PS2 - OPL (Open PS2 Loader) (2024)

Works with HDD, USB, ETH (SMB), and MC.

Generally, once set up correctly you wont need anything else to play any game or emulator in your collection... as well as launch most apps from the very handy APPS page.

NOTE:
For compatibility with older homebrew which doesnt work on current OPL versions, simply add OPL 0.8 to your APPS menu, and then launch that first before choosing your homebrew, to bypass this limitation.

QUOTE FROM README:
Open PS2 Loader (OPL) is a 100% Open source game and application loader for the PS2 and PS3 units.
It now supports *.ISO images on HDD, Ethernet SMB shares, and USB while also maintaining compatibility with USB Advance/Extreme format.
It's now the most compatible homebrew loader and it should work without ps2load or change DNASXXX.IMG tricks.

CORE:

* Cache games list, allows the scanning of devices for games to be speed up, by caching the
existence of games in a file, (HDD/SMB/USB). In the case of the HDD the cache is always used,
unless the user manually refreshes the list or renames/deletes a game.
* APPS new system, now can be stored within their own folder, within the APPS folders on the game
devices. Each app should have its own title.cfg file. The old apps system is still supported.
(Example: on a USB disk: APPS/LaunchELF/BOOT.ELF, title.cfg).
* Merged GSM-CHEAT-VMC-Childproof. These functions are integrated, they are no longer compile separately.
* PADEMU, new function, added support for DualShock 3/4 (USB & Bluetooth).
* Lang support from all devices (USB, HDD & SMB), new folder "LNG" created for storing all the language files in each device.
* Changed how devices are selected for loading/storing config files. When loading: 1. Check memory cards.
2. If config could be loaded, try the device that OPL was booted from (supported devices only).
3. If config could not be loaded, try all supported devices. 4. Default to memory card, if no config
file could be loaded.
* Updated with newlib v1.14.0.
* GSM, numerous improvements, changes and fixes.
* IGR, numerous fixes and updates.
* SMB updates, numerous patches and changes in SMSTCPIP.
* IGS new function, support for take in game screenshots, (non functional).
* Skip videos improved, now not only skips PSS videos, also .BIK and sceMpegIsEnd based ones.
* PS2 Logo, shows the PS2 logo when launching a game, it will be properly displayed only
if both disc and console region match. Consumes a few extra IOP RAM bytes.
* Removed Mode 7, (High Module Storage).
* Updated HDD and PFS drivers.
* CDVDFSV: various fixes.
* USB, improved USB devices detection. Also increased priority of USBD in-game to 2 & 3.
* Toolchain, fixes for the new toolchain.
* Settings for display X and Y offset.
* Textures: Add bmp support (from gsKit).
* Power button can now be pressed to shut down the PS2 within OPL's GUI, when the network adaptor is in use.
* Improved I/O performance for USB transfers by lifting restrictions on transfer length and
allowing the USB callback to continue transfers.
* (SMAP-ingame) ported workaround for MAL Rx FIFO becoming unresponsive, reduced DMA block size to
64 for better performance, adjusted code to make less loads from the hardware and adjusted
code for readability.
* Fixed partition creation of +OPL: added PFS filesystem setting, changed open flags to
WRONLY and removed unused mode parameter.
* Fixed game size computation for HDLoader-format games.
* Changes to CDVDMAN callback should be binding immediately.
* Changed EE core starting free memory range from 0x00088000 to 0x00084000, following that Sony
treats the range after 0x00084000 (from 0x00082000) as the new start point for free memory,
which is the address used by the HDD browser, which has the alarm patch. This will give us
more memory. But beware that this is not a well-trodden path.
* Fixed computation of offslsn, which was not correctly updated when reading across 2 parts.
A lot of fixes for ingame-SMSTCPIP, fixed event flag creation (when debug is on) in the ingame-ATAD.
* Updated to support LWIP v2.0, change DNS server only for static mode & use all-zero addresses as
the default (when DHCP is enabled).
* Added code to shut down USB devices prior to power-off. Added more standard code for shutting
down the HDD unit prior to power off.
* HDPro, fixed HDPro being unable to communicate with the HDPro device.
* Module update: refactored custom IOP module code to allow OPL to use the PS2SDK's DEV9,
ATAD, HDPro ATAD and USBHDFSD modules directly. Updated in-game DEV9, SMAP, ATAD and HDPro ATAD.
* Added workaround for bad GameStar adaptor to in-game ATAD code.
* PS2LINK: final warning fixed, now ps2link module synced with https://github.com/ps2dev/ps2link.
* Fixed framerate increase whenever the UI is delayed.
* HDLDump server, fixed crash that may occur if the game settings network update function is used
and the HDLDump server is started, and fixed a freeze when the HDLDump server is started and a
game is booted from either HDD or USB device.
* Fix for HDD size calculation, new poweroff processing mechanism, fixed PBUF allocation for Ethernet
ARP request, new option for SMSTCPIP to save more RAM.
* Fix for renaming on USB disks.
* Fixed MC icon.
* Fixes for PS3 BC (Backwards Compatible) (SMB).
* Fix Per-Game Cheat Engine, all devices.
* Fix font missing when selecting different language.

