Boot instructions for PS2 Slim SCPH-70xxx models

[Vorenu5]

PS2 Slim SCPH-70xxx models with an IDE Resurrector or similar mod can't boot the MBR on their own. Is there a known working method to get this version of PSBBN booting on these models? Booting via FMCB with HDD drivers installed freezes on the PlayStation 2 logo.

[CosmicScale]

PSBBN should boot on it's own. If it's freezing at the PlayStation 2 logo, that means it's a hardware issue. Are you using a SD Card Reader?

[Vorenu5]

I'm using a iFlash2PS2 which uses a SD card. I haven't encountered any issues using it with ULE, OPL or neutrino.

PSBBN-installer.log

[CosmicScale]

Looking at the log, the install went without any issues. PSBBN isn't homebrew. It's very fussy regarding the hardware it will run on. Have you tried a different SD card?

[Vorenu5]

I'll give that a try next and report back.

[Vorenu5]

I just tried another SD card and got the same result when booting from FMCB (freezing at the PlayStation 2 logo). I also tried installing FHDB and that booted from FMCB as expected.

PSBBN-installer.log

[CosmicScale]

Again, no problems with the install that I can see. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to help you with this one. It's definitely a problem with incompatible hardware. If the issue is not the SD card then it's most likely the SD card reader.

[Vorenu5]

I understand what you're saying and I'm definitely no expert on how any of this stuff works. Thanks for taking the time to look into it. I was only going by information I read at https://israpps.github.io/FreeMcBoot-Installer/test/9_HDD_Drivers.html and similar sites that echo the statement: "Well, the truth is that not every PS2 with internal HDD can Boot the MBR autonomously, the PCMCIA models (SCPH-1X000) and SCPH-70XXX Can't Boot the MBR on their own." The only successful boot of PSBBN on a SCPH-70XXX model that I've seen had to execute a decrypted MBR kelf via homebrew, but I haven't been able to obtain or dump such a file to test it. So I've only been able to try the FMCB HDD driver method to attempt booting PSBBN.

[CosmicScale]

You can try booting PSBBN with this unencrypted elf https://archive.org/details/osdboot

[Vorenu5]

I tried using that elf and unfortunately it also freezes at the PlayStation 2 logo. I forgot to include that the successful boot I've seen is from this video that uses the HD Combo mod: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ee1KsNFkb8. But since I'm using a different mod, I can't expect the exact same results.

[CosmicScale]

unfortunately it also freezes at the PlayStation 2 logo

That's the same place it freezes when you try to run PSBBN with a 3rd party HDD adapter.

[Vorenu5]

After testing everything I can find to boot PSBBN using a iFlash2PS2 mod on a model SCPH-70012, the result is always the same. It would be interesting to hear from anyone else using this or any other IDE resurrecting mod on a SCPH-70xxx model if they've had success.

[CosmicScale]

There's been a development. Let me know if this works for you! https://youtu.be/aBzKb8dRM6g?si=FfMxNMUvACfgPi2R

[Vorenu5]

There's been a development. Let me know if this works for you! https://youtu.be/aBzKb8dRM6g?si=FfMxNMUvACfgPi2R

I mentioned trying this method previously. I tested the method again after a fresh download of the files linked in the video. Unfortunately still freezing on the PlayStation 2 logo. Something about the iFlash-Solo board must be incompatible.

[CosmicScale]

At least we now know that it is 100% possible