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Items you will need
- PlayStation 2
- Computer with Internet connection
- USB drive
- Blank CD-R
Gamers looking to bypass a hard level in their favorite game or even try out a new game from an independent developer have the ability to do this with their console.The PlayStation 2 was built to allow the use of USB devices, including flash drives. Using the right software, a gamer can plug a USB drive into his console and boot saved games from the device and even boot entire games to play right through the console.
Download and install Nero, a CD burning program, onto your computer.
Download uLaunchELF ISO. Extract all the files from the folder and using Nero, burn the program onto a CDR.
Place the burned CD into your powered down PS2 and plug your USB drive into the system. Power on the console and you should the Ulaunch ELF menu. It will list your memory card drives as well as your USB flash drive. You can now place files from your PS2 onto the USB drive.
Download any files you wish to boot from the USB drive, such as emulators with homebrew games or saved game files. Make sure these files are in the .elf format before downloading.
Insert your USB drive back into the computer and transfer any files you wish to use from your PC onto the drive. Remove the drive and plug it back into the PS2.
Using the uLaunchELF disc, you can boot the files directly from the USB device or transfer them to your memory card (in the case of save games).
Tips
If you're transferring save games to and from a USB device, use PS2 Save Builder to save the file in the .xps format.
If the PS2 does not read the uLaunchELF disc, you may need to install a mod chip into your system. Links to instructions on installation are found in the resource section of this guide.
Warnings
Booting PS2 games from a USB drive requires ripping the game from the DVD which is illegal. This guide does not cover that process.
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Looking to learn about game development? Are you a Linux enthusiast looking to test the claim that 'Linux runs on everything'? Perhaps you are a software developer who is looking to release for multiple architectures, and you don't have another MIPS Little Endian machine on-hand for testing your programme. Whatever your situation there are a surprising number of reasons to install Linux on a Playstation 2, even sixteen years after it's release (boy do I feel old all of a sudden.), yet an equally surprising lack of documentation about it or how to install it.
Now don't get me wrong, if you want to use the original Sony Linux Kit, or one of it's updated open source releases on a fat PS2 with a network adapter and an IDE hard disk you can find plenty of info. However this requires the acquisition of several things, and can be quite expensive, especially when it comes to the Sony Linux Kit itself. This guide will cover some basics about the PS2's native hardware, and it's hardware compatibility, and then we'll move on to how to install Linux on a wider variety of PS2.
What CPU does the PS2 use?
The PS2 uses a single core 'Emotion Engine' CPU, clocked at 295MHz in the original fat models, and 299MHz in newer slim models. The Emotion Engine is a 64-bit MIPS Little Endian CPU, with support for 128-bit addresses.
How much RAM does the PS2 have?
It has 32MB RDRAM and 4MB of eDRAM.
What kind of GPU does it have?
The PS2 uses the 'Graphics Synthesizer' GPU clocked at 147.4MHz, and is capable of outputting up to 1920x1080 graphics at 60Hz in 32-bit color.
What external storage does it support?
An unmodified PS2 supports Audio-CD, Video-DVD, and up to two memory cards of up to 128MB in size for game saves. Doom 3 for pc free. A PS2 modified with a software exploit also supports two memory cards of up to 128MB for general file management and storage, and browsing files on>11 gold badge22 silver badges1212 bronze badges
1 Answer
First of all there are several prerequisites for installing Linux on your PS2, please note that this guide is aimed at installation on a slim PS2, if you have a fat PS2 you should download and install the copy of Sony's PS2 Linux here: [link] (https://sourceforge.net/projects/kernelloader/files/Sony%20Linux%20Toolkit/) Also note that the machine used to test this guide was a PS2 model SCPH-79001 (silver special edition) and thus it is safe to assume this should work on any model of PS2 lower than SCPH-90000 (the model SCPH-90000 and later cannot be softmodded, and thus you will not be able to launch a Linux bootloader.)
Now, to install Linux on your PS2 you will require:
1.) A software mod for your PS2, such as the FreeMCBoot OS, or a modchip, as you will need a way to launch your bootloader.
