony should have done in the first place - buy a 15$ USB pocket and even an official PS2 HDD will work with a PSTwo :P
 
I'm using it for the games I play the most (all GTAs, all Winning Elevens), partially because it helps the drive out and partially to save time. With GTA:SA, going in and out of buildings actually IS instantaneous -- that two to three second lag is gone -- ditto loading the map (which I noticed was a serious problem on my friend's PS2). The initial load still takes a while, but I don't find that it's TOO long or anything.
 
Fafalada said:
Speaking of HDLoader, for those in market for a PSTWo - I mentioned before that USB HDD support was almost bound to come, didn't think it would be happening THIS soon ;)

http://www.ps2ownz.com/modules.php?name=News&file=showarticle&threadid=26511

Apologies if this was already posted :P
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OMG. that is ungodly. Any USB PC HDD? I have a couple because I do media related work... time to bust out the champagne. Maybe its time to give PS2 online gaming a go. :)
 
GTA SA is on a DVD5. And I've gotten at least one DVD9 game (Sakura Taisen) to work without having to tinker with anything. Just used WinHIIP.
 
TheGreenGiant said:
OMG. that is ungodly. Any USB PC HDD? I have a couple because I do media related work... time to bust out the champagne. Maybe its time to give PS2 online gaming a go. :)
Click to expand...

That is very interesing, does that basically confirm now that its USB 2.0?
I did not think that regular USB would be fast enough for a HDD to make a difference from a regular PS2 DVD
 
Suikoguy said:
That is very interesing, does that basically confirm now that its USB 2.0?
I did not think that regular USB would be fast enough for a HDD to make a difference from a regular PS2 DVD
Click to expand...

yeah. It'd have to be USD 2.0. It'll take ages to open anything via USB one. I'm most concerned about speed..etc. What's the bandwidth etc on normal SONY HDD? Can some techie do the numbers / comparision

PANA?
 
TheGreenGiant said:
yeah. It'd have to be USD 2.0. It'll take ages to open anything via USB one. I'm most concerned about speed..etc. What's the bandwidth etc on normal SONY HDD? Can some techie do the numbers / comparision

PANA?
Click to expand...

I always hear that you don't get any performance boost from using 7200rpm HDD in the PS2 compared to a 5400rpm one, also cache size doesn't make a difference, because there's a limit to the bandwidth speed for PS2 HDD (ATA33 ?)... I also keep hearing that a 7200rpm HDD generates more heat than a 5400rpm one (thus possibly shortening the life of your PS2), that's why I'm determined on getting a slower one for my next HDD purchase, but it's really difficult finding big 5400rpm HDDs these days.
 
5400 rpm ?? really?



I am buying a ps2 fan, because the bugger gets hot now. Maybe I should use something smaller, or the fan might do it's job.
 
Can HDLoader/Advance install dvd9 games off the disc? Or do I have to convert it to iso and ftp it over? Wanting to play thru Xenosaga again...
 
jiggle said:
Can HDLoader/Advance install dvd9 games off the disc? Or do I have to convert it to iso and ftp it over? Wanting to play thru Xenosaga again...
Click to expand...

I tried one DVD9 game (Sakura Taisen), and it worked fine, although I can't remember whether I installed it using HDLoader or WinHIIP.
 
jiggle said:
Can HDLoader/Advance install dvd9 games off the disc? Or do I have to convert it to iso and ftp it over? Wanting to play thru Xenosaga again...
Click to expand...

I think you have to transfer it by doing some stuff on PC first so you can read both layers
 
Is there a HDLoader version that works with PSX games too? A pirated software of some sorts?

Oh, and what about homebrews? PS2Media Center or things like that yet?

I'm very interested in buying the HDLoader + HDD. Do you guys still know where I can find one and what HDD should I use?
 
open_mouth_ said:
does HDLoader work with imports?? It seems to...
Click to expand...

According to the notes it does... but I believe if you are loading the import from your PS2 you have to have some type of way to bypass the region checking(you can't use the normal method of opening the door to insert the game), swap key, etc. is needed however.

I'm going to install one of my imports via my USB enclosure some time today and I'd imagine that gets around the whole region checking issue.

Neither the HDD Loader or HDadvance work for PSX games... only PS2.
 
open_mouth_ said:
does HDLoader work with imports?? It seems to...
Click to expand...

If you have a mod chip you can load it right up. If not you can use one of the HD transfer progs on the PC and load it through there. Once it's on the HD it will play, assuming it is compatible with HDAdvance in the first place.
 
