PlayStationPlayStation

A ModChip is a chip you solder onto your playstation. This chip skips the reading the copyright protection in the beginning of the games. This will allow you to play Imported Games from Japan and everywhere that sells PSX games. It also allows you to play backups of your playstation games.

Note: Installing the MODChip will VOID your warranty with Sony.
Note: Sony only allows 1 Backup. Any more is ILLEGAL!
Note: The MODChip is not intended to be abused. (playing copied games.)

Where to buy your ModChip?

I know many of you have doubt whether to buy modchips on this site or on that one. I believe that most people depend on what the prices are when they make their decisions. THAT IS WRONG! Several of my online friends have been cheated by sites who took their credit card info and their modchips never arrived. The following is a list of sites I have found are the most RELIABLE sites of all. I GUARANTEE 100% that these sites won't cheat you.

http://www.playstationfun.com
http://www.smartchips.com

If you are afraid that you might have trouble installing the modchip or might ruin your psx during the process, I can assure you that this is one simple job. All that you really need to know is how to use a solder pen. But if you are still afraid, you might want to bring your psx to a professional to do it. Usually local vendors and stores that sell imported psx games will help you install it. But let me warn you ahead. This may cost from $35 - $50 while u are able to get only one at $10 which is less than half that price.

How come it's better to get a MODChip?

First off, it is important to understand what CDR Drives do before actually burning the CD. During the reading process, EDC and ECC code is verified, and any incorrect or corrupt sectors are automatically regenerated. In other words, the TOC (Table of Contents) is regenerated by the CDR when copying a CD, (even when making an exact duplicate).

Sectors 12 through 15 contain a EDC/ECC checksum that is all zeros (which is technically impossible) so if the PSX reads and doesn't see an invalid EDC/ECC then it knows that the CD in the drive is a copy.

The MODChip's purpose is to tell the PlayStation to skip reading the copyright protection. Therefore, even copied or backed up games will be playable. I know you might have heard about the swap trick, but it will be a hassle in awhile.

How to do the Swap Trick?

I have found a very interesting article that gives all the methods of swap trick. Click here to see the Mini Swap Trick Faq.
If you know any more ways other than the ones on the Mini Swap Trick Faq, please email me.

How to play backups/imports with a ModChip?

With a mod chip installed, simply put your game in and power up. Its just like playing an original now.

What is the pSx Boot CD?

Many of you might have heard of a thing called the pSx Boot CD and is very curious about it. Some of you might ask yourself, "Should I try it? If I try it, would it ruin my pSx? Is this a fake? If it isn't a fake, why are so many people buying the modchip instead then?" I would answer all of those questions right now. This pSx Boot CD is REAL, but I didn't say it would work with EVERY pSx series.

The pSx Boot CD  was created on a system called Net Yaroze. Net Yaroze is something like a pSx programming machine, which lets you create your own games/software for the pSx. However, on the Net Yaroze, a keycard somewhat like a copy protection and a memory card combined is required. The creator of this pSx Boot CD claims that it has been cracked. They say if you ever get the pSx Boot CD working, using it is very easy. All you need to do is stick the pSx Boot CD in, turn on your pSx, a screen should pop out telling you to enter the next cd which is your backup/imported one. That's ALL! The pSx Boot CD is a 40meg iso compressed into a 900kb zip file.

What I've discovered is that this only works with the SCPH-1XXX Series. If you haven't noticed, the psx boot cd is taking advantage of the swap trick. In the earlier models, swaps tricks can be done if you let the psx read the country code from a playable cd and then swap with the import/backup. The pSx boot cd just lets your psx read the country info on the cd itself and then stops the motor and lets you put in your cd. If you know any other models that works with the psx boot cd, please email me.

Download pSx Boot CD

MODChips banned?!?!?

This is just a joke right? That's what I thought at first, but after I visited www.modchips.com, I felt very unsecured. How is this going to affect me. Am I going to jail? How large is the fine? I've skimmed the new law known as the DIGITAL MILLENNIUM COPYRIGHT ACT passed on 10/28/98. This law doesn't just go against modchips, but against many stuff including VHS and many more. If you want to see the law yourself, click here. I don't guarantee this, but I've heard people say that this ONLY GOES AGAINST people who sell them, not use them. I'm not telling you that you're 100% safe because you use the modchip, but just telling you what I've heard from people.

I've just acquired more info on this law. Looks like they are banning all US vendors from selling modchips. However, it IS LEGAL to own one. But it'll be harder for you to buy them locally. So I guess the internet is the best source for modchips.

Is Game Enhancer replacing the MODChips?

Many of you might have heard about the new Game Enhancer. Right here, I am going to thoroughly analysis this new equipment for you. Game Enhancer is actually a combination of a Game Shark and a Modchip-wannabe. The following URLs sell them:

http://www.playstationfun.com/actionreplay

First, let me tell you the good stuff about it. By using the Game Enhancer, there is no need of opening up your system and no soldering skills are required. Therefore, your warranty with Sony will not be void. With Game Enhancer, you just need to stick it into the I/O port. Another thing is that it currently works for all series of PlayStation and has the same capabilities of Game Shark. I've been told by an actual buyer that Game Enhancer is actually Action Replay. It has the capability of watching movies and listening to audio from the game.

For the bad side of the Game Enhancer, it's really a drag to follow it's directions. Here's an example:

You have to put an original game in, then take it out, and finally place your imported/backup in. Now doesn't that sound familiar??? Of course it does! It sounds almost the same as the swap trick, but the dealers claim it has nothing to do with it. I'm sorry to tell you, but they're lying. It might be true that the motor won't get as much harm, but anything that stops the motor from spinning that was not set in the playstation does harm it. All the Game Enhancer is taking advantage of is that it knows that once the psx reads the country code off an original cd, it has access to do anything after that. By pressing a button to stop the cd might sound simple and not harmful. What you are actually doing is sending a command to the Game Enhancer to stop the motor. Now since I've told you both sides, you decide if it's a good deal or not. If it does really damage your motor, you could always ... *cough* ... call Sony's Technical Support.

Stealth Modchips

I believe that you've heard about the new games coming out the ability to detect if a modchip is implanted or not. That means in order to play games like FF VIII, we'd have to remove the modchip. What a bummer! Hopefully, I've recently found info on a new modchip series known as the Stealth Modchips. This is not an ordinary modchip which usually has 4 or 5 wires. This modchip has 7 wires. I guess the extra wires are used to reroute the system so when the game checks to see if a modchip is implanted, it directs it to the wrong place. A lot more info on modchips and their specifications and uses can be found at: http://www.playstationfun.com