The popularity of the PlayStation 2 Slim (PS2 Slim) has resulted in owners modifying its operating system to do things not sanctioned by Sony. You can modify the PS2 Slim’s operating system so that it will play copies of your game discs while you keep the originals safe. You will need to use a computer and a free PS2 softmod program created by PS2 Slim owners. You will also need a memory card transfer device, such as the Action Replay, and a USB flash drive, both of which can be purchased from a video gaming store. The “softmod” will violate the warranty but not require opening up the PS2 Slim.
Things You'll Need:
- Scissors
- Windows-Based Computer
- Cellophane Tape
- Memory Card Transfer Device
- Rca Audio Cable
- Usb Flash Drive
- Newspaper
Download a PS2 softmod program to the PC’s desktop, for example, the free “cogswap.elf” program (see the link in Resources). Double-click on the PS2 softmod file once it has downloaded to decompress it to a program on the desktop.
Plug the USB flash drive into a USB port on the PC. Wait for the icon of the USB flash drive to appear on the desktop.
Drag the PS2 softmod program onto the icon of the USB flash drive. Wait for the PS2 softmod program to copy to the USB flash drive.
Right-click on the icon of the USB flash drive. Select “Eject” from the pop-up menu. Remove the USB flash drive from the USB port of the PC.
Put the PS2 Slim on a table. Lift the lid of the PS2 Slim.
Wad a small piece of newspaper into a ball. Push the wadded ball of newspaper into the plastic latch at the front right-most corner of the PS2 Slim with your fingers. Tape over the wadded ball of newspaper with a piece of cellophane tape.
Cut off the RCA male plug from one end of the RCA audio cable with the scissors.
Push the tip of the RCA male plug down onto the small plastic button that is to the right of the disc spindle at the center of the PS2 Slim. Stop pushing the tip of the RCA male plug when you hear a low “click” sound. The RCA male plug is now stuck inside the hole made by pushing the small plastic button down.
Attach the USB cable of the memory card transfer device to a USB port on the front of the PS2 Slim. Plug the USB flash drive into the USB slot on the memory card transfer device.
Turn on the PS2 Slim. Navigate from the home menu to the “Video” icon. Select the “Media Player” icon from beneath “Video.”
Select the memory card transfer device from the list of choices presented to the right of the “Media Player” icon. Press the “X” button.
Wait for a menu from the memory card transfer device to appear on the screen. Follow the menu directions to install the PS2 softmod program on the PS2 Slim. Turn off the PS2 Slim when told to do so by the onscreen menu.
Remove the USB flash drive from the memory card transfer device. Remove the memory card transfer device’s USB cable from the USB port on the PS2 Slim. When turned on, the PS2 Slim will now start up in a soft mod state.
Tip
Blow off the disc spindle of the PS2 Slim's disc drive with compressed air to remove loose dust.
Warnings:
- Pushing down too hard on the plastic latch can break the spring mechanism it uses.
Writer Bio
Marshal M. Rosenthal is a technology maven with more than 15 years of editorial experience. A graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography with a Bachelor of Arts in photographic arts, his editorial work has appeared both domestically as well as internationally in publications such as "Home Theater," "Electronic House," "eGear," "Computer and Video Games" and "Digitrends."
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