GUI:

* New default theme & logo by Berion.
* New game menu/global game settings.
Added global settings for the settings of a game (conf_game.cfg).
This allows the user to choose between loading per game, or global settings in a game
for each of its functions.
The global configuration is the default and supports GSM, PS2RD and PADEMU.
If the per game configuration is chosen, it will have priority over the global one.
* Moved the games settings inside a submenu - "Game Menu".
* Moved the functions of delete and rename inside the new Game Menu.
* Eliminated the information page from general options and mapped it to the square button.
* Added the information page to default theme.
* Hi-Resolution video modes.
* Added video mode confirmation when user changes video mode.
* Added SFX sounds for the intro and menus.
* Add new start and select buttons, optimize texture filesize.
* New fade transition (replaces slide).
* Fix font, alpha and colours.
* 4/8 bit png support.
* Notifications.
* Updated about page.
* Updated font to POEVeticaNew.
* Font fixed scaling for video modes with non square pixels, and for auto video mode.
* If switching from custom language back to Internal English, reload default internal font.
* Correctly render interlaced frame mode.
* Improve alpha blending in 16bit (dithering) mode.
* Scale button icons.
* Fix vertical font alignment.
* Added button in display settings to reset theme to default compiled in colours.
* Allow the user to auto or manually refresh the apps list. Changed buttons to only
refresh the active item (instead of all items) when auto refresh is enabled.
* Themes:
* Increased maximum texture size to 1024x1024.
* Translate information page attribute text keys.
* Allow internal theme to use overlays and multiple default textures.
* (ItemsList) Allow itemsList to be centered.
* (Hint strings) The information texts have the unified positions in x and y, themes now they
have the option of "aligned=1" to align the screen texts to the center of the main and info pages.
* (AttributeText) and (AttributeImage) can be used now in the main menu of themes.
* Added MiB suffix to #Size AttributeText.
* (Fixed old bug) Fixed a bug in custom themes that uses the information page, where if the
elements of the main page go in two digits, e.g. "main10:", the elements of the information
page that go in one digit, e.g. "info0:", are not loaded.
* (Fixed bug) Fixed a bug with fonts where they were not loaded with custom themes.
* (Fix) Fixed loading theme from "manual" device.
* VMC, Fix for VMC name not displayed when first entering menu if one is already configured.
* Various bug fixes.

