How to Softmod Your PS1 with FreePSXBoot & tonyhax!

[@jeremytretheway5888]

The latest update now allows the memory card to be and stay in slot 2!!! This means, you don't have to keep removing the memory card every time you want to play the game and can keep a game save memory card in slot 1! I love how finally the PS1 is getting some soft mod love

[@robertJfontaine]

Are u refering to Tony hacks or unirom

[@Ponimaju]

@@robertJfontaine FreePSXboot/Unirom - you can see more details on the Github page in the description.

[@N1two]

@@Ponimaju can you load this stuff to third party memory cards or does it have to be official sony ones

[@Ponimaju]

@@N1two Any card should work as long as your console can read it.

[@intel386DX]

What about the first revision with RCA jacks ? Are still 2 cards needed as showed in the video ?

[@HKT-4300]

Memory card annihilator is such a sleek looking piece of howmebrew lol, great video as always! can't believe these exploits coming out the past months, PS1's and PS2's have basically become Dreamcast levels of easy to play stuff on

[@MrMario2011]

It really is! To both your points.

[@HKT-4300]

Revisiting this video made me realize Unirom can force boot PAL games in 60Hz and i think i have forgotten how to breathe

[@ISAK.M]

Always a pleasure to watch despite not owning a PS1, yet that is.

[@KhronoProd]

Lol I own 10 of them, so easy to come by. I'll just restore em and keep em

[@MrDuke1080]

.

[@Incursion.]

They’re pretty cheap ngl. Planning on getting one soon.

[@JonathanH]

Do you have one now?

[@brpadington]

Swapping sucks on PS1 due to the issues with CD audio. Glad to see we have a soft mod now.

[@brngrofdeth]

This is brilliant. Thank you for everything my friend. Lots of love from Ontario Canada!

[@TheGreatGigi06]

Funny info: the softmod now works on every type of ps1 except debug stations and net yaroze :D

[@MrMario2011]

AMAZING

[@fgap10]

even on japanese?

[@shoked99]

Tested with Persona 2 as suggested and this worked great. Only hiccup was needing a compatible thumb drive. Thanks.

[@NemeZisUK]

Version 2 of FreePSXBoot allows you to have it in slot 2 and keep it there. No need to remove it.

[@fabricatedego]

So thank you for posting this video. I know it was from 2 years ago. The first video I found almost friend two of my memory cards which one I have had since the 2000's. Working great and the person talking about the memory card 2 slot file is what I used. Thank you again.

[@MrMario2011]

What?! How did another video almost damage your memory cards??

[@fabricatedego]

@MrMario2011 I grabbed the files he said to use, and his instructions weren't as clear and the mod failed. Luckily your tutorial helped Me fix my memory cards

[@josephjarman3231]

This is probably the earliest I'll ever make it to a MrMario2011 video! One that I could actually use too.

[@MrMario2011]

Perfect.

[@EpicZooJetu]

Thanks!

[@MrMario2011]

Much appreciated!

[@jamesavanzado450]

That's awesome !! Very clear and precise instructions, keep up the good work !! Greetings here from philippines !!

[@MrMario2011]

Always love seeing the reach these videos get to, thanks for hanging out!

[@omfgbunder2008]

Nice, this is pretty much what I was hoping for as well.

[@papparaba5504]

I don't know about FPSXB-tonyhax version, but normal FPSXB has a integrated MC formatting option since one or two revisions. So you can format your FPSXB MC directly from UniRom options.

[@MrMario2011]

That's true.

[@papparaba5504]

@@MrMario2011 Btw the method you showed is useful anyway, in case you don't know your exact bios. For example with my scph-102 I didn't checked the bios, just flashed the MC with 4.5 version. If it was 4.4 I'd have blocked the sensor and used the disk method for formatting (I have the psx hacker kit 18 in 1 that also has a MC manager). Having a tonyhax compatible game is indeed useful also for checking the exact bios (without need of blocking sensors and launch the bios dumper disc) for then install fpsxb.

