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  1. Hello,
    I was wondering if the new "Slim" PS-2 model, can be modded more easily & if they’re more reliable than the older bulky PS-2 models?
    I have modded (for others) up to models 50004 V10-11 which need about 24-25 wires to be soldered on the PCB (depending on the mod chip), but I have not modded anything for almost 2 years mow, so I would like to know if the new "slim" models require less than 20 wires and if it’s more stable / reliable than the older models once it is modded? Also do they need to be soldered on “tricky” spots as they were on the 50004 models?
    If it’s easier, I might consider buying a new one just for that task, instead of opening my good old bulky 50004 model.

    Any diagrams / links?

    Also is it possible to play original imported Japanese PS-2 games on a un-modded PS-2 with the use of a region boot-disc like the Dreamcast. (Or any other similar method)

    Any help will be appreciated.
    Thanks in advance.
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  2. Member Xylob the Destroyer's Avatar
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    GameShark will allow you to play import games on your PS2 with no modding.
    "To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research." - Steven Wright
    "Megalomaniacal, and harder than the rest!"
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  3. Are you referring to Swap Magic?
    I've seen it in action and I don't like the idea of stressing the motorized ray tracer of the DVD door by pulling it out whilst turned on.

    Do you have any links with GameShark?
    How does it work?
    I've also heard some wild stuff of new mod chips that connect to the expansion bay, without the need of soldering them onto the PCB.
    But I don't know if it's true.
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  4. Member shelbyGT's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by retroborg
    Are you referring to Swap Magic?
    I've seen it in action and I don't like the idea of stressing the motorized ray tracer of the DVD door by pulling it out whilst turned on.
    The Slim ps2's don't have a motorized tray, the top flip's open on them.
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  5. From experience at my previous job, PS-2 modding does not provide 100% reliability / compatibility & wears down the laser (Especially on the 50004 model which I have)

    That’s why I turned towards the newer slim models in case they were more reliable systems to mod, but I might end getting Swap Magic & GameShark for the slim model instead. (I don’t like forcing the motorized tray with swap magic on my 50004 model)

    How reliable is Swap Magic & GameShark on the Slim PS-2s?
    How do they work exactly?
    Do you have to install a small springs under the DVD's flip-top mechanism to force it open?

    Does it wear down the lens like the mod chips?

    And what are their game compatibility / reliability?
    Can it play Japanese imports?

    Thanks in advance.
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    Originally Posted by retroborg
    From experience at my previous job, PS-2 modding does not provide 100% reliability / compatibility & wears down the laser (Especially on the 50004 model which I have)

    That’s why I turned towards the newer slim models in case they were more reliable systems to mod, but I might end getting Swap Magic & GameShark for the slim model instead. (I don’t like forcing the motorized tray with swap magic on my 50004 model)

    How reliable is Swap Magic & GameShark on the Slim PS-2s?
    How do they work exactly?
    Do you have to install a small springs under the DVD's flip-top mechanism to force it open?

    Does it wear down the lens like the mod chips?

    And what are their game compatibility / reliability?
    Can it play Japanese imports?

    Thanks in advance.
    Chips have changed a lot in the last 2 years in my opinion

    I have modded over 350 - 400 ps2s and messiah 2's always worked 99.9% of the time

    You have to solder on about 6-8 vias depending on the chip and they are ususally 18-21 wires if you do a google search on a infinity mod ghost modchip, or dms4 website you can see the diagrams (also if you have a fiberglass pencil it makes vias super easy to solder to when used in conjunction with a little flux)
    its about the same difficulty level of sodler a version 8 or 10 ps2 none of the dificulties of soldering a version 1-3 (the ic legs less than 1mm apart where you had to solder 6 right next to each other) (none of those ic points on a version 4 have to be soldered with the latest chips either)
    http://www.ghost2.net/home.php?sid=1&a=ok
    www.infinitymod.com
    www.dms4.com


    Magic chips booted about 85% I think about 90% with the latest ones
    Magic 2 chips booted about 50% of the time (even when soldered correctly)

    DMS3's were not really relaible unless you soldered them in correctly and then lost of them would boot about 70% of the time.

    For the slim ps2s I would go with an infinity, dms4, magic s,O chip, or ghost 2(there are other good ones.)