GAME FIXES & COMPATIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS:

* Fix for Kingdom Hearts II, fixed transitions in the Gummi missions, from the overworld map to the gummi
menu, and from the gummi stage back to the gummi menu. Tested using SMB mode and the (SLUS-21005) version.
* Fix for SOS: The Final Escape/Disaster Report/Zettai Zetsumei Toshi. This also includes new IOP patch functions.
* Fix for Project Zero/Fatal Frame.
* Fix for Samurai Warriors 2.
* Fix for Warriors Orochi series.
* Fix for GSM on games God of War (SCUS-97399) & Sega Genesis Collection (SLUS-21542).
* Added patch for Virtua Quest (SLUS-20977) (SLPM-65632). Module storage location can now be
specified (hardcoded) for each game.
* Added patch for .hack (all PAL releases).
* Added patch for Ultimate Pro Pinball (SLES-53508) [HDD & USB]. For HDD the game needs Mode 2, for USB
not needs the Mode 2, and for SMB the game not works.
* Added patch for Ferrari Challenge: Trofeo Pirelli (SLES-55294) and (SLUS-21780). The game freezes after
the memory card check screen, if IGR was used at least once. This is caused by the game having the main
thread ID hardcoded for a call to WakeupThread().
* Added patch for Shadow Man: 2econd Coming (SLUS-20413, SLES-50446 & SLES-50608) [HDD & SMB].
The game attempts to read 17 sectors into buffers meant for a maximum of 16. This happens because it increments
the number of sectors to read by 1, when its unpacking function deals with a number of bytes that is not a
multiple of 2048.
* Added workaround for Ridge Racer V (SLUS-20002 & SLES-50000), [USB]. The game seems to have
problems when the media takes too long to completely read data. The data processed by the game appears
to get offset, causing some loop to never end, which ends with the scratchpad overflowing.
* Added patch for SRS: Street Racing Syndicate (SLUS-20582 & SLES-53045) [HDD,USB,SMB].
* Added The Fast and the Furious (SLUS-21449 & SLES-54483) to the patch list for the Eutechnyx Ltd patch.
* Added patch for Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life, (SLPS-25421) (SLPS-25431) (SLPS-73222) (SLUS-21171) (SLES-53480).
* Updated Ratchet & Clank 3: Up Your Arsenal patch as HDD mode no longer has cdvdman labelled as "dev9".
* Added patch for Shaun Palmer's Pro Snowboarder (SLUS-20199 & SLES-50400). Should work for (SLES-50401)
& (SLES-50402) as well, perhaps only the japanese release is at risk of not being compatible due to the
time between releases.
* Fix for Twisted Metal: Black Online (SCUS-97196 & SCES-51480) [USB & SMB].
* Fix for State of Emergency (SLUS-20214) [HDD]. Previously the NTSC-U version needed MDMA 2 to work,
now it doesn't need it.
* Fix for Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (SLUS-21243).
* Fix for Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent (SLES-53826).
* Fix for Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell (SLES-51466) [USB]. No more crashes after the first training mission.
* Fix for Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 2 (SLES-52188) [USB]. Fix in the level "Firewind Manor I" where the game
refuse to load cutscene, resulting a bug.
* Fix for God of War II (SCES-54206 & SCUS-97481) [USBExtreme format & SMB].
* Fix for Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2 (SLES-50196) [USBExtreme format]. Fixed crash happening few second before
intro movie ends, and fixed a second crash was in air forge, when you go for the green crystal.

==== Version 0.9.3 ====
CORE:

* New RDB-based DECI2 Debugging System.
* Refactored and optimized core modules.
* New CDVDMAN streaming mechanism for better performance.
* Kinder, gentler, and hopefully better IGR mechanism
* Added support for the DTL-T10000, for debugging.
* Updated USB drivers - support drives greater than 1TB but less than 2TB in capacity, plus better reliability.
* Eliminated the need for user-configurable delays in USB support.
* Improved performance and stability of SMB support.
* VMC Fix - Slot2 should no longer clone Slot1 and vice versa
* Removed obsolete Compatibility Modes and needless GSM video modes.
* New PS2RD Cheat Engine port by Doctorxyz.
* Per-Game GSM Support.
* New super-slim EE core, making mode 1 (Alt EE core) obsolete.
* Added Accurate Reads mode, for emulating the reading speed and behaviour of the CD/DVD drive.
* The CallBack Timer (CBT) setting now uses a standardized value and was merged into Accurate Reads mode.
* Added a workaround for some clone network adaptors.
* Mode 7 "IOP threading hack" removed, as the new streaming mechanism has taken care of all related issues.
* New compatibility mode: "high module storage". For games that need OPL to store its modules elsewhere, to avoid a memory conflict.
* Improved reading performance of the cdrom device.
* Improved reliability of some CDVDMAN functions, for more consistent behaviour.
* Improved DVD-DL support.
* Changed "Disable DVD-DL" to "Emulate DVD-DL" to better explain what it does. It's to emulate DVD-DL support, for DVD9 rips (games with their 2 layers compacted into 1).
* Fixed support for SMB usernames and passwords that are longer than 16 characters (limit extended to 31).
* Fixed renaming functionality for USBExtreme games.
* Various fixes for games.

