Introduction: Ps2link Tutorial (REQUIRES MODCHIP)
Hook up your PS2 to your computer and run homebrew software with ps2link software, crossover cable and a modchip or exploit code. This tutorial will be limited to the software needed on the computer and PlayStation 2 and the hardware to connect the two. I may cover installing a legal modchip in future instructables.
Step 1: Download Loader Software
You will need to download the ps2link (I downloaded v1.24 because it had an ISO that booted right off the CD)
and a PC side client for ps2link, if you are using windows, xlink is a good graphical interface.
You can obtain both easily here:
http://ps2dev.org/ps2/Loaders
Step 2: Burn the ISO
Now that you have the package downloaded, you need to un-archive it. Then burn the ISO file to a CD, I used alcohol 120% but any CD/DVD burning package should allow you to "Burn Image" from a file.
Step 3: Connect Your PC to the PS2 Console
You will either need a crossover cable to connect your ethernet interface to the PS2's network interface or have both the console and computer hooked up to the same switch or hub with normal straight through ethernet cables.
In the photograph I have my laptop connected to the PS2 with a crossover cable.
Step 4: Start Your Software
Now you need to start up XLink and boot the CD in the PS2. Booting should be easy as restarting the PS2 with the CD in the drive and selecting "Boot Media" if you have a boot-manager installed.
If everything worked fine you should see the following screen on your television screen, and the XLink status light should read "Online" and turn green.
Step 5: Run Your Software!
Now is the fun part, you can run PS2 executables *.ELF files by using the "Run" option on XLink. There are some neat Demos on the ps2 dev site along with some homebrew games. I've had a hit/miss experience with the downloaded .ELF files. Check out some demos here:
http://ps2dev.org/ps2/Demos
and sample code here:
http://ps2dev.org/ps2/Code
setting up the compilers and toolchain for compiling your own ELF binaries will come soon!
47 Comments
10 years ago on Introduction
Hello, I have a question. Where I can get the files now? The site seems to broke down.
Reply 7 years ago
Yeah, the site seems to be dead. Not to
worry, though: the Internet Archive preserved them for us. Here's their
latest snapshot, dated September 5, 2010:
https://web.archive.org/web/20100905202612/http://...
Hope this helps! :)
11 years ago on Introduction
Hey ,
,my playstation doesnt read my games cd which used to work perfectly before .
Any idea as to what the problem is ...?
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
just replace the lens.
15 years ago on Introduction
Can I do this to my slim without a mod chip? I'm not sure if the warrenty has worn out yet.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
You'll need a bootdisk, Swap Magic would be my recommendation, Google it. You'll also need to perform a method known as a "Swap trick", it's a bit tricky on the Slimeline PS2's, but gets easy once you do it a few times. Anyway, excellent guide, this could have saved me some CD-R's a couple months ago. :P
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
Okay I know you need swap magic, but can I just burn one of those?
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
No, how would you intend to boot the burned disk? :P
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
That's what I'm asking.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
Ah, sorry. :P There is no way to do that, and finding a burned Swap Magic disk would be pointless, not to mention difficult.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
Can't you just pop the disc out once the Logo appears if you covered the censor?
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
That would damage the motor that spins the disc.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
not really. theyr pretty durable
16 years ago on Introduction
i fell a bit dumb for asking butwhat is the reason for doing this?
Reply 16 years ago on Introduction
"run homebrew software" ... that's pretty much it!
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
i have a psp and am running hombrew on that. how big is homebrew for the ps2?
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
All the way up to playing burned games on unmodded ps2s(no modchip), playing NES, SNES, SMS, Genesis and Game Boy games, watching AVI movies and playing MP3's from USB sticks, and even running Linux.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
-i apologize for posting on a comment so old-
how do you play mp3s off of a flash drive?
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
how functional is linux of the ps2 that seem kinda interesting.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
It's as functional as a 350mhz computer with 32mb RAM. It's not a system you would devolve on or use as a main computer, but it will extinguish that 2AM instructables.com crave when your big rig is off.