Swap discs, mod chip?
- Thread starter Friction Limit
- 192 comments
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- 113
The White Supra
not 100% sure, but i looked on nerdy computer and ps2 forums and they all say so, and also on websites....
i'll let you know when i get it, pobably tuesday...if it doesn't i'll sell it on ebay
- 254
Man, I give up, I think I got a bad chip. 
I've gone over my connections twice, and all I can get is the Matrix screen, from which it will not successfully load anything. The firmware update won't run, I can't get into the chip menu, nothing. Grrr.....
I've gone over my connections twice, and all I can get is the Matrix screen, from which it will not successfully load anything. The firmware update won't run, I can't get into the chip menu, nothing. Grrr.....- 204
neurokinetikMan, I give up, I think I got a bad chip.
check you don't have any solder splashes. if it turns on but doesnt load games check your bios chip. make sure there are no solder bridges, especially that have slipped behind the chip that you cant readily see without a bright light. also, put 2 strips of electrical tape on the top of your chip so it does not short out from the metal plate in your ps2. bios is your most likely candidate. make sure they are as short as possible. (bios wires) if nothing works u may have burned something on your board out. where did you get the chip from ? some sites sell clones that don't work as intended. if possible take a picture of your install as well ! might as well take a look at everything ! later-
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sorry for the double post, but... is it a software issue ? maybe you need to install the firmware on the chip ? it might not be factory flashed.. unless it says it on the website i only skimmed it briefly. just bringing up possibilities thatmight spark an idea 
followed the instructions on the site and everything ? try a forced boot ? says how on their site. later
followed the instructions on the site and everything ? try a forced boot ? says how on their site. later
Race Idiot
(Banned)
- 11,439
- Sao Tome and Principe
lotus350I hope to god it does
I always thought you guys had a Japanese PS2, but you have a Messiah 2 as well? I think VV reported that it was working with a modded Pal machine.
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yesterdaylight
The connections are fine, I checked every one of them with a ohmmeter, and any ones I had doubts about, I re-did. I had also noticed the possibility of shorting the connections on the top the first time I put the PS2 back together, and insulated that area with electrical tape.
None of the functions that are supposed to work during bootup do anything, except for the X button, which brings up a screen with the Matrix logo.
yesterdaylightsorry for the double post, but... is it a software issue ? maybe you need to install the firmware on the chip ? it might not be factory flashed.. unless it says it on the website i only skimmed it briefly. just bringing up possibilities thatmight spark an idea
I saw that BIOS issue noted elsewhere, so I downloaded the manager from Matrix's website, and the updated firmware, but my PS2 will not boot from the CD that I burned (using Nero).
Also, when I hit the X, every disc that I put in comes up with "Illegal disc inserted". If I boot normally, all discs I tried (US games and DVDs) work fine. So I didn't bridge anything, as I would have problems with the PS2 in normal mode if I did.
I'm thinking its the BIOS on the Matrix, but since I can't seem to update it, I'm kinda SOL at the moment.
- 204
neurokinetik
interesting.... so you've eliminated every hardware issue there is. your chip is not faulty, as it is running the matrix screen. so it must have something to do with the chip not running the region codes into your ps2. i'm kind of weak on the actual workings of chips, i am better at installing them
so if you unable to reflash the chip, then i don't know what the problem could be. are you sure you didnt forget any wires ? not likely, but always a possibility. try emailing the matrix guys and tell them about what happened. maybe they know some tricks to help you get going in the software section. good luck neurokinetic !! later-- 204
hansiu
if they say it works with dvd9's then it will work with GT4 for sure. i have never used the magic series, but personally, i am beginning to think you should stay away from chips with flash upgrades and stick with chips that are built solid. magic does not have flash upgrades if i remember correctly.. i would go for the chip with the least wires, and only the features you need. lots of extra flash upgradability and the like is not really necessary. i have heard good things about the magic series and that it is fairly reliable. later-
crap I'm freaking out now. I better practice on my old PCI card... that tip about putting razor blades between the legs is a good idea, thanks yesterdaylight!
Also what temperatures are safe when doing this? I usually set it on max to get it done quickly, but I really want to be careful and want a safe temp even if it takes longer. I got a 50w adjustable temp one. lowest setting of 350 F seems to be too low...It starts working fast at around 700F.
Also what temperatures are safe when doing this? I usually set it on max to get it done quickly, but I really want to be careful and want a safe temp even if it takes longer. I got a 50w adjustable temp one. lowest setting of 350 F seems to be too low...It starts working fast at around 700F.
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If you want to see what you are in for, then take a look at this:
http://users.adelphia.net/~neurokinetik/Matrix_infinity_installed.jpg
..it's how mine looked after the first attempt. I redid the M-P wires from scratch the second time, and they actually look better now than they do in the pic.
I set my iron at just under 800 on the dial, but that setting really isn't all that accurate. I prefer using higher heat settings because it requires less time to make a good connection. My iron is a Weller WCC-100 with the finest tip that they sell for it.
