Playstation 2 Expansion Bay Hard Drive

iii.v" drive bay for the PlayStation two

PlayStation 2 back showing Expansion Bay on SCPH-30001

The PlayStation 2 Expansion Bay is a three.five" drive bay introduced with the model 30000 and 50000 PlayStation 2 (replacing the PCMCIA slot used in the models 10000, 15000 and 18000, and removed with the slimline model 70000) designed for the network adaptor and internal hard disk bulldoze (HDD). These peripherals raise the capabilities of the PS2 to permit online play and other features that were shown at E3 2001.

Network Adaptor [edit]

A PS2 Network adapter shown by itself (elevation) and inserted to a panel (bottom)

The Network Adaptor was released together with the launch of the PlayStation 2's online play service. Two models of the adapter were bachelor - one with a dial-up modem and an Ethernet jack for broadband Internet connexion (mainly sold in North America), and ane with only an Ethernet interface (sold in Europe and other regions). A start-up disc ("Network Access Disc") is included with the Network Adaptor and installs a file on the memory bill of fare for connection settings which are accessible by all but one Network Adaptor uniform game. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, released in November 2001, supported the Network Adaptor hardware, only non the software every bit it was non finalized until much after.

The Network Adaptor as well provides a Parallel ATA interface and a Molex disk drive power connector to allow installation of a three.5 in IDE difficult deejay bulldoze in the expansion bay. Every bit the two deejay connectors are on separate circuit boards from the main Network Adapter one, 3rd party connector replacements including a SATA connector and SATA to IDE converter are available.

Slimline PlayStation 2 models take an Ethernet port built-in (with some early N American models including an analog dial-up modem), but no official hard disk drive drive interface. The first slimline model (SCPH-70000) has a complete Network Adapter onboard, and may be modified to add an external IDE connector board. From the SCPH-75000 serial onwards, Ethernet functionality was integrated into the I/O processor (which was completely redesigned internally),^[1] completely removing the disk interface.

The maximum supported charge per unit of the Network Adapter is 100Mbit/s, at full duplex. Information technology is also backwards compatible with 10Mbit/due south hardware and configurations.

Hard disk [edit]

PlayStation HDD and Network Adapter

The PlayStation ii Hard disk drive (PS2 HDD) was released on July 19, 2001, in Japan (together with the Network Adaptor) and on March 23, 2004, in North America. It requires the Network Adaptor to connect to the PlayStation 2 and to receive power. The HDD has a 40 GB chapters that tin can be used by games to reduce load time past putting data on the hard drive temporarily, or back up memory card information. Due to MagicGate copyright protection, programs that are bootable directly from the HDD (east.g. PlayStation Broadband Navigator, PlayOnline Viewer, Popular'north Music Puzzle-dama Online) are keyed to the organisation when that arrangement installs them. The HDD can be transferred to some other PlayStation 2 organisation and files on the HDD can be accessed, but those specific programs cannot be booted without being reinstalled. Contrary to popular belief, a consummate reformat of the HDD is not necessary upon transfer of the HDD between consoles, or else it would not be useful to take the HDD be preformatted and accept preinstalled software, as is the instance with the Northward American HDD unit. An HDD Utility Disc is included to let maintenance of the HDD (including defragmentation, disk repair and formatting utilities, forth with a file manager browser) and in North America, Last Fantasy Eleven is also included. There are 35 North American games that support the HDD.

Maxtor and Seagate Technology produced hard drives used in these kits.

Unofficial software chosen HD Loader (afterward as well Hd Advance and Open PlayStation Loader) allow users to copy entire games to the HDD and run them without the discs. They also allow using some standard consumer hard drives in the PS2, notwithstanding they will not be uniform with software that is expecting the standard PS2 difficult drive. This software combined with a hard drive allows i to play games without using the original disc. This is desirable equally information technology protects the fragile and maybe rare game discs from impairment, in some cases it may better performance. Yet, the exercise is not without controversy. HDLoader bypasses the usual re-create protection mechanisms built into the console, assuasive for piracy.

