Guide to Installing Free McBoot 1.6


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 1.6 and should not be used for previous versions, as many things wont aply to those versions!!

What you need:
A method of installing { 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}
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, its up to YOU to add anything to the installer to use, so read up 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.

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

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 are used for the installation.

You can place the following files into the INSTALL folder's root:
These files will be copied to the MC's BOOT folder .

Example of  how your USB device should look when properly placing the files:


Exact filenames as shown above are case sensitive with the default FREEMCB.CNF. If you use different filenames, then it wont work until you configure the FREEMCB.CNF    More info on editing the CNF further down in the tutorial.
These files will be listed and linked to run from the Sony main menu . 

menu

If you dont wish to use them from the MC {to save space} alternatively , you can place them on the USB stick in a BOOT folder:

Free McBoot will search this folder on the USB device  and  list them if found.
These files can also be launched during  boot-up  with the button presses :

Any other ELF Files placed in the INSTALL folder will also be copied to mc0:/BOOT

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 if your using them from the MC will add to the size.
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 - This folder is for any additional files you wish to add to your MC .  {sub-directories in this folder will be ignored}
These file will be copied to mc0:/APPS. The installer will create this folder if none is present and an icon will be added if no icons are present. 
*Optional*  This folder  can be deleted if  you dont wish to use it.
INJECT - Put your "DVDELF.BIN" or "EMBED.ELF" file here, they will be used for the  DVDELF injection.
 More info below.....
*Optional*  You can delete this folder if you dont wish to inject anything.
MODULES - DO NOT DELETE "USBD.IRX" AND "USBHDFSD.IRX" FILES ! !
You can replace the .IRX files with equivalents, they both will be copied to mc0:/SYS-CONF folder by installer and will be used by the Free McBoot Loader. If you delete these, you wont be able to access a USB device from Free McBoot.
You can put your eXtended modules ("XSIO2MAN", "XMCMAN", "XMCSERV" and "XPADMAN") in this folder, the installer will use it to provide compatibilty with SCPH-10000 ps2.
FMCB_CFG -  The FMCB_CFG.ELF is Free McBoot's Configurator (made by Suloku from psx-scene).
 It will be copied to mc0:/SYS-CONF  folder by the installer, as well as a default FREEMCB.CNF. This will also show as an option in the Sony main menu {pictured above} and can be launched on boot-up by pressing the START button.
{Other type CNF files will NOT be copied, such as LAUNCHELF.CNF}

You can add a custom FREEMCB.CNF in this folder, it will be copied to mc?:/SYS-CONF folder by installer to replace the default one.  This will be covered later in the tutorial. 
*Optional*  You can delete the FMCB_CFG.ELF from the folder if your using your own custom made CNF and dont wish to run the configurator from the MC to save MC space.

Injection

 

With this, you can use the 75KB DVDELF to minimize MC space usage, as well as embed a program of your choice.

 

M:\INSTALLER\ will be the drive and path of the FMCB installer on my computer since my drive letter and path will be different from yours.  However the contents will be the same.

 

DVDELF.BIN

 

Download - This RAR will contain MOST, if not all of the possible regions.  You will not need all of them, but you they could be useful if you obtain a system not of your region.  Also, adding a DVDELF.BIN is completely optional, but is a very nice feature to save on memory card space.

 

You need to use the region that your PS2 is.  for example, if you have a NTSC US console, you need to use the DVDPLU and rename it to DVDELF.BIN and insert it into the INJECT folder.

 

Another example would be if you have a European PAL console, you would use the DVDPLE file and rename it to DVDELF.BIN and insert it into the INJECT folder.

 

One more example if you have an Oceanic region console, you would use the DVDPLO file and rename it to DVDELF.BIN and insert it into the INJECT folder.

You get the picture on it. :)

 

Region information is pulled from this post by l_oliveira since he said it best.  If any of the info on the files/regions/countries is wrong, please post the correct info in the FMCB Installer thread or this thread at the forums at SKSApps.

 

File Region SCPH-xxx??
DVDPLA Asia SCPH-xxxx5
SCPH-xxxx6
SCPH-xxxx7
DVDPLC Continental China SCPH-xxxx9
DVDPLE Europe SCPH-xxxx3
SCPH-xxxx4
DVDPLJ Japan SCPH-xxxx0
DVDPLM Mexico/Latan America SCPH-xxx10
SCPH-xxx11
DVDPLO Oceanic SCPH-xxxx2
DVDPLR Russia and possibly Middle East SCPH-xxxx8
DVDPLU North America SCPH-xxxx1
SCPH-xxx12

 

 

 

EMBED.ELF

 

This function was originally created to allow developers to replace the FMCB ELF loader with a newly created one for development purposes with out the need to recompile the entire project.  However, this can still be useful if you want to replace FMCB's OSD ELF Loader with an external ELF file such as ESR to load backups directly.  I don't recommend doing this since it would remove virtually all usefulness from the exploit, but the option is yours if you choose.  Keep in mind, that not all homebrew programs will work like this and can result in an error message during FMCB installation saying "Failed to inject ELF."  If you see that error message, just either replace the ELF or disregard installing it since it is optional.

