Need PS2 advice
 

Well, I am caving in and buying a PS2, but I really don't want to spend any more dough on this than absolutely necessary.

I'm thinking of getting a refurbished one from Gamestop, as those run for about a cool $100. You can get a new one from Walmart for $170-250, but I can't justify paying that much since I'll need to buy a game or two as well. I can find them cheaper on eBay, but feel kinda ackward going that way with a unit as fragile as the PS2 supposedly is.

Questions:
1) I want to be able to play backed up games. I don't like using original discs, and prefer to back them up and play the backups, as I have an annoying habit of leaving discs scattered around to get scratched. Pre-modded PS2s cost a LOT, and I don't know how to put a mod chip in myself. Is there a software-based "swap" method available for PS/2 yet?
2) Is there a significant difference between the old and new PS2 model?
3) What is the deal with the disc read error? How common is this?

I am hoping to buy the console this week, so please give me as much advice as you can muster.

I've owned four PS2's with the last 2 still working. The first two shit out on me with the disc read error. PS2's are easily the most unreliable of the current consoles, but like I said, the last two I've had are still fine. I think the newer PS2's (made in the past 2 years) are fine.

No idea how to play backed up games, but I wouldn't install a modchip myself unless I had extra money to blow in case I fuck it up.

-Lasereth

No, and I don't think there will be. The swap trick was great for my Dreamcast since I don't have the time or money to chip.

If you're really looking into putting a mod chip into your PS2 to play actual back-up copies because you don't want to use the game cases, then stop being so lazy and save yourself the time and money. If you want to play "back-ups" then I would buy a pre-chipped PS2 unless you're good at that sort of thing. I know if I tried it my PS2 would die an ugly, ugly death.

As far as the DRE goes, it happens. If you're buying a refurb at gamestop, I think it comes with a 1 year warranty, so you shouldn't have to worry too much. I've had my PS2 for three years or so, no DRE yet.

There is another option, copying your games to a hard drive. No modding required, all that's needed is a network adaptor, an older PS2 (not the slim model) and a hard drive (a 120gb/160gb Maxtor is best), along with a DVD called "HD Loader". Saying you get a PS2 used for say $80 it would cost about $200-$250 total.

A good website that shows which games work and which don't:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/casey.m...patibility.htm

PS2's indeed are the least reliable of the current gen consoles. If you're going to pick up a refurb and you don't need the hard drive, see if a slimline refurb is available for you.

There are a few differences between the slimline and the old school model. The slimline has the network adapter built in, as well as the infrared receiver being built in as well. Any of the new PS2 DVD remotes you pick up will have a power on it, so you can turn the console on and off without touching it (for some, that's a big deal... lazyasses). Technically, the PS2 has near identical hardware to the old school model, except that the slimline (from what I have heard) can support DVD+/- media. Oh and it's a top-loader, like the original PSX, so you don't have to worry about the tray motor crapping out on you.

I wouldn't go slimline if you wanna play backups...

Not sure how it works, but check out a product called HD Advance or HD Advanced.

there is a chipless way to mod your PS2...it's called a slide card, i looked into them a while back, It takes a little modding to the case of your system but nothing really drastic, just google PS2 slide card, you'll also need a swap magic disk. I never really had a need to mod out my PS2 the only games I have are ones i love and cherish and would never mistreat. But i'm a freak like that, but if you're looking to get games like Madden 06' yeah go for the swap card. (just playin, i have no quams with Madden)8 ^ P.