No targets found

[DankeBrutus]

I set up PSBBN the other day and since the OPL version shipped with PSBBN from CosmicScale doesn't seem to like the SSD I am using, and the latest nightly doesn't either, I am trying out Neutrino as suggested in this thread.

I am using the MMCE + HDL Beta 2 build of nhddl. I have nhddl.elf inside the +OPL directory on the drive alongside neutrino v1.5.0. When I launch nhddl.elf from anywhere else, even with the .yaml file pointing to neutrino.elf, I get the neutrino.elf not found error. However, when running nhddl.elf from +OPL it does see 'neutrino.elf'. The problem is that it cannot find any of the ISOs. The PSBBN script sets up APA Jail but according to here this shouldn't be a problem, unless I am not understanding it.

My next step should be to use the latest nightly. But if there are any other suggestions I'll do those.

[pcm720]

I haven't tested the APA Jail, only standard GPT/MBR+exFAT and APA+HDL separately.
Your case is especially non-standard because you're mixing both worlds by loading NHDDL from HDL to load ISOs from exFAT partition on the same HDD...

Just to clear it up,

• Standalone version of NHDDL is in hdd0:+OPL/nhddl.elf
• Neutrino is in hdd0:+OPL/neutrino/neutrino.elf
• HDD doesn't have any HDL partitions
• All ISOs are in the exFAT partition on the same HDD

Did I got this right?

I need to set up APA Jail image for PCSX2 and test it.
Try the latest nightly in the meantime, it might have something fixed for cases like this.

[pcm720]

I've set up APA Jail image, copied standalone NHDDL to hdd0:+OPL/nhddl.elf and Neutrino to hdd0:+OPL/neutrino/neutrino.elf and placed ISOs on exFAT partition.
Zero issues launching NHDDL and Neutrino from hdd0:+OPL and launching ISOs from exFAT partition.

Non-standalone version is unlikely to work in a setup like this because NHDDL needs HDD modules to... load HDD modules.

[DankeBrutus]

I've setup APA Jail image...

As in PSBBN? Or is that functionally the same since PSBBN uses APA Jail for games?
I tried the standard version before posting my issue with no success. In fact v1.1.2 with the nhddl.yaml file pointing to the location of neutrino.elf inside hdd0:/+OPL/neutrino/neutrino.elf still gave me the error of not being able to find the executable.

I'm going to try one more time with the standard version. I am then going to try the nightly version if the standard doesn't work. I assume that launching from wLaunchELF shouldn't be an issue?

[pcm720]

As in PSBBN? Or is that functionally the same since PSBBN uses APA Jail for games?

Yes, I've used PSBBN install script.
It doesn't matter either way because it's all APA+MBR at the end of the day.
AFAIK, PSBBN just creates APA partitions containing OPL launchers for each game, these aren't used by NHDDL in any way.

I assume that launching from wLaunchELF shouldn't be an issue?

With standalone version, yes.

In fact v1.1.2 with the nhddl.yaml file pointing to the location of neutrino.elf

v1.1.2 doesn't support HDL partitions, only beta and nightly versions do.

By the way, there are no options to point to neutrino.elf in nhddl.yaml :)
You need at least

mode: hdl
mode: ata

for your setup to work.
HDL will initialize HDD modules and mount +OPL APA partition needed to find neutrino.elf,
ATA will initialize exFAT modules needed to search for ISOs on exFAT partition.

[DankeBrutus]

v1.1.2 doesn't support HDL partitions, only beta and nightly versions do.

Thank you for clarifying! This then explains why it was never able to find the neutrino.elf.
Okay then I will delete that line from the YAML as it is unnecessary.

I tried with the nightly and I still have the same problem as last night. It will find neutrino.elf and then say No targets found then reboot (edit: maybe crash would be the better word(?), it goes back to the boot sequence for PSBBN).

[pcm720]

No targets found then reboot (edit: maybe crash would be the better word(?), it goes back to the boot sequence for PSBBN).

This is the intended behavior when there are no HDL partitions or ISO images, NHDDL just exits out.

I tried with the nightly and I still have the same problem as last night

No targets found means it couldn't find any ISOs on exFAT partition.
Do you see "Found device ata0 (mass0:)" during initialization?

[DankeBrutus]

Do you see "Found device ata0 (mass0:)" during initialization?