 

If you are planning to use this feature, you must rename the external ELF file (case sensitive) to EMBED.ELF

Also, it must be placed in the INJECT folder of the FMCB installer.

Installer Options:
X - Normal install will  install the  required system files for your console version..
[] - Multi-Version install will install additional files for other console versions of the same region to work with the same MC..
/\ - Power Off puts the console into Stand-by mode
SELECT - If you dont have anything worth saving on the MC, then format the card for a better chance of a successful install.

START -  If you have a previous install of the Multi-Version and  wish to install without formatting, you must un-install the Multi-Version first.

Configuring Free McBoot:

There are 2 ways you can configure Free McBoot,  using the Configurator in the PS2 after the installation to create a CNF file  or manually create a CNF file on your PC and include it in the installation's FMCB_CFG folder.

Using the Configurator
Once the Installer has successfully installed, you can go right to the configurator app by pressing the O button.
You will first see an option for button layout, meaning what button do you prefer to be the OK button, so press the one you would rather use.


Next the main menu appears.....



Load CNF

The FREEMCB.CNF is loaded from mc0: by default and you can select to load from a second MC if you have  both MCs with different configurations.


Configure E1 launch keys...
Configure E2 launch keys...
Configure E3 launch keys...

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 it, if not found, it will go to the next set of paths for that button in  Configure E2 launch keys..., then on to Configure E3 launch keys....  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.

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

Configure Item 1 -10
Here you can see all those launch keys you just assigned and they can also be assigned to the Sony main menu screen. You can select up to 10 apps and they will be linked to the Sony menu. The 3 sets of paths will be the order the  launcher will follow when booting the selected app from the list.
Default example:

*Note* If using all 10 items, the screen will display in total 12 items and you will need to set the  display mode to FULL from the "System Configuration" menu or your list may be cut off at the top.  [ System Configuration > Screen Size > FULL  ]
 The "Browser" and  "System Configuration" items will always be displayed and cannot be removed.


Go to Browser:
ON - Free McBoot loads to MC browser menu
OFF - 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 - Range is 0-640. The default setting is 320 { centered in the screen }
You can adjust the entire list to the left { lower number }or the right { higher number }.
 But use caution for the words might be cut off if your menu names are long, as shown in the left & right example images. The coordinate orientation is from the very center of the words. So adjust in small amounts at a time.  Up/down option is not available.
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}
   

Hacked OSDSYS:
ON -  Displays list of apps in Sony main menu to be selected for booting
OFF - Displays normal Sony main menu { button presses or auto-boot will still work}

Skip MC:
ON - Stops PS2 OSDSYS  from searching for update files on the MC
OFF  - Does normal searches for updates
Skip HDD:
ON - 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:   Not yet added, comming soon
ON - Prevent a disc (if inserted on power-on/reset) to boot through OSD.
OFF - disables option.
Skip  Sony Logo:
ON - Skips the "Sony Computer Entertainment"-Logo , helps speed up boot process.
OFF - Disables option
Autoboot disc:
ON - Autoboots a disc  if found {FastBoot}
OFF - Disables option
Debug screen:
ON - Displays  de-bug messages of the FMCB setup
OFF - Disables option
Save CNF to MC0
Saves changes to mc0:/SYS-CONF/FREEMCB.CNF
Save CNF to MC1
Saves changes to mc1:/SYS-CONF/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}

