How To Easily Softmod A PS2 Phat! - FHDB Method

[@dronephotographyofnorthcar4547]

You have saved me so much headache. Other vid creators were good, but, I was never able to get my 4TB HDD to show up until I followed your vid. Thank you so much for the detailed walk-through, it showed steps others never mentioned which is where I was stuck.

[@OCDRex11]

Fantastic video! I have watched every single one I can find and this was by far the best and most coherently filmed/edited one on KZbin!

[@ArchadesGames]

Glad to hear it!

[@dankdak5344]

@@ArchadesGames God, I want to blow my head off. While trying to update freemcboot to work with hard drives over 2tb, I wiped the memory card because it said it didn't have enough space to install. now I can't get past the PlayStation logo boot screen with the temporary FHDB image on the hard drive and with the usb plugged in with the freemcboot install folder and Open ps2 loader file. It just goes backscreen right after the boot screen. Any ideas what could be going wrong? i have the SCPH-39001 model.

[@ggallin69]

Dude you’re the BEST!!!!! I have a rare Japanese PS2 and there very limited info about modding it, I almost gave up until I came across your video. For some reason the Free McBoot card I bought online wasn’t working. Thank you so much!!!

[@Valleystoner]

Man I'm so glad I found your video. I was having so much trouble with formatting my hard drive because my ps2 would not recognize it. Also I couldn't format it through winhiip because the ps2home website blocked me. After using gui to format to fat32 and flashing the FHDB image to the hard drive my ps2 finally detected it. Thank you so much for making this guide!

[@ArchadesGames]

Happy gaming!

[@MobCat_]

FINALLY figured this thing out, thanks man. HDD just wasn't showing. or it would show but no games. This is the only tut I found that mentioned the formatting with 512K unit size, that fixed it. works grate now.

[@mrpunjana4019]

Thanks for the tip on the hard drive enclosures got a pack of two on amazon on Black Friday and a 20% off a double discount 👍

[@ArchadesGames]

Nice!

[@salviusgee8101]

But how do you install PS2 games onto the HD? What software is used to do so?

[@teleskopossomnium]

@@salviusgee8101 this is what I’ve been trying to figure out, you find the answer on KZbin however. You’ll have to do some searching to figure out how. My problem is I have a Mac, not a pc, and I have to find someone to do all this for me

[@AleksPizana]

I have the same SSD model for my Xbox Series S (Dev Mode) though mine is a 1TB. It was cheap and it's really good.

[@ArchadesGames]

They work well for these kind of projects!

[@MrReese]

5:07 According to the official guide for FHDB (official FreeMcBoot guide -> menu point 11) it's not necessary to use the outdated "entry point" for the HDD. You just have to use the RAW copy tool to copy the wLaunchELF KHN HDD image ( *__mbr.raw* ) onto the HDD. Also, small advice from my own experience doing this: I had a 4GB USB flash drive that was formatted in FAT32 and had all the necessary files on it, but the PS2 did not find any data on it. Turns out the USB flash drive was using GPT instead of MBR, for whatever reason. So I had to go into the diskpart program in the Windows command line to clean the drive (there's a quick guide for how to do it on the MS website) and then format it again with FAT32. After that everything worked just fine.

[@braydenlynch4655]

Hey, I've been following this tutorial until I reached the OSD settings at 12:25. FHDB Config option is not displaying at all for me and when I load up FMCB Config the HDD doesn't show up at all. Idk if it's indicative of anything but my ps2 browser menu doesn't switch from FMCB to FHDB like yours does. My HDD is properly connected and everything so I'm curious as to the issue. Will mess around more with it in the morning and update if I find a fix.

[@braydenlynch4655]

The problem appeared to be that my FMCB MC was still in the PS2, overriding the FHDB install in the PS2 browser and not allowing me to use FHDB options. If anyone else is having issues in this way, try removing a FMCB card if you have one inserted.

[@ProfessorShroom]

Do you need to keep the USB installed? Or can it be removed and just run off the HDD?

[@kturbioo]

when I removed it OPL is missing

[@bmcginnis6543]

Anyone looking to use GrimDoomer OPL and a larger HDD, the version has been abandoned so don't waste your time. Just use a normal version of OPL and 2TB drive.