Yes I see that. I'm beginning to suspect that there is something with the drive I am using. It seems that a handful of drives are having issues on the OPL side. There may be some incompatibility with the SSD in the PS2 and the Sony Network adapter. I am going to try with an older SSD I know worked before with Grimdoomer's OPL and exFAT.

For the sake of transparency this is how I have the YAML set up.

# video: ntsc # supported video modes: ntsc, pal, 480p

mode: ata
mode: hdl

# supported modes: bdm, ata, mx4sio, udpbd, usb, ilink, mmce, hdl. If not present or commented out, all devices will be used to search for ISO files

# mode: mmce # multiple modes are supported via multiple mode strings
# udpbd_ip: 192.168.1.6 # PS2 IP address for UDPBD mode (commented out)

[pcm720]

Yeah, everything seems correct to me.

I've also tried setting up APA Jail without PSBBN on 32GB microSD to test with my IDE-modded 70k and had no issues launching NHDDL from +OPL.

You can try putting Neutrino and nhddl/nhddl.yaml on the exFAT partition instead of +OPL partition.
NHDDL should find it there, maybe it will work better for you.
Don't forget to remove mode: hdl from the YAML file.

[DankeBrutus]

Is there a way to access the exFAT partition from WLE? Or will I need to use a PC?

I have PSBBN installing on the older SSD. I'll see if a different drive makes a difference.

Don't forget to remove mode: hdl from the YAML file.

I actually only added that line on my last attempt, so it made no difference having it versus not. I'll be sure to remove it though.

[pcm720]

Is there a way to access the exFAT partition from WLE? Or will I need to use a PC?

Not that I know of.
But to test it out, you can place both NHDDL and Neutrino on your memory card or USB drive while removing them from +OPL partition. This way we can tell if running from APA causes these issues.

I actually only added that line on my last attempt, so it made no difference having it versus not. I'll be sure to remove it though.

It will only make a difference if Neutrino is on memory cards or BDM devices.
By the time it reads the YAML file from APA, it's already too late :)

[DankeBrutus]

Okay. Different SSD that I know worked at least with OPL and exFAT previously. Fresh PSBBN install. Neutrino and nhddl.elf on a USB drive. Nothing added to the +OPL partition. nhddl.yaml configured as such...

#video: ntsc # supported video modes: ntsc, pal, 480p

mode: ata 

#supported modes: bdm, ata, mx4sio, udpbd, usb, ilink, mmce, hdl. If not present or commented out, all devices will be used to search for ISO files

#mode: mmce # multiple modes are supported via multiple mode strings

#udpbd_ip: 192.168.1.6 # PS2 IP address for UDPBD mode (commented out)

...and still running NHDDL ends up with the No target found.

[pcm720]

Okay...
Can you share how your exFAT partition looks like?
I'm interested in seeing the file tree because Found device ata0 (mass0:) means that mass0 is present and can be opened.
And this means that the scan function simply can't find anything on the drive. In my experience setting up PSBBN, I had to manually copy ISOs to the exFAT partition, install script only creates APA partitions for each game.

Also it would be especially helpful if you could capture debug logs with ps2client -h <PS2 IP> listen.
NHDDL needs to be set to the default mode (no mode: in nhddl.yaml) and you need to have properly configured IPCONFIG.DAT file in SYS-CONF directory on a memory card. Simply setting network config in wLE should create that file.

[DankeBrutus]

Update: I spent the better part of the afternoon trying different things and it turns out that, at least, 90% of this problem was caused by how I installed PSBBN. I have Bazzite installed on my desktop and I thought that Distrobox would be enough to install PSBBN without issues. Turns out I was wrong. I got an old laptop, set up a live Linux Mint instance, and was able to set up PSBBN on my old SSD without hiccups. I was able to run games off the BBN interface and OPL.

The remaining 10% of the problem is now with NHDDL. Running nhddl.elf off a USB stick with neutrino either on the same USB or in the +OPL directory on the SSD I can get the list of games but none of them will run. I launch a game and it just goes back into the PSBBN interface.

I'm currently setting up my new 1TB SSD for PSBBN with the Mint live environment. I expect I will have the same problem with nhddl.elf with the new drive, assuming OPL starts working as well. Tomorrow I'll compile ps2client either on my Mac or Bazzite/Fedora desktop. I'll set the IP either tonight or tomorrow.