[@MCJeffsy]

Fantastic video. Great detail. 10/10

[@MrMario2011]

Thanks!

[@DeanOverlin]

Is there a specific method that backups of games need to be burned to CD-R?

[@waynetemplar2183]

FreePSXBoot is such a great softmod method and this video is an excellent guide

[@adamcatley4784]

If you want to update to a new version of the PSX exploits, as you can't use them on the PS2 once installed you can use the PS1 memory card formatter and burn it to CD, launch it using your current softmod memcard

[@AndreFlores-Is-Party-Poison-]

I recently got a SCPH1001 model and followed the steps to no avail. I even downloaded the bios based on model and manufacture date. I rewatched this video 3 times and feel like I followed everything to the point.

[@smokes21502]

figure it out?

[@somesortofgeek]

In his other viideo, he explains that is incompatible with this exploit. I'm assuming the console you have has the Crt output (red, yellow, white) outputs right?

[@matthewparker2910]

TonyHax itself doesn't boot import games properly in their respective refresh rates currently. E.g. if you have a PAL PS1 and try to boot an NTSC game, it is forced to 50hz.

[@MrMario2011]

Yeah, so FreePSXBoot might be the better option for import users like that.

[@matthewparker2910]

@@MrMario2011 agreed! I'm going to try it this afternoon 😁

[@Drunken_Horse]

Just did this using version 2 of freepsxboot. Was so easy to do and now my US discs work on my PAL 5000 series so dont have to risk my lazer on my 1000 series so much. Big thanks. I recommend if anyone does this they keep a copy of all the installers somewhere because the file sizes are tiny but Ive had a nightmare trying to find compatible and upto date files for the PS2 hack and can imagine itll be just as hard with the PS1 one day.

[@MrMario2011]

Always good to keep important files on hand!

[@ruthlessc95]

actually it works in some ntsc-j, but only with the swap trick, I have a ps1 audiophile scph-3500 and sadly doesn't work, but I saw videos working in other models, I have more 2 ntsc-j models that I'll try.

[@MrMario2011]

Good to know!

[@paranormal_bass1324]

My freepsxboot card is stuck loading unirom, and soft locks my ps2, (this is why they say use a different card for saves) using the psx memory card formatter do I have to do a disc swap if my freepsxboot card isn’t working? Should I make another freepsxboot and put the corrupt one in the other slot and reformat it through unirom?

[@LiquidSnake7]

Unfortunately this didn’t work for me. I have a SCPH 5552 and the system just crashes without it loading unirom. The Memory card now also makes my ps2 freeze, so i cannot even format it in Annihilator.

[@MrMario2011]

If you have a way of booting up a burned PS1 game, watch the section covering installation.

[@miguelcarneiro1192]

Hi, tonyhax will work to exploit japaneses PS1?

[@CrimsonDragoon23]

I have a problem: I have a SCPH-101 PS One, and there's 2 different files for that system. Which one do I download??? The Date Code is 2B, for anyone who is willing to help.

[@MrMario2011]

Try one, if it doesn't work try the other.

[@OGSERB]

Stupid question: Does this flash your PS1 permanently? Or modify it somehow? I have large US PS1 collection and this obviously not necessary for those, so I wouldn’t want to have the card plugged in for those.

[@MrMario2011]

Nothing on the PS1 itself is modified.

[@bobbus_74]

Great video. I have FreeMcBoot on my PS2 so I really need to try this too.

[@awesomeferret]

Recently got another ten dollar unit (every time I say it's the last one I'll find I find another) so I'll have to give this a go.

[@mcmike89]

Hi, if you can help me with this question. I would gladly appreciate it. I want to be able to play 100% downloaded PS1 save game files from the internet to my PS2 console, not the PCSX2 emulator. My original PS2 console, I don't feel like playing my games from the beginning and want to play complete save game files. PS2 Save Builder doesn't seem to like PS1 save game files. What other method do PS1 save game files use other than PS2 Save Builder? Is there a PS1 Save Builder application?