GUI:

* Improved the behaviour of the auto-refresh option.
* GSM moved to Game Options menu since its a Per-Game option now.
* Infamous "Blockhead Grande" theme bug SQUARSHED! (Themes should now get loaded correctly, regardless of display settings).
* New logo design by Berion, new changed icons by El_Patas.
* Better error reporting and help messages in general.
* Network settings are now saved in opl_network.cfg.
* Improved stability, design and UI responsiveness.
* Added missing icon hints.
* Fixed the problem with the HDLDump server being difficult to shut down properly.
* Fixed HDD corruption caused by deleting a game from the HDD unit.
* Added a new network update mechanism, which allows game compatibility records to be automatically downloaded from the OPL-CL service.
* SMB server can now be specified by its NetBIOS name.
* IP address configuration can be set automatically with DHCP, although it is still recommended to reserve an IP address for the PS2 in the network because the DHCP reservation will not be ever renewed while in-game.
* Renamed "Enable Delete and Rename" to "Enable Write Operations".
* Changed the delete and modify VMC controls to be disabled instead of hidden, when writes are disabled.
* ISO disc images no longer strictly need to be named in a special format. Simply put your ISO files in your CD and DVD folders and OPL will find them.
* Renamed compatibility modes to have actual names.
* Game history will now be updated; the "towers" behind the "SONY Computer Entertainment" boot screen should continue to grow.
* Added support for OTF fonts.
* Added support for fonts stored on the HDD unit (root of +OPL partition; hdd0:+OPL/) and USB device (root of device; mass0:/).

GAME FIXES & COMPATIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS:
* New patch: Choujikuu Yousai Macross
* New patch: Super Robot Wars IMPACT
* Drive state of sceCdStandby has been changed to PAUSE: Check iTV
* New patch: Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal
* New patch: The Oneechanbara
* New patch: The Oneechanpuruu
* New streaming mechanism for better playability: Various BEMANI games
* Initialization is performed for search functions: Lifeline

==== Version 0.9.2 ====
rev672

CORE:

* Merged OPL/OPLGSM codebase
* GSM Core 0.36.R - don't worry; 0.38 will be coming back better than ever!
* GSM Core no longer supports 576p, 1080p, Skip FMVs - this is temporary.
* GSM Core is now IGR and CodeBreaker/PS2rd compatible!
* GSM no longer included in Childproof builds.
* Unified Makefile builds from single source tree via "GSM=0/1" argument (ala VMC/No VMC)
* The integrated LibFreeType was removed, upgraded, and moved into the PS2SDK
* Upgraded LIBPNG, ATAD, HDPro, and DEV9 Module Code
* Added code for the power-off RPC, for older games. They should be compatible now.
* Added power-off processing code. Games should be able to power-off the console now.
* Optimzed CDVDMAN and CDVDFSV
* Support for PSX (DVR) units
* Built-in TLB reinitialization mechanism - no more EECORE hooking and patching.
* Added compatibility mode 7 - "IOP Threading Hack".
* Replaced SMAP driver.
* Modified SMSTCPIP.
* Ported a version of ETH Mode types from doctorxyz's OPLGSM.
* Retired the built-in kernel update for Protokernel consoles (SCPH-10000 and SCPH-15000).