Anyone know how to edit the .ELF file for the memory card exploit so I can have the right timestamp for my MGS3 save? I refuse to use my MGS3 disc to play...HDD makes everything smooth
 
Wario64 said:
Anyone know how to edit the .ELF file for the memory card exploit so I can have the right timestamp for my MGS3 save? I refuse to use my MGS3 disc to play...HDD makes everything smooth
Click to expand...

That weird, MGS3 save timestamp shows up fine on my MC..and I only play it from the HDD.
 
What mode do you use? Do you use HDadvance/loader on disc/memory card?

Whenever I save, it makes weird dates like 2010/10/12. And it changes everytime I save, which pretty much takes away the healing system
 
The Prime Director said:
Technically, is that even illegal? I mean, you're allowed to use the function of the HDloader (right?), and a rented game is technically in your possession while you have it...there's no specific law against it. It's like installing a game on your hard drive and returning it to the store. No theft or illegal copying is involved.
Click to expand...

If you keep the game on your HDD after you return the game, that's theft
 
To the original question, HDAdvance has been great...no complaints. If a game isn't compatible, well than so be it...I can deal with putting a couple games in when I play em it wont kill me.

Sony PS2 DVD remote plus HDAdvance/200 GB HDD = PS2 50 game changer.
 
DarienA said:
According to the notes it does... but I believe if you are loading the import from your PS2 you have to have some type of way to bypass the region checking(you can't use the normal method of opening the door to insert the game), swap key, etc. is needed however.

I'm going to install one of my imports via my USB enclosure some time today and I'd imagine that gets around the whole region checking issue.

Neither the HDD Loader or HDadvance work for PSX games... only PS2.
Click to expand...

damn you, Darien, damn you to hell! :D Because of your usb enclosure thread the other day, I was influenced into buying the firewire/usb enclosure from Newegg and it totally fux0red my hard drives. I was soooooo pissed, but I've since gotten over it.

and btw, imported games do work through the PS2, but you gotta load it from your computer.
 
Oh boy, I have so many questions :

Ok, imagine I want to play Prologue. I do not have a chip on my PS2. Can I still play it if I load it with FapLink?
 
HDLoader is great. I run mine off the memory card, so the software is really free if you know where to look.

My only gripe is that Contra: Shattered Soldier, Gradius V and a few other games don't work, but othet than that, I can't complain.

Because of your usb enclosure thread the other day, I was influenced into buying the firewire/usb enclosure from Newegg and it totally fux0red my hard drives. I was soooooo pissed, but I've since gotten over it.
Click to expand...

I warned you guys about that... If you use a USB enclosure, you may lose any PC-related data on the drive. It is recoverable though.
 
Littleberu said:
Oh boy, I have so many questions :

Ok, imagine I want to play Prologue. I do not have a chip on my PS2. Can I still play it if I load it with FapLink?
Click to expand...

Yep. Prologue is compatible with HDloader so iti'll work

DaCoco, Contra Shattered Soldier works fine. But I transferred it via PC...
 
DaCocoBrova said:
I warned you guys about that... If you use a USB enclosure, you may lose any PC-related data on the drive. It is recoverable though.
Click to expand...

damn, that's such bullshit, man. Those companies should put a warning on the box or something. so damn lame.
 
That is so strange.. I have no problems at all loading games to my PS2-only HD when loaded up through my PC via the USB enclosure.. no problems loading the games.. no problems with my PC afterwards....

I thought someone mentioned that some games can be modified before loaded to the HD via your PC to make them playable?
 
DarienA said:
That is so strange.. I have no problems at all loading games to my PS2-only HD when loaded up through my PC via the USB enclosure.. no problems loading the games.. no problems with my PC afterwards....
Click to expand...

I'm such an idiot too. After it messed up one of my drives, I thought it was just having trouble reading that drive or something, so I popped in another drive to test it as well and only after that one did I realize that the enclosure messed up both drives... Sure, I could recover the PC data using some commercial software and some of my time, but the non-PC data is gone. I should've known it was too good to be true :(
 
That is so strange.. I have no problems at all loading games to my PS2-only HD when loaded up through my PC via the USB enclosure.. no problems loading the games.. no problems with my PC afterwards....
Click to expand...

:lol Try copying a game image to a drive w/ other non PS2 data on it and report back. You'll see.

The s/w does a bad job guarding/warning about potential data loss.
 
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