[ISSUE]: Japanese PS1 game acting weird on Japan DEX Firmware

[RaikouSRL]

Checks

• [X] I provided nvram backup file
• [X] I provided sticker photo

Console model

SCPH-90002

Describe the issue

I'm having issues with a retail Japanese game (Digimon World) on Japanese Retail-DEX Firmware,

the audio is bugging out with weird clicks and sound effects being played incorrectly, now i'm not completely certain this is an issue with mechapwn itself as i can replicate the issue by booting the retail disc on an unmodded NTSC-U PS2 Slim using swap trick, i think its something to do with the Japanese game not liking NTSC-U video output? the only way i can get the game to work correctly is by setting mechapwn to Japanese CEX, however i play a modded version of the same game so it would be greatly preferred to not have to switch between CEX and Retail-DEX each time i was to play one or the other.

Is there any difference in PS1 video mode between Japan CEX and Japan Retail-DEX?

I've linked a video showing the issue and provided both my sticker and nvram

Thanks for the help! :)

https://youtu.be/ZCNfaOIzk8o

nvm_6.12_1432388.zip

[AKuHAK]

Any of possible this problem fixes on mechapwn side will break other regions. However you can use DKWDRV for resolving your problem without mechapwn re-installation each time.

[RaikouSRL]

I looked over this app and it doesnt work for what i need, console needs to be in Retail-DEX firmware for DKWDRV to read the modded practice copy and whenever i'm playing the original disc i'm doing it for speedrunning which requires i go through the original boot process (PS2 OSDSYS > PS1 logo etc) for verification and legitimacy purposes.

Is it possible any of the fixes could be applied to just my NVRAM? i dont mind if it breaks other regions, i just want the console to boot my original disc and modded disc on the single mechapwn firmware without the bug shown above?

[AKuHAK]

Is it possible any of the fixes could be applied to just my NVRAM?

Just to be sure - are you using rc4 version? If so - install DEX - Japan version. Then remove nvram backup from your usb, run mechapwn again first stage. Then connect your usb, open it and replace string in some hex editor JJjpnJJ. This should resolve your problem.

[AKuHAK]

Your problem looks very similar to Rayman speedrun problem, and it was fixed in rc4

[RaikouSRL]

This is awesome, that works perfectly, thank you so much!

i was using RC4 yeah, not sure what the difference is with Rayman tho, glad others in the speedrunning scene are getting help with Mechapwn, its a godsend for the community

[Dancsi41]

why do you install the jap-dex exploit on a pal ps2 while you can install the pal/european exploit for mechapwn ? for me, it seems to be more logical to install the exploit from the same region as your ps2.

DEX is always better than CEX, it will unlock region + let you play backups of ps1 and ps2 games, while CEX only change the region of the ps2 and you can only play game from the region.

[AKuHAK]

@Dancsi41 SCPH-75k+ are region free and can be switched to any region without any problems. The problem is with different restriction level in each region. NTSC-U region consoles can run all region games, while Pal and Japan cannot. And it seems that sometimes ps1 games do weird things when Japan and pal games are run from USA region. DKWDRV fixes this problem, but for transparent use you need to use more config variations.

[Dancsi41]

@Dancsi41 SCPH-75k+ are region free and can be switched to any region without any problems. The problem is with different restriction level in each region. NTSC-U region consoles can run all region games, while Pal and Japan cannot. And it seems that sometimes ps1 games do weird things when Japan and pal games are run from USA region. DKWDRV fixes this problem, but for transparent use you need to use more config variations.

thank you for the quick answer. when you say "NTSC-U region consoles can run all region games", you mean once the mechapwn exploit is installed, because a normal, unmodded ps2 is not region free (and will not let you play backups), if I uninstall the exploit/restore my nvram backup to my NTSC-U slim ps2, it will only play NTSC-U games.

While you are here, I just wanted to ask 1 more thing, I know that for now, we can not play ps1 backups if force unlock is installed with the exploit.

If I only install mechapwn without force unlock, we can play ps1 backups but we will lose ps2 backups (unless we convert all ps2 games to dvd-video with ESR patcher but the compatibility rate is not 100%). is it possible in a future update to be able to play both format either with or without the force unlock option ?