GUI:

* New "Show GSM on Main Menu" toggle in "Settings" (GSM Builds Only)
* New "GSM Settings" on Main Menu - easier navigation! (GSM Builds Only)
* Fixed issue with HDLSERV and GSM Settings not showing up immediately.
* Full Ethernet controls - can disable Auto-Negotiation and force a mode.
* Some things were are worded differently as less words carry more freight.
* Removed redundant UDMA modes - PS2 will never handle UDMA 5 and UDMA 6.
* Updated SMB support to give better error messages.
* Network error codes changed slightly - 300 for connection errors, 301 for logon errors, 302 for ECHO isalive
test failing, and 303 for share opening errors.

COMPATIBILITY:

* Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix (Gummi Fix)
* Baldur's Gate Series (HDD)
* Champions of Norrath (HDD)
* New Mode 7 fixes stuttering with games such as DDR and Pop'N Music (HDD ONLY!)

==== Version 0.9 ====

Core:
* various fixes
* added configurable USB delay (increase this value to avoid stucking on yellow or orange screen when using USB mode)
* added delay to CDVDMAN functions (initially for Shadow Heart 2)
* compatibility mode 7 which is unused now (remove useless code)
* update to comply with the latest PS2SDK
* added better cd tray emulation (fixes A2M games)
* fix for DVD9 games
* added HD Pro support

GUI:
* various fixes
* Disabled auto-refresh of game list by default
* layout adjustment
* added hidden options to be able to define your own device delay before loading ART/config files
* added skinnable start, select and action buttons
* language files update
* added "list share" feature: select one share from the list and connect it to display the games
* added ETH Prefix
* Support for Right-to-Left scripting (Hebrew, Arabic, Syriac, Tifinar, ... languages)
* automatically create the CFG folder
* Configuration related to DNAS/VMC/DMA/COMPAT are now saved in single per game files on each media
* added a delay before loading per-game config file (same as Art, to not spam when navigating very fast)
* hints now display either "Info" or "Run"
* added loading attributes from a per-game file
* added information page
* Mode setting (PAL/NTSC/Auto)
* Longer first-press delay for pads - more comfy controls on max repeat speed
* short ELF name in App list (looks better for most themes)
* Added option to specify the HDD spin down time out
* Added theme support for multiple fonts
* configurable IGR path (limited to 32 characters)
* switch default background mode to "Art"

==== Version 0.8 ====
Core:
* secure authentication for the SMB module (to enable security and write access)
* various SMB tweaks (NBSS keep-alive, small ingame speed-up)
* improved NAS support for more devices (WD MyBook, Digitus NAS, ...)
* added an embedded HDLServer into OPL to install HDD games
* various debugging output option (to help debug failing games)
* add compatibility for new external USB HDD with 1k/2k/4k cluster file
* add full compatibility for old PS2 consoles (10k JAP)
* ISO format added for USB too (still there is the 4Gb file limit, which is not present on SMB)
* new compatibility modes
* childproof mode (settings are locked)
* alternate startup mode, for loading/saving configuration files from USB and HDD (no need for MC in this case)
* added new menu to launch external ELF applications
* added VMC (Virtual Memory Card) support
* improved general compatibility (many specific games now working for the first time)

GUI:
* new multi-threaded and redesigned GUI
* support for Cover, Icon and Background Art
* skinnable interface using theme
* added "rename" and "delete" functionalities for games lists

==== Version 0.7 ====
* Improved network startups and various fixes
* Added internal HDD support (HDL format)
* Added the ability to choose the default menu (USB, NET, HDD games)
* Added the ability to use a valid disc ID for online games
* Added a fix for modchip freezing (maybe not all modchips)
* Many new game compatibility fixes
* Added IGR (In Game Reset) with a disable per game option
* Added Alphabetical Sorting
* Changed Settings categories
* Added page scrolling (R1/L1)
* Added support for user language files
* Network support added for PS3
* Zipped Theme support
* Added PCMCIA support for the 18K

==== Version 0.6 ====
* Switched to whole new IOP core
* Changed some compatibility modes effect
* Added compatibility for DVD9 layer1
* Improved overall speed for both SMB/USB
* Support for more embedded NAS devices
* Support for multiple partitions

