PS3NEWS.COM PS2 SiTE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTiONS

1) What is the purpose of PS3NEWS.COM?

The purpose of this Web site is to provide all PS2 (and now PS3) end-users with accurate information on how to play LEGAL game back-ups On-Line, and also how to play them using an internal PS2 Hard Disk Drive.

2) OK- I have a PS2 console & Network Adaptor already, what next?

We recommend you read this entire F.A.Q. first, and then read the detailed information available on our ON-LiNE page linked above. If, after reading everything you still have a specific question, we invite you to discuss it on the PS3News.com Forums with us.

3) Can I ask for PS2 HDD/On-Line help on other PS3News.com sections?

Absolutely not. PS3News has made it 100% clear that PS2 HDD/On-Line chat is ONLY to be discussed in the designated Forum boards there, or your account & IP will be banned and you will be unable to access our Web sites again!

4) Speaking of BANNiNG, is it true is banning PS2 consoles using publically shared Disc IDs patched into LEGAL back-up game discs?

YES. is actively monitoring the Internet, including Web sites such as this one, and they are logging Disc IDs which are shared. Then, similar to blacklisting PC serial numbers from servers, bans the PS2 console ID of those using the same Disc ID on-line.

This is why we DO NOT allow anyone to post nor share their Disc IDs here! Doing so will get you banned from our sites, and should enough people login using the same Disc ID to 's servers their PS2 consoles will end up being banned from on-line play for ALL titles indefinitely.

5) How come my friend who uses public Disc IDs isn't banned yet?

Your friend should consider themself lucky. The exact number of duplicate Disc IDs permitted before will begin banning PS2 consoles (for being simultaneously logged in using the same Disc ID) may vary. However, having colleagues at the "Big $" ourself proved quite useful... it didn't take us long to catch word that this is how is indeed combatting all of the recent DNA$ developments.

6) OK- so each Disc ID is unique... how many are there then?

Well, it's a FACT the first (3) octets make up the unique Disc ID, and the last (2) will be similar for like title/regions. With that being said, there can be a total of over 16 million individual Disc IDs.

7) If my PS2 console gets permanently banned, how will I know?

First of all, we'd like to clarify that a PS2 console being permanently banned from 's network servers is different than being banned, for example, if you were caught cheating in a game on-line. If you are caught cheating, unless you're a continuous offender, you will only be banned for a short duration from that particular on-line title.

In comparison, if your PS2 console ID (not Disc ID, as we know that those aren't banned) is permanently banned on network servers you will NOT receive any DNA$ error code, rather your PS2 will simply always hang on the "connecting to server screen" never making it any farther... regardless of what game you're trying to play on-line.

8) My PS2 console is banned... how can I fix it to play on-line again?

We suggest you look into the Paradox Machine ID Changer for accomplishing this task. It will allow the end-user to change the PS2 Console and ILink IDs. For those wondering, BOTH of these IDs are stored in the PS2's NVM (Non-Volatile Memory) and together make up the unique PS2 Machine ID. Both of these IDs must be successfully changed before a previously-banned PS2 console will be able to access the server networks again for on-line play.

9) Is there any way to play a USA game on-line using a PAL console?

YES. When logging on the server, both the Disc ID and the Machine IDs are authenticated. The Machine ID includes a REGION algorithm so that PAL consoles can only connect to PAL lobby servers for on-line play of a PAL title. Attempting to play an NTSC (US/JAP) title on-line with a PAL PS2 console will result in an -833 DNA$ error even when the LEGAL back-up is properly patched... this is due to the Machine ID authentication that also occurs when connecting on-line.

With the above stated, YES using the PS2 Machine ID Changer. ;)

10) What are the current GCC programs available on this site used for?

Disc ID Utility V0.2A: This is the program by Paradox used to obtain a Disc ID from an original PS2 game disc. Once obtained, the Disc ID can be patched to a LEGAL back-up of the original game disc.

Image Patcher V1.6: This is the program by PS3NEWS.COM used to patch the Disc ID (obatined from an original PS2 game disc) to the LEGAL back-up disc of it. This utility requires NO importing/re-building to use, however, for a few titles it may not properly detect the DNA$ routines to patch so is somewhat limited... but overall easier to use. Full usage instructions are available HERE for our Image Patcher.

Disc ID Insertor V2.20: This is the program by LudaKris used to patch the Disc ID (obatined from an original PS2 game disc) to the LEGAL back-up disc of it. This utility requires importing and image re-building to use, however, full usage instructions on doing so are available HERE for those wanting to learn. In the long-run we're told this patcher won't require further updating, but it is geared primarily towards more experienced users.