[pcm720]

Running nhddl.elf off a USB stick with neutrino either on the same USB or in the +OPL directory on the SSD I can get the list of games but none of them will run. I launch a game and it just goes back into the PSBBN interface.

Getting the list is good.
Getting thrown back to PSBBN interface might mean one of three things:

1. neutrino.elf couldn't be loaded
2. Neutrino couldn't access its files in modules/config directories
3. Neutrino couldn't find the ISO)

Are you still using mode: ata in nhddl.yaml?
What path does NHDDL list when it shows "Found Neutrino at..."?
To run NHDDL+Neutrino from USB, you need to add mode: usb.
Same with +OPL, it needs mode: hdl.

Anything related to PS2 networking didn't work for me on macOS.

[DankeBrutus]

Ended up having more time to troubleshoot. I installed PSBBN again on my new SSD and games showed up in the main interface and OPL. After confirming that a handful of games appeared to work, and a handful more did not, I put nhddl.elf with the YAML file...

# mode: ata
mode: hdl
mode: usb

...on my USB stick and neutrino inside +OPL. NHDDL found neutrino under pfs0 and loaded the list of games. Though it said that it wasn't able to scan my ISO for Robot Alchemic Drive. It also said something about not being able to confirm titles, I assume that is about the SLUS_2xx.xx serials I have in my ISO filenames.

Right now the issue is inconsistency. Though it seems that some games that OPL has difficulty running will also give Neutrino trouble. Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly is one of my games that has an issue. On OPL at first it froze before loading the main menu, after updating the configuration in OPL it froze before loading my save game/the hub world, and when trying with Neutrino/NHDDL I see Spyro's little head when first launching the game then I get an indefinite black screen with what looks like my TV's backlight being activated sporadically.

Anything related to PS2 networking didn't work for me on macOS.

I'm going to compile ps2client then on Linux and see what happens.

---

This may be outside the scope of this issue but I see in the YAML that there is a line for a UDPBD IP. Last I saw in the psx-place forums UDPBD had a fixed IP address of 192.168.1.10, or something like that. My LAN is stuck at 192.168.2.0 so UDPBD wasn't an option. If I set up UDPBD on a server and put the IP of the server in the YAML could Neutrino and NHDDL still work even though I don't have the "correct" IP?

[pcm720]

Though it said that it wasn't able to scan my ISO for Robot Alchemic Drive. It also said something about not being able to confirm titles, I assume that is about the SLUS_2xx.xx serials I have in my ISO filenames.

Don’t remember if Robot Alchemic Drive is a CD game, but CD games need to be converted to ISO properly, not all converters do it right. bchunk does it correctly.
The resulting ISO will have smaller size than the source BIN file.

This may be outside the scope of this issue but I see in the YAML that there is a line for a UDPBD IP. Last I saw in the psx-place forums UDPBD had a fixed IP address of 192.168.1.10, or something like that. My LAN is stuck at 192.168.2.0 so UDPBD wasn't an option. If I set up UDPBD on a server and put the IP of the server in the YAML could Neutrino and NHDDL still work even though I don't have the "correct" IP?

No, it’s not fixed in any way.
NHDDL can read IP address from its config file or from IPCONFIG.DAT.
Neutrino gets IP address from its TOML config file for UDPBD BSD.

You don’t need to setup the server to get debug logs.
The only reason I mention UDPBD is because smap_udpbd module includes UDPTTY that broadcasts PS2 console output over the network

[DankeBrutus]

