Advanced User Guide for Free McBoot 1.8

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Free McBoot is a method of running homebrew applications directly off a Memory Card

as a stand alone loader. No boot discs or modchips are required once installed. You will

however need to have a method to install FMCB to the MC. This guide assumes you have

a method to install already, if not read thru the How-to guides and return when ready to

install FMCB.

*NOTE* This guide is written for use with version 1.8 and should not be used for

previous versions, as some things wont apply to those versions!! Some example images

are from the previous releases and are only examples to illustrate an option.

*NEW for v1.8

The Installer now has a GUI with much more informative screens to help you with your

installation. Press left or right to select from the menu and press X to execute the

selection. Pressing triangle displays a credits screen

-=< You stuck and need HELP? >=-

What you need: A Boot method for the installer { How-to Guides }

A Memory Card with minimal 2MB free

A PS2

A USB stick { optional, but highly recommended}

Free McBoot release Package

Apps/files to install {optional, as apps can be run from a USB device}

-=< IMPORTANT >=- Free McBoot comes only with the necessary files/folders required to run Free McBoot's

launching application from the Memory Card its installed to. Many applications can be

used with Free mcBoot, but none will be included with a release package. More info...

Its up to YOU the user to add anything to the installer to use, so decide on what you

want to do with Free McBoot once its been installed and then add the apps you want to

use.

The most commonly used apps are recommended below and are linked to the

developement forums they originate, so you can read about them and get the latest

versions.

Recommended apps to use with installation: uLaunchELF ........Free McBoot skin for uLE apply skin after install, ReadMe included

SMS ........Free McBoot skin for SMS apply skin after install, ReadMe included

ESR

HDLoader ........Free McBoot skin for HDL skin must be patched to HDL before

installing

FMCB Configurator Included with every Official release

You can also find most any app for the PS2 at SKSApps.com

Emulators, ps2 app skins, Tools & Utilities, Online, Converters , cheat apps, and much

more can be found at SKSApps.com

Prepare files for installation: The Free McBoot Package contains the FREE_MCBOOT.ELF and an INSTALL folder.

Only files/folders contained in the INSTALL folder will be used for the installation.

You can place the following files into the INSTALL folder's root:

BOOT.ELF { uLaunchELF is the best file manager/ELF launcher available}

ESR.ELF { used to run backups without the need to swap discs, patching

required }

HDLOADER.ELF { run games from an internal HDD, Slim users can not use

this }

SMS.ELF { best Media Player available }

These files will be copied to the MC's BOOT folder . Folders will not be copied to the

BOOT folder.

Example of how the folder structure should look when properly placing the files:

Exact filenames as shown above are case sensitive with the default FREEMCB.CNF.

Check that the file extension .ELF is in fact in CAPS, or it will not display.

If you use different filenames, then it wont work until you configure the

FREEMCB.CNF to use those filenames. More info ...

These files will be listed and linked to run from the Sony main menu . More info...

The installer will calculate the amount of space that is to be used for your install and

show the free space as well.

NOTE: It is important to watch the overall file size when adding apps to your

installation folders.

Also consider skins, roms,CNF files, images, etc... will add to the size if your using them

from the MC.

Each of the folders included in the install package serve a purpose and should NOT be

deleted unless you understand what they are for and can judge if they are necessary or

not.

APPS - Details This folder is for any additional files you wish to add to your MC .

INJECT - Details Put your "DVDELF.BIN" or "EMBED.ELF" file here, they will be

used for the DVDELF injection. More info...

MODULES - Details This folder comes with USBD.IRX and USBHDFSD.IRX files.

These are required by Free McBoot to use a USB device.

FMCB_CFG - Details The FMCB_CFG.ELF is Free McBoot's Configurator (made by

Suloku from psx-scene).

Free McBoot MUST be installed to a Memory Card and can not be copied off another. A

copy will only work on the MC it was installed on.

Cross Region installations will not work! This means installing with a console from

one region will not work on another console from a different region.

