Adding SATA to the PS2 Network Adapter
Old dog, new disks
One of my favorite pastimes involves modifying computing hardware, whether it’s just to keep things running or to unlock functionality that was never planned to be there.
I recently decided to upgrade my “fat” PS2 with disk storage. To date, I’ve used the network adapter to load backups from a local network share via OPL. Performance is acceptable with this method (and much better than USB 1.0 ports on the console’s front), but proper disk-based storage offers the best throughput and standalone operation.
There’s one major problem, though: IDE drives are old, and I certainly haven’t kept any around. These disks are space constrained, difficult to come by, and more likely to fail due to their age. Since I already owned the network adapter, I set about finding an upgrade path that would let me connect a more modern hard disk.
You can purchase third-party SATA adapters for the PS2. However, these lack networking functionality, a feature I was adamant to retain. This led me to an aftermarket upgrade kit which can be installed within the original Sony adapter itself, providing a SATA interface while leaving the integrated networking functions intact.
Installing The Upgrade
The original adapter, resplendent in its IDE-supporting glory.
Inside the adapter: Mainboard at the top, with two daughterboards carrying the molex power and IDE connectors.
Top of the SATA mod, with included mounting standoffs. The ribbon cable will connect in place of the IDE board.
Back of the SATA mod. The smaller connector distributes power to the hard disk.
Power and data routed to the original molex and IDE connector boards.
Power and data ribbon cables connected to the SATA daughterboard.
Completed internal assembly, with SATA daughterboard mounted in place.
Electrical tape added as an additional precaution to prevent shorting against the metal shielding.
All done!