North American releases with HDD support [edit]

ESPN NFL 2K5, NBA 2K5, ESPN Higher Hoops 2K5, ESPN MLB 2K5, and ESPN NHL 2K5 utilize the HDD to meliorate replays. (If the HDD is not installed, static screenshots are shown every bit replays. With the HDD, full cutscene-like replays can exist displayed). ESPN NHL 2K5 has the power to save files direct to the hard bulldoze
Concluding Fantasy XI is the only North American game truly dependent on the HDD as it requires various patches and upgrades from Square Enix.
Metal Saga installs 1.seven GB to the HDD to decrease load time and uses the HDD to save/load game instead of Retentivity Card
MLB 2K6, 2K7, 2K8, 2K9, 2K10, 2K11 and 2K12 back up saving to the HDD as well every bit the automatic installation of data for faster loading.^†
NBA 2K6, 2K7, 2K8, 2K9, 2K10, 2K11 and 2K12 support saving to the HDD as well as the automated installation of information for faster loading.^†
NHL 2K6, 2K7, 2K8, 2K9 and 2K10 support saving to the HDD.^†
RPG Maker three installs 3 GB to the HDD to decrease load times.
Resident Evil Outbreak (both, the original game and File #two) installs 1 GB to the HDD for reduced loading times.
SOCOM 3 U.S. Navy SEALs supports additional maps, downloadable via the in game "Socom Store".
SOCOM II U.S. Navy SEALs supports additional maps, however the files must be copied from a magazine demo disc to the hard drive and cannot exist downloaded.
SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Combined Assault supports boosted maps.
Street Fighter Blastoff Album, like its Japanese analogue, tin install two GB to the HDD to reduce loading time.
The Urbz: Sims in the City recognizes when the HDD is installed and allows data to be saved directly to it. Also uses a 512 MB "__tmp" Division to cache Game Files to speed up load times.
The Sims two recognizes when the HDD is installed and allows data to be saved directly to it. Also uses a 512 MB "__tmp" Partition to cache Game Files to speed upwards load times.

^† 2K sports titles up to the 2K9 versions (except Higher Hoops, where information technology merely applies to 2K6, 2K7 and 2K8 versions since there is no 2K9), also use the HDD to display recorded replays from game action. Without information technology, stills are shown in NBA games (during halftime and the end of the game) and no end-of-inning replays are shown in MLB.

The Terminal Fantasy XI game that came bundled with the 40GB hard drive that required the Network Adaptor

Japanese releases with HDD back up [edit]

