Must-Have mod for PS2 HDD users

[crashwg]

OK, maybe not "must-have" but I certainly am glad that I did it...

I got sick of having to use random coins or a screwdriver to remove the HDD from my PS2 to install new games to it via WinHIIP so I did something about it.  I installed the heads of thumb-screws to the ends of the screws that hold the network adapter in place.

How I did it:
Disassemble the network adapter.
Pry the screws free.
Cut most of the screw part off of a couple PC Case thumb-screws
Grind down the part of the screw that is left on the thumb-screws into a flat that will fit in the slot of the network adapter screws.
Wrap masking tape around the head of the network adapter screws
Shove the screws through a piece of cardboard or whatever so they are upright
Mix up some JB Weld and apply to head of network adapter screws
Stick the heads of the thumb-screws into the JB Weld aligning the flats you made a few steps back
Reassemble

Some tips:
When I first started I was planning on drilling and tapping the network adapter screws and screwing in the thumb-screws.  THOSE MFers ARE HARDENED!  Unless you've got some carbide tipped drill bits and taps you can forget about this.

If I had access to a welder I definitely would have done that.  I've only removed the adapter a few times since I've done this mod and it seems to be holding strong but I'm a new customer to JB Weld and I don't entirely trust it yet...  We'll see.

You might not have to disassemble the network adapter.  If you place it with the IDE connector down and use a couple pieces of tape to hold the screws up you might be able to just apply the masking tape around the heads of the screws and do the JB Welding while it is assembled.  I WOULD DEFINITELY NOT WELD (as in real welding with electricity) WITH IT ASSEMBLED THOUGH!!!  That would be a bad idea for sure.

Of course, if you're the type who prefers to install games over the network you will have no need to do this mod.  I happen to prefer hooking up the HDD to my PC via a USB-IDE adapter and doing things with WinHIIP.

[DJ_Izumi]

...I just dump games onto my PS2 over ethernet, then I don't have to take it apart ever.

[Dazz]

I'm looking to mod my PS2 to run games from the HD.  I'm having issues trying to find an Action Replay Max EVO or CodeBreaker to get the FreeMCLoad on my memory card.

Is your PS2 modded with a chip or how did you go about modding yours?

[crashwg]

I'm looking to mod my PS2 to run games from the HD.  I'm having issues trying to find an Action Replay Max EVO or CodeBreaker to get the FreeMCLoad on my memory card.

Is your PS2 modded with a chip or how did you go about modding yours?

I had a PS2 modded with a DMS3.  When my brother-in-law found out about Free MC Boot he used my PS2 to make his card.  Then when my chipped PS2 stopped working I used his MFCB card to make a few for myself.

Once you have a card with FMCB on it you can make as many more as you'd like.  If you want I'll put the files on a card for you.  Just send it to me with return postage.  PM me for the address.

[whatzcrackn]

PM sent

[crashwg]

...I just dump games onto my PS2 over ethernet, then I don't have to take it apart ever.

I specifically inserted these lines to avoid comments such as this... 

Of course, if you're the type who prefers to install games over the network you will have no need to do this mod.  I happen to prefer hooking up the HDD to my PC via a USB-IDE adapter and doing things with WinHIIP.