HD Loader - Play PS2 Games From Your Playstation 2 Hard Drive

Any serious Playstation 2 (PS2) gamer knows the frustrations when it comes to playing the most graphically intense games. There is often a tremendous load time associated with getting from the point of putting the PS2 game disc into the console, and having it load the game. Not to mention the time it takes to load between levels. Or how about those times when you're on a mission to thwart he bad guys, but you see the rendering getting choppy or freezing up for a second or two. We used to blame it all on game glitches or bugs. You know, those little mistakes that were just never fixed, because the game itself was working as it should. I know I thought that was the issue. Until I got my hands on the Playstation 2 HD Loader disc, and all of a sudden, my games were glitch free, and load times were a thing of the past. Let me start by explaining just what the HD Loader actually is. Utilizing exciting new technology, The HD Loader allows you to install and run your Playstation 2 games directly from a hard disk drive connected to your console (Sony PS2 Network adapter and compatible hard disk drive required). The HD Loader is a revolutionary piece of software which allows you to store games on any modern high capacity IDE Hard Drive connected to your PS2 (Sony Network adapter required). Now you can install, delete and manage your games and files on your HDD with just a click of a button. The simple and intuitive multi lingual user interface allows easy navigation and selection of files stored on your Hard drive. Games are executed at lightning speed and accessed directly from the HDD, no need to insert your game disc. Just launch HD Loader and select the game you wish to play. The HD Loader essentially turns your Playstation 2 console into what could be called a portable hard drive. Except that it not only allows you to store the games and the game data on the hard drive, but it also lets you LOAD those games directly from the hard drive too. And just what does all of this mean for you and me, the gamers? It means that once we've copied the game from the disc, onto any old IDE hard drive plugged into the Playstation 2, we're able to put in the HD Loader disc, and select whichever game we want to play, a game we've already put on the Hard Drive. You see, the Playstation 2 is capable of reading data from a hard disk drive much faster than it can read from a CD or DVD. Using The HD Loader to run your games from a hard disk drive leads to significantly reduced game loading times. And updating as your on a level or load times between a level become things of the past. Never again will you need to endure painfully slow loading times which sadly plague so many Playstation 2 games. This applies for old and new games alike. One of the things that either Sony or game developers never really 'worked on' was game loading time on the PS2. Take for example the same game title on either an Xbox or a PS2 console, and if you sat and times load times, you would notice a very big difference between how quickly a game loads on an Xbox (especially between levels) and how much faster the load times are than that same game on the Playstation 2. The reason for this is actually quite simple. The Xbox loads parts of the game data onto the built in, internal hard drive. Because the game data is already on the hard drive, it is essentially ready to 'go' when the next level is loading, and it loads at lightning speeds. Until the HD Loader was released, Playstation 2 gamers were envious of their Xbox counterparts. What the HD Loader does though, goes even beyond the simplistic level loading or reducing load times. It actually allows you to put the ENTIRE game, on the hard drive. And not just one game, as many games that will fit on to the hard drive you have installed into your PS2. So you'll not only be able to have faster load times, but you'll also be able to store the actual games, digitally, on your Playstation 2 hard drive, without having to damage your game discs in the process. There is no need for the discs to be used, so you can put them away for safe keeping. In fact, you can keep them as good as new because you'll be loading the entire game from your hard drive, and not the disc itself. I keep making mention of the fact that a PS2 Network adapter is required, if you want to use the HD Loader. This is in fact true, but the reality is, the Playstation 2 can NOT have a hard drive connected without a Network adapter. You see, the Network adapter acts as your IDE converter. While it is designed to let you get online, and play online games, it also has a plug on the inside, which allows you to connect a Hard Drive to the game console. This was developed mainly for the Final Fantasy game, which actually required a Hard Drive to play, to store and load content from the hard drive. Now before you go thinking that you'll be stuck with a 40 gigabyte hard drive, the one that comes with the Final Fantasy game. It's important for me to state that while you could use that 40 gigabyte hard drive, the HD Loader is compatible with both standard IDE hard disk drives and the official Playstation 2? hard disk drive.. So you won't be stuck with just 40 gigabytes, you can go right up to 120 gigabytes or 250 gigabytes of space. Any standard IDE Hard Drive will work, something that was also impossible before the HD Loader. But much more than just playing games from your hard drive, you can also load MP3 music, your digital pictures, and a wide variety of other 'data' on to the hard disc, and have access to it on the fly. If you're thinking 'That's great, I've got games on my Hard Drive, but how the heck to do I load them, or even see what's there' then you're in luck. The HD Loader user interface is designed with simplicity in mind. Just boot up the HD Loader and begin playing your games without wasting any time navigating through a complex user interface. The interface lists all of your games and options, in an very easy to use and easy to navigate manner. The intuitive user interface allows easy management of games currently installed on your hard disk drive. Adding or removing games is as easy as pushing one of the buttons on your controller. In short, the HD Loader is the ultimate Hard drive storage and management solution for your PS2 game console. Not only will it get rid of those awful load times, but it also offer you a chance to protect your expensive PS2 game collection, but storing the games on the Hard Drive while you're playing them, and keeping the original games safe from scratches, dirt, or dust. So if you're tired of long load times, and want to get into the action right away, then the HD Loader is probably THE must have item on your list for the holidays.