    I have only installed chips in about 5 slim ones all of those were magic chips and they worked every time once installed correctly

    I would recommend doing the laser fix on them if you get a newer one you might not have to do it all of the slim ps2 I worked on didnt require them its been at least a year since my first slim ps2 and its stilll kicking

    Also I have noticed that media makes a big difference I have had mine for over 2 years still kicking strong. I have seen the lasers go out on many unmodchiped ps2s (I also repair them)

    If you dont want a modchip
    I would go with a hard drive connection that you solder in before a swap mod (just my personal preference)

    Swap magic disks are used in conjunction with tabs to hold in 2 sensor points and then you use the swap magic as a boot disk yes they will play japanese imports

    They work for about 85% of the games immediately you can do a double swap for some games with other boot disks and you have to downsize dvd 9 games

    The hard drive works on 98% of all games if you get the latest exploit you boot it from a memory card via a psone game then you load the game off your hd thus laser wear is cut to a minimum

    IF you have an older fat ps2 you can hook the HD up to the network adaptor witn no soldering and if you have a memory card and psone game you can be backing up games in about 30 mins with no chip or swap disks
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  7. I would recommend doing the laser fix on them if you get a newer one you might not have to do it all of the slim ps2 I worked on didnt require them its been at least a year since my first slim ps2 and its stilll kicking
    Do you mean to re-adjust the DVD/CD resistance (Ohms) down to a specific value as I used to do for the older bulky PS-2s?

    I've read this at another forum:

    Swap Magic is safer then a mod chip for the slimline, but if you do buy a mod chip for the slimline you will have to buy a laser fix, that has a few diodes on it to protect the laser from excess voltage, what it does is if the laser gets to hot or to much current it turns the ps2 off, not every fix does this, the real good quality ones do, so with a mod chip, cheap media have a effect, and the modchip does also, so you need to have a laser fix, otherwise you will fry the laser within 2-3 weeks of use.
    What's this "laser fix"?
    Is it a separate device like the mod chip that I have to solder somewhere?

    swap magic disks are used in conjunction with tabs to hold in 2 sensor points and then you use the swap magic as a boot disk

    They work for about 85% of the games immediately you can do a double swap for some games with other boot disks and you have to downsize dvd 9 games
    You mean that Swap Magic simply does not support DVD 9 games?
    It is not mentioned at their site.
    So, to down size DVD 9 games, I would be forced to cut off FMVs & audio?
    Does Swap Magic also support PS-1 games?
    It is not very clearly stated at their site.

    Which & how many PS-2 games use DVD 9 by the way?

    Thanks in advance.
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  8. Member Xylob the Destroyer's Avatar
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    no, i'm talking about GameShark.
    it's pretty much the biggest cheat device ever....
    gameshark.com
    good for playing japanese games on us PS2, but obviously, it won't convert PAL to NTSC
    "To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research." - Steven Wright
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    Originally Posted by retroborg
    I would recommend doing the laser fix on them if you get a newer one you might not have to do it all of the slim ps2 I worked on didnt require them its been at least a year since my first slim ps2 and its stilll kicking
    Do you mean to re-adjust the DVD/CD resistance (Ohms) down to a specific value as I used to do for the older bulky PS-2s?

    I've read this at another forum:

    Swap Magic is safer then a mod chip for the slimline, but if you do buy a mod chip for the slimline you will have to buy a laser fix, that has a few diodes on it to protect the laser from excess voltage, what it does is if the laser gets to hot or to much current it turns the ps2 off, not every fix does this, the real good quality ones do, so with a mod chip, cheap media have a effect, and the modchip does also, so you need to have a laser fix, otherwise you will fry the laser within 2-3 weeks of use.
    What's this "laser fix"?
    Is it a separate device like the mod chip that I have to solder somewhere?

    swap magic disks are used in conjunction with tabs to hold in 2 sensor points and then you use the swap magic as a boot disk

    They work for about 85% of the games immediately you can do a double swap for some games with other boot disks and you have to downsize dvd 9 games
    You mean that Swap Magic simply does not support DVD 9 games?
    It is not mentioned at their site.
    So, to down size DVD 9 games, I would be forced to cut off FMVs & audio?
    Does Swap Magic also support PS-1 games?
    It is not very clearly stated at their site.

    Which & how many PS-2 games use DVD 9 by the way?

