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MechaResearch / MechaPwn

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[SCPH-50000] FMCB Black Screen After MechaPwn "Keep Current Patch" #212

Closed codecrundle closed 2 months ago

codecrundle commented 7 months ago

I recently acquired an SCPH-50000 BB Pack. I wanted to use MechaPwn to region unlock/dev kit it so I can play NTSC-U discs. I have a FMCB memory card (two actually) that I used to get FMCB going, which I used to install MP. I followed the instructions to a T, however, when I went to the "change region" option, I only had "Retail-DEX", no "CEX (retail)". When I selected "Retail-DEX", I didn't get a "Select Region" screen, just a "Patch Menu" screen. Then I foolishly selected "Keep Current Patch" and rebooted the PS2.

Now, the PS2 won't boot into the OS if the FMCB card is inserted. No splash logo, just a black screen that seems like a boot loop. As soon as I remove the memory card, it boots just fine. I tried removing the hard drive and the PS2 has the same behavior. I can't find a shred of helpful information on the internet in regards to this, it seems like I'm the first person to have this issue. The memory card is 64mb so definitely not OEM and I'm wondering if this has anything to do with it. I'm wondering, one, how do I fix this and two, why didn't I get any region change options and why was "CEX (retail)" missing? Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

AKuHAK commented 6 months ago

@codecrundle you did everything absolutely correct, I honestly have no idea why FMCB stopped to work. It was reported that some modchips may act in such way (block FMCB after mechapawning), could you please confirm that you don't have modchip installed? There is also small chance that mechapawn may corrupt memory cards, probably I will add into next release a warning that you should mechapawn with memory card ejected. As per what you can do. As you mechapawned it, you can run master patched wlaunchelf burned disk and reinstall fmcb over your memory card. Unfortunately PS2 iso may break GitHub rules, so you can download them from discord: https://discord.gg/CVFUa9xh6B from mechapawn channel in pinned messaged Japan region.

codecrundle commented 6 months ago

@AKuHAK Thank you for your response. To my knowledge, it isn't chipped. I haven't opened it up but I have no reason to believe it is. And unfortunately, this was unsuccessful. I went to the discord and grabbed wle_438_dvd_jp.iso and burned it at 24x using ImgBurn. I tried two different scenarios:

With no HDD in the PS2: At the memory card/disc menu it shows up as a PS2 disc but when I try to run it, the screen goes black, it tries to boot, but then returns me to the same menu.

With HDD in the PS2: From the Game menu, it look like it knows its a PS2 disc but boots back to the main menu after trying to load it. From the DVD menu, it states "the disc cannot be played." (I'm using google translate).

I was also thinking of other ways to access uLE and was considering using the HDD I have. I was going to first use Ubunutu to DD it as I want a copy of the data as it is, then using Windows to setup FreeHDBoot. I just would prefer not to have to modify my hard drive since it's a bit of a time capsule and has a super neat GUI compared to the standard one. However, I'm open to any and all suggestions here, I just want to region unlock this thing.

codecrundle commented 6 months ago

Update: Excellent news, it turns out I had an older PATA hdd lying around that was compatible, I've now got uLE + tons of other tools at my disposal, god I'm stoked. II have to go to work so I can't continue now but at this point should I try to re-do MechaPwn? And if it brings me to the same screen where I can't change region but only have a Patch Menu, should I do Force Unlock? I've been confused as to whether Force Unlock will region unlock my console. Thanks again for your help!

Update again: VERY GOOD NEWS!!! So right before I left for work I was like, why not, let's throw an NTSC-U disc in. And my god, it just boots it and runs! I don't know how this is possible...I never changed my region in MechaPwn, the only thing I did was "Keep Current Patch." Does the installation of MechaPwn itself allow me to do this? Is it something to do with FreeHDBoot? I almost don't want to question anything because it just works but I'm curious.