[AKuHAK]

you mean once the mechapwn exploit is installed

it is not related to the mechapwn. Normal US PS2 can run Japan and Pal games without problems (official of course, not burned copies). So yes, normal unmodded US PS2 is region-free.

[AKuHAK]

nless we convert all ps2 games to dvd-video with ESR patcher but the compatibility rate is not 100%

this is also wrong. By applying mechapwn, you are converting your console into DTL mode. TEST consoles can run specially patched disks, but this is nothing to do with esr, this is official Sony patch called MasterPatch. It is not raising game compatibility, game compatibility remains the same, but you need to patch each burned copy with masterpatch.

[AKuHAK]

But, yes t is possible to expand Force Unlock to be more sophisticated and to not refuse CD disks. Its just very-very hard as you need to find armv7a-t assembler patch that will fit 200 bytes. And you need to do that for each existing mechacon firmware, it is incredibly hard work. But its possible just many skills necessary.

[Dancsi41]

you mean once the mechapwn exploit is installed

it is not related to the mechapwn. Normal US PS2 can run Japan and Pal games without problems (official of course, not burned copies). So yes, normal unmodded US PS2 is region-free.

ok, I didn't know that NTSC-U PS2 is region-free for original/official ps2 games, i had a fat ps2 before (22-23 years ago) and most people modded the console (modchip, swap magic disc, etc.) for unlocking the region + backups. I never tested an original japanese or pal ps2 game on a NTSC-U console, I always bought NTSC-U games :)

[Dancsi41]

nless we convert all ps2 games to dvd-video with ESR patcher but the compatibility rate is not 100%

this is also wrong. By applying mechapwn, you are converting your console into DTL mode. TEST consoles can run specially patched disks, but this is nothing to do with esr, this is official Sony patch called MasterPatch. It is not raising game compatibility, game compatibility remains the same, but you need to patch each burned copy with masterpatch.

I know, but for now, in order to play ps1 and ps2 backups without the force unlock, we can just install the exploit, it will let you play ps1 games (original and backups) and ps2 games (original). For ps2 backups, you patch the iso with esr patcher so the burned disc will become a dvd-video instead of a ps2 format disc.

Since dvd-video discs don't require any sort of modification, they will (auto)boot normally (like a dvd movie disc), the only thing you need is the ESR.elf file on the MC with uLaunchelf in order to load .elf files).

[Dancsi41]

But, yes t is possible to expand Force Unlock to be more sophisticated and to not refuse CD disks. Its just very-very hard as you need to find armv7a-t assembler patch that will fit 200 bytes. And you need to do that for each existing mechacon firmware, it is incredibly hard work. But its possible just many skills necessary.

I see. by the way, original ps1 games load fine with force unlock installed/activated. Only ps1 backups that don't load for now.

I have the exploit installed + force unlock enabled/installed and my original copy of Silent Hill for PS1 loads fine (sames goes with RE2, Twisted Metal 3, Driver 2, Parasite Eve and World Scariest Police Chases).

[Dancsi41]

you mean once the mechapwn exploit is installed

it is not related to the mechapwn. Normal US PS2 can run Japan and Pal games without problems (official of course, not burned copies). So yes, normal unmodded US PS2 is region-free.

Hi again,

I just did some tests today and I can confirm that NTSC-U PS2 cannot load original (not burned) PAL games, I uninstalled the exploit/restored my original nvram and tried to load my original PAL copy of Haunting Ground that I bought from Ebay (it is the original game, with the blue case and insert, manual and pressed disc), I keep getting the red Please insert a ps2 format disc.

If you say that NTSC-U ps2 can read and play original PS2 games from all regions (console is region-free), then it is not true, otherwise the game should have booted fine. I also tested Demolition Girl (only released in Europe and Japan), same red screen.

I then reinstalled the exploit + force unlock and both games booted fine from the browser.

"SCPH-75k+ are region free and can be switched to any region without any problems." : I have a silver slim 77001 model NTSC-U PS2, so my model is correct.