The only possible way I could have forgotten wires is if I have a different version PS2 than what I have thought all along. I doubt it, as the diagrams match up perfectly, but I will look into it again, just in case. The Matrix guys have a trick alright, but it means I have to find somebody with the same chip, and get them to copy the Matrix Manager software to a memory card so I can try to run it from there.
http://users.adelphia.net/~neurokinetik/Matrix_infinity_installed.jpg
..it's how mine looked after the first attempt. I redid the M-P wires from scratch the second time, and they actually look better now than they do in the pic.
I set my iron at just under 800 on the dial, but that setting really isn't all that accurate. I prefer using higher heat settings because it requires less time to make a good connection. My iron is a Weller WCC-100 with the finest tip that they sell for it.
yesterdaylightinteresting.... so you've eliminated every hardware issue there is. your chip is not faulty, as it is running the matrix screen. so it must have something to do with the chip not running the region codes into your ps2. i'm kind of weak on the actual workings of chips, i am better at installing them
The only possible way I could have forgotten wires is if I have a different version PS2 than what I have thought all along. I doubt it, as the diagrams match up perfectly, but I will look into it again, just in case. The Matrix guys have a trick alright, but it means I have to find somebody with the same chip, and get them to copy the Matrix Manager software to a memory card so I can try to run it from there.
I can't view the pic 
My iron is a weller wes51 w/ a 0.4mm tip. I haven't seen any tip smaller than that, and I've been having trouble soldering stuff on a chips on an old PCI card. I definitely need a magnifier. Like 6x or 8x.
I really hope you get your stuff sorted out. The funny thing I found out about moddchips are that they're really finicky about length of wires and interference. It can have the best soldering job in the world, but alot seems to do with wire length and how the signals from the wire react w/ each other. Basically mostly luck
EDIT: I can see the pic now. You might try straightening out the M-P wires. They seem to be bunched up and can be causing some of your troubles. btw how are you stripping the wires? wire strippers?
My iron is a weller wes51 w/ a 0.4mm tip. I haven't seen any tip smaller than that, and I've been having trouble soldering stuff on a chips on an old PCI card. I definitely need a magnifier. Like 6x or 8x.
I really hope you get your stuff sorted out. The funny thing I found out about moddchips are that they're really finicky about length of wires and interference. It can have the best soldering job in the world, but alot seems to do with wire length and how the signals from the wire react w/ each other. Basically mostly luck
EDIT: I can see the pic now. You might try straightening out the M-P wires. They seem to be bunched up and can be causing some of your troubles. btw how are you stripping the wires? wire strippers?
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I've been discussing this on another forum and Swap Magic 3.3 will work on any form of PS2 and on any region of import PS2 game.
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What region are DVD9, could you list a couple of games?
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Barnabas
Yeah, those have already been redone. They actually look pretty much the same on mine as they did on a website of one of the people who install them regularly. I am stripping the wires with my teeth, because my wire strippers do not work with wire that thin.
I've also been using the soldering iron to melt it back a bit if I needed to.The worst part about the install is that it reminds me of some of the nightmare repairs I had to do when other techs would mess something up. If they would just supply a chip that I could swap directly, it would be so much easier, even if it was one of those big 200 pin jobs...
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No, a few people live in the US on my forum and want to play RBR, WRC4 on their consoles. I've got these games as I live in the UK and dont need it and will get GT4 in the UK not Japan, so no, I haven't got it.
Well after I thought it over and over again, I came to a solution, a solution that'll just cure this madness. Just seconds after New Year eve, I placed an order at liksang for a slim Japanese PS2. Looks like I won't be getting the U.S version of this game. It would be a waist of money if I do. After all the effort and money I put into it. I should recieve it the earliest monday or so I hope. Since it only took a day and a half to ship the game, or so I've calculated. By the time the game comes out in the U.S I'll probably know the whole game by heart. I bought the U.S PS2 for the sake of GT3 and now I'm doing the same thing for GT4. Yeah call me crazy, but another 3 months or more it's just too looooooong of a wait.
neurokinetikYeah, those have already been redone. They actually look pretty much the same on mine as they did on a website of one of the people who install them regularly. I am stripping the wires with my teeth, because my wire strippers do not work with wire that thin.
The worst part about the install is that it reminds me of some of the nightmare repairs I had to do when other techs would mess something up. If they would just supply a chip that I could swap directly, it would be so much easier, even if it was one of those big 200 pin jobs...
lol I'd actually agree. The sensitivity of the wiring is ridiculous.
So any luck in getting it to work yet?naruto
haha congrats. Enjoy your ps2 without tearing out your hair like neurokinetik is.
I'm ALMOST regretting getting the modchip instead of just getting an another ps2. Only reason I'm not regretting it is because I'm actually gonna use all this soldering equipment later on...and maybe doing some installs for my friends for a couple $$ to recoup costs heh....just finished soldering my modchip (ripper IV) on my V4 gap ps2 and it didn't work, well I couldn't fully install it because the wires won't freaking attatch to the motherboard..is that why I need flux paste? anyways, I soldered few places and I messed up on few places. Now here is the question, I took off my modchip and tried to turn my ps2 on, everything works fine, including ps2 running, but TV won't show anything plus my cd/dvd rom won't try to read. If anyone can help me on this one, Please IM me at yearn for u or MSN sunohjin@gmail.com
I will show you few pictures of what I had done.
