Description
What is HDAdvance?
HDAdvance allows you to convert your PS2 games to HDD and run directly from the HDD connected to your console (PS2 Network adapter and compatible hard disk drive required). The HDAdvance package includes a CD and a DVD: The CD version embedded with the largest TOC. It can convert all CD games. The DVD version also embedded with the largest TOC. It can convert all DVD games.
No More Loading
Actually, PS2 can read data from a HDD much faster than it can read from a CD or DVD. By using HDAdvance, you can run your PS2 games from the HDD directly and reduce the game loading times sharply. You can say goodbye to those boring game loading screen!
Since HDAdvance makes gaming more convenient by allowing you to store your PS2 games on a HDD, you do not need to change discs each time when you want to play different games. Moreover, your original game discs can be kept in good condition.
User Friendly Graphical Interface
The user interface of HDAdvance is designed with simplicity. You will find that it is easy to navigate the game files and use the command to manage the game files. Other than converting PS2 games into HDD, you can find other commands to relabel the files or to delete the file.
Excellent Compatibility
Over 95% of games work with HDAdvance without flaw when running from your hard disk drive. HDAdvance is compatible with both the official PS2 HDD and standard IDE HDDs with 40GB capacity or above
How to install the HDD
Before you start
The following hardware is required for using HDAdvance:
1. An official PS2 network adapter. Either adapters that are shown in the picture can be used.
2. A Suitable hard disk. You can use the official hard disk or a standard IDE hard disk drive with a capacity of 40/80/120GB. If you use a standard IDE drive, you will need to make sure that it actually fits into your network adapter. Most Western Digital drives do not physically fit onto the PS2 network adapter without some modification, so we recommend that you stay clear of this brand. There are also issues with some modern Seagate drives, which cause problems when used in conjunction with older models of the official PS2 network adapter. We recommend using a Maxtor or Hitachi brand HDD with HDAdvance. If HDAdvance freezes at the splash screen for you, then it is due to the conflict mentioned above. In order to resolve this you will either need to purchase a new hard disk drive or network adapter.
3. A PS2 with a "Bay-Type" expansion port. All PS2's will have this expansion port except for the first three Japanese models (SCPH 10000, SCPH 15000 and SCPH 18000) which have a PCMCIA expansion port instead. These models are not supported by HDAdvance.
How to Install Your Hard Disk
If you have an official PS2 hard disk drive, then please install it according to the directions in its manual. If you will be using a standard IDE hard disk drive, then please make sure that the hard disk drive you intend to connect to your PS2 will actually fit into your network adapter.
Check that the IDE and power ports on your hard disk drive properly align with the IDE and power connectors on your network adapter.
Configure the jumper setting on the hard disk drive so it is set to MASTER. To find the correct jumper settings for your hard disk drive, either check the label on top of the hard disk drive or consult your reference manual.
Attach the hard disk drive to the network adapter by lining up the IDE and power ports/connectors and pressing firmly, as shown in Picture.
Carefully slide the hard disk drive into the PS2 expansion bay as shown below. Push until the network adapter is connected to the back of your PS2, then screw in the screws on the back of the network adapter to secure the hard disk drive and network adapter. Congratulations, you have successfully connected a hard disk drive to your PS2!
How to use thd HDAdvance
Using HDAdvance
At the main screen, you can see a list of files currently converted on your hard disk and an Options menu which you may use to start playing a game, convert a new game, delete or relabel an existing game. At any point, either the File List Panel or the Options Panel is in focus. Use the left and right buttons on our controller to switch between the File List Panel and Options Panel in order to select files or perform any action (Run, Convert, Delete, Relabel).
File Conversion
When you choose to convert a new game onto your hard disk, you will be prompted to insert your game disk. Eject the HDAdvance CD, insert your game disk and select “Continue” by pressing X. HDAdvance will then scan your disc to make sure everything is in order, and if there are no problems you will be asked to enter the name of your game using the name selection panel.