2.) A memory card of at least 8MB, but preferably 16MB, 32MB or 128MB to ensure you have ample space. This MC will permanently hold your boot loader configuration, Linux kernel, and RamDisk. Since your FreeMCBoot installation will take up approx. 4.5MB on it's respective MC, plus the Kernel, RamDisk, and config file together will take up at least 7MB (up to 9.5MB if you choose to include the generic RamDisk as well) and you only have two MC slots, unless you are willing to use a MC port expansion you will likely need the extra space provided by an above-average size MC to store your saved games.
3.) A USB disk of at least 8GB (either a USB flash drive or external IDE/SATA HDD/SSD will work)
4.) Access to an existing install of a Debian based system (while making this guide I used Debian 8), if you are on a macOS or Windows system I recommend using VirtualBox, but make sure you install the guest additions to more easily transfer the required files.
5.) A USB 1.1 or 2.0 keyboard. While Sony's PS2 Linux, and the BlackRhino Linux live DVD come with an on screen keyboard, this installation will use Debian 5, which requires a proper physical keyboard.
Once you've met these prerequisites go ahead and proceed with the installation steps as follows:
1.) Download these files:
vmlinux_v11.gz
and the modules package [link] (https://sourceforge.net/projects/kernelloader/files/Linux%202.6/Linux%202.6%20Test%20Files%20Version%2011/)initrd.usb2.gz
[link] (https://sourceforge.net/projects/kernelloader/files/Initial%20RAM%20Disc/Initrd%20for%20booting%20from%20USB%20memory%20stick/initrd.usb2.gz/download)kloader3.0.elf
[link] (https://sourceforge.net/projects/kernelloader/files/Kernelloader/Kernelloader%203.0/kloader3.0.elf/download)The Debian 5 installation files [link] (https://sourceforge.net/projects/kernelloader/files/Debian%205.0/debian-lenny-mipsel-v1.tgz/download)
2.) Copy the files
vmlinux_v11.gz
, initrd.usb2.gz
, and kloader3.0.elf
to a flash drive formatted as FAT32, plug it into your PS2, and copy them to a folder named kloader
on your MC of choice (must have at least 7MB free). If there isn't enough space you can copy kloader3.0.elf
to a second MC, but I recommend keeping the files together if possible.3.) Connect the USB disk you have selected for Linux installation to your existing Debian machine. Create an MS-DOS partition table on the disk.
4.) Open a terminal, start a root shell (sudo -i, or su). Run
fdisk /dev/sdX
where X is your USB disk's identifier. Delete all existing partitions on the USB disk, create one new primary partition that leaves 1GB of free space left of the disk (i.e. if you have an 8GB disk, you should use +7168M
as the end cylinder option). Create a secondary partition of 1GB (+1024M
as the end cylinder option), and change it's type to swap (t
, followed by 2
, and finally 82
). Then use w
to write changes to disk.5.) Run
mkswap /dev/sdX2
where X is your USB disk's identifier. Then run mkfs.ext2 -I 128 /dev/sdX1
. Be sure to include the -I 128
option, it is required.6.) Once the filesystems have been created, mount your USB disk's first partition under /media/usb/. Create a directory called
install
in the directory you just mounted the disk on. 7.) Create a folder named
debian
on your Debian machine, and place all of the files you downloaded in step 1 into it. The next several steps will be commands for ease of writing.8.)
cp -R /path/to/folder/debian/* /media/usb/install/
9.)
cd /media/usb/
10.)
tar -xzf install/debian-lenny-mipsel-v1.tgz
11.)
cp install/vmlinux_v11.gz boot/; cp install/initrd.usb2.gz boot/
Ulaunch Iso For Playstation 2
12.)
bunzip2 install/linux-2.6.35.4-mipsel-ps2-modules-v11.tar.bz2
13.)
tar -xf install/linux-2.6.35.4-mipsel-ps2-modules-v11.tar
14.)
nano etc/fstab
and change ext3
to ext2
. Save the file and exit (ctrl-x
, y
, enter
)Fallout 3 free download. 15.) Unmount your USB disk with
umount /dev/sdX1
16.) Unplug your USB disk. Turn on your PS2, plug your USB keyboard in to USB port 2, and start uLaunchELF. NOTE: do not plug in your USB disk yet, as the PS2 cannot natively read ext2 disks, and it will cause PS2 to hang on boot.