After losing about $300 ($90 for GT4 plus shipping, $150 for PS2, $20 for soldering iron and other accesories stuff like electrical tapes and etcs, $35 for modchip+wires+shipping) Now I am totally lost for what I should do. Here are few options.
1.Go to Chinatown or whereever they will install modchip and ask them if they can fix my PS2 and install my modchip.
2.Forget about everything and buy new Japanese PS2 and get Japanese Swap Magic to play my US burned games.
3.No PS2 for while and sell my GT4 online.
4.If anyone on this board can take a look at my situation and see if they can install the modchip + fix my PS2 if they can.
5.Get new US version of PS2 and install the current modchip from professional.
Which one would you choose? or any other recommendation? I am currently broke and GT4 is right next to me just waiting for me to play....I just burned 2 of my fingers and I am very angry and feeling stupid for trying to install the modchip myself. Well if anyone who lives in Manhattan NY or close by, Please contact me at sunohjin@gmail.com
I will show you few pictures of what I had done.
After losing about $300 ($90 for GT4 plus shipping, $150 for PS2, $20 for soldering iron and other accesories stuff like electrical tapes and etcs, $35 for modchip+wires+shipping) Now I am totally lost for what I should do. Here are few options.
1.Go to Chinatown or whereever they will install modchip and ask them if they can fix my PS2 and install my modchip.
2.Forget about everything and buy new Japanese PS2 and get Japanese Swap Magic to play my US burned games.
3.No PS2 for while and sell my GT4 online.
4.If anyone on this board can take a look at my situation and see if they can install the modchip + fix my PS2 if they can.
5.Get new US version of PS2 and install the current modchip from professional.
Which one would you choose? or any other recommendation? I am currently broke and GT4 is right next to me just waiting for me to play....I just burned 2 of my fingers and I am very angry and feeling stupid for trying to install the modchip myself. Well if anyone who lives in Manhattan NY or close by, Please contact me at sunohjin@gmail.com
Damn ewits.. your situation sounds harsh.. I'm just about done with getting my PS2 chipped. I had a no solder + swap magic setup before. Honestly, try going to China town and asking around and see if they can fix it. I'm usually a hands on person when it comes to installs of anything but on soldering things on such delicate microtechnology i'm going to let the pros do it because that's why we pay them what we pay them... If you were in the SoCal/LA area you could get some help from SoCalmods.com. See if anyone in Chinatown in NY will fix / re-mod the chip.. if not, check with SoCalmods if your situation is salvagable via Mail. If not, ebay the PS2 , get what you can and get a another PS2 professionally chipped.
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you killed it paul !! shoulda brought it to those guys in china town !! i'm not one to say i told ya so.. so i wont . but u shoulda sent it to me ! heh. well it really sucks that u killed your ps2. so you have a "black screen of death" and your dvd drive won't run ay ? i have heard both these symptoms before, but neglected to remember what the solutions are 
... here look through these forums for an answer: http://p220.ezboard.com/bgameconsolerepairforum later, and good luck. but sadly i believe it may cost you more to repair your ps2 than to buy a new one. i would send back your modchip. just desolder all the connections and tell them you bought the wrong one and figured that out after you started the install, send back your gt4, and then buy a racing pack good solution right there<<< later-
!! shoulda brought it to those guys in china town !! i'm not one to say i told ya so.. so i wont . but u shoulda sent it to me ! heh. well it really sucks that u killed your ps2. so you have a "black screen of death" and your dvd drive won't run ay ? i have heard both these symptoms before, but neglected to remember what the solutions are ... here look through these forums for an answer: http://p220.ezboard.com/bgameconsolerepairforum later, and good luck. but sadly i believe it may cost you more to repair your ps2 than to buy a new one. i would send back your modchip. just desolder all the connections and tell them you bought the wrong one and figured that out after you started the install, send back your gt4, and then buy a racing pack good solution right there<<< later-
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Barnabashaha congrats. Enjoy your ps2 without tearing out your hair like neurokinetik is.
Well, the good thing is that one of my friends had the foresight to get a Japanese console way back when GT4 was originally supposed to be released, so I do have something to play on while I try to figure mine out. Of course, while I'm busy playing the game, I'm not making too much pregress on figuring out my problem.
Anyway, I've confirmed that my console is a V7, as it is a model number 39001, and that can only be a V7. I may try using a different type of wire and se if it works better, I have some magnet wire for winding motors. It has the appearance of being uninsulated, but it actually is insulated. I know that I can strip it easier (using sandpaper), though, so I can get my wire lengths much more precise, plus I have several different gauges available. I doubt I'll get to it again before Sunday, though.
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