[@DAsalsa33]

Ya i thought that was the case 😕

[@rareshme]

How many ps2 games can 2tb store? Thinking about trying this method

[@JzLyfe]

​@@bmcginnis6543 I just got a 4TB drive today to start doing this. So this won't work anymore? I hope I can return it for a 2tb drive now. Edit..As of today 10/9/2024 just got my 4TB working with GrimDoomer OPL and games are working currently. Even loads fast with my seagate 4TB hdd, only issues I'm having are my Cover Art Set which contains 61k images and themes are not showing up, yes they are placed in correct folders onto the HDD(THM,ART) but no luck.

[@teleskopossomnium]

Can someone make a clone of an existing hd with grimdoomer on it?

[@SolidNate99]

The grim doomer version is great tho

[@MiBrCo4177]

looking to get a fat ps2 soon and do this exact thing. do games run normally without problems if you install them on the HDD like this? do they run as if you put them into the disc tray and loaded the game off disc like you normally would?

[@volvoguy804]

I've done this recently and can confirm they load just like a disc, probably faster. I came across only one game in the ton of games I added that froze when loading to another stage.

[@zhanewithah7462]

majority of games will have faster load times small minority might act weird not being played with a disc but they will still be playable

[@eonsvenfaustino9721]

how did you put games on that hdd?

[@calebheiser9825]

HDL batch

[@ericksonfaustino1631]

@@calebheiser9825 any link for hdl batch..thanks

[@ArchadesGames]

www.psx-place.com/resources/hdl-batch-installer.1173/

[@OCDRex11]

If using a 1TB drive, I don't need to do anything with Grimm's OPL and I just create the CD and DVD folders and add roms, correct?! Do I still need to make the drive EXFAT if it is only a 1TB?

[@ArchadesGames]

If you want drag and drop capabilities you need to use the Grimdoomer build with exFAT. You have to use something like HDL Batch if going the standard PS2 HDD route

[@flyingwings4740]

When using Grimdoomers OPL, How do you get the artwork moved over for the games so it shows on the Menu along with the games ? I have not been able to find any info on or an explanation on how to do this, no one explains this in any Tutorial ive watched on Grimdoomers OPL, its always Skipped.....So i went back to using normal OPL as its easy to move artwork over..

[@ArchadesGames]

It is literally the same as regular OPL just put it in the artwork folder it creates on the larger drive.

[@flyingwings4740]

Are you sure ? as i seem to recall reading in some forum its not stored in same place as standard OPL, Cheers

[@KyleGP]

5:50 you mention "USB drive" but this is supposed to the hard drive. Then the next section talks about USB drive preparation. Just wanted to clarify so others don't make a mistake here.

[@billtendo64]

i am wondering the same

[@EMSS-ul8bq]

I have to give you a little constructive criticism, first. Obviously, you are very familiar with this process and know what you're doing. However, this is intended as a tutorial. If you slowed down your movements and lowered the resolution or zoomed in, it would probably be easier for your viewers that are trying to learn how to do this a little easier. That being said, do you have a tutorial on how to burn your games from the PS2 to the SSD? I bought everything in your description and I followed your instructions and everything looks like it's working. I had to follow someone else's instructions for getting my games onto the SSD. I don't know if there are differences in the process, but when I finished, it didn't work. After it says my game installed successfully, it is in the HDL Game Installer screen, but when I try to load the game through the OPL screen and I press circle, nothing happens. If you have a method to burn your games from the PS2 to the SSD, would you please make a video tutorial? Thank you, I hate to criticize someone who is helping people, I just thought it could be helpful for your future videos.

[@Somerandomguy818-ok9ud]

What video tutorial you use to get the games on the harddrive? I am having some problem.

[@EMSS-ul8bq]

@@Somerandomguy818-ok9ud Blaine Locklair's channel has some great tutorials. Using his information, I was able to get it working. The only difference is that I use only the FMCB memory card and not FHDB. Good luck, I hope you get it working.

[@OMFG1581]

Great video man! But one quick question, I was trying to install art but for some reason the /+OPL folder didn’t have enough space. How would I go about increasing its partition so I can add my art. Thank you 🎉

[@ArchadesGames]

On memory card or HDD?

[@OMFG1581]

@@ArchadesGames on the hdd

[@ArchadesGames]

I assume you went with the FHDB method?

[@OMFG1581]

@@ArchadesGames yes sir. Is there anything additional I have to do?

[@ArchadesGames]

In launch elf you should be able to delete the current partition and make a new larger one with the same name to get you the space you need.