About Author: Steven Fields is an avid gamer and has written numerous articles and help guides for all the major video game systems. To find out more about the HD Loader for the Playstation 2, make sure to visit http://www.ps2cover.com/hdloader.shtml

Article Source: ArticlesAlley.com

Swap Magic Brings Welcome Gaming Alternatives for Legal Responsible PS2 Disc Owners

I first heard of Swap Magic was when I was busy solving eerie mysteries and killing grotesque looking creatures in Silent Hill 4. I admit it--I am a Playstation 2 fanatic. I have somehow acquired this addiction from my cousin who always includes me in his long hours of playing PS2, from racing games to Role Playing Games (RPGs). During one of my mystery packed game session of SH 4 'The Room,' my cousin suddenly came out of nowhere and excitedly started talking about the Swap Magic for Playstation 2. One of the most annoying problems faced by PS2 players is that the PS2 console won't allow users to play imported game CD titles and back up copies of legally obtained titles. Many PS2 gamers find themselves out of luck when, after shelling out big bucks for a legal copy, their legal copy becomes scratched or unusable. To add insult to injury, many titles sell out quickly or go out of print, responsible law abiding PS2 players once again find themselves in a bind. Swap Magic solves these problems. Swap Magic, which comes bundled with a in CD and DVD format disc, allows every PS2 fan to use or play imported or backed-up games on their Playstation 2. Imported game titles include both foreign translations of US titles or games published by foreign publishers. Backed-up games are Playstation 2 games legally copied by individual game disc owners for back up or archival purposes. Legal disc owners usually back up their libraries to protect against accidents or damage to the original discs they normally use. Swap Magic poses a major advance for PS2 gamers. Not only does it allow once to play archived and imported copies, it is extremely easy to use. You only need to boot your PS2 with the disc. After boot up, you swap it with imported or backed-up game discs. The Swap Magic comes with a Swap Tool which is included with every package, to enable you to swap your games effortlessly. Just why would a gamer be interested in import games? That's a very good question, and one I just love to talk about. Most of the hottest and rarest games often come out for the Japanese market or the Asian and European markets. If you're looking for the coolest puzzle game, you've got to have a Japanese PS2 to play it. The best rally and other racing games often come out only in Europe, which means you would need a European PS2 to play the games. With the Swap Magic, your USA PS2 will be able to play all of the hottest game titles that will probably never make it this side of the Ocean. And for European gamers that just can't get enough of the US games, Swap Magic comes in your version too, with a USA, PAL and JAPANESE version of the discs available. There are various ways of using the Swap Magic disc. A slide card is used for an original Playstation2 console. In a Slim PS2 on the other hand, there are other options that you can also choose from in disc switching. There are numerous websites that offer a number of disc swapping devices and methods which are designed for archive and imported disc play on the PS2. These other methods range from replacing the original top loading lid with a new lid for easy switching to installing a switch that will allow the original lid to open without the system even knowing it. Although Swap Magic allows legal PS2 game owners to play backed-up/archive copies of their legally acquired discs, Swap Magic also prevents users from making illegal copies. Swap Magic retains the same copy protection systems that the PS2 uses. While there are many versions of Swap Magic on the market, Swap Magic's terms clearly prohibit the illegal copying and use of PS2 game titles. Used responsibly, Swap Magic enables PS2 game owners an extra measure of peace of mind. Swap Magic users can rest assured that when they back up rare or discontinued game titles, the back ups will work as expected.

