=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= S O N Y P L A Y S T A T I O N 2 M E M O R Y C A R D F A Q -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- FAQ for the US Playstation 2 Memory Card Version 1.0 Model: SCPH-10020 By: "A" Tadeo Created: May 7, 2001 Date last Updated: n/a Mail me at: aaron20@edsamail.com.ph Home Page: http://surf.to/aaronph -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= INTRODUCTION =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Greetings again! Here I am exploring new horizons again. This will be my very first console system peripheral FAQ. I’ll just explain to you what you need to know about the Sony Playstation 2 Memory Card (SCPH-10020). How to use it and how to take care of it for your gaming pleasure. Hopefully, I’ll be able to go as in-depth as I can to explain it. If ever I commit any mistake, please feel free to send in your corrections/suggestions. They will be most welcome. Now, my goals in writing this FAQ is to let owners of PS2 Memory Cards to have a greater experience by knowing more about it. Take note that I’m putting everything in my own words. That means, I’ll be explaining almost everything from experience. Also, the layout I’ll be using would be Frequently Asked Questions Style. Here we go. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= CONTENTS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- I. Updates/Revisions II. The Memory Card A. What’s a Memory Card? B. Where can I acquire those Memory Cards? C. How do I use it? D. Do I need more than one Memory Card? E. How do I know if I have an Original Memory Card? F. What’s the difference between a PS and PS2 Memory Card? G. How many saves can I make? H. Some issues regarding Memory Cards 1. Third-party memory cards 2. Playstation (PSOne) saves 3. Warranty III. Taking Care of your Memory Card/Troubleshooting IV. Credits and Acknowledgements -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= THE MEMORY CARD =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Manufacturer: Sony For use with: Sony Playstation 2 (tm) Console Dimensions: Size (storage): 8 MB (8,192 KB) Retail Price: $34.99 WHAT’S A MEMORY CARD? ===================== Memory Cards are small cards that you insert into the Sony Playstation 2 Console that will enable you to save game data such as game progress (for RPGs), records (time records for races), and even secrets (new characters for fighting games). Then, you can load them again when you decide to play that particular game once more. WHERE CAN I ACQUIRE THOSE MEMORY CARDS? ======================================= You can buy Memory Cards at your local Game Retail Story for approximately $35 each. You can also buy some other third party (non-Sony) Memory Cards at around the same price too. Another thing, you can also buy second-hand Memory Cards which other users doesn’t need anymore. Check first if the memory card still works. Do some extensive testing like, saving games, deleting games, and copying it from card to card. (more info on the other sections) HOW DO I USE IT? ================ First, Plug in your Memory Card in either Slot 1 or Slot 2 on the console. You can find the slots above the controller ports (if the console is standing horizontally) and beside the controller port if the console is standing vertically. You can do lots of things with your memory like copying from one memory card to another, delete save games that you do not need anymore, and most of all saving your games (duh). First, remove any CD or DVD from the Disc tray of the Playstation 2 and press Reset (or turn on the power if you haven’t done so yet). You’ll now be in the main menu. Choose browser and then select the memory card you want to view. From then on, you can choose to delete a save game or copy a game save from this particular memory card to the memory card on the other slot. Now how do you save games? Well, there are lots and lots of ways to save on your memory card depending on the game you’re playing. There are games where you need to save very often like RPGs. There are also games where you just need to save records of your best times. So, for more information on how to save a particular game, please read the manual of your game provided in its retail box/case. DO I NEED MORE THAN ONE MEMORY CARD? ==================================== With an 8MB capacity, most likely you don’t need a spare memory card. Save games usually take up at most 450 kb such as in Onimusha by Capcom. Other saves only take up small space in your memory card. But if you really have a lot of games and you need/want to save for all of them, it won’t hurt to buy another one. HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE AN ORIGINAL MEMORY CARD? ================================================ First of all, consider where you bought your Memory Card. If you bought a memory card from respectable stores (or online stores for that matter) you need not worry. Samples are Toys ‘r Us, Electronics Boutique, Amazon.com, and much more. Now, if you somehow forgot where you bought it of if it was only given to you, you can check the actual Memory Card and the packaging itself. First, the common Sony Memory Card (PS2) is Black colored. It is encased in a plastic cover with a cardboard