PS2 Ultra Slim

[zimmslounge]

That was totally it thank you i was thinking I bought a broken board

 

[halfspec]

I have to comment on your build—that shell looks amazing! I love it! Well done!

I have installed the Blue Retro HW2 internal setup. I want to mention that what I have is thicker than the Methylene. However, I believe he now uses a board instead of a ribbon in his latest update. Therefore, I could be wrong. On the ultra slim shell we have just as if not slightly more room than the SCPH-7900x OEM shell. Gusse would not make it too thick. I wouldn't think fitment is a problem but I (like C3P0 have been wrong from time to time, ha!)

If you place a straight edge across the bottom of the board and see that the ESP-WROOM-32x does not sit higher than the bottom of the controller ports, then you're good. In my build, the ESP was flush with the bottom of the controller port, and it fit just fine. However, I placed the ESP directly onto the motherboard with some thin double-sided tape.

If your shell fits and doesn’t look “pregnant” when it’s all put together, the next question would, of course, be about pinched wires or some insulation is neede on something.

I don’t have all the details about your build, but let me throw this out there—maybe it can help.

My install acted weird too, but it was related to the 3.3V supply. If the 3.3V from the voltage regulator on the Methylene (or ESP in my case) is not tied to the 3.3V on the console, it can behave oddly. This was a huge hang-up for me because it’s generally a big no-no to connect two 3.3V supplies to one power rail. However, in this case, you have to do it to get the features we want (power on/off/reset with the controller). Also, it works, so… I look the other way and just do it.

Now, if the Methylene doesn’t fit, all is not lost. You can save it for another build and just install the ESP-WROOM-32x. Then, pick up a current sense board from Helder's GameTech ($6 plus shipping). You won’t have chimes or the reset function, but you can still power the console on and off with your controller and still have port detection—which is pretty sweet. I can share my diagrams if you want to go that route.

I hope this helps! If you get it working, let us know what you did—I’m curious!

This is my recent build I am refering to.
View attachment 36304

Afternoon.

I was just browsing through this thread for the umpteenth time and saw your beautiful built pics. I'm not sure how many ultra slims you've built so far but this one caught my eye as it's very close to what I'm building now. Specifically, I'm installing a modbo5 + an internal MX4SIO on my ultra slim. I wanted to ask and see if you could expand on how you're launching whatever ELF you're using for management / loading? I.E., Are you using the modbo to launch something like OPL straight from the MC1 converted MX4SIO or are you having to involve the USB/MASS or MC0/DEV1 to load an ELF then utilize MX4SIO as only game storage?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated if you have the time to comment

 

[FatBaldDad]

Thanks for the compliment!

I use the ModBo to boot from usb and to launch the home brew apps. The modbo menu is all on the usb. Since the usb is internal (the little piece that gets cut off, then is mounted inside) it all works out well. The elf files can be updated using the remaining external USB port.

It is not possible to boot from the SD card directly as you need the homebrew apps to read the card through MC01. (I could be wrong, the best place to find out your wrong is on a thread in a forum, lol!).

Ill share the wlaunch.ELF and OPL version/build im using if that helps.

 

[halfspec]

The modbo menu is all on the usb. Since the usb is internal (the little piece that gets cut off, then is mounted inside) it all works out well. The elf files can be updated using the remaining external USB port.

That is brilliant! I knew I must be missing something key to making it work without having to use MC0 or the external USB. Thank you so much for clarifying!
I'm shooting for an ultra slim that's as clean as possible and trying to avoid external FMCB/MX4SIO cards so I'm definitely going to go your way and re-enable / relocate the 2nd USB to be internal.
Would you happen to have any pictures of the relocated internal usb?
I would definitely take you up on your offer if you have your internal usb files saved off somewhere you can email. I'm my username @ gmail

Thanks again for the reply!

 

[FatBaldDad]

That is brilliant! I knew I must be missing something key to making it work without having to use MC0 or the external USB. Thank you so much for clarifying!
I'm shooting for an ultra slim that's as clean as possible and trying to avoid external FMCB/MX4SIO cards so I'm definitely going to go your way and re-enable / relocate the 2nd USB to be internal.
Would you happen to have any pictures of the relocated internal usb?
I would definitely take you up on your offer if you have your internal usb files saved off somewhere you can email. I'm my username @ gmail

Thanks again for the reply!

I am so glad to help someone out!!