[@Jerry_Duster]

Hello, I have an urgent question. My system: PS2 50004 with Matrix infinity 1.93, with origin Sony network adapter and 160gb ide hdd. I did everything like in your video until the time 08:50. The FreeMcBoot logo appears and disappears and then when the floating balls come, the image stops. Reset doesn't work either. Only turning it off and on helps. But then the same again. What is the problem? Thanks in advance!

[@ArchadesGames]

Using a mod chip at the same time might be screwing with it.

[@althepal3989]

when I get to around 10:30 in the video to format the hard drive the ps2 just freezes there im not sure why

[@EpicZail]

Hey mate. I just followed this and added games via HDL batch installer. When I go to save OPL settings, it keeps saying “error writing settings!” Any clue at all what could be causing this? Edit: after I change the write operations to on & HDD Device Start Mode to auto, I can view the list of games & play them fine. But every time I start the console, I have to change those settings to view the list of games.

[@EpicZail]

Ok so I think this had something to do with me having two versions of OPL on the hard drive. The third time I went through this video it seems to be working. One not for anyone looking to add Art, before adding and games.. Delete the +OPL folder that was auto created, create a new one at your desired size, then launch OPL so the contents of the folder will get created. By default OPL creates a very very small folder that doesn’t have much room at all for saves or art

[@kturbioo]

Can I run OPL without usb flash drive?

[@R9anSmart]

Great video. 9:00 Can you explain what models it won't auto boot from, what happens when trying on one of these consoles and how to address this? Thanks in advance 😅

[@onetrues3978]

same using a scph- 30001 no joy

[@MeMyselfAndKgore]

Thanks so much, I was losing my mind and this helped me troubleshoot my problem. I bought a fmcb card and it's just completely dead

[@ArchadesGames]

That's too bad, you back up and running now?

[@MeMyselfAndKgore]

@@ArchadesGames I am now yes 👌 thanks again

[@ArchadesGames]

Happy gaming!

[@afewminutesanyway]

Does GrimDoomers option still work on bigger drives even though it’s been abandoned?

[@ArchadesGames]

Yes

[@afewminutesanyway]

@@ArchadesGames this is why you’re a legend for responding to a comment on a 3 month old video. Thanks so much!

[@ArchadesGames]

Wow, 3 months already 👀 time flies 😂

[@Hope_Upstairs]

...is the "throw everything on the floor" step absolutely necessary? my room is suspended fifty thousand feet above the ground 😢

[@ArchadesGames]

Mandatory!

[@Hope_Upstairs]

@@ArchadesGames gonna have to get a safety net then

[@ArchadesGames]

Lol

[@jasonmyers5512]

What happens that after all this and it working for weeks it doesn’t have any options after system config? No opl or launch elf options anymore

[@danielleboeuf6670]

bro @ArchadesGames you are a lifesaver!!!! ive been struggling with this for 2 weeks now and ive got the first set up done with fhdb and everything is where it needs to be, i was wondering though, do i still need to be concerned about iso files over 4gb needing to be split on the first setup or that wont be a problem? i started this after my disc drive started acting up and is having difficulty loading champions of norrath and it is a 6gb game and theres so many different directions and ways to go about this that im not sure what to do exactly.

[@ArchadesGames]

Using an internal hard drive doesn't require you to split things like FAT32 USB. Use HDL Batch to get stuff on it with ease.

[@danielleboeuf6670]

@ArchadesGames i figured out the hdbatch loader last night and as I clicked on your comment just finished installing my 6gb game with it and it worked, your video was amazing by the way! When I tell you ive been trying different methods to and ive watched over 30 videos within the past 2 weeks with no luck, im not kidding it was a nightmare but your video was easy to follow and best of all? MY GAMES WORK! Having the art isn't a big factor for me but if I were to add art for my games where would I need to put the art folder for it to show up on the ps2?

[@cpmagneticmedia]

Is there a way to get PS1 games on the HD?

[@volvoguy804]

Stupid question: The hdd you use for (to play all of your games) to plug into the PS2, does this hdd need just windows installed on it, or should it completely not have an OS installed in it. Thanks!

[@ArchadesGames]

You don't install any OS onto the PS2 drive

[@volvoguy804]

Thank you for the info and quick reply!

[@titan_husker]

In OPL I can see all the games on my USB drive. However none of the games from HDD are showing. (I loaded some through HD Loader), and in the settings on OPL I did not have an option for HDD on BDM Block Devices. So I am not sure how I fix that. Is there a collaborative way to put all of the games in a accessible location on the Hard Drive? I am not sure how the file structure breaks down, but who wants to keep taking the machine appart to load more games. Any help is much appreciated.