A Ressha de Ikou 2001 Perfect Prepare (A-Railroad train 2001 + Railroad train-Pack) installs 256 MB to the HDD, and the Train-Pack installs an additional 14 MB.
Ace Gainsay iv installs 1 GB to speed up load times.
Aero Dancing 4 uses the HDD for salvage games and as a cache for game files to decrease load times.
Historic period of Empires 2: The Age of Kings installs 128 MB to speed up the game, then information technology no longer "Freezes" in game to load the needed information from the Game CD-ROM.
AirForce Delta Blueish Wing Knights installs 1024 MB to reduce load times.
All Star Pro-Wrestling 2 installs 128 MB to reduce load times.
Beatmania IIDX 5th Way can cache song files to the HDD to reduce load times. In addition, using HDD caching will enable a bonus gameplay mode.
Biohazard Outbreak (Both File 1 and File two) installs 1 GB to the HDD for reduced loading times.
Bomberman Kart, has downloadable content with new tracks to install on HDD.
Capcom vs. SNK ii installs to the HDD to reduce load times and allows the game to exist saved to and loaded from the HDD instead of a Memory Card.
Beni no Umi 2 (Crimson Sea ii) installs 256 MB to reduce load times.
Dark Chronicle (aka Dark Deject 2) installs a 1,536 MB file to the HDD to reduce load times. The Asia version as well supports the HDD (nigh Asia versions of games take HDD support removed).
Vampire: Darkstalkers Drove installs 1 GB to speed up load times.
Chant of Cerberus: Concluding Fantasy Seven requires the difficult drive for online play. The game uses Foursquare-Enix's PlayOnline service, which needs the hard bulldoze so you lot can install the online interface.
Final Fantasy X (and Final Fantasy X International) installs a one,664 MB file to the HDD to reduce load times.
Final Fantasy XI (and the Concluding Fantasy Eleven: Rise of the Zilart, Concluding Fantasy 11: Bondage of Promathia, Final Fantasy XI: Treasures of Aht Urhgan, and Final Fantasy XI:Wings of the Goddess expansions) fully installs to the HDD so that it tin be patched/updated. Uses 8,192 MB, with both expansions installed, as of March 7, 2005 (Note: This does not include the Treasures of Aht Urgahn and Wings of the Goddess expansions as they were released later).
G1 Jockey 3 2003 installs 512 MB to reduce load times.
G1 Jockey 3 2005 Nendoban installs 512 MB to reduce load times.
G1 Jockey iv 2006 installs 1024 MB to reduce load times.
G1 Jockey iv 2007 & Winning Post vii Maximum 2007 each install 1 GB to decrease load times.
G1 Jockey four 2008 installs ane GB to speed up load times.
G1 Jockey four installs 1024 MB to reduce load times.
Guitar Freaks 4th Mix & DrumMania 3rd Mix installs to the HDD to reduce load times.
Gundam Musou 2 installs 512 MB to speed upwardly load times
Gundam Musou Special installs 512 MB to speed upwards load times.
Taishou Mononoke Ibunroku installs 128 MB to reduce load times.
Tamamayu Monogatari two (Jade Cocoon 2) installs to the HDD to reduce load times.
Jikkyo Powerful Major League 2 installs 512 MB to reduce load times.
Jikkyo Powerful Major League 3 installs 512 MB to reduce load times.
Jikkyō Powerful Major League 2009 Installs i GB to reduce load times.
Jikkyo Powerful Pro Yakyuu 12 Ketteiban installs 512 MB to reduce load times.
Jikkyo Powerful Pro Yakyuu 13 installs 512 MB to reduce load times.
Jikkyo Powerful Pro Yakyuu thirteen Ketteiban installs 512 MB to reduce load times.
Jikkyo Powerful Pro Yakyuu fourteen installs 512 MB to reduce load times.
Jikkyo Powerful Pro Yakyuu 14 Ketteiban installs 512 MB to reduce load times.
Jikkyo Powerful Pro Yakyuu 15 installs 512 MB to reduce load times.
Kessen III installs 2048 MB to reduce load times.
Kidou Senshi Gundam - Renpou vs. Zeon DX (Mobile Suit Gundam - Federation vs. Zeon Deluxe) uses the HDD for saving/loading.
King of Colosseum Greenish/Cherry each install 512 MB to reduce load times. If you have both Light-green and Blood-red installed, the Green version will use the installed files of the Blood-red version equally an "Expansion pack".
Kingdom Hearts (and Kingdom Hearts Final Mix) installs a i,280 MB file to the HDD to reduce load times.
Lilie no Atelier Plus Salburg no Renkinjutsushi iii installs 128 MB to reduce load times.
Allow'southward Bravo Music let players download extra music and adventures to the HDD.
Metal Saga installs one.7 GB to the HDD to decrease load fourth dimension and uses the HDD to save and load game instead of a Retentiveness Menu.
Mina no Golf Online requires the HDD for play.
Tetra Primary fully installs to the HDD so that it tin can be patched/updated, currently using 128 MB. It comes with Concluding Fantasy XI.
TVware uses the HDD.
Nobunaga no Yabou: Kakushin with Power-Up Kit installs 512 MB to reduce load times.
Nobunaga no Yabou: Kakushin installs 512 MB to reduce load times.
Nobunaga no Yabou: Online requires the HDD for updates/patches(MMORPG).
Nobunaga no Yabou: Ranseiki installs to the HDD to reduce load times.
Nobunaga no Yabou: Soutensoku with Power-Up Kit installs 256 MB to reduce load times.
