Installing Free McBoot with a Retail AR Max EVO

Written by JNABK


What you 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.