Alrighty I have a log from ps2client

$ ps2client -h 192.168.2.56 listen
  Loading IEEE1394_bd_mini
  Loading ps2hdd
  hdd: PS2 APA Driver v2.5 (c) 2003 Vector
  hdd: max open = 4, 20 buffers
  hdd: 00:20:52 02/03/2025
  hdd: disk0: 0x773bd2b0 sectors, max 0x02000000
  hdd: drive status 0, format version 00000002
  hdd: version 0205 driver start.
  Loading ps2fs
  pfs Playstation Filesystem Driver v2.2
ps2fs: (c) 2003 Sjeep, V  ector and Florin Sasu
  pfs Max mount: 1, Max open: 10, Number of buffers: 40
  pfs version 0202 driver start.
  Waiting for storage devices...
  BDM: connecting device usb0p0 id=0x0
  Found MBR disk
  Found partition type 0x0c
  BDM: connecting device usb0p1 id=0xc
  BDM: usb0p0 mounted to MBR
  BDM: usb0p1 mounted to fatfs
  Initializing MMCE backend
  dopen name mmce0:/ 
  dopen fd = 2
  Found device mmce0:
  dopen name mmce1:/ 
  dopen fd = -1
  Initializing BDM backend
  dopen name mass0:/ 
  dopen fd = 2
  Found device ata0 (mass0:)
  Found device usb0 (mass1:)
  Initializing HDL backend
  Mounted hdd0:+OPL as pfs0:
  Found device hdd0:
  Loading options file...
  ERROR: Failed to open mmce1:/nhddl/nhddl.yaml
  Can't load options file, will use defaults
  Found Neutrino at
  pfs0:/neutrino/neutrino.elf
  Building target list...
  Max recursion limit reached, all directories in mmce0:/PS2/MemoryCard1/APPS/config/ will be ignored
  Max recursion limit reached, all directories in mmce0:/PS2/WLE/APPS/config/ will be ignored
  Failed to open assets for scanning
  WARN: failed to scan mmce0:: -2
  Cache miss for mass0:/CD/SLUS_204.45.Robot Alchemic Drive (USA).iso
  WARN: mass0:/CD/SLUS_204.45.Robot Alchemic Drive (USA).iso: Failed to parse ISO PVD
  Failed to scan
  mass0:/CD/SLUS_204.45.Robot Alchemic Drive (USA).iso
  Updating title ID cache...
  Failed to load title ID cache, all ISOs will be rescanned
  Reading last launched title
  WARN: Failed to open last launched title file on device 0: -1
  WARN: Failed to open last launched title file on device 1: -1
  WARN: Failed to open last launched title file on device 2: -1
  WARN: Failed to open last launched title file on device 3: -1

This is with the YAML having every mode commented out.

# video: ntsc # supported video modes: ntsc, pal, 480p

# mode: ata
# mode: hdl
# mode: usb

# supported modes: bdm, ata, mx4sio, udpbd, usb, ilink, mmce, hdl. If not present or commented out, all devices will be used to search for ISO files

# mode: mmce # multiple modes are supported via multiple mode strings
# udpbd_ip: 192.168.1.6 # PS2 IP address for UDPBD mode (commented out)

Note that when the log stops the game list is on screen but my controller input is not recognized.

[pcm720]

Note that when the log stops the game list is on screen but my controller input is not recognized.

I don't see anything strange in the log, this is where it stops before showing the list.
Not sure why the inputs aren't working unless it actually crashed.

WARN: mass0:/CD/SLUS_204.45.Robot Alchemic Drive (USA).iso: Failed to parse ISO PVD

This means your ISO is not actually an ISO.
You can use bchunk to convert the original BIN+CUE (if the source is a Redump image) into ISO, this will make it work.
Anyway, it shouldn't affect anything.

Can you capture the log from this build?
I've added more debugging text to see what's going on with the scanning process.
nhddl-debug.zip

[DankeBrutus]

Not sure why the inputs aren't working unless it actually crashed.

Either it crashed or the inputs were severely delayed due to the program trying to parse and load artwork. After deleting the ART directory everything was responsive again.

This means your ISO is not actually an ISO.

I initially did make that ISO with bchunk. But you'll see below I stopped getting that error after creating a new ISO with the original .bin and .cue files. I guess something was corrupted.

Here is the log from the debug .elf...

