Stage 3 - Installing the HDD to the PS2

In this stage we will

• Remove the HDD from the PC
• Check the PS2 is working first before any modification
• Open up the HDD option capsule on the PS2 Phat
• Install the HDD to the IDE interface
• Install the complete IDE + HDD into the PS2
• Power up the PS2 and check

In the previous stage we managed to get an ISO image onto the PS2 HDD and now we will install this HDD into the PS2.

The next item you will need is the HDD interface plate. These are readily available off eBay and often labelled as "GameStar"

But first we must check the PS2 is working before any modification.

The PS2 running our original game CD before modification.

Now shutdown the PS2 and remove all leads (power, AV, memory cards, joysticks etc)

IDE interface side of the Gamestar.

Cover side with screws that screw into the PS2 frame.

The next thing is to correctly set the IDE interface to Chip Select.

This is how the jumper settings are originally as removed from a Windows PC.

Now changed to CS for this particular HDD model.

Now we are ready to prepare the HDD to be inserted into the PS2. The PS2 will have a cover plate already fitted from the factory which can be removed at the top with a flathead screwdriver. So remove this to gently remove the cover plate.

You can see the notch at the top of the cover plate.

Plate is now removed and shown to the right.

Inside the HDD slot. Bit dusty so you can clean this out.

The HDD is now mated to the Gamestar HDD insert.

Insert gently.

Using a flathead screwdriver, screw in the two screws.

This is how it should look from the rear.

Now we will power up the PS2 and make sure it is still ok. Note that the HDD has no loader or software capable of being read by the PS2. We still need to prepare a boot loader later. This is to check there are no installation faults at this stage that can cause complications later.

The PS2 booting up after HDD added.

The PS2 successfully starting our game from the original CD with HDD added.

Now we can move to the next stage. Note the HDD has no impact on the PS2 and its loading as it has no authorised software on board. Only the ISO image we created earlier

Previous: Stage 2 ------ Next: Stage 4