Playstation 2 linux kernelloader (ps2dev)

kernelloader is a bootloader for ps2 linux and other ps2 operating systems. the current state is:
- Linux can be started. Graphic, USB, network, hard disc, controller pads and memory cards are working. CD/DVD is working with PS1 CDs and PS2 DVDs. Video DVDs can be read by kernelloader and a patched Linux.
- Sound is only working when using LIBSD.IRX and SDRDRV.IRX from the same game disc. SDRDRV.IRX must have version 2.0 or lower (4.01 is not working).
- A playstation kernel simulation is included. Only some ps2 syscalls are supported. Only single thread and a interrupt handler is supported. SIF RPC is working, so all hardware components should work.
- Writing data to an USB stick with Linux on slim PSTwo may destroy data. The fat PS2 doesn't have this problem. It is recommended to use the Live Linux DVD on slim PSTwo.
- Support for DTV (without former pink screen problems).
- Support for VGA.
Changes:
- Screen position can be changed with the left analog stick within kernelloader. Don't expect any effect in Linux. In Linux you need to use the new setcrtmode from CVS.
- Fixed pink screen problem with component signal (YPbPr)
- Fixed problems with VGA signal.
- Added better BSD Support (still not fully working).
- Reworked code (mainly debug code, sharedmem.irx).
- Buttons L2 and R2 select the screen mode within kernelloader (VESA, 480P, NTSC or PAL). 480P may have problems on the right side of the screen, I can't test this.
- The keys "+" and "-" on a connected USB keyboard switch the screen mode. On the US layout the keys are left to the delete key (sign < X |). For "+" you need to press the SHIFT key at the same time. If you don't have an US keyboard, the keys may have differnt signs on it. For details see wikipedia.
- Add auto detection of sound modules from rom1.
- Add menu for showing versions of PS2 ROM, rom1:LIBSD, hardware and kernelloader.
- Don't show error if HDD adapter is not connected.
- Added unionfs-1.0.14 to kernel patches. This is required to get a full featured live DVD (write support).

Note: Not all network status information is available on slim PSTwo.

Download at sourceforge

Supported hardware/modules by linux 2.4.17 in version 2.2:

Hardware/Module	Support Status	Comment
Bootloader using PS2LINK	Working	Path can be changed in kernelloader menu using USB keyboard (only for people who can read program code).
Bootloader using network	No support	Modules not loaded.
Bootloader using USB	Working	Can be selected from kernelloader menu.
Bootloader using HDD	No support	Modules not loaded.
Bootloader using MC	Working	Can be selected from kernelloader menu.
Bootloader using CD/DVD	Working	Can be selected from kernelloader menu. Burned video DVDs are also readable.
GS	Working	Code uses PS2 BIOS or included SBIOS code if not available. VGA need to be selected in kernelloader to use NetBSD. The pink screen screen problem with HDTV is fixed. DTV and VGA is working.
SIFDMA	Working	SB_SIFDMASTAT is incomplete.
SIFCMD	Working	Code is complete.
SIFRPC	Working	Code is incomplete.
IOPHEAP	Working	Code is complete.
PAD	Working	SB_PAD_INFOCOMB is missing. IOP debug output must stay disabled in kernelloader menu.
SOUND	Error	Sound modules libsd.irx and sdrdrv.irx can be used. The modules from RTE can be used or from game discs. sdrdrv.irx must have version 2.0 or lower.
MC	Working	SBR_MC_CALL is missing.
CDVD	Working	Code is incomplete. PS1 CDs and PS2 DVDs are working. Audio CDs are not tested. Video DVDs are working. New Linux kernel is needed (vmlinux_fat_and_slim_v4.gz).
REMOCON	Error	Code is missing. Module can be loaded.
USB	Working	USB keyboard and memory stick tested. Working with slim PSTwo when Linux kernel is patched and rpc interrupt module is loaded. USB write access is failing on heavy load and when using slim PSTwo. Data may be corrupted on slim PSTwo.
HDD	Working	Working in PIO mode. The slim PSTwo doesn't have a connector for the HDD, but some models can be extended. There is no support for this hardware configuration. Linux driver need to be rewritten.
INTRELAY.IRX	Working	ps2link must be disabled to get network interrupts working. The slim PSTwo needs the RPC version.
DMARELAY.IRX	Not Working	Code is complete, but I am not sure if it is correct. ps2link must be disabled. SMAP seems not to be used, because linux driver uses newer unknown RPC interface.
USB Keyboard	Working	Also supported within kernelloader menu.
Network	Working with SCPH-10350 and SCPH-10281	Working in PIO mode. ps2link must be disabled. DMA is not working, because linux 2.4.17 driver uses different RPC interface. The slim ps2dev needs the smaprpc.irx and the ps2dev9.irx modules. vmlinux_fat_and_slim_v1.gz or higher is the recommended Linux kernel.
New ROM Modules	Working	See other entries in this table. Only some calls are missing.
Old ROM Modules	Working	See other entries in this table. Only some calls are missing.

Older Linux Bootloaders for Playstation 2 (beta)

Overview