Re: [ps2hacking-devel] Who is running this show?

[M. R. B. <mr...@0x...>]

* John Thornton <jth...@ha...> on Sun, Jan 06, 2002:

>=20
> I hear you, I'm not a preacher. I don't think anyone who wants to have li=
nux
> on their ps2 is not in it for the fun of hacking. I am no different. :)
>=20

Cool, I see where you're coming from - don't get me wrong, I have big
problems with Sony too, and a "we Love Linux" IBM-style PS2Linux
kit/campaign, ain't gonna pacify me :P.  I want it all.

>=20
> I have seen the Dreamcast kernel. When you installed linux on your
> dreamcast, you have a mod chip and boot it with a CDRW correct? What do y=
ou
> use for a storage medium or have you no got that far yet?
>=20

Nope, DC's don't normally do CDRW's.  For development/testing I use Andrew
K.'s dcload-ip to send kernels over the DC's ethernet adapter (BBA).  When
the kernel boots it mounts an NFS share as root from my workstation.  That
share has a minimalistic busybox- (busybox.net) based filesystem that
allows me to test apps "on the fly", since I don't have to reboot the DC to
add files to the filesystem.  If an app doesn't work, recompile it, replace
the old one, and try again.  If the kernel doesn't work, reboot, but that
cycle is only about 1.5 minutes.

I imagine for PS2/Linux development a similiar scheme could be used.

Also, just like all consumer PS2's I know of (who knows how long it'll
last) all Dreamcast produced before October 2000 are capable of booting CDR
media, without a modchip.  The only difference is that PS2's require a swap
method, whereas the Dreamcast doesn't.

> Sadly I do not have a Dreamcast just a PS2, however I have gotten a few
> links from people to get started. I just would like to start a discussion=
 on
> this list about the steps needed to cheat the release.
>=20

That's good, because a lot of this territory hasn't really been fleshed out
yet.  If docs and info are to be gathered/written, then it's us to get it
done, since most of those resources aren't available.

AFAIK, the new preferred method of getting code to the PS2 is Napalm's
Naplink software (http://naplink.napalm-x.com/).  Unless you use a version
of a PS2 modchip that circumvents the entire CD authentication process (of
which I know absolutely nothing about), you must use a swap method to swap
out a valid CD with the CDR Naplink one.

Datel/InterAct's GameShark CD is the preferred swap disc, the later versions
(I have yet to pick one up, still stuck with the near-useless 1.4 currently)
are recommended, either v1.7 or v1.9+.  Apparently Datel/InterAct got some
pressure/morals about facilitating the CD swap, but finally saw the $$$ in
the recent versions :P.  Just speculation here.

Now, I went through the trouble of modding my PS2 with the Neo 2.5 DVD
modchip, it allows normal booting of original PSX media and swap-booting of
PS2 media.  It detects when the GameShark acesses it's proprietary dongle
and ejects the CD tray so that you can swap with your homebrew CDR.  Once
swapped, you start the "game" normally and away you go.  However, I have
not *personally* sat down and burned or used Naplink, so YMMV.  Also, keep
in mind that in most circumstances, you do *not* need a modchip to swap on
your PS2, one of the "physical" swap methods (e.g. using a knife, search
for sites with detailed info) will work fine.  I was able to swap on my PS2
before I installed a modchip.

Ok.  As far as booting Linux goes, it will involve:

- Getting MIPS EE cross-toolchain up and running.  I believe there's info
  on getting the tools, or the sources for the patched tools (the tools
  *must* be patched to be of any use, unless you're a masochist) at
  ps2hacking.sf.net.  Also, now3d's site had the sources as well, now3d, is
  your site back up?

- Ascertaining whether or not the Open Source bits of the PS2 linux kernel
  source from Sony is good enough for a kernel.  You do have a GS-based
  framebuffer console and USB support, so this should be more than enough
  to get a console and keyboard attached.  You can also plug in an USB-based
  network device, so it should also be possible to mount NFS root.

As I said in the previous mail, the rest of the interesting, juicy bits:
sound, CD/DVD access, memcard and pad access are in binary form only, and
only available in the bootloader that comes with the PS2 Linux kit.  This
means that we have to write these source components ourselves, if the
kernel is ever to be legal and complete.

Hopefully this enough to get some thoughts/ideas brewing.

>=20
> Give me a few to read up on some of the info. M. R. you just made yoursel=
f a
> new friend.
>=20

I will try and give as much time as possible, but hey, I like doing this
stuff anyway :P.  Just need the time to do it.

M. R.