    Thanks in advance.
    Laser fix (in reference to the slim ps2s) is a separate chip and you have to cut a trace if you have a newer slim ps2 you might not have to do this

    They say that it is safer than a modchip so you will buy their product lots of the older ps2slims had laser problems that had nothing to do with a chip to there is a mod you can do with 2 resistors withot cutting a trace that is supposed to work pretty well

    I didnt have to do it for any of the 5 or so that I have done
    (but its always better to be safe than sorry) The newer ones are probably ok

    Swap magic doesnt support psone games there are about 12 or so games that are DVD-9 God of war is the one that I like the most you would probably haveto cut out the extra video to play but not really have to downsize audio or video or have someone do it for you
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  10. Member shelbyGT's Avatar
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    Man... all that to mod it? I much prefer the solderless xbox chip... plug and play (of a sort)
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    xbox chips are at least 100X easier
    Right now I dont think you can beat the latest softmods
    Yo can do everything that you can do with a chip now (including playing xbox live with original and upgrade the HD without much problems, as long as you dont mind hooking a blank hd up to your computer and programing it)
    Only thing you cant do with a softmod is boot with an unlocked HD if you use the latest softmods like krazies NDURE
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  12. Hello,
    I have a SONY PS-2 Model 39004 and recently I got a mod chip Mars III MA-502 for it.
    http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/747/chip8qs.jpg

    Before I install the chip, I noticed that it’s not mentioned in the diagrams how many times I have to press the reset button in order to change between the PS-1, PS-2, DVD Movie & Original game modes.

    The guy at the shop told me that once I successfully install the chip, I turn on the console, insert a disc and do the follow Reset procedures for the different modes:

    2 x Reset for:
    DVD Movies
    Original Games
    PS-1 Copies

    1 x Reset for:
    PS-2 Copies

    Are the above reset sequences right, so I can do some proper testing once I install it?
    It’s been two years since I installed a mod chip but never this specific one before, so if anybody could tell me how it works exactly before I install it, I would highly appreciate it!
    (It would be very frustrating to re-solder everything, only to find that I’m not pressing the reset button the right amount of times)

    Thanks in advance.
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    here are the instructions I found
    http://www.chipzone.com/installation/playstation2/operating/mchip2op.cfm

    Operating Instructions for all installed PS2 M-Chip 2 (aka Mars Chip) modchips:

    To play original and backup PS2 games:
    1. Press EJECT button and insert PS2 disc.
    2. Press EJECT again to withdraw CD tray.
    3. Press RESET button once to play the game.

    To play original and backup PSX games or DVD movies:
    1. Press EJECT button and insert PSX disc or DVD movie.
    2. Press EJECT again to withdraw CD tray.
    3. Press RESET button twice to play the game or start the movie.

    Sleep function (to play original PS2 online games):
    1.Turn on main power (the red light on the RESET button will be lit) by holding the RESET button until the picture displays on TV, then release.
    2. Press EJECT button and insert PS2 original disc.
    3. Press EJECT again to withdraw CD tray.
    4. Press RESET button once to start playing the game.

    To wake up the chip from sleep function:
    The mod-chip will be asleep until the console has been put back to STANDBY mode and booted normally.

    PS2 running mode (green light) operating guide:
    For playing PS2 games: insert PS2 disc, press the RESET button once.
    For playing PSX games: insert PSX disc or DVD movie, press the RESET button twice.
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  14. Thanks a lot for the info!
    I really appreciate it!

    Somebody mentioned that I should get an auto-boot mod chip like these:

    MATRIX INFINITY ACTEL based IC

    http://www.infinitymod.com/matrix/uploads/InfinityBigLetter.JPG
    http://www.infinitymod.com/cgi-bin/matrix/site.pl?page=chip_infinity
    http://www.neoasic.com/matrix-hb.htm

    MATRIX Infinity se DNS.1011

    http://www.game-messiah3.com/iam/MATRIX/NDS-1011.jpg
    http://www.game-messiah3.com/Home.htm
    http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/5271/v782vq.jpg

    What’s the difference between the two?

    Is the Matrix Infinity Actel based IC a newer version compared to the SE DNS 1011?
    Which one is the best of the two?

    Thanks.
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    I have a 39001 with an infinity Actel based IC

    The Martix DNS is the newer mochip if you can find an actel based one I would go for that

    The other matrix chip will need a bios installed (not really a big deal though)

    Ilike my chip the autobooting is not really a big deal but it is nice if you play mostly ps2 games just about all chips will boot ps2 backups and ps2 originals just buy sticking the game in

    I use the hdloader that can be installed with the infinity manager from the memory card so I save ps2 games to my hard drive also
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  16. Member
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    Originally Posted by ps2daddy
    I have a 39001 with an infinity Actel based IC

    The Martix DNS is the newer mochip if you can find an actel based one I would go for that

    The other matrix chip will need a bios installed (not really a big deal though)

    Ilike my chip the autobooting is not really a big deal but it is nice if you play mostly ps2 games just about all chips will boot ps2 backups and ps2 originals just buy sticking the game in

    I use the hdloader that can be installed with the infinity manager from the memory card so I save ps2 games to my hard drive also
    Edit
    Mistake the matrix homebrew is the one that needs a bios the matrix DNS is a clone!!!!!! do not buy!!!!

