Hi there...
Consider the following been personal experience with my own PS2 - as it seems that not all PS2's are created equal ( diff versions and all )
i have a PAL PS2 - i've purchased 6-8 months ago - the Slide Card and Swap Magic 2.0 Set ( a CD and DVD boot discs ) - my reason - only 20$ - no soldering whatsoever - and all is reverseible... - and undetectable... ( by games that is )
- in the first months... - i was able to boot - every PS2 CD Backup ( a real CD based game i.e. 632 MB CD )and 9 out of 13 DVD Backups
- the procedure of "Forcefully" opening the PS2 door and all - was frightening at first - but it is now - second nature...
as for the DVD Games that did not boot ( Soul Calibur II, Silent Hill 3, Burnout II, Splinter Cell ) - i've "discovered" a wondefull site called -
www.SWAPMAGICFIX.com - from there i've downloaded a utility - which i've burnt and use as an extra "Swap" along the way - so in order to boot the "problematic" DVD games - i had to use - SM CD > CDLOADER ( the utility i've just mentioned" ) > SM DVD > BAckup -> all loaded - and Same as the originals!
as for the Common - DVD-rips Phenomena - i've attained great deal of such games - which are DVD Based games - ripped to 700MB CDs - NONE of them loaded with the Swap Magic CD ( SM CD ) 2.0 - but i've recemtly attained ( "got a hold off" ;) )Swap Magic CD 3.0 - so now i can SM CD 2.0 > SM CD 3.0 > "Special Boot Function" ( clicking on the Square button ) - after inserting the DVD -Rip - out of 32 Rips - i was able to run 15 ( and counting ) - i think that the ones that were not loaded - wither were poorly ripped or just Hoaxes! ( if you're looking for "real" DVD-rips - look for TLF, Kalisto, and others as The rippers...
All in all - i now have 15 DVD backups, 50 CD Backups ( or DVD Rips which were customized to be under 635MB limit ) and 15 DVD-rips - all working properly...
as for online gaming - Socom, Amplitude, NBA 2003 ( SEGA ) - all work flawlessly with my USB to LAN ( 12$ ) COnverter
the Modding made for this "Method" is delicate, but nonetheless - far less harming and intrusive than ripping the case open and soldering away...
things i cannot do with this method:
1. Play PS1 Backup Games ( thoug if you own n action replay CD - or something similiar you can use it... - or just wait for the Breaker Pro CD that just came out )
2. Using the PS2 Reality Player is possible - only if you burn the DIVX / MP3s / JPEGs CDs/DVDs with the app already - so it works - but not that great...
- as for Harming the Tray - i've been using this method for a very long time - i now perfom the longest swap in no more than 20-35 Seconds ( "Problematic DVDs if you recall )
and can do it in total dark... - i even messed up a few times with the Technique - and nothing happened....
on top of everything - if - heaven forbids :( - something does happen to my PS2 Optical Drive - Its repair - will not cost me an Arm and A leg - as if something went wrong with a modded PS2 - and that is by knowing and hearing people complain about overpriced reapir fees for modded consoles...
and for summary - the Games - it is now very easy to attain Full Games ( CD, DVD )and Backup you're own DVD GAMES - with a 100$ DVD-RW and Nero or something... -
and most importantly - modded systems - and Chips - can be ( and Are ) detected by more and more games - some chips can be Steakthed - but than what good are they ha?, some cannot even be "hidden"/"Turned off" leaving you at times with games / or online segments that may prevent you from entering GAmeplay - or hampering you're gameplay along the way... - and nearly none of themis reversible... it is there for a long time...
the Swap Magic on the other hand - now have a large - and growing community - that keep up with new games and updates - so all in all - with a low price tag - and reversible mod - i think i made one hel of a deal... ( not to mention that my PS2 is a second hand - never been used Console - that some sold me cause he needed the money - and it was for 200$ ( in Israel - it still - to this day cost 300 and more...
hope it answered just about every thing! - bye now