Installer Options: Normal install will install the required system files for your console version its installed

on.

Multi-Version install will install additional files for other console versions of the same

region to work from the same MC.

Launch fmcb will load the newly installed Free McBoot .

fmcb configurator Launches the Configurator Application

format mc If you dont have anything worth saving on the MC, then format the card for a

better chance of a successful install.

uninstall multi-version reverts a multi-install to normal install

*NEW for v 1.8

You now have the option to install to either MC from slot1 or slot2

The Installer will detect if you have a BOOT.ELF to install, if no BOOT.ELF is found,

you are given a chance to abort the install so you can put a BOOT.ELF in the proper

location, as described above and in the correct file extension of all CAPS.

Or you can continue the installation without it, but you were warned, so dont say you

werent!!

If you dont have a BOOT.ELF already present on your MC from an earlier install, you

should add it to the INSTALL folder.

A successful install should look similar to the below images:

There are 2 ways you can configure Free McBoot, using the Configurator in the PS2

after the installation or manually create a CNF file on your PC and include it in the

installation's FMCB_CFG folder.

Using FMCB Configurator Once the Installer has successfully installed, you can go right to the configurator app by

selecting the fmcb configurator from the top menu.

You will first see an option for button layout, meaning what button do you prefer to be

the OK and Cancel buttons, so press the one you would rather use. At the bottom of each

screen is a key legend of what buttons to press for specific options per screen.

Next the main menu appears.....

Default example:

The FREEMCB.CNF is loaded from mc0: by default , unless a FREEMCB.CNF is

present on the root of an attached USB device.

Load CNF from MC0 Loads a CNF from MC slot1

Load CNF from MC1 Loads a CNF from MC slot2

Load CNF from Mass Loads a CNF from a connected USB device

Configure E1 launch keys...

Configure E2 launch keys...

Configure E3 launch keys...

Default example:

Here you can assign apps from a path to load with a button press, Configure E1 launch

keys... is the first location the launcher will look in for an app to load, if not found, it will

go to the next set of paths for that button in Configure E2 launch keys... as the second

location set, then on to Configure E3 launch keys.... as the third location set. If still no

files are found in any of those locations for that button press, it will by default load the

OSD, unless you have changed it from default.

At the bottom key legend you see [] : Map to any MC

Pressing Square will set the path to mc?:/ mapping to both MCs in either slot. So you can

set 2 different folders on a MC and still put the MC in either slot and FMCB will search

both locations.

Example:

mc?:/BOOT/BOOT.ELF

mc?:/BADATA-SYSTEM/BOOT.ELF

This will make fmcb search both folders in both MC slots, giving you 4 paths to be

searched from just 2 entries.

Recommended apps are pre-configured as default settings as shown in the example image

above.

This is very useful if MC space is important to save, you can assign all your apps in the

Configure E1 launch keys... to mass:/ {USB stick} and then assign Configure E2

launch keys... to look on the same MC or on a second MC by using mc?:/

FOLDER/FILE.ELF.

This makes it very flexible when using a number of MCs and/or USB sticks.

Most people will only need to configure Configure E1 launch keys..., but for the

advanced user this is a very useful method when using multiple sets of devices.

Configure OSDSYS Options...

-OSD Settings menu:

--Hacked OSDSYS

ON - Default setting Displays list of apps in Sony main menu to be selected for booting

OFF - Disables the OSD Hack

--Configure Item :

Press left or right to select an item from 1 to 100

---Name: Displays in the OSD Menu {Sony Main screen}

---Path1: First location searched for by FMCB

---Path2: Second location searched for by FMCB

---Path3: Third location searched for by FMCB

Here you can assign apps and give them a name that will display on the Sony main menu

screen.

You can select up to 100 apps and they will be linked to the Sony menu.

Pressing L2 will allow you to copy the selected Item and you can paste {press R2} it

into another Item number by pressing < | >, if you wish to re-arange them for your OSD

menu. This way you dont need to input everything all over. A small pop-up window

appears when you press R2 to Paste showing the info your about to change and asks for a

confirmation. Press Cancel or OK button.