[@madmax2069]

What i want to do is to install games onto the SSD in the PS2 using network. Or maybe just copy my games from USB to the HDD (even though it will be slow). I just don't want to have to remove the drive to install games onto. My SSD is using the PS2 format (not Fat32 or Exfat).

[@stuntman4174]

I install everything on the hard drive and FreeHDBoot launches, but when I click wLaunchElf nothing happens. Just goes to a black screen.

[@John_M_B]

for me, went from the FHDB scren, to black screen, back to the normal PS2 browser. I think i am just going to give up. tried so many tutorials. none work (39001 model, gamestar HD adapter, HD setup with MBR and fat 32, all files loaded on USB stick and HD)

[@ianfairbanks1318]

Thanks man!

[@D1rtc0wboy]

when you do this does it come with games or do you need to add them yourself?

[@ArchadesGames]

You add them yourself and provide them yourself

[@maxkaz8383]

i did as you instructed on a for my 250gb ssd for fhdb however how do i add the iso without formatting the ssd when the pc asked me to without also losing the fhdb within the ssd?

[@ArchadesGames]

Use hdl batch

[@Pyroman7925]

I may be slow, but how are you getting game images to load? I have the memcard pro 2 with the free mcboot files installed and system auto boots from it. I have dropped the games onto the drive, but when i load the games list from OPL and changed the settings to turn on hdd it shows 0 games on the list. Do i need to format the hdd a different way than exfat? Is there a program im missing from all this that does all this?

[@ArchadesGames]

If you are using exFAT you need to be on the Grimdoomer version of OPL

[@Pyroman7925]

@@ArchadesGames Oooohhh okay makes way more sense then. I'll try that tomorrow. Thank you. OPL regular must be a different method of loading games then.

[@ArchadesGames]

It doesn't have the driver for exFAT HDD is all

[@Pyroman7925]

booted into grimdoomers and still not seeing any games. Is there any direct guides? Seems like Winhiip is completely obsolete. I don't want to bother you with this troubleshooting.@@ArchadesGames

[@ArchadesGames]

I go over it in the video for the Grimdoomer build. Look at the time stamps and follow along.

[@finallyfit4642]

Free Mc boot shows up but then just black screens 😢

[@felipeministerio7553]

Mine as well, did you solve it?

[@joelgallegos2557]

What happen if I did everything and try copy and paste 12.06 -1996 beta HDD but it freezes in screen

[@calebheiser9825]

How do I load games onto the drive? It becomes invisible to windows after you add the disc image. I tried using mc boot to copy isos over from a flash drive but the operation always freezes.

[@ArchadesGames]

HDL Batch

[@calebheiser9825]

@@ArchadesGames thanks!

[@CutThroatCody]

Thanks for this! Would love some help navigating how to get PS1 games set up as well. Been seeing a lot of older videos on it. Everyone is slightly different. A easier to understand method would be appreciated!

[@zombieslayerC94]

When I choose a game from the Hdd games and it’s stuck on loading config any help?

[@ChrisPointon-uo8zg]

Hi, my ps2 wont reboot after I install FHBD? Just black screens?

[@Pesticide00]

Is there a way to install everything on an internal hard drive exfat? So you dont need a moded memory card in at all times??

[@ArchadesGames]

No

[@andrewdupuis1151]

i cant get ford racing 2 img for ps2 to work unless i use cs then works and ps1 games

[@WilleWalla02]

My console boots up to the FreeMcBoot logo, then stays at a black screen for about 30 seconds. After that it goes to the memory card menu with the default os.

[@Apparitions98]

opl wont open on freehdboot without my usb stick also plugged in. is this just how it is?

[@rareshme]

How many games can a 2tb drive hold? Thanks for the video

[@03chrisv]

Between 600 to 700 PS2 games depending on which ones you want.

[@DiscyBoyo3000]

with hdd raw copy tool i get the error code "operation cancelled at offset". tried 3 times, 1st time 3 percent, second time stopped at 15 percent, and the lasty one was 25 percent.

[@brethbk69]

Oh I’ve been waiting for this sweet! I have the official Sony network hdd adapter , I don’t feel like modding it with a Sata adapter will a 3rd party adapter that you linked here work with this ?

[@ArchadesGames]

Yes they will work but an official with sata is definitely better.

[@brethbk69]

@@ArchadesGames do you recommend a particular adapter?

[@ArchadesGames]

Anything but Kaico or BitFunx. I don't imagine it will matter too much since they are all clones of each other.

