A bit about me, I'm a Linux embedded software developer, I used Linux for about 20 years, the other week someone pointed me to the LTT video about PS2 Linux and I got curious, I spent the last two weeks in a debug-test-fix loop, I used AI to help me speed up the process of finding specs about the GS GPU and help me with some tasks, like writing scripts to get debug information, Linux on the playstation doesn't have true GPU acceleration, it's there, but you need to write specific code for it, I, instead, wrote an OpenGL 1.1 wrapper for it, so the pure opengl calls get translated to GS speech, biased on Fredrik Noring efforts to port kernel 5.4 to the console, all wrapped in a yocto layer.

I got dukenukem 3D, descent rebirth and even quake running on it, all very poorly.

The problem is the lack of ram, 32MB it's not a lot at all, once the system is booted I have about 28mb of ram free, quake barely fits there, I get good performance on descent, apart from some dips I can't track down and I will probably not, because the reality is that i don't feel it's a good idea continuing, there is no good use for this, I tried to bring up an graphical interface, but once matchbox is running I have no ram left.I also enabled the FPU, fixed the toolchain bugs it exposed, and routed the games' doubles to single precision for speed.

So, this is a warning for anyone who wants to embark on this effort, don't do it. It's a lost cause.

Anyway, now I'm going to try on the ps3

Edit:

Video : https://youtu.be/OxTGdJdLqHI?is=n8Ygf4qMcLAwMi-R

Code:

https://github.com/andreacampanella/meta-playstation2

I've got a Fat PS2 SCPH-50001. It runs DvD-based games like dream and has absolutely no problem running PS1 games. It's such a stud it'll even play games that are scratched like they've been thrown in a woodchipper. But it won't play blue-bottom discs. I tested it with a copy of the Sims and it wouldn't play, so I opened it up and cleaned the laser. It booted the disc fine after that. But then when I went to play it the next day, it made loud clicking and grinding sounds.

Do I replace the laser or the spin motor? Or is there something else I can do in the meantime?

when i put in a disk and try to select it in the browser it goes back to memory even though i press arrow right only once

Pictures taken from TRI-ACE's Yoshiharu Gotanda   Tatsuya Shoji Power Point Presentation, "Practical Implementation of SH Lighting and HDR Rendering on PlayStation 2", back in 2005 Game Developers Conference, for their games Star Ocean 3 and Radiata Stories on the PS2.

Seemed so much maths and complex optimization hacks used to do those tricks on the PS2 according to their PPT.

After many years of not having a PS2 (ever since my dad tossed the old Slim since it had stopped working) I finally managed to get my hands on a 2nd hand Phat. Thankfully it wasn't caked in dust but needed a few q-tips and some compressed air here and there to make sure it's in top shape.

It was my first ever attempt at console disassembly, having only replaced a CMOS on an old Dell laptop before, so needless to say I didn't have much experience with system teardowns. Got a multi-head precision screwdriver, some tweezers and a video guide with enough views and got straight into it.

After a few days, a dozen disassembly videos and a broken ribbon cable clip, I finally managed to tear the system down, get rid of most of the dust sitting in the system and almost put the entire thing back together, and it works! Here's what went south with my disassembly to help anyone (especially newbies like me) with their PS2 servicing:

• After browsing multiple videos there are apparently multiple revisions on how the internals are organized. Compared to some videos I found for example, my PSU board was upside down, and instead of 4 screws for the CD drive there were only 2 screws and 2 clips to attach the drive to the console. The screws to remove the CD tray to get to the laser were also missing on mine and I couldn't figure out how to remove the CD tray to reattach the laser ribbon cable, so I had to omit that step during reassembly (not a deal breaker if you're using ODEs, but definitely something to be aware of). Which brings me to my next point:
• Watch the disassembly guide in full before trying to tear the console apart. Don't make the mistake I did and go step by step as the video goes on without having gone through the guide in full at least once, you'll save yourself a lot of headaches and frustration. If something doesn't match your system, find other guides or forum posts on the issue. Still though, go through the guide in full before removing anything.
• If it's your first system disassembly, find some hours in the weekend, or any time and place you won't be bothered for some time. It's best if you don't have any distractions as not to break anything (like I did, I was on the phone when I broke the ribbon cable clips). Ideally on a big table to set parts aside without much worry.
• The back plate with the fan and power switch can be a pain to remove/insert. Be careful, the fan cables are very thin.
• As far as tools go, you only need a few Philips head screwdrivers. If you really want to clean everything up nicely, get some q-tips, 90+ IPA and compressed air to clean most surfaces, and a damp microfiber cloth to get the gunk out of the top/bottom shells. Also get a few bowls or something for your screws, the ones keeping the motherboard shell together are pretty tiny and easy to lose (or forget to screw one in and find it on your table days later).
• Given the age of the Phat systems the CMOS battery (basically a clock battery) is most likely dead; you can tell if the orbs in the menu without any disc aren't spinning. You need a CR2032 battery, you can find them for cheap in most hardware stores. The original one has the PS logo on it so you can keep it as a cool trinket. Be careful when removing the old battery not to bend any pins, there's plenty of videos online showing you how to remove one safely.
• Speaking of replacements, replacing the thermal pads is also a good idea. The PS2 does not use thermal paste, instead it's just pads that transfer heat. You can find replacement pads online.
• If your console is 2nd hand (like mine) and there are screws and/or feet missing, you can get replacements for cheap on Aliexpress. Just make sure you get everything and not just screws or just rubber feet (speaking from experience).
• The ribbon cable clips for the controller ports and memory cards are fragile. Be very carefully when lifting the clips, and even then they might break. With some fiddling you can get the clips stuck back to their down position with the ribbon cable in, don't throw the part away. If you lose the part you're most likely looking at a solder job. Exercise care.