About Author: Steve Fields is an avid gamer and writes game reviews and provides customer support for Swap Magic customers at http://www.ps2cover.com/slidecardsm3.shtml - The online Xbox Mod Chip store. He has written numerous tutorials and help guides on do it yourself moddding of game consoles.

Article Source: ArticlesAlley.com

PlayStation 3 and Its Technologically Advanced Controllers

It is a fact that playing with game consoles is much more fun than playing the same games on your PC. Maybe it's because the games load faster on gaming consoles, or maybe because the reason why playing games on game consoles is much more fun than playing it on your PC is because of the controller.

No matter what your reason is, playing games on gaming consoles is definitely a different experience than playing it on your PC. First of all, game consoles are designed to function primarily to play your favorite game console games. This makes the games faster to load than on your conventional PC, because your PC has a lot of processes and programs that it needs to run in order for it to function properly.

In gaming consoles, the processor primarily processes the proper performance of the game itself. It doesn’t need to worry about the different programs installed like on your conventional PC.

Another reason why playing games on gaming consoles are much more fun is because of the controllers. Gaming console controllers like those of PlayStation 3 game controllers are designed to function for the games itself. Unlike on PC, you still have to purchase a joystick or a game controller in order for the game to be more enjoyable to play with. If you don’t purchase a game controller or joystick for your PC, you will be forced to use the keyboard which is too big and too inconvenient.

PlayStation 3 game controllers are small in size and it has an easy to hold feature that allows your hand to comfortably handle the game console controller.

Firstly, the PlayStation 3 is the most fervently anticipated game console this year. This game console will be officially released on November 2006 Japan, United States and Canada and on March 2007 on Europe and Australasia. The PlayStation 3 has so many features that can benefit gamers. It is integrated with a very powerful 3.2 Gigahertz CPU and is also integrated with a separate and also very powerful graphics processor unit or GPU.

The new PlayStation 3 controller will allow you to have a more enjoyable experience when you play with PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 3 games. Although the controllers look very similar to those of the previous PlayStation 2 controllers, it offers a lot more benefits for the gamer.

With Bluetooth capability, PlayStation 3 controllers are wireless. Bluetooth enables you to play with PlayStation 3 with maximum comfort because you won't be confined to one area anymore. There will be no wires to restrict you from going as far away from the TV as the Bluetooth range will allow. For example, if you set up your PlayStation 3 in your bedroom, you can now play with your favorite PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 3 games even if you lie down on your bed, which can be too far away from the PlayStation 3 game console if it has wired controllers.

Another great thing about PlayStation 3 game controllers is that it is integrated with the multi-axis motion sensing system. This PlayStation 3 game controller feature will allow you to interact more with the game. The controllers will not only be a medium for you to control the characters on screen but it will act as a natural extension of your body with high precision and all in real time.

PlayStation 3 will also be able to support up to 7 controllers via the Bluetooth technology integrated in the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 3 controllers.

With PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 3 game controllers, you will be able to maximize fun and comfort while you play with your favorite PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 3 games.