[@s0nnyblaz32]

Man! Hopefully one day we will be able to boot games from a memory card such as the memcard pro. I wanna leave my psx stock, I don't like the idea of replacing my cd drive for an ode.

[@MrMario2011]

To this day the PSIO is still the only ODE that retains the disc drive. I have one, it's alright, but for ease of use and compatibility carving out the disc drive for a xStation or MODE are the best options.

[@YEY076]

@@MrMario2011 the creator of the MX4SIO in ps2 says that the same method they're using to load games in the ps2 through a micro SD via a modified memory card should work in the PS1 in theory. But obviously it is required Software , a launcher like in ps2 (OPL) . Sadly, there is none at this day's. 😞

[@DamianNoctem]

And here I was trying to find a modded system. Thanks! One question, Is there a way to do this without the ps2?

[@MrMario2011]

Multiple ways! However for doing it yourself, the PS2 is probably what most people would have on hand

[@DamianNoctem]

@@MrMario2011 Fair. I just ask since I don't believe my fat PS2 can use the free dvdboot exploit. Then again, I did want to install a Hard drive in the thing anyway.

[@seanoreilly632]

I followed these instructions step by step but unfortunately I can't get FreePSXboot to actually load. When I put the modded card in the PS1 and select memory cards it doesn't actually start the loading bar or launch the program

[@YNGDYE]

same. did you fix it? thanks.

[@seanoreilly632]

@@YNGDYE Yes. I was originally using those new white 1mb third party cards you can get at pretty much any game shop, or Amazon, and it wasn't working. I ended up trying it on a cheap old third party 2x multicard and it worked fine first try. It seems to be an issue with the cards themselves so try and find an old used one if you can.

[@Jay-lf6ox]

This did not work and I followed all steps to a t

[@charlesbird7046]

So, would I be able to purchase one already modded? I do not have access to a PS2.

[@MeisterKira]

nothing beats the old modchip installed.

[@N1two]

Awesome guide. Do all burned games literally work native like this no issues? Do the memory cards you use have to be authentic sony ones or can third party ones work too? Do you have a guide on how to properly burn the games to cd/dvd?

[@WcaVR]

I also watched this on your LBRY/ODYSEE channel :) #supportive

[@MrMario2011]

Appreciate it, dude 😁

[@AsecasJavi]

I don't understand why it's needed to use freepsxboot and why tonyhax needs it for this to work if later you say that I can't use both in a single memory card? Does this mean I need 2 memory cards for this specific process to work?

[@andrewdupuis1151]

you can also bring back ps1 memory card on ps3 to I have tried if you have memory card adapter

[@otorigolden]

Thanks for the tutorial, it worked for me, restoring the image took a few tries though

[@zhezhebulong]

Is there any softmod method for the Japanese ps1?

[@Superjamppa]

Nice tutorial! This worked great!

[@wootdoot2ubuddy185]

What can be done if the disc state stays at Seeking 2... when attempting to load a burned game?

[@OpticalHaze]

3:17 it's a shame it won't work on NTSC-J Consoles without disc swapping. Hope this will be fixed one day

[@guillaumelesage9191]

Any news for consoles NTSC-J?

[@09Pliskin]

After a few times working now It says "fastload locating cdrom:psx.exe" and nothing happens..it's something wrong?

[@TheSillyPotato]

Hey MrMario, great video as always! Just ordered two original PS1 memory cards so I'll be able to do this :) I have two questions though. If I wanted to play backup disks, how would I go about and burn them from my PC? Are there any certain CDs I would need to use, any certain settings and what program would you recommend? And for my second question, are there any advantages over using Tonyhax compared to FreePSXBoot / UniROM and vice-versa? To me they seem like they're the exact same, so I'm not sure why two different exploits exist for the PS1 when the setup and use is virtually the same.

[@zeebpc]

also wondering about burning cd

[@thefish322]

@@zeebpc so for the ps2 slim the laser responded well to Verbatim brand media, it responded least in my experience ironically with sony brand dvd's... cd's might be easier, burn at lowest settings, and make sure u have a good burner.