==== Version 0.5 ====
* Added compatibility modes
* isofs/cdvdman now use disc type
* cdvdman now has streams
* Added network support
* Static interface available
* Added language support
* It works in PS3 with PS2 emulation by software

==== Version 0.41 ====
* Added theme support
* Now uses latest usb driver from svn

==== Version 0.4 ====
* New interface
* Core and drivers 100% open source

==== Version 0.3 ====
* Discontinued (open usb loader starts)

==== Version 0.2b ====
* It uses a embedded free USBD module.
* Select video mode

==== Version 0.2 ====
* Replace USB Advance's reset function for a reset using "rom0:UDNL rom0:EELOADCNF" as argument.
* It works in PS3 with PS2 emulation by software

==== Version 0.1 ====
* Replaces ExtraeModulo() function instead of run after that.

==== Version 0.0 ====
* Initial version

--- "CD" (for games on CD media - i.e. blue-bottom discs)
--- "DVD (for DVD5 images; DVD9 images on USB must be split)
--- "VMC" (for 8MB Virtual Memory Card images)
--- "CFG" (for saving per-game configuation files)
--- "ART" (for box and disc art images)
--- "THM" (for themes support)

---
USB
---
Game files on USB must be perfectly defragmented either file by file or by whole drive, and Dual Layer DVD9 images must be split to avoid the 4GB limitations of the FAT32 file system. We recommend Power Defragmenter for best defragging results, and our own comman line tool iso2usbld to convert or split games into USB Advance/Extreme format ...

http://my.opera.com/rejzor/blog/power-defragmenter-3-0-released

Other utilities are: USBUtil 2.2, USB Extreme installer or USB Insane.

---
SMB
---
For loading games by SMB protocol you need to share a folder (ex: PS2SMB)
on the host machine or NAS device and make sure that it has full read and write permissions. USB Advance/Extreme format is optional - *.ISO images are supported using the folder structure above with the added bonus that DVD9 images don't have to be split if your SMB device uses the NTFS or EXT3/4 file system.

----
HDD
----
For PS2, 48-bit LBA internal HDDs up to 2TB are supported. They have to be formatted with either WINHIIP or uLaunch. From there, use uLaunch to make a partition (rec. minumum of 2GB) named "OPL". If OPL detects this partition at start up, it'll automatically create the above directory structure. Use it to migrate ART, THEMES, CFGs, VMCs, etc. off your MC or USB stick to the internal HDD and free up space on those devices.

To launch OPL, you can use any of the existing methods for loading an executable elf.

On PS3, you need an original SwapMagic 3.6+ or 3.8 disc (at the moment there aren't any other options). The steps for loading OPL on a PS3 are:

1. Rename OPNPS2LD.ELF to SMBOOT0.ELF
2. Make a folder in root of USB device called SWAPMAGIC and copy
SMBOOT0.ELF to it.
3. Launch SwapMagic in PS3 and press UP+L1 then Open PS2 Loader should start.

There are 4 forms for launching elfs in SwapMagic.

SMBOOT0.ELF = UP + L1
SMBOOT1.ELF = UP + L2
SMBOOT2.ELF = UP + R1
SMBOOT3.ELF = UP + R2

Main Project developers
by Ifcaro, volca, jimmikaelkael, polo35, izdubar, hominem.te.esse, SP193

Other developers
by BatRastard, crazyc, dlanor, doctorxyz, reprep, belek666, Maximus32, misfire, Krah, Tupakaveli, uyjulian

UI design
by Berion

Quality Assurance
by RandQalan, yoshi314, EP, LocalH, lee4, El_Patas, ShaolinAssassin, algol, gledson999, jolek, zero35

SMSUTILS, SMSMAP & SMSTCPIP modules
by Eugene Plotnikov

DEV9, ATAD modules and derived code used in cdvdman
by Marcus R. Brown

USB, Network and PS2HDD modules
by ps2dev's taken from PS2SDK

OPL-CL project/network update support
by icyson55

SMB code in Open PS2 Loader includes DES algorithm developed
by Eric Young ([emailprotected])

CI/CD Implementation using Dockers and GiHubActions
by @fjtrujy