[XCSSA] Free McBoot and HDLoader

[X-otic Computer Systems of San Antonio]

On Jan 14, 2009, at 10:37 AM, X-otic Computer Systems of San Antonio  
wrote:

> Sounds interesting...
> Is this only for playing games on the PS2 or does it have other
> applications as well ?

It exploits a loophole in the PS2's boot process that lets you run  
arbitrary code. It can be used to boot homebrew code, burned copies  
of discs, and obviously even Linux. But the "game jukebox" mode  
(similar to a chipped Xbox with a big hard drive) is the most useful  
application for it.

The "HD Loader" program is installed onto the card, which can boot  
games (PS2 only) off of a hard drive. There is a PC installer called  
WinHIIP that can install games on a hard drive even when your PS2's  
optical drive is bad, and it's much faster, too. Also, some games  
require patching, and WinHIIP can apply patch files that you can  
easily find with a google search. Note that while almost any hard  
drive can be used for this, it is not compatible with the "official"  
hard drive formatting, and it does not allow any games that need a  
genuine Sony HD to work with an ordinary HD, nor can you use it as an  
enormous memory card for game saves like the genuine Sony HD.

This can even be done with a USB drive, but the 10Mbit speed of USB  
1.x is less desirable than a "fat" PS2.

  - Bruce -