[@heavenlyderpfowl1180]

Sweet, now I can start importing ps1 games, hope they update this soon to work on the ps2

[@devan_danger]

This is great advancement for the scene but rather than using up a whole MC that would be best used for all the backups you're gonna run. I personally found it most efficient to just install a mod chip myself. They're fairly cheap and they're great for practicing soldering for beginners. I did my first one the other day and I couldn't have been happier with the results. I think the use is still most valuable and anyone without a modded ps2 can do it without any extra hoops to jump through.

[@tarekmando1235]

Yeah, but going into hard modding a ps1 will not work on all models, and that is what makes freepsxboot a good alternative

[@robertybob]

I have a European PSOne meaning I need one memory card in each slot for this to work. With FreePSXBoot having to be in the first slot (or taken out once the game has booted, but that's effort), will games actually let me save to memory card slot 2?

[@MrMario2011]

Sure.

[@MisterAlexEsquire]

Any reliable way to tell if a slim/portable PSOne (SCPH-101) is running BIOS 4.4 or 4.5? There are two builds of FreePSXBoot listed for the SCPH-101.

[@residentevilfan4]

I have a memory card adapter for the ps2. It's the official Sony one, it's a small black brick, could I use that?

[@JTSund]

So I made a mistake and now when I boot it in my psx it won’t work and when I boot into my ps2 it’s a black screen how do I fix this

[@dea-gaming_ita3147]

this is a nice video! unfortunatley i don't have a ps2 but only a ps1, i guess i'll have to try the swapping method for my burned games

[@RetroRick1990]

How could possibly someone dislike this video?! It must be a very sad person....

[@MrMario2011]

I mean I ask for it at the end of each video 🤷‍♂️

[@jodymehl4484]

Thank you so much for this Mr Mario will be trying this out in the week

[@jeffreydowd1218]

Followed this closely, but mcannihilator doesn't restore image. It says it does. Everything that happens in this video happens on my PS2, but when I try to make it work on the PS1 nothing happens. The memory card works like a regular memory card. I tried with two different memory cards - one third party and one original; tried changing the image from .mcd to .mcr.; double-checked the site to make sure I had the right image. Any ideas? Is there some reason mcannihilator wouldn't work (but appear like it does)?

[@Jay-lf6ox]

Did you ever find an answer?

[@artificialenemy77]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I have a PS One that I wanted to try this with. Everything went smoothly and I was able to boot up 2 JPN games. Raycrisis and Raystorm which I just received in the mail today.

[@Dad_Shoes]

Woah, I went into this only expecting to boot up backups of games. I didn't even consider Japanese imports working on it.

[@EdibleGoat.]

I know this is 2 years old but does anyone know how to fix the software terminated screen? My imports wont play because of that, i have freepsxboot on a memorycard and do what it says and bam software terminated i know my ps1 has a modchip to read backups but its no stealth chip do i need to remove it or? Btw my ps1 is a fat with paralel port, thanks for any help!

[@MrMario2011]

Could be worth running the latest update of this.

[@EdibleGoat.]

​​@@MrMario2011 think i do have the latest but i grabbed the cd boot one does that make a difference? Since i swapped my case and lost the model number

[@videoartmusiic]

I did same as you say but my memery card stuck at 16:12 (as i see) Now memory card not working even ps 2

[@videoartmusiic]

screen frazzing

[@LJ7000]

Sorry I don't understand what is the point of Tonyhax? Isn't freepsxboot enough?

[@kjetilfrugard8395]

This is amazing. So technically, I can buy PS1 games from the PSN store, burn it on a disc, and then play it on original hardware.

[@SolidSonicTH]

How would that work?

[@kjetilfrugard8395]

@@SolidSonicTH It's possible to extract the PS1 ISOs from your PS3, Vita and PSP. On the PSP it's just a matter of putting the SD-card into your computer and use PSXtract to convert them. On the PS3 and Vita you probably have to softmod them to get access to the files.

[@nestor11811]

My psx already has a mod chip , can i softmodded anyways? I want to be sure...