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  17. A clone?!!
    Thanks for noting that as I would have probably fallen for that as it does not look like a clone at all.

    I noticed in the Matrix Infinity home site that the MATRIX INFINITY ACTEL based
    IC is a universal chip and it's supposed to be compatible with all PS-2 Models from V1 - V14!

    That looks very interesting indeed, but is it so?

    Would it work perfectly on a V7-V8 39004, on a V9 GH23 5004 and on a Slim PStwo model and would I have to re-adjust the CD/DVD Lens resistance for the V7-8, V9 & Slim PStwo if I install the Matrix Actel Based IC?
    I wouldn't want the laser lens to die out after a month. Or has this issue been resolved with the Matrix Infinity chip?

    I also found the following chip at a shop:

    ACTEL
    A545X08A-F
    TQ100 0347
    F

    Is this an older version of the Matrix Actel based IC chip and can it be updated or is it another clone of the Infinity?
    It costs 10Euros


    Thanks in advance.
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    ITs probably an orignal
    It would work fine on a V7-11
    You cant install the old matrix chip into a slim unless you install it to an older version ps2 upgrade the firmware and reinstall in slim ps2
    You dont have to adjust your laser on any of the ps2s for the chip

    The slim ps2 requires a laser fix on some of the earlier models

    You soldered in another chipand cut a trace or just added resisttors to prevent problems

    I have not done the fix in any of the slims I have done but I wouldnt say that this is ok for most ps2 slims
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  19. Hello,
    So, I went ahead and opened up my PS-2 to install the Matrix Infinity 5E DNS.1011 mod chip. (This is the clone of the Matrix ACTEL Based IC, but it has the exact same points & diagrams, so I got it since I could not find the Actel IC version, plus it was only 10Euros)
    http://www.game-messiah3.com/iam/MATRIX/NDS-1011.jpg

    I have a PS-2 PAL Model 39004 GH-022 PCB, but when I tried to solder points “M”, “N”, “O”, “P”, I noticed that the chip (which I have to solder these 4 points to), does not have 25 pins like the one in the diagram but 22 (There is a gap of 3 pins missing in the center of the two rows of pins)
    http://www.infinitymod.com/matrix/files/chips/Matrix%20Infinity/V ... PAL-V7.JPG

    So, should I solder the M, N, O, P points to those pins regardless the difference of the pins missing or would that damage the PCB?
    All the other points on the PCB are identical to the diagram however.

    I searched the web but I did not find any other diagrams referring to V7 39004 GH-022, but only these:
    http://www.infinitymod.com/matrix/files/chips/Matrix%20Infinity/V ... PAL-V7.JPG
    http://www.tikal.de/images/infinityv7.jpg

    But neither have a gap on that chip.
    The chip on the PCB says:
    C 2002 SCEI
    D 221 060 S48
    B 20 080

    And has 22 pins on each row.

    Please any help or diagrams will be highly appreciated.

    Thanks in advance.
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    Are you sure you are looking at the correct ic chip for points mnop version 7-8 are supposed to only have no gap model mobos
    for those points
    (if that chip uses the same points as the matrix)

    http://www.neoasic.com/dia-infinity-v7.php

    weird that is has a gap try looking at a version 4 picture and match it with that
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  21. Hello,
    Yes, the Matrix Infinity 5E DNS 1011 clone has the exact same points as the Matrix Actel based IC.

    No, my PAL PS-2 specifically says on the case: “Model 39004” and on the PCB is marked: GH-022.

    Also, The V3, V4, V5 & V6 diagrams at the site you posted look nothing like my PCB, where as this V7 diagram:
    http://www.neoasic.com/dia-infinity-v7.php
    http://www.infinitymod.com/matrix/files/chips/Matrix%20Infinity/V07-V08/PAL-V7.JPG
    Is exactly the same like my PCB, except that the Bios chip, (Where points MNOP are supposed to connect) 3 center pins on each row are not connected on the PCB (There is solder on the PCB but no pins connected)
    There for, I would assume that it’s the V7 board.

    But, if I do use these Matrix V7 diagrams:
    http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5294/infinityv71pp.jpg

    Where would the best place on the PCB to stick the Mod Chip it self?
    I marked with a green square, two possible (empty) ideal spots on the PCB, but I don’t know if it would be ok, as I’ve never modded this specific V7 PCB before.