17.) In uLaunchELF, navigate to
mc0:/kloader/
or mc1:/kloader/
if you placed the boot loader on your second MC in step 2. Run kloader3.0.elf
, watch the bottom of the screen, and when Autobooting in 3..
appears, press a button on your controller, or a key on the USB keyboard. A boot configuration menu should appear.18.) Go to the bottom of the menu using the arrow keys on your USB keyboard, and select
Advanced Menu
. Go to Select Kernel>Memory Card X>kloader>vmlinux_v11.gz
then Select Init RAM disk>Memory Card X>kloader>initrd.usb2.gz
. Turn Autoboot
off.19.) Go to
Configuration Menu
at the bottom of the current page, make sure Use SBIOS from TGE
, TGE for SBIOS New Modules
, Enable hard disk and network
, Patch libsd (enable USB)
are all enabled, and Enable IOP debug output
is disabled.20.) Go to
Module List
and make sure that rom0:LIBSD
is enabled.21.) Go back to the
Configuration Menu
and select Edit Kernel Parameter
and add the line newroot=/dev/sda1
(NOTE: pressing enter will save change and return to the Configuration Menu, so use a space after the existing line instead, and press enter once you have added this line.)22.) Go back to
Advanced Menu
, and then Boot Menu
, Select Save Config on MC0
.23.) Insert your USB disk into your PS2's USB port 1, go to
Advanced Menu
, and select Boot Current Config
.24.) Debian should boot now, when you reach the login screen use
root
as the login. The root user does not have a password by default, and there are no other users, so now you need to fix both. Run adduser yourusername
and enter the needed info (omit personal details if you want), and a user will automatically be created.25.) Type
exit
, and login as your new user with the login info you set. Run su
to enter a root shell, then run passwd root
and set a password for the root account. Make sure it is something you can remember! This version of Debian doesn't come with sudo preinstalled, you will need access to the root account until you can change that.Ps2 Ulaunchelf Usb Modchip Software
26.) Finally, while you are still in a root shell, run
nano /etc/apt/sources.list
and change the existing source to deb archive.debian.org/debian lenny main
so that you can install packages via a network if needed.27.) Networking will not function by default, to enable it add
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback
auto eth0
iface eth0 inet dhcp
to the file /etc/network/interfaces
, plug in an ethernet cable, and reboot the PS2 into Linux again.28.) Now that networking is up and running, you should install
sudo
for improved security when performing administrative tasks. This is Debian so log in to your user, drop to a root shell and run apt-get update && apt-get upgrade && apt-get install sudo
(There will be several packages needing updates so be sure not to omit those commands.).29.) You have sudo installed now, but you aren't in the sudoers file, so while in the root shell run
add the line
visudo /etc/sudoers
, and under##
## User privilege specification
##
root ALL=(ALL) ALL
add the line
yourusername ALL=(ALL) ALL
Save your changes to the sudoers file, log out, and log back in.
The base installation is now complete. Any other customization you want to make can be done as you would with any other Linux distro. If you want to install the PS2SDK for developing PS2 specific software you can find the source here: [link] (https://github.com/ps2dev/ps2sdk) If you try to compile it on the PS2 it will run out of memory and hang, so make sure to set up the build environment on your main machine, and copy files to the Debian USB manually or via a network in order to get them on the PS2 for testing. The PS2 controller will not work as a mouse, so I recommend a USB hub for both the mouse and keyboard (if that is not an option mousekeys can be activated as usual with
Alison E.E.Alison E.E.Alt+Shift+Num Lock
). Thanks for reading, and I hope this helped someone looking to install Linux on their PS2. I had tried for months to get this working, and have very recently done so, thus decided to try and make it easier for others wanting to do the same.28911 gold badge22 silver badges1212 bronze badges
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The 1-TeraByte HDD limitation, which had plagued the PS2, has finally been resolved
(The best PS2 news youve heard in years has just arrived)
(The best PS2 news youve heard in years has just arrived)
This will be invaluable when 1TB internal drives disappear from store shelves
Which is closer to becoming a reality than you might think.