 

[halfspec]

Evening. I apologize if this has been covered already and I missed it, but for anyone that's integrated an ElectronAnalog; has Electron Shepherd maybe changed their mounting hole offset since this project was created?

Reason for asking is that I'm test fitting mine and noticing that the mounting standoffs on the shell require that the ElectronAnalog be pulled away from a flush fit to be able to utilize them:

It leaves a gap that seems to take away from how supported the port would be if it were flush like this:

If Electron Shepherd hasn't redesigned the mounting points on the ElectronAnalog, is there another reason for this gap? I.E., Interference with another part, etc? If not, does anyone see any reason why I couldn't mod the model's standoffs to be closer to the HDMI port cutout by a few millimeters?

Thanks!

 

[FatBaldDad]

no, its fine! whew I just edited this post like 5000 times

I went back and looked at all my previous builds. Its good, thats how they all are and they work well.

@halfspec
This was me having a heart attack a moment ago when I read your post!

I am not sure if Wesk designed it like that but its been like that for the past 7 builds, I started buiilding them in August last year. I agree though now that you point it out. I would like to see the end of the female HDMI connector flush with the back of the shell. I kind of would like to make some improvements on that part too.

 

[DoeKe]

Evening. I apologize if this has been covered already and I missed it, but for anyone that's integrated an ElectronAnalog; has Electron Shepherd maybe changed their mounting hole offset since this project was created?

Reason for asking is that I'm test fitting mine and noticing that the mounting standoffs on the shell require that the ElectronAnalog be pulled away from a flush fit to be able to utilize them:

View attachment 37289

It leaves a gap that seems to take away from how supported the port would be if it were flush like this:

View attachment 37290

If Electron Shepherd hasn't redesigned the mounting points on the ElectronAnalog, is there another reason for this gap? I.E., Interference with another part, etc? If not, does anyone see any reason why I couldn't mod the model's standoffs to be closer to the HDMI port cutout by a few millimeters?

Thanks!

I actually ran into this too as well.
It still works, so I didn't really think much of it.
But it would be nice if it were flush with the shell, but as long as it is functional, it really doesn't bother me.

 

[deko222]

Im using a 79004 / GH-061-51 and i cant get the Mainboard to sit flush in the shell because of some components around the SD Mount. even without the sd holding bracket theres an crystal oscillator in the way.

 

[halfspec]

Evening. I apologize if this has been covered already and I missed it, but for anyone that's integrated an ElectronAnalog; has Electron Shepherd maybe changed their mounting hole offset since this project was created?

Reason for asking is that I'm test fitting mine and noticing that the mounting standoffs on the shell require that the ElectronAnalog be pulled away from a flush fit to be able to utilize them:

It leaves a gap that seems to take away from how supported the port would be if it were flush like this:


If Electron Shepherd hasn't redesigned the mounting points on the ElectronAnalog, is there another reason for this gap? I.E., Interference with another part, etc? If not, does anyone see any reason why I couldn't mod the model's standoffs to be closer to the HDMI port cutout by a few millimeters?

Thanks!

Just a follow-up.
Here's a crappy stl edit that just shows what I'll probably do to make this fit better for me. The screw holes are wonky and need another rev but I think it will work. As a bonus, bonding the standoffs to the outer shell almost certainly makes them stronger which is a big plus for me since I'm printing in ABS and the sheer strength on ABS is always problematic for me.

 

[halfspec]

Finally finished. Very happy with the finished result. Thank you @Wesk

Extra Mods:
1. Modbo5 modchip
2. ElectronAnalog internal HDMI
3. Relocated USB to provide an internal boot device for the modchip to direct boot. Big thanks to @FatBaldDad

3D Print Mods:
1. Moved the ElectronAnalog mounting points ~2.3mm closer to + bonded to the rear of the shell. This helped my particular build achieve a more flush fit with regards to the HDMI port.
2. Changed the style of the side inlet / outlet vents to make them easier to print in ABS
3. Deleted the MX4SIO mode switch slot
4. Deleted the MC1 slot

 

[FatBaldDad]

@halfspec Well done, I like your tweaks too!

Can you sink some threaded inserts into that type of plastic? That would be a nice upgrade too.

 

[halfspec]

Yes. ABS accepts heatserts easily and I have them on hand... But I've already spent more time on the project then I could spare and needed to move on.
I think all the standoffs / bosses are plenty strong and interface with self tapping screws just fine for their purposes. My only concern for the whole design was the electronanalog mounts since plugging / unplugging an HDMI cable can require a good bit of force and I just worried about it long term.