The 3 sets of paths will be the search order the launcher will follow when booting the

selected app from the list. The recommended apps are already pre-assigned and named.

Default example:

---Configure Scrolling options

---Scroll Menu : ON Default setting turns on the scrolling effects

OFF disables scrolling effects

---Displayed Items : 7 Default setting 4 to 10 items can be selected

---Menu y : 110 Default setting - centered in the screen

The range is 0 to 220

You can adjust the entire list up { lower number } or down { higher number }.

But use caution or the top might be cut off if your Displayed Items is set to a high

number, as shown in the up & down example images.

Example settings:

Menu y : 0 {too high} Menu y :

110 {centered} Menu y : 220 {too low}

You can save and go to the PS2Browser ( FMCB restart) and see the results, then return

to the configurator if you need to make more changes.

---Cursor Max Velocity : 1000 Changes the distance the cursor indicator moves across

the screen

---Cursor Acceleration : 100 Changes the speed the cursor indicator moves

---Left Cursor: o009 10 char. max.

---Right Cursor: o008 10 char. max.

---Top Delimiter: y-99Free McBoot c1[r0.80Version 1.8r0.00]y-00 80 char.

max.

---Bottom Delimiter: c0r0.60y+99Use o006/o007 to browse listy-00r0.00 80 char. max.

--Video Mode: AUTO, PAL, NTSC {AUTO is default setting }

- -Skip MC update check:

ON -Default setting Controls DVD Player Update check from mc

OFF - Does normal searches for updates

--Skip HDDupdate check:

ON -Default setting Stops PS2 OSDSYS from searching for update files on the HDD.

{HDD doesnt power up}

OFF - Powers on HDD and searches, then powers down HDD

--Skip Disc Boot: Details

ON -Default setting Prevent a disc (if inserted on power-on/reset) to boot through OSD.

OFF - disables option.

--Skip Sony Logo:

ON -Default setting Skips the "Sony Computer Entertainment"-Logo , helps speed up

boot process.

OFF - Disables option

- -Go to Browser:

ON - Free McBoot loads to MC browser menu

OFF - Default setting Free McBoot loads to Sony main menu

--Selected Color - changes the color of the selected item in Sony's main menu

--Unselected color - changes the color of the unselected item in Sony's main menu

--MenuX : 320 Default setting - centered in the screen

Range is 0-640.

You can adjust the entire list to the left { lower number }or the right { higher number }.

But use caution or the words might be cut off, as shown in the left & right example

images. So adjust in small amounts at a time.

You can save and go to the PS2Browser ( FMCB restart) and see the results, then return

to the configurator if you need to make more changes.

Example settings:

MenuX : 0 {too far left} MenuX :

320 {centered} MenuX : 640 {too far right}

--Enter X: 030 Y: -01 Default setting

--Version X: -01 Y: -01 Default setting

Settings range X = left{000} to right {640} Y = top {000} to bottom {256}

X: 000 to 520 Y: 000 to 210 {NTSC}

X: 000 to 520 Y: 000 to 242 {PAL}

The above are the setting limits before going off the screen. So use caution when

making your changes, experiment for best results.

You can save and go to the PS2Browser ( FMCB restart) and see the results, then return

to the configurator if you need to make more changes.

Examples: Enter is set to - X: 520 Y: 000 and Version is set to - X: 520 Y: 210

Enter is set to - X: 000 Y: 000 and Version is set to - X: 000 Y: 210

Configure ESR Path... You can assign the locations you want Free McBoot to search for direct ESR launch.