PlayStation 3: The Free Things You Get When You Purchase One

When the name Sony is mentioned, people will usually think of electronic appliances and gaming consoles. This is because Sony is one of the leading manufacturers of gaming consoles in the industry. Sony is known to produce one of the best gaming consoles in the market called the PlayStation.

As many people know, PlayStation is a worldwide success that changed the way people look at gaming consoles. This paved the way to another gaming console that Sony produced, the PlayStation 2. Like its predecessor, PlayStation 2 was also widely accepted throughout the world and upon the release of this gaming console, PlayStation 2 retail outlets continually ran out of PlayStation 2 gaming console stocks.

Today, after 6 long years of waiting for Sony to develop another gaming console that offers great quality entertainment, Sony will be releasing their latest addition to their gaming console lines, the PlayStation 3. PlayStation 3 is considered to be one of the most anticipated gaming consoles today. With the different features that you can benefit from and a lot of freebies you can get from purchasing PlayStation 3, you will surely want one for your own.

When you purchase a PlayStation 3, it will include a wireless Bluetooth controller, and a free game. The basic configuration will now include the HDMI feature for you to fully take advantage of your PlayStation 3 if you play it with your High Definition TV. It will also include the Blu-ray drive, now a standard for both premium and basic configurations.

The fact that PlayStation 3 is so hot, many websites today are now offering preorders for PlayStation 3. And, because they need customers, many websites are now also offering freebies for their buyers. They give free PlayStation 3 accessories or games to attract more people to buy the PlayStation 3 from them.

Because there are also people who are taking advantage of the Internet to promote scams, it is important that you should examine the website that you will try ordering your PlayStation 3 from. Determine if the website is a legitimate PlayStation 3 retailer and will give you a genuine PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 3 accessories and games.

PlayStation 3 can definitely give you the best quality gaming experience. However, PlayStation 3 is equipped with the latest technology in gaming consoles, such as graphics chip, processors, and other features. Because of this, you can expect that the PlayStation 3 gaming console will be quite expensive. If you want a PlayStation 3 that will offer the best quality for your money, look for PlayStation 3 official release promotions to fully take advantage of the gaming console. You can also obtain discounts from various PlayStation 3 retail outlets if they permit it.

PlayStation 3 is definitely the gaming console of your choice. Obviously, with all the features and the freebies that some Sony PlayStation retail outlet offers, you should try and purchase PlayStation 3 from a retail outlet that will give you full value for your money.

Also, before you buy your own PlayStation 3, you should know that there are two basic configurations that you can purchase, there's the basic configuration and the premium configuration. In basic configuration, it will cost you US$499 in the United States and US$599 for the premium configuration. The difference is that the premium will have more features than the basic configuration, such as the 60GB upgradeable hard drive, built-in Wi-Fi, and Flash card readers.

In basic configuration, you can upgrade at your own pace if you can't afford to add at US$100 for the premium configuration just yet. These are the things you should keep in mind when you are going to purchase the PlayStation 3.

PlayStation 3 Gaming Console: Preorder Now To Avoid Frustration

Gaming consoles offer hours of great quality entertainment for everyone in the world. This is why many people are now purchasing these gaming consoles as an addition to their home entertainment systems. They purchase gaming console systems because it provides great entertainment for the whole family and also for guests.

One of the leading manufacturers and developers of gaming consoles today is Sony. In the past, Sony gave the world one of the best gaming consoles in the market and paved the way to the development of other gaming consoles that offer great quality entertainment. The Sony PlayStation was a phenomenal hit because it is integrated with one of the best graphics and sound technology in its time. It offered quality entertainment for everyone and this technology also paved the way to yet another gaming console that Sony developed as well as set the heights for which other game console manufacturers emulate.

The PlayStation 2 was a worldwide success that upon its release, it was flying out of PlayStation 2 gaming console retail outlet shelves. Even before the release, many people were preordering or making reservations for their very own PlayStation 2 online and also on retail outlets around the world. Because this gaming console is much awaited, you have to preorder in order for you to secure owning a PlayStation 2 before it is even officially released in the market. By preordering, you will be among the first ones to own a PlayStation 2.

