Free Mcboot will work with almost any PS2. The only versions of the PS2 that will not work are the slim models with a model number series of 9xxxx. These are the models on which 1/2 of the top is shiny. If you have a Fat PS2, or a slim that just has a 1 inch wide "band" of shiny plastic on the top, then you can use FMCB Recommending MrMario2011 again as a treasure trove of video guidance. However MattKC and more technically Modern Vintage Gamer are also some good channels to follow for PS2 content.

The icon mapping is different for the HDD OSD. The early OSDs of the SCPH-10000 and SCPH-15000 on the other hand,FMCB/FHDB will issue the SCSI UNIT STOP command to USB devices connected when a disc is booted via fastboot, to prolong the lifespan of those (2.5") HDDs that require proper shutdown.

Yes... sort of. How easy it is to do this depends on which model of PS2 you have. If you have a Fat PS2 it is very difficult. If you have slim PS2, it is slightly less difficult. It always requires physical modification of the PS2, and is beyond the scope of this FAQ. Someday, I will write a specific guide for all models.

As for how the glitch came about: I changed the DVD Player selection code for v1.96. So while trying to get it to work, I commented out the code that deinitializes the RPC services... so libcdvd was (silently) failing because its semaphores were deleted by the EE kernel, but it couldn't be initialized because it thinks it already was initialized. So the lesson here, is as some old advice goes - there is a risk involved when we comment out code while debugging. Also because I must have accidentally hit the "keep both files button", the previous update did not get overwritten. So there is now probably some confusion over the version number. This shall become the new release, which will hopefully be the last one... Also, the Installation guides have changed a bit. There are now guides for installing FreeMcBoot onto memory cards, AND there is a guide for installing it directly onto an internal hard drive.

NEW- Updated LaunchELF to fix booting of old software and to enable renaming for supported devices. Sister thread on PSX-scene: http://psx-scene.com/forums/f153/fmcb-v1-9-series-release-thread-116247 and provides you with a means of launching homebrew software, without the need for any extra hardware, FMCB has been split into two. The part of FMCB which remains resident will be copied into its place during runtime,FMCB is a simple program launcher for homebrew applications (apps) and doesnt come with any programs included with an official release. The PSBBN is not supported by FHDB. Please do not install FHDB if you use the PSBBN because that will ruin the PSBBN (its MBR program is incompatible). The user’s history file (the file which affects the towers within the “Sony Computer Entertainment” startup screen) will now be updated whenever Playstation/Playstation 2 game/software discs are launched, as well as DVD video discs.

it also includes its own HDD support modules and can act as a replacement for the Sony system driver update.

A new shutdown function, for shutting down the PS2 with the appropriate process for some (2.5") HDDs.