Swap Magic

[Hitoshura]

Anyone here use this? I tried searching but all that came up was topics talking about gear swapping and magic... lol

I was thinking of ordering the top loader, anyone use the slide card or the top loader? I wanted to know if either had any big flaws and which I should pick.

For those who don't know, Swap Magic is a disc that lets you play games from any region, including NTSC-J and PAL. Also let's you play back up copies of games.

[Exoduso]

Is your ps2 fat or slim?

[Hitoshura]

I got myself a fatty Version 9.

[Exoduso]

Regardless, you want this:

http://www.allmodchip.com/PS2_Swap_Magi ... 16161.html

Don't get 3.8 as it stinks... 3.6 works perfectly with everything (I play backups and KH2:FM on it and they work perfectly as long as the pieces are in place.)

If your PS2 is fat, buy it with the flip top and the v1-11 slidecard (you can kind of make it work with either one rather than both of them together but still, might as well have them..)... if it's slim, get it with no flip top and with the v12-16 magic keys (they will be pretty annoying to install, depending on how new your slim ps2 is, but I can help you with that once it arrives in the mail, just send me an IM or something.)

I bought it from this site and got it after 3 days with standard shipping, so you can trust them.

[Exoduso]

Okay if it's fat just get it with the flip top and the slidecard, and then you just install the flip top on and it'll work perfectly.. It basically comes with 2 cds, one for DVDs and one for CDRs... you obviously want the DVD one (it says it on the cd) to boot up the imports/backups... you put that cd in and let the ps2 start working (if you're using the flip top, you just open it and put it in, if you're using the slidecard without the flip top you just put the cd in normally without the slidecard) and then let it boot up... when the program loads, you move the cd out (with the flip top you just open the top and replace the cd with whatever import/backup you want, with the slidecard you have to "slide" the tray out manually using it, swap the cds, and then "slide" it back in using the slidecard... either way, the flip top is more convenient so use that) then press X and the game will load.

You have to do it that way, because the PS2 can't recognize that a CD is being swapped, which is what the program on the cd does... this way, the ps2 thinks it's still playing a legit game, even though you put an import/backup in it where it usually can't normally play it... it basically does the same thing a modchip would do, only much much less expensive and has the potential of a fly as it pretains to damaging your console.

[MisterBob]

I was considering getting one of these myself, so I can play KH2:FM (your videos inspired me, lol) and GH customs.
Is it a huge hassle for the fat PS2, or is it pretty intuitive?

[Hitoshura]

Really? I was going to order from this site:

http://www.divineo.cn/cgi-bin/div-cn/ps2-smuftv9.html

Are those even the right discs? The site was listed on Swap Magic's official page. Is there a notable difference that you see between the top loader and slide tool? Thanks though, I will let you know what I end up with unless you think that site is a fraud.

My friend Dead To Rights from Atlus Message Board uses Matrix Infinity, he had some company put it in for him. He says it's pretty damn amazing.. but it looks to be more expensive/pain in the ass.

[Exoduso]

Ignore the pictures from both websites, each website decides to use a different photo for some reason (the one the link you have is using is the 3.8 version I think, which pretty much won't play half the backups from what I understand..)

Just buy it from my link, their parts are legit and good and the cds work fine... hell, I even accidentally broke one of the magic keys (you use them instead of the slide tool for the slim ps2) and emailed them about it, and within 2 days I had 2 new sets of the magic keys... they're VERY reliable.

And there's no different between the fliptop and the slide tool, the flip top is just so damn easy to install (you basically replace top half of the ps2 cover with it), even though using the slide tool is pretty easy too (but in the long run may jam up your tray and it'll be the only way you'd be able to open it heh..) But you have to get both regardless and they're free so experiment with both and see which way makes it easier for you (because you do need to load that DVD cd every time you open the ps2 before you can let put the import/backup in..)

I'll take a couple of pictures of what my cds and ps2 look like (even though mine is the slim version) and what it does on the screen to notify you that you should be changing the cds in a little bit, trying to find where I tossed my digital camera at...

[Hitoshura]

Ok I see, definitely ordering this. Thanks for the heads up.

[Jefe]

Since I quit FFXI quite some time ago, and I didn't want to lose the investment (Network adapter, HDD, and such) I bought SM 3.2, used it only once to install MC exploit <_<

Then installed HDL 7.0e to my PS2's memory card, that's to run almost any PS2 ISO; FTP_exe, allows me to transfer ELF files (these are homebrew apps or patches to run some incompatible games); HDL_Dump, used to transfer ISO from PC to PS2's HD without winhipp. So yeah :D

[ertyu]

I use top loader + swap magic. I really only got it to play custom guitar hero songs but I've recently started dabbling in DLing games. Note that you can only use High quality DVD's to play games you make. I recommend Taiyo Yuden DVDs. Just keep some kind of weight on your ps2 while playing if you get the top loader. Dont get the slide card, just spring for a top loader.

[Hitoshura]

Yeah thanks for the info guys, I can't wait! Been wanting to play a lot of JP fightan and shootan gaems.

[fantasticdan]

HDL_Dump, used to transfer ISO from PC to PS2's HD without winhipp. So yeah :D

I reiterate using this, it's seriously so fucking convenient without having to burn anything or worry about dre's. And running games off the hdd comes with shorter load times, less problems with laser, etc. Thou it's not so convenient anymore since my PS2 is completely dead.

[Exoduso]

I was about to actually ask... which DVDs are good to burn with? The ones I use right now kind of suck so I was looking to some better DVD-5 and DVD-9 brands... any reccomendations and places where I can buy them from?

[Kiro]

Had Swap Magic for a while now (for slim), I didn't bother using the mod pieces that came with it. (Already used the ghetto cardboard+tape technique on the sensors, works fine). Haven't had any problems with it. ^_^

[Demosthenes]

I use HDloader. I love it to death. The only thing that sucks is transferring the files to you HDD... incredibly slow.

[Epical]

I have SM3.6 with a fliptop, and while I never got to use it because I accidentally fucked my PS2 trying to install it, it LOOKS genius. The fliptop I have is for v4-v7 (I believe...), so if you know anyone who wants to sell theirs for c h e a p, I'll buy it!

I have God of War 1/2, KH1, and Dirge of Cerberus all sitting right beside me but I can't play them. =(

[Akiyama]

I use it and my flip top. It works wonders. Love it, saves me the trouble from destroying my PS2 with my "masterful" installation skills of a mod chip. >.> I also have a fat PS2.

[Julian]

I hate swap magic, so much easier to just get it modded and never have to worry about that stuff ._.

[Nitsuki]

I was about to actually ask... which DVDs are good to burn with? The ones I use right now kind of suck so I was looking to some better DVD-5 and DVD-9 brands... any reccomendations and places where I can buy them from?

tbh any works, hell i use cheap compusa dvd-rs are they work just fine, some may have different recommendations, if i were to recommend i'd go for tdk or sony if you wanna buy it in a local retail store.