Manual CNF creation:
You can make a CNF and include it in the FMCB_CFG folder  during the installation and it will be copied to mc0:/ SYS-CONF
Text in red  explains what the entry is  for, most is pretty much self-explainitory though.  If you want to copy the example and edit it for your CNF, be sure to remove any text in red as they are not part of the CNF.
You can choose ON ( 1 ) or OFF  ( 0 )
For the paths, type in the exact filenames and locations {case sensitive} to ensure a working CNF.
3 different locations are searched for each  Item, so if one should fail for any reason, you have 2 more chances of successful booting of that app if you  choose.
Example CNF:
CNF_version = 1
hacked_OSDSYS = 1   <--  Turns ON/OFF display in Sony menu
OSDSYS_selected_color = 0x0F,0x7C,0xE0,0x80  <-- Red, Green, Blue, Alpha {alpha = transparency}
OSDSYS_unselected_color = 0x3C,0x3C,0x3C,0x80
OSDSYS_menu_x = 320  <-- Changes the position of the OSD Hack  menu display
name_OSDSYS_ITEM_1 = uLaunchELF  <--This is the name that appears on Sony main menu screen
path1_OSDSYS_ITEM_1 = mass:/BOOT/BOOT.ELF  <-- this is the first path searched when selected to boot
path2_OSDSYS_ITEM_1 = mc?:/BOOT/BOOT.ELF <-- this is thesecond path searched when selected to boot
path3_OSDSYS_ITEM_1 = mc?:/B?DATA-SYSTEM/BOOT.ELF <-- this is the third path searched when selected to boot
name_OSDSYS_ITEM_2 = ESR
path1_OSDSYS_ITEM_2 = mass:/BOOT/ESR.ELF
path2_OSDSYS_ITEM_2 = mc?:/BOOT/ESR.ELF
path3_OSDSYS_ITEM_2 = mc?:/B?DATA-SYSTEM/ESR.ELF
name_OSDSYS_ITEM_3 = HD Loader
path1_OSDSYS_ITEM_3 = mass:/BOOT/HDLOADER.ELF
path2_OSDSYS_ITEM_3 = mc?:/BOOT/HDLOADER.ELF
path3_OSDSYS_ITEM_3 = mc?:/B?DATA-SYSTEM/HDLOADER.ELF
name_OSDSYS_ITEM_4 = Simple Media System
path1_OSDSYS_ITEM_4 = mass:/BOOT/SMS.ELF
path2_OSDSYS_ITEM_4 = mc?:/BOOT/SMS.ELF
path3_OSDSYS_ITEM_4 = mc?:/B?DATA-SYSTEM/SMS.ELF
name_OSDSYS_ITEM_5 = Free McBoot Configurator
path1_OSDSYS_ITEM_5 = mc?:/SYS-CONF/FMCB_CFG.ELF
path2_OSDSYS_ITEM_5 =
path3_OSDSYS_ITEM_5 =
name_OSDSYS_ITEM_6 =
path1_OSDSYS_ITEM_6 =
path2_OSDSYS_ITEM_6 =
path3_OSDSYS_ITEM_6 =
name_OSDSYS_ITEM_7 =
path1_OSDSYS_ITEM_7 =
path2_OSDSYS_ITEM_7 =
path3_OSDSYS_ITEM_7 =
name_OSDSYS_ITEM_8 =
path1_OSDSYS_ITEM_8 =
path2_OSDSYS_ITEM_8 =
path3_OSDSYS_ITEM_8 =
name_OSDSYS_ITEM_9 =
path1_OSDSYS_ITEM_9 =
path2_OSDSYS_ITEM_9 =
path3_OSDSYS_ITEM_9 =
name_OSDSYS_ITEM_10 =
path1_OSDSYS_ITEM_10 =
path2_OSDSYS_ITEM_10 =
path3_OSDSYS_ITEM_10 =
LK_Auto_E1 = OSDSYS <-- first path searched
LK_Auto_E2 = OSDSYS <-- second path searched
LK_Auto_E3 = OSDSYS <-- third path searched
LK_Circle_E1 = OSDSYS
LK_Circle_E2 =
LK_Circle_E3 =
LK_Cross_E1 = OSDSYS
LK_Cross_E2 =
LK_Cross_E3 =
LK_Square_E1 = OSDSYS
LK_Square_E2 =
LK_Square_E3 =
LK_Triangle_E1 = OSDSYS
LK_Triangle_E2 =
LK_Triangle_E3 =
LK_L1_E1 = mass:/BOOT/HDLOADER.ELF
LK_L1_E2 = mc?:/BOOT/HDLOADER.ELF
LK_L1_E3 = mc?:/B?DATA-SYSTEM/HDLOADER.ELF
LK_R1_E1 = mass:/BOOT/BOOT.ELF
LK_R1_E2 = mc?:/BOOT/BOOT.ELF
LK_R1_E3 = mc?:/B?DATA-SYSTEM/BOOT.ELF
LK_L2_E1 = mass:/BOOT/SMS.ELF
LK_L2_E2 = mc?:/BOOT/SMS.ELF
LK_L2_E3 = mc?:/B?DATA-SYSTEM/SMS.ELF
LK_R2_E1 = mass:/BOOT/ESR.ELF
LK_R2_E2 = mc?:/BOOT/ESR.ELF
LK_R2_E3 = mc?:/B?DATA-SYSTEM/ESR.ELF
LK_L3_E1 = OSDSYS
LK_L3_E2 =
LK_L3_E3 =
LK_R3_E1 = OSDSYS
LK_R3_E2 =
LK_R3_E3 =
LK_Up_E1 = OSDSYS
LK_Up_E2 =
LK_Up_E3 =
LK_Down_E1 = OSDSYS
LK_Down_E2 =
LK_Down_E3 =
LK_Left_E1 = OSDSYS
LK_Left_E2 =
LK_Left_E3 =
LK_Right_E1 = OSDSYS
LK_Right_E2 =
LK_Right_E3 =
LK_Start_E1 = mc?:/SYS-CONF/FMCB_CFG.ELF
LK_Start_E2 = OSDSYS
LK_Start_E3 =
LK_Select_E1 = OSDSYS
LK_Select_E2 =
LK_Select_E3 =
OSDSYS_Skip_MC = 1
OSDSYS_Skip_HDD = 1
OSDSYS_Skip_Disc = 1
OSDSYS_Skip_Logo = 1
OSDSYS_Inner_Browser = 0  <-- Choice for  browser start { Sony main menu  ( 0 ) or MC browser menu  ( 1 ) }
Debug_Screen = 0
AutoBoot_Disc = 0

