Unofficial FHDB 1.93 "Noobie Package" OBT

NOTE: This is only for use with a fat PS2 with network adapter and HDD. This will not work with virtually all slims (unsure if it will work on the earliest slims when soldering an IDE header to the motherboard, as with "HD Combo" etc, feel free to try if you have such a setup).

Hi,

As you may remember, I stated that I was going to be working on an FHDB 1.93 "Noobie Package" to make it easier for people to get a full-featured PS2 HDD setup running. I now have a preliminary image ready for testing. Link at the bottom of the post.

Note: This image will overwrite the first 7.5GB of the HDD you write it to. Make sure you back up any data in the first 7.5GB of the HDD you write it to before you apply this image. Neither I, nor the developers of any included software, are responsible for any damage resulting from use of this image.

This image includes:

FHDB 1.93
OPL 0.9.2, both GSM and non-GSM builds, with VMC
ESR r9b (non-GUI version, for hands-free ESR disc booting, as well as mcard version)
HDLDump Server (I'm away from my PS2 for the moment so I forget the exact version, also requires an MC if your PS2's IP is not the default)
uLE 4.42_HDD wip6 (with a small bonus - I included the custom font I made, a 1:1 pixel copy of the Amiga system font, both versions included in __sysconf/FMCB)
Small ELF to power off the console, used from the OSD
Latest version of SMS, works best with MC for settings
2GB +FCEUMM with .ELF (not the most recent version with the better scaling, but one that I know works well in an MC-less setup, plenty of room to add your own ROMs and store savestates)
2GB +OPL partition (plenty of room for cover art and VMC images)
Both GSM 0.23x and GSM 0.36 standalone builds
MC Annihilator 2.0 (with lang.lng in __sysconf/FMCB, let me know if it boots up in a language other than English, as it may be better to run this from USB)
Copies of WinHIIP, ESRPatchJava, ESRPatcherPro, and the unmodified distributions of ESR, OPL 0.9.2, and OPLGSM 0.9.2, in __sysconf/misc
Preset .CNF entry for patched CodeBreaker 9.2, copy of OPL 0.9.2 as __boot/CB_launch.elf, pre-made empty PP.SLUS-20202.1108.PCB partition of 512MB, CB ELF not included
Preset FHDB launch keys - L1 launches uLE, R1 powers console off, L2 launches OPL, R2 launches CodeBreaker (if present)


I chose CB9.2 as my preferred version, as I've never gotten 9.3 to load homemade CBC files, and I've never personally tried CB10. I set the CNF up to look for __sysconf/FMCB/cb92.elf, so if you put the patched ELF in that location, it will appear on the OSD.

Once initial testing has been done and the idea is workable, I will take suggestions as to other homebrew to include, as well as adding CNF entries for CB9.3 and 10 (and possibly any other such commercial software like HDL, if anyone would want to have it easily usable). As well, it would be nice to have suggestions for other supplementary PC software to include in the __sysconf/misc directory, for those who are new to PS2 softmodding it might make things a little easier on them for installing games, working with ESR patching, etc.

You can use any tool that supports writing raw HDD images to "install" this. On Windows, I recommend HDD Raw Copy Tool (many of you here are familiar with this tool). On Linux or Mac OS X, the standard dd command will work fine, just make sure that the block size and count multiply together to equal the filesize exactly. Also make absolutely sure you set the output file to the right disk, once again I am not responsible if you write this to the wrong HDD and mangle your OS. If you're hesitant because you're worried you might do so, ask for help in this thread.

After the initial testing reports come in, I will write up a README file to go along with the "1.0" image and do a formal release.

Questions or constructive criticism, feel free to post here and I'll respond when I can.

Download the FHDB 1.93 "Noobie Package" OBT v1 here. 9.5MB compressed, 7.25GB uncompressed. This distribution package currently contains no README, just the image file.

Please do not spread this around just yet, wait until testing is done and the image is formally released before doing so.

This image file is 100% legal. No commercial software is included.

If you attempt to use this image with your PS2, please report back here whether you were successful or not, and any issues you may have when installing it or using any of the pre-installed software.