$ ps2client -h 192.168.2.56 listen
  Loading IEEE1394_bd_mini
  Loading ps2hdd
  hdd: PS2 APA Driver v2.5 (c) 2003 Vector
  hdd: max open = 4, 20 buffers
  hdd: 01:24:06 02/03/2025
  hdd: disk0: 0x773bd2b0 sectors, max 0x02000000
  hdd: drive status 0, format version 00000002
  hdd: version 0205 driver start.
  Loading ps2fs
  pfs Playstation Filesystem Driver v2.2
ps2fs: (c) 2003 Sjeep, V  ector and Florin Sasu
  pfs Max mount: 1, Max open: 10, Number of buffers: 40
  pfs version 0202 driver start.
  Waiting for storage devices...
  BDM: connecting device usb0p0 id=0x0
  Found MBR disk
  Found partition type 0x0c
  BDM: connecting device usb0p1 id=0xc
  BDM: usb0p0 mounted to MBR
  BDM: usb0p1 mounted to fatfs
  Initializing MMCE backend
  dopen name mmce0:/ 
  dopen fd = 2
  Found device mmce0:
  dopen name mmce1:/ 
  dopen fd = -1
  Initializing BDM backend
  dopen name mass0:/ 
  dopen fd = 2
  Found device ata0 (mass0:)
  Found device usb0 (mass1:)
  Initializing HDL backend
  Mounted hdd0:+OPL as pfs0:
  Found device hdd0:
  Loading options file...
  ERROR: Failed to open mmce1:/nhddl/nhddl.yaml
  Can't load options file, will use defaults
  Found Neutrino at
  pfs0:/neutrino/neutrino.elf
  Building target list...
  Scanning device mmce0:
  Opening dir: PS2
  Opening dir: MemoryCard1
  Opening dir: APPS
  Opening dir: config
  Max recursion limit reached, all directories in mmce0:/PS2/MemoryCard1/APPS/config/ will be ignored
  Opening dir: SLUS-20315
  Opening dir: SCAJ-20075
  Opening dir: SLUS-21207
  Opening dir: SLUS-20818
  Opening dir: SCUS-97111
  Opening dir: SLUS-20144
  Opening dir: SLUS-21501
  Opening dir: SCUS-97203
  Opening dir: SLUS-21615
  Opening dir: SLUS-21292
  Opening dir: SCPS-55001
  Opening dir: SLUS-20595
  Opening dir: SLUS-21552
  Opening dir: SCUS-97211
  Opening dir: OPL
  Opening dir: SCUS-97481
  Opening dir: WLE
  Opening dir: APPS
  Opening dir: config
  Max recursion limit reached, all directories in mmce0:/PS2/WLE/APPS/config/ will be ignored
  Opening dir: SCUS-97472
  Opening dir: SCPS-15026
  Opening dir: SLUS-20742
  Opening dir: SCUS-97113
  Opening dir: SLUS-21782
  Opening dir: SLUS-21134
  Opening dir: SCUS-97501
  Opening dir: PS1
  Opening dir: os
  Opening dir: webui
  Opening dir: assets
  Failed to open assets for scanning
  WARN: failed to scan mmce0:: -2
  Scanning device mass0:
  Opening dir: APPS
  Opening dir: ART
  Opening dir: CFG
  Opening dir: CHT
  Opening dir: CD
  Got ISO SCPS_550.01.ICO.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_200.02.Ridge Racer V.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_207.42.Chulip.iso
  Got ISO SCPS_110.14.Pipo Sarou 2001.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_204.45.Robot Alchemic Drive.iso
  Opening dir: DVD
  Got ISO SCPS_150.26.Boku no Natsuyasumi 2-Seaside Adventure Chapter.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_972.03.Wild Arms 3 (USA).iso
  Got ISO SLUS_212.40.Star Wars Battlefront II.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_212.92.Wild Arms 4 (JP).iso
  Got ISO SLUS_216.15.Wild Arms 5 (JP).iso
  Got ISO SLUS_217.82.Persona 4 (undub).iso
  Got ISO SCAJ_200.75.Dragon Quest V.iso
  Got ISO SCPS_150.88.Bokura no Kazoku.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_971.02.Gran Turismo 3.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_971.11.Dark Cloud.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_971.24.Jak and Daxter.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_971.98.Sly Cooper.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_971.99.Ratchet and Clank.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_972.11.ATV Offroad Fury 2.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_972.13.Dark Cloud 2.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_972.30.SOCOM.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_972.31.Arc the Lad - Twilight of the Spirits.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_972.65.JAK II.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_972.68.Ratchet and Clank 2.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_972.75.SOCOM II.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_973.16.Sly 2-Band of Thieves.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_973.28.Gran Turismo 4.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_973.30.JAK 3.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_973.53.Ratchet and Clank 3.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_973.99.God of War.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_974.64.Sly 3-Honor Among Thieves.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_974.65.Ratchet-Deadlocked.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_974.72.Shadow of the Colossus.ISO
  Got ISO SCUS_974.79.ATV Offroad Fury 4.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_974.81.God of War II.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_974.90.Rogue Galaxy.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_975.01.Ape Escape 3.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_976.23.SecretAgentClank.iso
  Got ISO SLUS-207.43.Prince of Persia Sands of Time.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_201.44.Metal Gear Solid 2.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_201.48.Zone of the Enders.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_202.24.Pac-Man World 2.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_202.93.Star Wars Jedi Starfighter.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_203.12.Final Fantasy X.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_203.15.Enter the Dragonfly.ISO