Save this as FREEMCB.CNF and put it in the FMCB_CFG folder to be installed when you run the installer.
Recovery / FAQ / Troubleshooting

Recovering from a screw-up:      yep, you screwed up if you need to use this. . .

Free McBoot has an option, if for whatever reason you messed up your install or somehow corrupted your files to the point you cant do anything but look at the browser screens, this is a sure fire way to run an "emergency"  launch of an application.

Name either uLaunchELF or FMCB Configurator to RESCUE.ELF and place this on a USB stick. Then simply run the Free McBoot MC with the USB stick in the console and as long as the Free McBoot Launcher  and the USB drivers in the SYS-CONF folder are in tact and working, you will boot  directly into the RESCUE.ELF.  Choose your app wisely as this is your only way to  try "recovering" anything on the MC you dont want to loose.  Or you can simply put the Free McBoot.elf as the RESCUE.ELF and just re-install  Free McBoot.

If the Free McBoot Launcher or the USB drivers are  deleted/corrupt, then a fresh install will be required.

Places to find help:





F.A.Q
Q
What is Free McBoot?

A
Free McBoot is an application when installed correctly to a standard Sony 8MB memory card {as well as many 3rd party cards} will allow the user to instantly launch homebrew applications without the need to use a boot disc or any other device.  It will allow a Slim console and console's with a broken lens to run homebrew directly from the Memory Card or from an attached USB device.

Q
Where can i purchase this incredible program?

A
Free McBoot is just as its name implies, FREE.  If you find this for sale, you are being ripped off.  The installation is very easy and works in all consoles, regions and most  Memory Cards. {chineese clones do not work!} You simply need to be able to run the installer from the console.


Q
I installed Free McBoot, but it doesnt do anything , just boots me to the MC Browser, whats wrong?

A
Press O to go to the Sony main menu and you should see the added recommended apps listed, if you added them to the installer's INSTALL folder. This is the default boot, but you can configure Free McBoot to boot to the Sony main menu instead by turning OFF the "Go to Browser" option in the Configurator or manually edit your CNF as decsribed above.
 
Q
-- I did press O, but its the normal screen, no apps to choose from, why not?

A
-If you installed Free McBoot and did not include any apps, then there is nothing for it to run. Free McBoot is a homebrew launching application and it requires you to add homebrew apps for it to run them. Read the RECOVERY section above.

-Or your filenames are not as decsribed for the default CNF and you will need to run the configurator by re-starting Free McBoot and press the START buton while its loading.

Q
I dont have anything except a console and a Memory Card, how can i install Free McBoot to it?

A
You cant install Free McBoot without a method to run the installer from the console. See the How-to Guides at the beginning of the tutorial.

Q
Why arent the recommended apps already included with the release, why make us get them?

A
Because Free McBoot has nothing to do with those apps directly and cant create a new release package for each  application when updated , so its your responsibility to ensure an app is included .
We dont know  what applications you will want to use, so the most commonly used apps are recommended and set in the default CNF for Free McBoot for those who are new to homebrew, but not everyone will want to use these. This gives flexibility to ALL users to choose and customize an installation based on their own knowledge.

Troubleshooting
Problem:
I installed as the guide told me, but when i pressed O for the Configurator, it gave me an error, "Configurator not found", what did i do wrong?

Causes:
The Installer will look in mass:/INSTALL/FMCB_CFG/FMCB_CFG.ELF for the ELF file, if not found, you will recieve that error.

-You might have other files/folders from previous installs or test and these are conflicting with  installer's ability to read the USB stick properly and find the path.

-Your USB stick might not be allowing the installer to see the INSTALL folder if you had recently deleted a folder of the same name. I found this out from  testing the various versions.

-You installed from a disc and the path is not searched  from a disc, instead press START after re-starting the conole or select it from the Sony menu/

Solutions:
1)Delete the INSTALL  folder and copy a fresh one from the Free McBoot Package.
2)Re-format the USB stick to FAT32 or FAT and only put the required installer and INSTALL folder with your added apps/files in their respective locations in the INSTALL folder.
3) try another USB device as that one may be incompatible with the Installer.