Nobunaga no Yabou: Soutensoku installs 256 MB to reduce load times.
Nobunaga no Yabou: Tenka Sousei with Ability-Up Kit installs 512 MB to reduce load times.
Nobunaga no Yabou: Tenka Sousei installs 512 MB to reduce load times.
PlayOnline Viewer fully installs to the HDD so that it tin exist patched/updated, currently using 1 GB. Information technology is used to kicking Final Fantasy 11, Front Mission Online, Tetra Principal, and JongHowLo.
PoPoLoCrois Hajimari no Bouken installs 640 MB to reduce load times.
Winning 11 5: Concluding Evoloution installs 512 MB to reduce load times.
Winning Eleven Tactics: European Club Soccer Installs to the HDD to reduce load times.
Winning Eleven vi: Final Evolution installs 512 MB to subtract load times.
Winning Eleven 8: Liveware Evolution installs one GB to decrease load times.
Pro Soccer Lodge o Tsukurou Europe Championship installs 2.5 GB to reduce load times.
Romancing SaGa Minstrel's Song installs a five,120 MB file to the HDD to reduce load times.
Sengoku Musō two Empires installs 1024 MB to reduce load times.
Sengoku Musō 2 Moushouden installs 1024 MB to reduce load times.
Sengoku Musō 2 installs 1024 MB to reduce load times.
Sengoku Musō Moushouden installs 1024 MB to reduce load times.
Sengoku Musō installs 1024 MB to reduce load times.
San Goku Shi eleven installs 512 MB to reduce load times.
San Goku Shi 11 with Power-Upwardly Kit installs 512 MB to reduce load times.
San Goku Shi 9 installs 128 MB to reduce load times.
San Goku Shi 8 installs to the HDD to reduce load times.
San Goku Shi x installs 512 MB to reduce load times.
Shadow Hearts two installs 1.28 GB to reduce load times.
Shin Sangoku Musou three Empires installs 1024 MB to reduce load times.
Shin Sangoku Musou 3 installs a 512 MB file to the HDD to reduce load times.
Shin Sangoku Musou iii Moushouden installs a one GB file to the HDD to reduce load times.
Shin Sangoku Musou 4 Empires installs 1024 MB to reduce load times.
Shin Sangoku Musou 4 installs 1024 MB to reduce load times.
Shin Sangoku Musou 4 Moushouden installs 1024 MB to reduce load times.
Shin Sangoku Musou v Special installs 512 MB to speed up load times.
Star Bounding main: Till the Stop of Time (and the Managing director'due south Cutting) installs to the HDD to reduce load times. Installation also reduces occurrences of a game crashing glitch that is known to happen on the first batch of discs when played on model 1x000 PS2s.
Street Fighter Zip Fighter'southward Generation installs a 2 GB file to the HDD to reduce loading fourth dimension.
The Sims 2 optionally uses the HDD for save games and as a cache for game files to decrease load times.
The Urbz: Sims in the Metropolis optionally uses the HDD for save games and every bit a cache for game files to decrease load times.
Unlimited Saga installs a 3,072 MB file to the HDD to reduce load times.
Venus & Braves uses the HDD for save games instead of a Retentiveness Card.
Virtua Fighter 4 installs 512 MB to HDD to decrease load times.
Musou Orochi Maou Sairin installs ane GB to subtract load times.
Musou Orochi installs 1024 MB to reduce load times.
Wild Arms Advanced 3rd installs to the HDD to reduce load times.
Wild Arms Alter Code:F installs to HDD to reduce load times.
Winback 2:Project Poseidon installs 1024 MB to reduce load times.
Winning Eleven vii installs to the HDD to speed up load times.
Winning Mail 5 Maximum 2002 installs 512 MB to reduce load times.
Winning Mail 5 Maximum 2003 installs 512 MB to reduce load times.
Winning Postal service half-dozen: 2005 Nendoban installs 1024 MB to reduce load times.
Winning Post 6 installs 1024 MB to reduce load times.
Winning Mail service 7 Maximum 2006 installs 1024 MB to reduce load times.
Winning Mail service 7 Maximum 2008 uses the HDD for relieve games and as a cache for game files to subtract load times.
Winning Post 7 installs 1024 MB to reduce load times.
Winning Mail World 2010 installs 1024 MB to reduce load times.
Winning Post Globe installs 1024 MB to reduce load times.
Xenosaga Episode 1 installs a i,792 MB file to the HDD to reduce load times. It allows the game to be saved to and loaded from the HDD instead of a Memory Card.
DJ Box Sony Computer Entertainment'due south MP3 DJ mixing program requires the hard drive for MP3 storage. Users tin as well save the DJ mixes that they make with the software to the difficult drive.
JongHowLo fully installs to the HDD so that it tin be patched/updated, currently using 256 MB. It comes with Final Fantasy XI.
Pop'north Taisen Puzzle-dama Online Installation to the HDD is required to play. The game boots from PSBBN or HDD Utility Disc and does not require the disc or a registration lawmaking, making it a very unusual case of HDD back up, as information technology has no anti-piracy protection to prevent the disc from existence passed around in a group of people.
Zettai Zetsumei Toshi (aka Disaster Report) installs to the HDD to reduce load times.^[two]