  Got ISO SLUS_203.70.Kingdom Hearts.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_204.20.Star Wars Bounty Hunter.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_204.69.Xenosaga Episode 1.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_204.88.Star Ocean End of Time D1.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_204.99.Breath of Fire - Dragon Quarter.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_205.78.The Two Towers.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_205.95.Area 51.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_206.22.Silent Hill 3.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_206.24.The Simpsons - Hit and Run.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_206.43.Soul Calibur II.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_206.72.Final Fantasy X-2.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_206.85.Ape Escape 2.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_207.70.Return of the King.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_207.80.R-Type Final.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_208.18.Bionicle.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_208.37.Ribbit King.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_208.73.Silent Hill 4.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_208.91.Star Ocean End of Time D2.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_209.11.Shin Megami Tensei - Nocturne.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_209.63.Final Fantasy XII.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_209.74.Digital Devil Saga.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_210.05.Kingdom Hearts 2.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_210.06.Ghost in the Shell-Stand Alone Complex.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_210.08.Katamari Damacy.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_210.11.Cabelas Deer Hunt 2005.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_210.18.Dog's Life.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_210.29.Midnight Club 3.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_210.33.Second Sight.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_210.50.Burnout3.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_210.57.Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_210.83.LEGO Star Wars.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_211.34.Resident Evil 4.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_211.52.Digital Devil Saga 2.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_211.54.Killer7.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_211.65.Arc the Lad - End of Darkness.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_211.94.Phantasy Star Universe.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_212.07.Dragon Quest VIII-Journey of the Cursed King.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_212.43.Metal Gear Solid 3 Disc 2.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_212.53.TY the Tasmanian Tiger 3.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_213.44.Steambot Chronicles.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_213.59.Metal Gear Solid 3 Disc 1.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_214.09.LEGO Star Wars II.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_215.01.Raw Danger.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_215.52.Spiderman 3.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_215.69.Persona3.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_216.78.DragonBall Z - Budokai 3.iso
  Opening dir: LNG
  Opening dir: THM
  Opening dir: VMC
  Opening dir: nhddl
  Cache miss for mass0:/CD/SLUS_204.45.Robot Alchemic Drive.iso
  Updating title ID cache...
  Scanning device mass1:
  Opening dir: System Volume Information
  Opening dir: CFG
  Opening dir: THM
  Opening dir: LNG
  Opening dir: ART
  Opening dir: VMC
  Opening dir: CHT
  Opening dir: APPS
  Opening dir: CD
  Opening dir: DVD
  Failed to load title ID cache, all ISOs will be rescanned
  Got partition hdd0:__mbr
  Got partition hdd0:__net
  Got partition hdd0:__system
  Got partition hdd0:__sysconf
  Got partition hdd0:__common
  Got partition hdd0:__contents
  Got partition hdd0:__contents
  Got partition hdd0:__contents
  Got partition hdd0:__contents
  Got partition hdd0:__contents
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.4
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.5
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.6
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.2
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.7
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.1
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.9
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.9
  Got partition hdd0:PP.DISC
  Got partition hdd0:PP.WLE
  Got partition hdd0:PP.OPL
  Got partition hdd0:+OPL
  Got partition hdd0:PP.SLUS-21615.WILD_ARMS_5
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.3
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.3
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.8
  Got partition hdd0:__.POPS
  Got partition hdd0:__.POPS
  Got partition hdd0:PP.SLUS-21292.WILD_ARMS_4
  Got partition hdd0:PP.SCUS-97203.WILD_ARMS_3
  Got partition hdd0:PP.SLUS-21240.STAR_WARS_BATTLEFR
  Got partition hdd0:PP.SLUS-21782.SHIN_MEGAMI_TENSEI
  Got partition hdd0:PP.SLUS-20002.RIDGE_RACER_V
  Got partition hdd0:PP.SCPS-55001.ICO
  Got partition hdd0:PP.SLUS-20742.CHULIP
  Got partition hdd0:PP.SCPS-15026.BOKU_NO_NATSUYASUM
  Reading last launched title
  WARN: Failed to open last launched title file on device mmce0:: -1
  WARN: Failed to open last launched title file on device mass1:: -1
  WARN: Failed to open last launched title file on device hdd0:: -1
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_972.11_COV.png