[@brethbk69]

@@ArchadesGames awesome thanks for the tips!

[@ArchadesGames]

No problem!

[@ljmrsy]

Hey dude, how do you convert your PS2 CD games to iso? I can't find anything online.

[@ArchadesGames]

I typically mount them in a virtual drive and rip them as ISO if I already had them in bin/cue format

[@cavisualproductions4406]

OPL Manager can also convert PS2 CDs to ISO

[@RealCanadianGaming]

Hey, what do I do if I bought a memory card with FreeMcBoot already installed?

[@ArchadesGames]

Then use that?

[@bds4410]

Can this be used to run games without any modchip right?

[@ArchadesGames]

Yes

[@bds4410]

@@ArchadesGames is it a lot harder to softmod if my ps2 is chipped?

[@ArchadesGames]

Why do you need a softmod if you already have a modded PS2

[@bds4410]

@@ArchadesGames if i wanted to have both options

[@codyhuweart3156]

I got the grimdoomer build and now I can't play PS1 off hard drive and ulunchelf is not there so confusing

[@ArchadesGames]

Grimdoomer build isn't compatible with PS1 stuff. If you had an existing FMCB config the new launched file is probably named differently so go into the config and point it to the right one.

[@carlmichael1605]

How do you load games onto the HDD if it's less than 2tb?

[@ArchadesGames]

Hdl batch

[@UmarAbid]

can i ask i want to have ps2 play ps1 games can you tell me how I et this up for ps1 to?

[@solidfixes]

There’s gotta be a way to do this without sticking your hd into the ps2 first…

[@solidfixes]

Do we still need to use winhip?

[@ArchadesGames]

HDL batch

[@solidfixes]

@@ArchadesGames no idea what that means ha

[@7amedo]

Please help, i do have a ps2 fat scph-50001 with a mod chip (mars II ma-501). I’ve noticed that the time is not saving after removing my ps2 from the power so i changed the cr2032 battery to a new battery but it is still not saving the time after removing it from the power. Is it because of the mod chip or is it because of something else?

[@toms82]

how can i get FHDB 1.963 img ?

[@craiglakeland8155]

how i get the games to run for this

[@andrewdupuis1151]

i reSoftmod today on ssd 250 gb it biggest enough for mine

[@mdkgod43]

What do you mean cd base games?

[@ufoguy]

5 AM in here !

[@RealShadowfiend180x]

Fantastic video man can i ask whats the point in doing this when i got a softmodded ps2 already but a cfw ps3 with a 2tb hdd and the ps3 allows for disc dumping of ps1 ps2 ps3 discs etc so fat32 limit shouldn't be an issue as im using real discs 😊

[@Imhotep-the-7th]

My ps2 freezes after the free mcboot logo and before the menu..

[@ArchadesGames]

You try a different MC yet?

[@Imhotep-the-7th]

@@ArchadesGames i'm trying FHDB and booting from the hard drive.. can't find my free mcboot mc!!

[@zhanewithah7462]

at 5 mins or so the timestamp says flashing your hdd but you tell us to triple check we are flashing a usb then in the next section u tell us to setup a file structure on another usb? did u mispeak and mean for the first drive temp image to go on my hdd? @archades games

[@Juffweena]

FHDB works like a charm, I am assuming I have to use Winhiip to add games to the SSD that has FHDB?

[@ArchadesGames]

Use HDL Batch

[@nikolaslas5005]

Will a PS2 Slim work

[@ArchadesGames]

Read the title again slowly. Phats only for this method.

[@nikolaslas5005]

@@ArchadesGames ok thanks

[@Rhino11111]

Can you play scarface

[@davidsingh5681]

Black screen after mc boot logo

[@andrewdupuis1151]

I been using game star adapter last few years its great

[@madmax2069]

@@andrewdupuis1151 it's good if you don't use any of the network functionality (you can still play some PS2 games online).

[@BrianHall210]

Hey, so I accidentally put the FHDB image on my USB drive and now my PC thinks it has 0 bytes of space and wont let me format it. I've been googling a way to fix it for the past 2 or so hours with no luck so figured I'd ask here to see if anyone knows how to fix this?

[@takehirolol5962]

Cut the chatter.

[@mr702s]

@@takehirolol5962 be more grateful, gezzz

[@MrDbzguy]

"EASILY" *25 minutes long*

[@ArchadesGames]

I don't care if you have no attention span or attention to detail.