[@MrMario2011]

Yep, although not much of a reason to unless you want to remove the chip.

[@darinwolf3]

Man this is awesome! I've been very interested in getting myself a ps1 again since I used to own one as a child, specifically the PSOne [with the lcd screen] but I've been debating on how I want to mod it. I'm far too terrified in opening a console and soldering stuff and as far as I'm aware the SD card adaptor mod for ps1 doesn't work for the slims. Hoping there's another way to load games via roms that doesn't involve major hard mods and especially for the ps1 slim

[@BadBrad119]

i just found out freepsxboot has a built in MC formatter. Much easier than the somewhat glitchy cd you must boot

[@MrMario2011]

Perfect.

[@systemmonitor5295]

I've gone the FreePSXBoot route, got the right file for my console and followed all the correct steps. I get the loading bar on the PS1, but it never comes out of it. Any advice?

[@MrMet2087]

I’m one of those rare people who have the PS3 memory card adapter and I wish you’d have a tutorial for us! EDIT: actually the steps are so comically easy with the PS3 memory card adapter I figured it out on my own in 10 minutes!

[@retched]

What are the steps?

[@MrMet2087]

@@retched I dont remember it’s been a while. But from what I remember you need to download the memory card manager for PC, a program, and then there’s a separate plugin you need to download to get it to read the PS3 adapter via the USB. Then you take the image of the memory card based off of what your model number of ps1 you have, and add it to the card using the memory card manager and save.

[@SpankyGames]

I just got a working ps1 memory card. But when i open the memory card on psx nothing happen just open normally

[@TheDondecker]

Quick question, I have tried both FreePSXBoot and TonyHax and I get stuck at the same place with both. When inserting the backup, the disk doesn't spin up. I am just locked at the screen asking me to insert disc. I know the back-up works because I have used it in the boot-swap method with a real psx game. Any ideas what is creating the issue? The only thing I can think of is that I taped down my lid button inside the console for the boot-swap, maybe the hacks need to see your console open and close the disc tray to work?

[@TheDondecker]

Well, that was it. Just to note, it you have anything holding down you disc tray button, these hacks will not work.

[@JooshMaGoosh]

Im confused by the video and the description... Mainly are you able to use freepsxboot & tonyhax? Or just one or the other. What would be the point? Im able to to do both which is why im curious. It just seems like freepsxboot is the better choice but if they dont clash and can run together i dont see the downside of that either. Edit: if i install both are they on the same memory card? would that be an issue?

[@psonehagrid]

I'd like to do this but my ps2 cannot get modded I've tried everything and all is either incompatible or just doesnt work I have a ps2 slim scph-90004 dvd reader 3.11E

[@DanielSantos-uv6mn]

I have an MC with FMCB that works with your PS2

[@lowbudgetproduction7089]

I need some help, for some reason it doesn't load unirom even tho I did step correctly

[@thelobi9376]

Help!!! My psone model scph-101 freezes when I want to select the memory card icon, and the icon just turns black and freezes, I will appreciate your help and excuse me for my English grammar by the way.

[@metalschnulli]

If i boot a NTSC game on a PAL PS1 "with the start NTSC -> PAL option" will it be played on 30hz or 25hz cause its a PAL Console?

[@dablaccaiyan9152]

So this is only for burned and import disc...

[@intel386DX]

This is fantastic! How to prepare PS 2 card for making the PS 1 card?

[@calsak]

Why Japanese consoles is incompatibles? Any hardware diferences?

[@MrMario2011]

The unlock command used here isn't available in Japanese consoles.

[@calsak]

@@MrMario2011 Thnks. Sad, my is Jp model.

[@itzbazil2802]

If FreePSXBoot and TonyHax are on the same card can I switch between using one or the other?

[@RottenMuLoT]

no.