Linux kit [edit]

The Linux Kit for PlayStation 2 was released in 2002 and included the PlayStation 2 Linux software, keyboard, mouse, VGA adapter (which requires an RGB monitor that supports sync-on-green signals), Network Adaptor (Ethernet only) and a forty GB hd bulldoze. It allows the PlayStation 2 to be used every bit a personal reckoner.

Hacking and modding [edit]

As of mid 2010, it is possible to install and use the PlayStation BB Navigator (PS-BBN) and the HDD-OSD (HDD Utility-Disc) on every PlayStation 2 Console from every region. This tin be achieved with the employ of special "patched" files for the HDD-OSD, PS-BBN, and a modified version of "uLaunch" (a well known piece of PlayStation 2 homebrew software) called "hacked-ule". It is at present too possible to install homebrew software to the HDD and make information technology launchable through the HDD-OSD and PS-BBN's "Game-Channel", just like any other official HDD game. All the same, installing such homebrew software to the HDD yet requires much work in a Hex-Editor. PS-BBN can at present also be fully translated into whatsoever given language; the translation process involves the employ of the "Beta-linux" release for PlayStation two and a peculiarly compiled kernel which gives access to the "APA-ReiserFS" partitions.

As of 2013, virtually (if non all) games that use the HDD to install data (to decrease load time) and/or to save/load (instead of using a Retention Menu) can exist used on any PlayStation 2 console from any region and on any HDD by using a Hex-Editor (or ATADPatcher v0.02) and some type of booting software "ESR" (a well known piece of homebrew software for the PS2). If a "patched" re-create of HDD-OSD and/or PlayStation BB Navigator (PS-BBN) is used, users can run across all the data currently installed in the same fashion as with the official "SONY twoscore GB HDD" (SCPH-20401).

Alternate uses [edit]

Outside of video gaming, the expansion bay of the PlayStation 2 has been referred to in popular civilisation every bit a "stash spot" for hiding marijuana or other illicit substances,^{[ commendation needed ]} due to the empty space of the expansion bay (which was intended for a hard disk drive) being some other pop identify for people to store their items that are otherwise illegal or secretive.

References [edit]

^ SP193 (December 31, 2017). "The PlayStation two Busses + DEV9". ASSEMbler - Dwelling of the obscure . Retrieved May 5, 2018.
^ Zettai Zetsumei Toshi education manual, page 12.

External links [edit]

Network Adaptor official site
PlayStation 2 Linux
Translating PSBBN