Today, many people are now anticipating the release of another Sony development. The PlayStation 3 is so promising that it will deliver high quality gaming experience that people all over the world are now anticipating the release of this gaming console on November 2006 in Japan, United States and Canada and on March 2007 in Europe and Australasia.

Because of the integrated state-of-the-art features, such as a built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth wireless controllers, upgradeable hard disk drives, and HDMI capability, PlayStation 3 is definitely destined to be one of the hottest selling gaming consoles in the market.

Like its predecessors, the PlayStation and PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 also made people to preorder or make reservations for the gaming console online or in their nearest PlayStation 3 retail outlets. PlayStation 3 is expected to sell at a very fast rate like PlayStation 2 upon release that you should either be on the retail outlet before it even opens to be one of the first batch of people to line up for a PlayStation 3, or you should preorder like what other people do.

It is also expected that retail outlets will fast run out of stock of PlayStation 3. This is why if you want to get your own PlayStation 3, it is recommended that you should preorder it online or in your nearest PlayStation 3 retail outlets. By preordering, you can be sure that you can secure ownership of this gaming console once it is officially released on the market.

You have to remember that PlayStation 3 will be released with two different configurations, the basic configuration and the premium configuration. The basic configuration will include one Bluetooth wireless controller, an HDMI port, an upgradeable 20 GB hard drive, and a Blu-ray drive. The premium also has the same features except that it will be integrated with a 60 GB upgradeable hard drive, built-in Wi-Fi, and Flash card readers.

The basic configuration will cost US$499 and the premium configuration will cost US$599 in the United States.

So, if you want your own PlayStation 3 as soon as it is officially released, you should consider preordering now.

How to Reset A PS2 Game System

In the gaming console industry, Sony is one of the leading gaming console designer and manufacturer today. It has a wide library of games unlike other consoles and they also have the latest technology in sound and graphics integrated in their gaming console.

In the past, Sony has designed a game console called PlayStation 1 or PS1. After the success of this gaming console, Sony again designed one of the best gaming console that hit the gaming console market. They designed the PlayStation 2 or PS2. Like the PS1, the PS2 has a great variety of games. With a sleek design and great games, PS2 became one of the most popular and widely bought gaming consoles in the world.

Games for PlayStation 2 are readily available in the market today. There are games for all ages, sport games, and even games for mature persons filled with realistic environment and characters and even features that depicts realism, such as violence, blood and gore. The characters in the games are also designed to move like real people.

When people buy a PlayStation 2 gaming console, people just rip it out of the box without even reading the user manual. People do this because they want to play with their new PlayStation 2 gaming console immediately after purchasing it. However, there are different things you should consider when setting up the PlayStation 2 gaming console. You need to remember that PlayStation 2 is entirely different from other gaming console that you may have played with in the past, such as the PlayStation 1.

Of course, you need to know the different features of PlayStation 2 in order for you to properly maintain it in a good working condition. You also have to know how to set it up to avoid frustration.

People who don’t read the user manual because of rushing in on playing their new PlayStation 2 gaming console doesn’t know how to reset it or how to put their gaming console on stand-by mode. They will either usually let the system run for hours or completely shut the system down by unplugging it.

The PlayStation 2 has a reset button located in front of the console. But, you need to read the user manual to locate it. The reset button has two functions, the first is to reset the gaming console and the second function is to put it in stand-by mode.

By pressing the stand-by button for a couple of seconds, you will turn the system on stand-by mode. It doesn’t necessarily turn it off, but it only puts it in stand-by mode. If you leave the system on or completely shut down the PlayStation 2 gaming console, you will likely have a problem with maintenance. Letting it run for hours or shutting it down by pulling the power plug will cause your PlayStation 2 to malfunction.

This is why it is important for you to put your PlayStation 2 gaming console in stand-by mode when you are not using it.