...rebooted here...

Loading IEEE1394_bd_mini
  Loading ps2hdd
  hdd: PS2 APA Driver v2.5 (c) 2003 Vector
  hdd: max open = 4, 20 buffers
  hdd: 01:30:05 02/03/2025
  hdd: disk0: 0x773bd2b0 sectors, max 0x02000000
  hdd: drive status 0, format version 00000002
  hdd: version 0205 driver start.
  Loading ps2fs
  pfs Playstation Filesystem Driver v2.2
ps2fs: (c) 2003 Sjeep, V  ector and Florin Sasu
  pfs Max mount: 1, Max open: 10, Number of buffers: 40
  pfs version 0202 driver start.
  Waiting for storage devices...
  BDM: connecting device usb0p0 id=0x0
  Found MBR disk
  Found partition type 0x0c
  BDM: connecting device usb0p1 id=0xc
  BDM: usb0p0 mounted to MBR
  BDM: usb0p1 mounted to fatfs
  Initializing MMCE backend
  dopen name mmce0:/ 
  dopen fd = 2
  Found device mmce0:
  dopen name mmce1:/ 
  dopen fd = -1
  Initializing BDM backend
  dopen name mass0:/ 
  dopen fd = 2
  Found device ata0 (mass0:)
  Found device usb0 (mass1:)
  Initializing HDL backend
  Mounted hdd0:+OPL as pfs0:
  Found device hdd0:
  Loading options file...
  ERROR: Failed to open mmce1:/nhddl/nhddl.yaml
  Can't load options file, will use defaults
  Found Neutrino at
  pfs0:/neutrino/neutrino.elf
  Building target list...
  Scanning device mmce0:
  Opening dir: PS2
  Opening dir: MemoryCard1
  Opening dir: APPS
  Opening dir: config
  Max recursion limit reached, all directories in mmce0:/PS2/MemoryCard1/APPS/config/ will be ignored
  Opening dir: SLUS-20315
  Opening dir: SCAJ-20075
  Opening dir: SLUS-21207
  Opening dir: SLUS-20818
  Opening dir: SCUS-97111
  Opening dir: SLUS-20144
  Opening dir: SLUS-21501
  Opening dir: SCUS-97203
  Opening dir: SLUS-21615
  Opening dir: SLUS-21292
  Opening dir: SCPS-55001
  Opening dir: SLUS-20595
  Opening dir: SLUS-21552
  Opening dir: SCUS-97211
  Opening dir: OPL
  Opening dir: SCUS-97481
  Opening dir: WLE
  Opening dir: APPS
  Opening dir: config
  Max recursion limit reached, all directories in mmce0:/PS2/WLE/APPS/config/ will be ignored
  Opening dir: SCUS-97472
  Opening dir: SCPS-15026
  Opening dir: SLUS-20742
  Opening dir: SCUS-97113
  Opening dir: SLUS-21782
  Opening dir: SLUS-21134
  Opening dir: SCUS-97501
  Opening dir: PS1
  Opening dir: os
  Opening dir: webui
  Opening dir: assets
  Failed to open assets for scanning
  WARN: failed to scan mmce0:: -2
  Scanning device mass0:
  Opening dir: APPS
  Opening dir: ART
  Opening dir: CFG
  Opening dir: CHT
  Opening dir: CD
  Got ISO SCPS_550.01.ICO.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_200.02.Ridge Racer V.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_207.42.Chulip.iso
  Got ISO SCPS_110.14.Pipo Sarou 2001.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_204.45.Robot Alchemic Drive.iso
  Opening dir: DVD
  Got ISO SCPS_150.26.Boku no Natsuyasumi 2-Seaside Adventure Chapter.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_972.03.Wild Arms 3 (USA).iso
  Got ISO SLUS_212.40.Star Wars Battlefront II.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_212.92.Wild Arms 4 (JP).iso
  Got ISO SLUS_216.15.Wild Arms 5 (JP).iso
  Got ISO SLUS_217.82.Persona 4 (undub).iso
  Got ISO SCAJ_200.75.Dragon Quest V.iso
  Got ISO SCPS_150.88.Bokura no Kazoku.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_971.02.Gran Turismo 3.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_971.11.Dark Cloud.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_971.24.Jak and Daxter.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_971.98.Sly Cooper.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_971.99.Ratchet and Clank.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_972.11.ATV Offroad Fury 2.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_972.13.Dark Cloud 2.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_972.30.SOCOM.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_972.31.Arc the Lad - Twilight of the Spirits.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_972.65.JAK II.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_972.68.Ratchet and Clank 2.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_972.75.SOCOM II.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_973.16.Sly 2-Band of Thieves.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_973.28.Gran Turismo 4.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_973.30.JAK 3.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_973.53.Ratchet and Clank 3.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_973.99.God of War.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_974.64.Sly 3-Honor Among Thieves.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_974.65.Ratchet-Deadlocked.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_974.72.Shadow of the Colossus.ISO
  Got ISO SCUS_974.79.ATV Offroad Fury 4.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_974.81.God of War II.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_974.90.Rogue Galaxy.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_975.01.Ape Escape 3.iso
  Got ISO SCUS_976.23.SecretAgentClank.iso