and the manual should be inside. You’ll also have a warranty/guarantee from Sony (included in the small manual). Check also for the logo of the Original Playstation and the word Playstation 2 should be present and the logo of Sony. Original memory card (just like other peripherals for the console) have model numbers. You should see this model number in the casing of the Card: SCPH-10020 u / 97027. And it is made in Japan, not Hongkong or Taiwan. Time will come that bootleg memory cards will look almost the same as the original memory cards just like what happened in its predecessor, the Playstation (PSOne) memory card. The packaging and the card looks very much the same and the performance are almost the same. You’ll just know that your are cheated when the bootleg one deteriorates in performance. Sony Memory cards are tough and are long-lasting. No other can match it. So to make sure, buy from known stores and don’t be afraid to ask. Even though the price is high, it’s very well worth your hard-earned money. WHAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PS2 and PS MEMORY CARDS? ======================================================== There are many obvious differences between the 2. The PS2 Memory Card can save Playstation 2 games only, and the Playstation ones can only save Playstation games. Another difference is that the PS2 has more capacity (more than 65 times) than the first one. But then, you can use both cards on the Playstation 2 console, except that the PS2 Memory Card won’t work in your Playstation (PS One) console. HOW MANY SAVES CAN I MAKE? ========================== This won’t have an exact answer. If you have a PS1 Memory Card, you can save 1-15 games (some use up the entire 15 blocks such as Diablo and some use up only 1 slot) because of the 15 Block limit. In the PS2 Memory Card, you have a Maximum of 8 Megabytes or 8,192 kilobytes of storage. Now, why did I say that this doesn’t have an exact answer? First, it’s because the PS2 Memory Card doesn’t have slots like in the PS1. Playstation 2 Games save in Kilobytes instead of Blocks. To know the amount of KB needed for a game to be saved, check the back of the box of you game. The KB amount is listed below together with the other features (players, analog function, etc.). So, my advice is to plan on how to save your games. Always check the amount of KB needed for saving and the amount of KB left on your memory card. And don’t forget to save only those games where you really need to save such as RPG games. SOME ISSUES REGARDING MEMORY CARDS ================================== 1. Third Party Memory Card -------------------------- As you may know, Sony isn’t the only one making Memory Cards for the Playstation 2. There are also some other third-party companies that make memory cards such as Mad Catz, Blaze, Nyko, and more. First of all, they are meant to do the same thing as a Sony Memory Card does. They can save games and some even have additional features such as incorporating game cheat codes in it and some have even bigger capacity than the Sony Memory Card. One thing you must remember that these memory cards are not official peripherals for the Playstation 2. It doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t buy them. Some of them have lower prices than the Sony Memory Cards. Time will come that some companies might be able to create a better Memory Card than Sony’s. As of this moment, Original Sony Memory Cards are much recommended than the third party memory cards. Now, what about fake memory cards (most are illegal) that try to copy the original ones? Well, if you see a fake one (check the "How do I know if I have an original memory Card?" section in this FAQ to know how to differentiate an original from a bootleg) do not buy them. Buy only from Sony. Even though Bootleg Memory Card cost at least around 50% less than the original ones, their performance is deniable and you’ll waste your hard- earned bucks. Plus, you’ll run the risk of ruining your console as some bootleg memory cards destroy the memory card slot therefore, making it unusable even for original ones. Paying more for an original card won’t hurt at all. So, you choose, performance or price? =) 2. Playstation (PS One) saves ----------------------------- Now, many of you are wondering if you can save PS games on your PS2 Memory Card. The answer is no. You can’t save them. First, it’s clear in the package of the Memory Card that it is compatible with Playstation 2 Software only (see upper left hand corner at the back). I’ve tried it with some games and they wasn’t even able to detect the PS2 Memory Card. But don’t fret. You can still save your PS1 games by putting in a Playstation (PS One) Memory Card. Your PS2 console will be able to save and load from it. 3. Warranty ----------- The Memory Card has a 90-day warranty from Sony. It is stated that it is only applicable in the US or Canada only and factory defects are the only ones covered by the warranty. Accidents aren’t covered in most cases but it’s rare (examples are: when you have your Memory Card shipped through a Courier Service and the damage was incurred during its delivery). What will void your warranty? Here are some instances. Opening up your Memory Card. Deliberately causing defects to your Memory Card (i.e. throwing it away, pinching it, crushing it, etc.). And most of all, asking Sony for warranty for third-party or bootleg memory cards. They will just ignore you. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- TAKING CARE OF YOUR MEMORY CARD =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Proper care of your Playstation 2 Memory Card will ensure long life. I’ll enumerate everything in this section according to what you should do and what you must not do. Things you should do... ======================= 1. Store it in a place with room temperature after use. 2. Put it back in the plastic cover (not a case like the ones for the Playstation) after use. 3. Put it firmly in the memory card slot of the PS2 console. 4. Save the games when you really need to. Things that you must not do are... ================================== 1. Do not remove a Memory Card while a game is currently saving. You’ll regret doing this because the Memory Card will be unusable afterwards. You’ll then need a replacement for it and I bet you don’t want that to happen. 2. Try your best not to let the Memory Card fall to ground or bump into anything hard. Also, don’t apply much force in it like sitting on it, stepping on it, or even crunching it in your fists. 3. Do not put your memory card somewhere wet. It will damage it and most likely it will become unusable. 4. Do not even dare to open your memory card. Exposing the innards of the card will, most of the time, make it unusable. 5. Do not put you fingers in the opening of the memory card where it connects to the PS2 memory card slot. You might damage your data. 6. Do not blow into the opening if your Memory Card isn’t saving or loading. Call a Sony representative and ask for help or contact them by any other means and tell them the exact problem. 7. If it doesn’t fit in your Memory Card slot, don’t force it. It might not be compatible. As you can see there are a more things that you should not do than the things you should do. There your have it, just follow these and I’m sure your Memory Card will live a happy long life. TROUBLESHOOTING =============== Sometimes the inevitable happens and something weird happen to your Memory Card or your saving procedure. There are lots of things involved here and I’ll list the most common problems you might encounter. Problem: The game does not save Probable Causes: Your Memory Card might be damaged. Your Memory Card Slot in your PS2 console is damaged or it’s unclean. Your game is damaged. Solution: Diagnose first the cause of your memory card. If it can save in other games, the game might have a problem. In other instances, it may be the Memory Card or the Memory Card Slot in the PS2 may be damaged or unclean so call your retailer or Sony to ask for help. Problem: The Memory Card doesn’t fit in the Slot Probable Causes: You’re using a non-PS2 Memory Card. A Screw might be loose. Solution: Check if you have a PS2 Compatible Memory Card if not replace it with a PS2 Compatible one. Sometimes, the screws at the back become loose so screw them in gently. Don’t put too much force in your Memory Card. Better yet, as for a professional’s help. Problem: I saved a game but it didn’t appear in the browser menu of the PS2 Probable Causes: You didn’t save at all. The Memory Card is damaged or Unformatted. Solution: Make sure that you actually saved your game. You probably pressed the cancel button unknowingly. If you’re sure about it, the Memory Card might have problems. Format it first if it is your first use. Most PS2 games offer Memory Card Formatting. Problem: I cannot copy this game to the other memory card Probable Causes: The second memory card is damaged. Copying from PS2 to PS1 or vice versa. Solution: Check if the second memory card is functioning properly. Also, you shouldn’t copy PS2 saves to the PS1 Memory Card or the other way around. Problem: I have a third-party memory card that is damaged. What do I do? Probable Causes: Poor performance of the memory card Solution: Contact the manufacturer or retailer and ask for help. Do not contact Sony about third-party or bootleg memory cards. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= CREDITS/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- - Very Special thanks to Sony for bringing to us the best gaming console and for their hefty memory card. - And last but absolutely not the least, thanks to GameFAQs where you can view and download this FAQ. CjayC deserves all the credits given to him. Congratulations! These are all that I would like to thank as of now. If I happen to forget anyone, please inform me. I’ll check it out on my inbox if you really have something to be credited (I never delete important ones). Note, that if there are same info sent to me, it is on a first come first serve basis. Any suggestions, comments, additions, etc. will be duly credited to you once you’ve submitted one to me through my e-mail address written at the very top of this FAQ. Thank you very much! Playstation 2, Playstation, PS One and their accessories(tm) Are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment All other images and instances are registered trademarks of their respective owners The Unofficial Sony Playstation 2 Memory Card FAQ May 7, 2001, "A" Tadeo