The controls for the name selection panel are as follows:
| D-Pad |
– Move the selection |
| X |
– Select character |
| O |
– Backspace |
| L1 |
– Cursor left |
| R1 |
– Cursor right |
| L2 |
– Cursor start |
| R2 |
– Cursor end |
Select “End” when you have finished entering the name for your game to proceed to the actual conversion, or select “Cancel” to return to the main screen. When conversion begins you will be shown a progress bar for the conversion as well as statistics such as the time remaining.
Deleting a Game
When you select “Delete” from the Options, you will be prompted to delete the game which is currently selected in the File List. If you are sure that you wish to delete the game, select “Continue”.
Relabelling a Game
When you select “Relabel” from the Options, you will be taken to the name selection panel and you may edit the name of the game currently selected in the File List. The controls are the same as for the Conversion name selection panel, as described above. Select “End” to relabel the game or “Cancel” to return to the main screen without relabelling the selected game.
Converting your own legal *Backup Disc/Import Game Disc
Please follow the steps below so as to convert backup disc / import game disc to PS2 HDD.
1. Boot your console with HDAdvance. Using the CD version for CD backups/imports and the DVD version for DVD backups/imports.
2. Choose ”Convert” in the “Option” menu.
3. When the system asks for the game disc, please use the Slide Tool or Flip Top Cover to exchange the backup/import with the HDAdvance Disc.
4. Press “X” when you are finished.
*Slide Tool or Flip Top Cover is needed for converting backups/imports
Screenshots of HDAdvance
The opening screen of HDAdvance
The main page of HDAdvance. A File List which lists the files stored in the HDD is placed on the left hand side. On the right hand side, there is a options menu for you to manage the game files, run file, convert a new game, delete a file, relabel a file.
What's Inside the Box
1. HDAdvance CD version (x1)
2. HDAdvance DVD version (x1)
3. User Manual (English) (x1)
Compactibility
IMPORTANT: HDAdvance is NOT compatible with the following Japanese PS2 models: SCPH 10000, SCPH 15000 and SCPH 18000.
The following games are not compatible with HDAdvance:
• Amplitude
• ATV Quad Power Racing 2
• Karaoke Revolution
• MLB 2005
• MX 2002: Featuring Ricky Carmichael
• Peter Pan: The Ledgend of Neverland
• Ratchet & Clank
• Samurai Warriors
• Soul Calibur 2
• Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly
• Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3
• Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
HDD Compatibility:
HDAdvance is compatible with all official PS2 HDD, and most other standard IDE HDD with 40GB or larger capacitiy. Some modern Seagate HDD may have problems when used in conjunction with older models of the official PS2 network adapter. Most Western Digital HDD do not physically fit in the PS2 Official network adapter without some modification.
If HDAdvance stops at the splash screen for you, then it is due to this conflict mentioned above. In order to tackle this you will either need to purchase a new HDD or network adapter.
DNAS Compatibility:
DNAS (Dynamic Network Authentication System) is an authentication system used in all recent online capable PS2 game titles. It is used for a number of things - for example, checking if you are using a backup of a game or a modchip. In this case the check takes place when you go online with the game. If a backup or modchip is detected then DNAS authentication will fail and you will not be able to play the game online. You cannot go online with a DNAS enabled game unless the DNAS authentication is successful. When HDAdvance is used to play a DNAS enabled game, any attempt to go online will be unsuccessful as the DNAS authentication will FAIL. There is currently no way around this, other than to use your original game disc to play the game online.
DVD-9 Games
HDAdvance does not support any games on DVD-9 media. If you attempt to install a DVD-9 game it is likely that the installation will appear successful, but any attempt to actually run the game will most likely fail. Please make sure that your game disc is not DVD-9 before conversion.
