This FAQ is designed to answer many (not all) of the questions concerning adding a Hard Drive to a PS2 system. Use the function "Ctrl-F" if you are looking for a specific answer.


Can I use an External Hard via USB Port with my slim PS2?

Not really. The transfer rate is horrible and the games will run MUCH slower. We do not support this function as it is a terrible substitute for playing back up games. Game compatibility is also very poor.


I hooked up my PS2 HDD to my PC via a USB adapter, and it's not recognised on my PC!
In any OS, it's not meant to show up in explorer etc by default. File browsers only show disks with partition types they support, e.g. FAT, NTFS, ext etc. The PS2 uses PFS which isn't supported by default on OS X, Windows or Linux. Don't worry, WinHiip, HDL_Dumb or any other program to copy PS2 games to a HDD will recognise the HDD.

What hard drives work with HDLoader?

Only IDE hard drives work with HDLoader and HDAdvance and any other ps2 hdd program.
An IDE hdd looks like:

Code:
http://ps2drives.x-pec.com/?p=list
has an extensive compatibility list.

So many that work... which one should I buy?
http://ps2drives.x-pec.com/?p=list&v...r=&v_postedby= is a good general list. Use the bars at the top to filter through the list. You can refine it even further by typing the size of the disk you want in gigabytes at the top, in the text box just above the Size column. Selected in that link are 7.2kRPM drives that fit and work. The PS2 version and type of network adapter doesn't matter. Just type what size drive you want, and search the model number at your local PC shop or a site like NewEgg.

My hdd is listed on that site to work, but my ps2 doesn't detect it!
Your hdd needs to be set in master or cable select mode. If you know what this is, then good if you don't then on the back of the hdd, there should be 1 jumper (which is the blue thing shown in the pic below). Try changing it's position until HDLoader recognises it. NOTE the jumper must always be set vertically! You will most likely damage your disk by setting it horizontally! If you can't get the jumper out, then try using tweezers.


How do I run HDLoader to play games from a hard drive?
Look at http://www.ps2iso.net/index.php?topic=3736.0 Using one of these methods you can load hdloader which will in turn load the game from your hard drive.

How do I copy games from my PC to my hdd?
On Windows these are some popular options: (google them for more information)
WinHiip
HDL_Dumb
HDL_Dump Server (this is much slower than other methods, although you don't have to take the hard drive out of your ps2, the transfer speed is greatly limited.)
On linux your only options are HDL_Dumb and HDL_Dump.

Game XXX doesn't work.. what should I do?
Firstly, check the compatibility of your game at
Code:
http://ps2hd.com/list
Patches to make the game work may be listed, or certain compatibility modes may need to be enabled, as will be shown on that list.
--To enable a compatibility mode, boot up HDLoader using which ever method you use, highlight the game that needs to have a mode set, click Select and pick the right mode.

Can you play PSX games from a hdd?
No and you probably never will be able to.

Feel free to post any questions you think should be mentioned here.