Many people have found that a PlayStation 2 gaming console should be more user friendly for beginners. They feel that Sony should label the reset button with a stand-by label to make it easier for people to use.

It is a fact that many people who have bought PlayStation 2 gaming console neglect to read the instruction manual on how to set-up it up. This is why many first-time users find hard to set it up and how to turn it off. The cables are also questioned. Many people get confused on where to connect the cables and they even suggested that Sony PlayStation 2 should have color coded cables and better labeling to avoid confusion and frustration when setting up the PS2 gaming console.

Unfortunately, Sony will not recall the products they released in the market. So, in order for you to know how to reset the gaming system, you should either read the user manual before setting it up and let it guide you or you can ask advanced PlayStation 2 users on how to reset the PlayStation 2 or put it in stand-by mode.

Always remember that PlayStation 2 is an exceptionally expensive gaming console. This is why you should know how to properly maintain it. So, if you are not using your PS2 put it in stand-by mode by pressing the reset button for a couple of seconds.

When properly maintained, you can expect to play with your PS2 for years to come.

Reserve Your Own PlayStation 3 before It Runs Out

Today, playing with gaming consoles is one of the most popular forms of entertainment. The fact that the latest gaming consoles are extremely fun and realistic to play with and full of different popular gaming titles, many people, young and old alike, are now getting into the game with popular gaming consoles that are available and being sold in the market.

One of the most popular manufacturers of gaming consoles is Sony. With the development of the PlayStation, Sony changed the way people play video games today. Integrated with stunning and realistic sound and graphics technology, the PlayStation gaming console have taken the world by storm and it is also considered as one of the most popular gaming console ever released in the market today.

Sony then developed and released the widely anticipated PlayStation 2 in the year 2000. This too was eagerly awaited that many people made reservations even before the game was officially released in the market. The PlayStation 2 was very successful that this gaming console developed by Sony was flying out of the shelves in PlayStation 2 retail outlets all over the world.

Even today, many people are still purchasing the PlayStation and PlayStation 2 gaming console because of its integrated features and state-of-the-art gaming technology that are not found on other gaming consoles available in the market today. Because PlayStation and PlayStation 2 is provided with the best and latest technology in gaming consoles and because of its sleek and "cool" design, PlayStation and PlayStation 2 gaming consoles are one of the hottest selling gaming consoles in the world.

Today, people are now anticipating another gaming console that Sony unveiled last March 2005. Sony named this gaming console as PlayStation 3 and is integrated with the latest technology in the gaming console world. Sony has integrated different features that are not found on other gaming consoles that they promise to deliver quality entertainment on every home in the world.

With the latest in graphics and sound technology, Sony PlayStation 3 promises to deliver quality gaming experience that will leave you glued to your seat for hours playing your favorite PlayStation 3 gaming title.

The fact that PlayStation 3 is widely anticipated all over the world will give you the perception of an early Christmas shopping rush and fast-emptying PlayStation 3 store shelves. You can even expect that the nearest PlayStation 3 dealer in your area will run out of PlayStation 3 stocks the day the console is delivered.

If you purchased PlayStation 2 upon its release, you will know what to expect when Sony PlayStation 3 is officially released on the market. So, in order to avoid getting frustrated and exert a lot of effort for a PlayStation 3 gaming console, you should make reservations with the nearest PlayStation 3 dealers in your area.

By reserving your own PlayStation 3, you will be assured of ownership of this one-of-a-kind gaming console. You will no longer join the early Christmas shopping rush for PlayStation 3 and you will also avoid getting frustrated of running out of PlayStation 3 to buy in your nearest PlayStation 3 dealers.

So, if you want to own a PlayStation 3, you better reserve your own PlayStation 3 today. With the upcoming release of the PlayStation 3 in November 2006 in Japan, United States and Canada, and March 2007 in Europe and Australasia, making reservations for PlayStation 3 is definitely a must unless you want to wait a long time for new stocks to arrive.