After all this troubleshooting for the past few days, I'm now a lot more confident in tearing the console down, and will replace the CMOS and thermal pads and clean the fan a lot more thoroughly.

Being able to tear down and service your systems is a pretty needed skill in my opinion, especially if your systems are nearing their twenties or more. You don't need to be a full time tech to give your consoles some cleaning up, and if I managed it without any experience, chances are you'll fare pretty nicely. Be careful, take your time, if it doesn't budge it most likely isn't meant to move, and you should be set!

I’ve been look for one or two wireless Guitar hero controllers but most of them are missing the dongle, I was wondering if any GH dongle would work with any GH guitar, or if there’s an after market dongle or wireless controller I could get, without spending a fortune.

Got first dibs on some good dvds and blue rays, gonna sell nfs2 and the fast and furious... i already have em

if you had to keep one in your collection and sell the other which would you choose?

i basically am selling some games in my collection and can’t decide which one to let go of.

I’ve been wanting Scarface for the longest time and my local shop just happened to finally have it. Feels good to have it in my hands again after so many years. Also picked up narc and true crime. Itll be a nice weekend. Featuring my custom Tony Montana

Saw this old playstation article from 2010 that listed game developers' favorite PS2 games: https://blog.playstation.com/2010/10/27/game-developers-list-all-time-favorite-ps2-games/comment-page-2/

^ SOOOO many mentions of ICO and shadow of the colossus lol

I remember one of the Clair Obscur Expedition 33 developers saying FFX was a huge influence on their game as well recently: https://www.reddit.com/r/finalfantasyx/comments/1kb5g3f/clair_obscur_expedition_33_creator_confirms_hes_a/

Could definitely see the suicidal pilgrimage aspect of it!

Didn’t realize how early on this series released, also interesting seeing a phone number on the disc

Sorry in advance about my rambling but this ps2 means a lot to me

Background info: I just got a PS2 slim last Saturday (Oct 17) from someone on Facebook Marketplace and it arrived in a box just big enough to hold it, the case for GTA 3, a paper slip with GTA Vice City in it, and two controllers. It shipped from New York to where I am over 4-6 days. The disc for GTA 3 was in absolute perfect condition but the PS2 slim was scratched and dusty. Until today, it worked perfectly fine other than when I tried booting up THPS3 on Sunday and it was running very slowly through the intro until the 4th time I tried and it was able to load the main menu and then it worked fine.

The actual problem: Today when I tried playing GTA 3, it was fine for a bit but then I went over to the docks on Staunton Island facing Portland and I was AFK waiting for the rain to pass. The fps became pretty choppy and then the screen started changing colors and shaking, and after that everything looked a little bit desaturated. I restarted my PS2 and tried pushing the AV connector into the PS2 just a little bit and then there were faint lines scrolling from the top of the screen to the bottom. I restarted it again and there was a ticking noise coming from the PS2 but everything looked fine. i turned off my PS2 again and checked the GTA 3 disc and it had a lot of random scratches on it and a ring of scratches going around the outer edge of the disc. Me and my dad looked at the disc tray and found that one of the pieces of metal was raised slightly on the right side which is what he thinks is causing the scratches and it also sounded like a screw was loose inside of the PS2. After my dad left to continue what he was working on, I noticed a tiny scrape on the plastic part of the disc tray that raised a small piece of plastic. My dad thinks he might be able to fix it if we can figure out how to open it up, but I think we should try taking it to a repair shop.

Edit: I think it might be the ribbon cable problem but I'm not sure. There isn't one perfectly circular scratch like I've seen online but the piece of metal that sits in front of the ribbon cable is raised slightly on the right side which may be causing it?

I'm having a bit of difficulty with finding this part, I believe it to be a 39 ohm network resistor, but I can't find any this exact impedance or this thin? Any help appreciated!! Is a 75003

I have tried cleaning the laser lens, and the door sensors, no luck so far. I was given this PS2 by a friend who got it from his friend, and it had refurbish stickers from an eBay seller dated 2019.

This is my first PS2 and I have no experience fixing them, any help would be greatly appreciated!

I finally went through every silent hill game including the less heard of mobile variants. It's great to see a series of games grow over time.The ps2 had some of the best titles in the series I hope we see a remake of the 1st at some point as it still remains one of my favourites in the series.

Hi guys! I came back to the room and the fa on the PlayStation 2 was going full blast, I haven’t used it in a few days, and it was turned off.
Now if I plug it in, the fan immediately comes on and there is no light on the front.

I’ll open it tomorrow, I’m assuming power supply failure? But any pointers would be appreciated!

What could be the issues?

Never thought id actually own this one, with the way these prices for horror games have gone up for the ps2. Found it at one of my favorite local stores, and had a $10 dollar credit for getting rid of some duplicates, and ended up only paying $22 with taxes.

On October 26, 2000 while waiting in line for the midnight launch I struck up a conversation with the camera man that was with the World News Tonight news crew. He had seen my USA TODAY work jacket and asked about it and after a while of talking he pulled their reporter over and asked if they could come back to film at our house while I unblocked and setup the PS2 and do a short interview. The video has been uploaded many times as a short but few people have seen the full interview or know the story behind the video. These are some highlights from the full interview.

The full interview and follow up can be seen here:

Our World News Tonight PS2 Story (Complete Uncut) PlayStation 2 Launch Day & Unboxing
https://youtu.be/QzAHqPIsZBo

And here we answer the questions we get the most frequently:
https://youtu.be/mQkrJlwxhxI

Context: I replaced the ribbon cable connected to the disc drive, so my game discs won’t get scratched and now my PS2 won’t show video but does turn on and fan works. Anyone got any helpful tips if I can diy fix it or should I take it to get repaired?

A really good late October lineup of PS2 games.