    Thanks in advance.
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    I hot glue the chip in the big empty area where the name of the motherboard usually is (look at v7-v8 stciker in diagram here
    http://www.infinitymod.com/matrix/files/chips/Matrix%20Infinity/V07-V08/PAL-V7.JPG

    (Also if you have a gap I was trying to say you might want to wire all the points just that that chip using a version 4 diagram if there is a gap
    points q,r,t,u,v, m,n,o,p,w
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  23. So, I followed the V7 No Gap Matrix diagrams and it worked fine on my PCB.
    http://www.infinitymod.com/matrix/files/chips/Matrix%20Infinity/V07-V08/PAL-V7.JPG
    Not the V4 points q,r,t,u,v, m,n,o,p,w which you suggested.

    OK, I found this helpful instruction on the romero mod:
    http://www.cyber-mag.com/station/laserV9.htm
    I also have a V9 GH-023 so I think I should do that also.

    The V9/10 Syndrome as we know it...
    Firstly - the prevention - by far easier than the cure:
    1) Carefully lift Pin17 of the LA6508 Chip,
    2) Ensure no solder links it to the pad it was just lifted from,
    3) Link Pin17 to 5 volts as demonstrated in the picture below.

    Pin17 was connected to 12v which is suspected to be the cause of dead V9 & V10's when scratched or poor media is played in the station

    Now, regarding this:
    Adjusting the pots
    At the shop I used to work, when ever I modded a console they would always ask me to adjust the pots of all PS-2 models regardless if the lenses were new or used just as a safety prevention method, but I always questioned the "technical accuracy" of this method.
    I want to know before I do it on my V7 & V9 PS-2s which work perfectly.

    Thanks.
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    Originally Posted by retroborg
    So, I followed the V7 No Gap Matrix diagrams and it worked fine on my PCB.


    OK, I found this helpful instruction on the romero mod:
    http://www.cyber-mag.com/station/laserV9.htm
    I also have a V9 GH-023 so I think I should do that also.

    The V9/10 Syndrome as we know it...
    Firstly - the prevention - by far easier than the cure:
    1) Carefully lift Pin17 of the LA6508 Chip,
    2) Ensure no solder links it to the pad it was just lifted from,
    3) Link Pin17 to 5 volts as demonstrated in the picture below.

    Pin17 was connected to 12v which is suspected to be the cause of dead V9 & V10's when scratched or poor media is played in the station

    Now, regarding this:
    Adjusting the pots
    At the shop I used to work, when ever I modded a console they would always ask me to adjust the pots of all PS-2 models regardless if the lenses were new or used just as a safety prevention method, but I always questioned the "technical accuracy" of this method.
    I want to know before I do it on my V7 & V9 PS-2s which work perfectly.

    Thanks.
    I would not do anything to the versiion 7 you should be fine

    As far as your version 9 it wouldnt hurt to do the romeo fix
    if your IC goes bad on that version you can buy a replacement board that you can solder the wires to also (no to say that your laser will quit if you dont do the romeo mod, if it does do you would also probably have to replace the laser too)

    Ihave modded about 400-500 ps2s and I only adusted the pots if they didnt playthe games on good quality cd-r/dvd-rs disks or originals
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  25. Thanks a lot for all the helpful info.
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  26. Also, some technician at a shop suggested that when doing the Romero Mod on V9/V10 consoles, it would best to connect Pin17 to 7.5 volts instead of 5 volts because they're not enough for the LA chip's needs. So 7.5 V would be fine as he said.
    But what point on the V9/V10 PCB provides a 7.5V and would that actually be better than the proposed 5V of the Romero Mod?

    Thanks.
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    no 7.5 v point for ps2 AFAIK
    Use the 5V

    You could reduce a 12v with resistor

    Also check this out

    http://eu.mod-chip.com/pro6508.php
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  28. Thanks for the link!
    It will come in handy if the LA IC chip of my other V9 PS-2 should get toasted in time.
    It works perfectly unmodded though, so I shouldn't be needing it any time soon.

    By the way, do you have any diagrams or info on how I would reduce the 12V of pin17 to 5V with a resistor? Since I don't know the exact (Ampere (A)) of the current of pin17 to culculate it.

    Thanks.
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    I'm not for sure I would try to use a multimeter on that point to calculate the Amps to find the resistance

    You use the chip above in place of the romeo mod also
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  30. Very interesting.
    So you do this more expensive method by installing a custom LA chip instead of the cheaper Romero method?

    Is this more reliable?
    I think it would be wiser to do the Romero mod and install this custom LA only if the Romero fails in time.

    But I could be wrong…
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