Compatibility Menu
The following games require compatibility modes enabled before they will work properly with HDAdvance. In order to enable one or more compatibility modes for a game, have the game selected in the game list and press SELECT on your controller. This will bring up the compatibility settings menu. From here you can individually enable or disable each of the three compatibility modes.
| Game Title |
Modes to enable |
| ATV Offroad Fury 2 |
Mode 1 |
| All-Star Baseball |
Mode 3 |
| Champions of Norrath |
Mode 3 |
| Destruction Derby Arenas |
Mode 3 |
| Eve of Extinction |
Mode 1 |
| Fight Night 2004 |
Mode 3 |
| Final Fantasy X-2 |
Mode 3 |
| Freek Style |
Mode 1 |
| James Bond 007: Everything Or Nothing |
Mode 3 |
| MVP Baseball 2004 |
Mode 3 |
| NBA Ballers |
Mode 3 |
| Resident Evil/Biohazzard Outbreak |
Mode 3 |
| Syphon Filter |
Mode 3 |
| Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Jungle Storm |
Mode 3 |
| Tony Hawk Underground |
Mode 3 |
| Transformers |
Mode 3 |
| Trivial Pursuit Unhinged |
Mode 3 |
| Van Helsing |
Mode 1 |
| XIII |
Mode 3 |
FAQ
Do I need a modified PS2 in order to use HDAdvance?
No - No modification is required.
What HDD is recommended for use with HDAdvance?
The most recommended HDD is the official internal HDD. It is guaranteed to work. However, the maximum capacity is up to 40GB Only. If you want a larger drive capable of storing more games then we recommend that you purchase a 80 or 120 gigabyte Maxtor HDD. Please keep in mind that this is only a recommendation and we cannot take any liability if you purchase a drive which is incompatible with HDAdvance.
XXX does not work with HDAdvance! What can I do?
Please check the compatibility page and see if the game you are having problems with is listed. If not please contact us to inform us of the incompatibility.
I have a HDD installed in my PS2, but HDAdvance says there isn't one installed! What gives?
Your HDD is not compatible with HDAdvance.
HDAdvance freezes at the splash screen! Help!
A few HDDs (specifically, a few recent Seagate models) are not compatible with the older models of the Official PS2 network adapter. Please see the compatibility page for more information.
Can I use a Serial-ATA HDD with HDAdvance?
No.
Where can I purchase HDAdvance?
Please go the Where to buy page for related links.
What are the maximum and minimum HDD sizes supported by HDAdvance?
The maximum HDD size supported by HDAdvance is 120GB, and the minimum size is 40GB.
Can I play PS1 games with HDAdvance?
No. HDAdvance does not support PS1 games..
Can I use HDAdvance to store my saved games on the HDD?
No, no saved games can be stored in HDD.
Can I still use my memory card to store gaved game data?
Yes.
Will I need the HDAdvance disc inserted in my PS2 each time I wish to play a game from my HDD?
Yes, you must load the HDAdvance disc first and then launch the game from the GUI.
Will HDAdvance be able to format my 3rd party HDD?
Yes, HDAdvance will give you the option to format your HDD if it detects that it is not already formatted.
Is HDAdvance compatible with modchips?
Yes.
How fast are games transferred from the disc to the HDD?
That depends on the media type and amount of data to be transferred. The approximate maximum transfer rate for a CD is 700kb/second, and for DVD it is 1.5mb/second. Please note that the transfer rate is not constant, it starts off slow and gets faster.
Do I need to be connected to the internet to use HDAdvance? Is this why a network adapter is required?
No, you do not need to be connected to the internet to use HDAdvance. The network adapter is only required because it is used to physically connect a HDD to your PS2.
Can I use a cheat device such as Action Replay or Gameshark with HDAdvance?
No, unfortunately this is not possible at this time.
Can I use HDAdvance to play my games online?
You can play any games which do NOT use DNAS online. As stated on the compatibility page the DNAS check will fail when HDAdvance is used, so it is not possible to play DNAS enabled games online using HDAdvance.
Does HDAdvance conflict with other HDD enabled software such as PlayOnline, FFXI etc?
No, HDAdvance does not interfere with any other HDD enabled software.
What buffer size/rpm/ATA speed should my HDD have?
HDAdvance will work with most HDD's, regardless of the buffer size etc. You dont need to worry about these details.
Will future games work with HDAdvance?
As the future games are not yet released, it is impossible to determine if these will work with HDAdvance or not.
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