This technique is very old and can only be done using the original CD-ROM based demo disks. If you are after a method to boot naplink or ps2link on an unmodified Playstation use the PS2-Independence exploit.
If you want to use Naplink to send your programs to the PS2 and you don't have a modified PS2 you can use whats called the knife swap method and a specially burnt Naplink CD to boot and get started.
This is the software and hardware required to make this work:
- Standard PS2 (no modifications)
- Naplink Software (naplink.napalm-x.com)
- PAL Demo Disk (I wonder if it will work with Magazine disks for NTSC/etc? Let me know!)
- PL2301 USB<->USB Cable
- CD Burner & blank CD.
- isobuster (www.isobuster.com)
- cdrwin (www.goldenhawk.com)
- addzer0 (only used to generate a dummy file)
The aim of this swap is to be able to load the demo disk then swap with naplink fooling the PS2 into thinking that naplink is the Fifa soccer demo. To do this you need to get the demo disk menu program to the same physical location on the new disk as the original Naplink disk.
This is how I built the disk. If it can be improved or not every step is required. Please let me know.
Step 1 - Get LBA location
Put your demo disk in your cd burner (drive E: in this example) and using the ISOBuster program load up the demo disk information. Record the LBA of the main program. In the PAL demo disk I have the filename is PBX_952.05 and its LBA is 65.
Note If you don't know the filename to select, check the contents of the system.cnf file in the root directory of the disk.
Step 2 - Setup the files from Naplink
One of the painful things about CDRWIN is that when building an ISO you have the option of recording full path names or not. This means to get files in the location you want on the CD you need to temporarily put the files in the right path of drive.
Take the contents of the CD directory of Naplink-ps2 and place them in a directory called FIFADEMO off the root directory of a drive (D: used in this example). Rename the naplink.elf file to GAMEZ.ELF. Copy the IRX files to the root directory.
The files in the D:\ (root directory) need to include:
- NPM-2301.IRX
- NPM-USBD.IRX
The file in the D:\FIFADEMO directory need to include:
- GAMEZ.ELF
- NPM-2301.IRX
- NPM-USBD.IRX
- SYSTEM
Note The IRX files and SYSTEM file in the FIFADEMO directory are in theory not required. I've included them because its how I built my CD. If someone tries this with just the GAMEZ.ELF (renamed naplink.elf) in the FIFADEMO directory please let me know.
Step 3 - Add a Buffer file
As mentioned in the introduction a buffer file is used to shift the demo program to the correct LBA. The AddZer0 program has an option to create a file of a set size.
To shift the PAL Demo disk menu program to the correct location of LBA 64, I used a file size of 46000 bytes. To create the file I used AddZer0 1.3 which has a handy utility to create a set sized file. Any utility will do.
AddZer0 g buffer 46000
Plase the buffer file in the root directory with the Napalm IRX files.
Note The name 'buffer' was selected specifically to placed its alphabetical order before that of PBPX_952.05, NPM-2301.IRX and NPM-USBD.IRX. This is because the CDRWIN program adds files to the CD alphabetically.
Step 4 - Build ISO File
Using CDRWIN select 'File Backup and Tools' icon (ie picture of folder and wrench). In the top drop down list select 'Build an ISO9660 Image File'.
Add the folowing files and directories to the Image.
- D:\BUFFER
- D:\NPM-2301.IRX
- D:\NPM-USBD.IRX
- D:\FIFADEMO (directory)
- E:\PBPX_952.05
- E:\SCEE_DD (directory)
I ensured the volume name of the disk was the same as the original Demo disk. Click Advanced Options and fill in the volume label. In the PAL demo disk case PBPX_95205.
Note I don't know how important it is to use the same volume label. If anyone tries this without the same volume label let me know the results.
Record the ISO to a filename of your liking. I called mine 'test.iso' :)
Step 5 - Checking the ISO file
Before burning the ISO file its important to check everything is as you expect on the ISO file. Use ISOBuster and load your new ISO into the program. You should find the PBPX_952.05 file at LBA 65; the same as the original demo disk.
If the file is not quite in the right spot. You'll need to add/remote bytes from the buffer file to get it to the right spot. Each LBA is 2048 bytes. Multiply 2048 by how many LBAs your off and rebuild the ISO.
Once you have the file in the correct spot go to the next step.
Step 6 - Burn the ISO
Go back to CDRWIN and select 'File backup and Tools' again. This time select 'Record and ISO9660 Image File' from the top drop down list.
Select your file. Select Disk type CDROM-XA and Mode as MODE2. Then check Finalise/Close Session and Write Postgap. Uncheck the other check boxes.
Select START and burn your CD. btw Did you remember to swap your demo disk with a blank CD?
Step 7 - Setup the environment
PC Naplink requires a PL2301 cable with one end plugged into the PS2 and one in the PC. You need to start the PC side of Naplink first.
PS2 To setup the PS2 you need to remove the drive door. I take no responsibility if you break it permanantly so be careful! Open the PS2 drive and carefully pull off the cover. It is held on by two small clips on each side. This is required so we can perform the famous knife trick.
Step 8 - Boot Naplink on the PS2 using knife method
Basically we need to swap the demo disk with the new disk without the PS2 knowing about it. The best way to do this is with a modified tray switch (
Look at Duke's site. We don't have that so we need to use a brut force approach. First open the ps2 drive door and look underneath. You will see a small track which runs an inch along the front of the drive then diagnal then continues along the right of the drive. A device moves along this rail to lock the drive in place when closed. We're going to use a knife to move it back and open the door.
To boot naplink you need to insert the original demo disk and boot up the system. When you get to the main menu, select the FIFA demo. A page will be displayed with the controls of how to use the FIFA demo. This is where to perform the swap.
Note I have found that the knife method is best done with the PS2 laying flat. I've also heard that in general a PS2 should be left flat as people have more problem when used vertically. Once again.. do this at your own risk. Also.. use plastic knifes. Metal and electricity don't mix!
Slide a knife or thin solid instrument under the PS2 tray to the left of where you saw the end of the track. Push the knife or whatever to the right. As it moves the drive will make some funny noises which are probably not good for the drive or CD. When you've pushed it to the far right along the diagnol track the drive door will open partially. Pull the door further open and swap the disks. Then move the lock back to the left using the knife.
Select X and with any luck you will be running Naplink.
Step 9 - Test it
Download the 3stars.elf file from this site. Look under files. Save this to a location like D:\3stars.elf
In the naplink program type the following:
execee host:D:\3stars.elf
Sit back and watch the first demo as your first demo!
Step 9 - Get to Work
So what are you waitin for? Start building!
Try using the reset command at anytime to reset naplink and download something else.
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