[@ldoubleprime1654]

Thanks man! First found you through the ps3 hen jailbreak I might try this out

[@jeremytretheway5888]

@MrMario2011 have you noticed that the audio tracks from games don't sync properly when playing backups? Game runs and plays just fine, but the audio tracks cut out or stop altogether. Noticed it in Capcom VS SNK Pro, but was really affected when I tried the rhythm game Bust-A-Groove. I'm thinking it's an issue with the either A. the rom file itself (bin & cue) or B. the disc writing speed is too fast and then the PlayStation doesn't read it correctly. Any thoughts?

[@thefish322]

there is a video of someone adjusting the potentiometer (pot) of the ps1, (there exist videos too for the ps2). The laser when reading audio tracks, has a voltage spike somehow for some reason the laser's voltage fluctuate upward as soon as it begins to read the audio track. I believe the ps1's laser's potentiometer has to be adjusted to read backup games. I don't know by how much, i know its slightly because if you adjust it too much you could burn your laser, also, it could affect how the ps1 reads regular games..

[@wasteddimension]

I've got myself in a bit of an odd situation here and I had to get rid of my 7501 model PS1 and I'm getting a 5501 model but I had already installed the TonyHax 7501 version on my memory card. Would TonyHax still boot to the menu on the 5501 model despite having the wrong TonyHax version so that I could format and install the right version? Or am I going to have to buy a new memory card?

[@MrMario2011]

Need the exact version.

[@CzMatt]

PLEASE ANSWER Iam little confused does this loads burnt games?

[@Evilslayer73]

Hi MrMario do i need absolutely a Sony memory pack or clones are fine?thanks! and salutation from Montreal,Québec!👍👍

[@MrMario2011]

You will have the best luck with a legitimate card.

[@Evilslayer73]

@@MrMario2011 Thanks a lot!im gonna look for an original Sony :)

[@RandomGamingDouchebag]

This mod works great but I wasn't fully aware of the few PS1 games that are able to detect the modified hardware in use. For me it was JP release of Strider 1+2 and while I can play it fine on my modified PS2, unfortunately even with my Retrotink my TV does not play well with the resolution switching between cutscenes and levels, still playable but annoying. The PS1 was connected to my CRT which would have been ideal but I always get the software terminated screen for both games. Glad that many of my other Japanese imports work flawlessly but still annoying that Strider was the outlier in this situation.

[@PEIRDO777]

To clarify for my own sanity. The FreePSXBoot has to be "run" before each time you want to use it right? Or is it something that can be done once?

[@MrMario2011]

Correct

[@teksupportco]

Tony Hax works alot better for backup discs can confirm

[@debanikpandit3553]

Do you have to do this every time you power on the console or is this a one time process?

[@MrMario2011]

Every time you want to boot a backup or import, but the install process to the memory card itself is only one time.

[@lethalspizzle]

can you do via ps3 if you have the memory adaptor ? i dont have a ps 2. my ps3 does have rebug on it, and i got with original too

[@oldskoolpaul77]

This really helped me out. Thank you so much!!!

[@MrMario2011]

You're welcome!

[@alfredtrigg7981]

Is they any way to do it without a ps2? Just a ps1 alone?

[@daredezwill]

Doesn't work on Psone scph-102, just blue screen.... sad

[@dan_crim]

ps1 mc not fitting correctly in ps2 input and not identified

[@renardwoodard4241]

How can I get information off the PS1 memory card onto disc

[@soberjedi42]

Love the C64 look of Unirom!

[@Bar-Barry]

will tonyhax bypass the antipiracy screen in resident evil survivor?

[@checob224]

Hey mario, i hope you can help me, i have installed freepsxboot and can play my backup games, but some times for no reason while playing even if the hack memory card is not inserted, the freepsx boot will boot again making it impossible to play. Could you help me solve that issue?(yes i have the latest version).

[@MrMario2011]

I haven't run into that before.

[@checob224]

​@MrMario2011 I tried tonyhax and that one is working the best for me. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@PoilQC]

Does it have to be an official Playstation memory card? I've done this with a third party MC and every time I press on the Memory Card menu instead of bringing mento the FreePSXLoder menu it just brings me to the MC manager screen.

[@MrMario2011]

An official card will yield the most successful results.