Download available at the bottom of this page.. Enjoy
I know we will all eventually need this -Thank You SP193
Which is closer to becoming a reality than you might think.
Download available at the bottom of this page.. Enjoy
I know we will all eventually need this -Thank You SP193
uLaunchElf 4.43a ( 2-TeraByte Edition ) file/partition/hdd manager..
(Allows proper/reliable formatting, and correct size/value reading/feedback)
(Allows proper/reliable formatting, and correct size/value reading/feedback)
- Notes from the Beta Tester ( spiderman )
All tests completed/accomplished with the following:- 1. This version of uLaunchElf ( uLE - 2TB )
- 2. Genuine Official Sony Network Adaptor
- 3. IDE-to-SATA Adapter..
(very quick and simple mod for PHAT/Fatty/Chubby PS2's only)
.... You can find it HERE .... - 4. 2TB Seagate 2.5' (laptop) SATA Internal Harddisk Drive..
(with the converter I am using, there is no room for a full size Internal HDD) - 5. USB-to-SATA-Converter..
(to connect the drive to PC for installing games, removing the drive from the ps2 each time) - 6. OPL 0.9.3 (with all the options = VMC, GSM, etc.)
- 7. HdlDumpGUI v1.5..
(For installing games, it was the same as with ANY other hard drive) - 8. Free Memory Card Boot (FMCB) newest version available
-------------------------------------------------------------------- - I've used the uLE-2TB.elf (specifically uLE's HDDmanager/FileBrowser features)..
(mainly to Format the Hard Drive, Create Partitions, and Copy/Paste files) - Correct Values are now displayed in uLE = Total Size and Free Space look right
- +OPL partition created successfully
- ALL partitions created successfully
- I now have more than 1 TB of games installed ( 484 games )
- ALL Games work as they should in OPL
- ALL Virtual Memory Cards (VMC) work as they should in OPL
- Simple Media System (SMS) works as it should..
(However, the initial loading times seem to have increased) - HdlDumpGUI readings/feedback of TRUE User-Useable space..
( 1863GB Total / 1104.38GB Used / 758.63GB Available )
- 1. This version of uLaunchElf ( uLE - 2TB )
- 'The main problem was formatting the hard drive initially (before this version).
I tried WinHIIP and Free Hard Drive Boot (FHDB) with no success.
uLE didn't work, and gave incorrect values for the HDD size.
SP193 developed a uLE version that worked.''This site has helped me tremendously, and I will gladly help anybody I can.
I was delighted to help out any way that I could, although really I deserve little of the credit, as it was SP193 that worked on the program, and I was merely a tester.' - SP193:
(for developing, and providing us with, this much needed future-proofing resource)spiderman:
(Beta Testing, Glitch Reporting, Feedback, Images, and this articles Main Source of information)Other uLE Maintainers/Contributors of Note:
(who may not have taken part in this version, but deserve an honorable mention nonetheless)
AKuHAK, krHACKen, dlanor, E P, Mirakichi,
Polo35, radad, Drakonite, sincro, kthu, Slam-Tilt, chip, pixel, Hermes,
and many others in the PS2Dev community
Ps2 Ulaunchelf Usb Modchip 3
NOTE: this version is not for you unless you have a 2TB InternalHDD in your PS2.
If you do not have a 2TB internal drive, you should still be using uLE wip7 or uLE_kHn.
DOWNLOAD :
.... uLaunchElf 4.43a ( 2-TB edition ) ....
SOURCE:
MANY EMAILs AND PMs from spiderman
If you do not have a 2TB internal drive, you should still be using uLE wip7 or uLE_kHn.
DOWNLOAD :
.... uLaunchElf 4.43a ( 2-TB edition ) ....
SOURCE:
MANY EMAILs AND PMs from spiderman