Default example:

FastBoot: Details

ON - Default setting Fastboots a disc if found

OFF - Disables option

Debug screen: ON - Displays a green screen when it doesn't find any ELF to launch

OFF -Default setting It launches the PS2 OSD when no ELF found

Pad Delay: Details

0.0 Default setting

Save CNF to MC0 Saves changes to mc0:/SYS-CONF/FREEMCB.CNF

Save CNF to MC1 Saves changes to mc1:/SYS-CONF/FREEMCB.CNF

Save CNF to Mass Saves changes to mass:/FREEMCB.CNF

Return to Loader Boots the BOOT.ELF { Searches for mc?:/BOOT/BOOT.ELF, then B?DATA-

SYSTEM/BOOT.ELF (first pal, then usa, finally jap)

PS2Browser (FMCB restart} Boots to PS2Browser and restarts Free McBoot {unless MC has been removed}

Places to find help:

Installing Free McBoot with a Retail AR

Max EVO Written by JNABK

What yo

u Need:

retail AR Max EVO disc

Free McBoot release Package

SwapMagic 3.8 coder ELF {optional method}

FCEUltra.elf {optional method} - Download

USB stick {Formatted FAT32}

PS2 Memory Card {duh}

PS2 console {duh}

Prepare the files:

Note: FMCB installer will not boot directly from Action Replay Max. This is why you

must have an AR Max EVO with the Max Media Player.

Copy the FREE_MCBOOT.ELF and the INSTALL folder to the USB root.

Insert the USB stick and the AR Max disc, then run the disc. Note: The USB device

MUST be inserted before running the disc!

In the main screen of AR Max, select the Media Player

After a few splash screens,

the Media Player intro will start, you can just press X to skip it. AR Max will now read

the USB stick and display file(s).

In the Media Player menu: Choose the FREE_MCBOOT.ELF by scrolling with the 'Next Item' button on screen if it

is not the first file shown, as the Media Player only displays 1 item at a time.

Select PLAY button and the installer will boot.

In the event of a blackscreen, try one of the following alternative methods.

NOTE:

Many USB devices are simply not fully compatible with AR Max, even though they

recognise the device, it may not show all files or boot them properly. Don not take out

the USB device and re-insert it while AR Max is running, "Hot-Swapping" is not a good

idea with AR Max.

Here are 2 known methods you can try to get around the incompatibility if either one

will show in the Media Players menu.

If none will display, then try another USB device.

SwapMagic On the USB stick create a folder, named SWAPMAGIC

Rename a copy of uLaunchELF's BOOT.ELF to SWAPMAGIC.ELF and put it in the

folder.

* * * DO NOT put the FREE_MCBOOT.ELF or the INSTALL folder in this folder!!* *

*

Next put the SW3.8C.ELF {or whatever its named} on the USB stick root [[not in the

folder]]

In this tutorial, i named the SM3.8C.ELF to SWAPMAGIC.ELF for simplicity.

Follow the steps for the Media Player and select the SWAPMAGIC.ELF

SwapMagic should automatically run uLaunchELF

Next press O to goto the FileBrowser screen

goto mass:/ and select the FREE_MCBOOT.ELF......... after a quick flash of the launch

splash, Free McBoot's Installer will load.

If that didnt automatically boot to uLaunchelf, then continue thru the menu's.

On the main screen, select SMBOOT

next screen, select SMBOOT0

If it still didnt boot or you black screened, try renaming uLaunchELF's BOOT.ELF to

SMBOOT0.ELF and try again.

Or go to the next alternative method below:

FCEUltra

Copy the FCEUltra.elf to the USB stick and follow the steps above to run the Media

Player.

Select the FCEUltra.elf from the Media Player and PLAY it.

Main Menu of FCEUltra:

Press SELECT button for the configuration menu:

Select " Configure ELF Path " and press the O button

Select mass: and then FREE_MCBOOT.ELF from the list on your USB stick.

You will be returned to the Options screen and see the changed path . Now just

select Exit to ELF

The installer should now boot!!

A successful boot of the Free McBoot Installer will look like this:

Format if you wish, then install

Be sure to read the Usage.txt for any updates and new features.

All these methods are proven to work, so if you cannot get this to work using any of

those optional methods, then you might want to seek help from the Volunteer Installers

and send your MC to someone near you.