  Got ISO SLUS-207.43.Prince of Persia Sands of Time.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_201.44.Metal Gear Solid 2.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_201.48.Zone of the Enders.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_202.24.Pac-Man World 2.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_202.93.Star Wars Jedi Starfighter.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_203.12.Final Fantasy X.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_203.15.Enter the Dragonfly.ISO
  Got ISO SLUS_203.70.Kingdom Hearts.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_204.20.Star Wars Bounty Hunter.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_204.69.Xenosaga Episode 1.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_204.88.Star Ocean End of Time D1.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_204.99.Breath of Fire - Dragon Quarter.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_205.78.The Two Towers.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_205.95.Area 51.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_206.22.Silent Hill 3.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_206.24.The Simpsons - Hit and Run.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_206.43.Soul Calibur II.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_206.72.Final Fantasy X-2.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_206.85.Ape Escape 2.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_207.70.Return of the King.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_207.80.R-Type Final.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_208.18.Bionicle.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_208.37.Ribbit King.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_208.73.Silent Hill 4.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_208.91.Star Ocean End of Time D2.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_209.11.Shin Megami Tensei - Nocturne.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_209.63.Final Fantasy XII.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_209.74.Digital Devil Saga.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_210.05.Kingdom Hearts 2.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_210.06.Ghost in the Shell-Stand Alone Complex.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_210.08.Katamari Damacy.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_210.11.Cabelas Deer Hunt 2005.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_210.18.Dog's Life.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_210.29.Midnight Club 3.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_210.33.Second Sight.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_210.50.Burnout3.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_210.57.Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_210.83.LEGO Star Wars.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_211.34.Resident Evil 4.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_211.52.Digital Devil Saga 2.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_211.54.Killer7.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_211.65.Arc the Lad - End of Darkness.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_211.94.Phantasy Star Universe.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_212.07.Dragon Quest VIII-Journey of the Cursed King.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_212.43.Metal Gear Solid 3 Disc 2.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_212.53.TY the Tasmanian Tiger 3.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_213.44.Steambot Chronicles.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_213.59.Metal Gear Solid 3 Disc 1.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_214.09.LEGO Star Wars II.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_215.01.Raw Danger.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_215.52.Spiderman 3.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_215.69.Persona3.iso
  Got ISO SLUS_216.78.DragonBall Z - Budokai 3.iso
  Opening dir: LNG
  Opening dir: THM
  Opening dir: VMC
  Opening dir: nhddl
  Scanning device mass1:
  Opening dir: System Volume Information
  Failed to load title ID cache, all ISOs will be rescanned
  Got partition hdd0:__mbr
  Got partition hdd0:__net
  Got partition hdd0:__system
  Got partition hdd0:__sysconf
  Got partition hdd0:__common
  Got partition hdd0:__contents
  Got partition hdd0:__contents
  Got partition hdd0:__contents
  Got partition hdd0:__contents
  Got partition hdd0:__contents
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.4
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.5
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.6
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.2
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.7
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.1
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.9
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.9
  Got partition hdd0:PP.DISC
  Got partition hdd0:PP.WLE
  Got partition hdd0:PP.OPL
  Got partition hdd0:+OPL
  Got partition hdd0:PP.SLUS-21615.WILD_ARMS_5
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.3
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.3
  Got partition hdd0:__linux.8
  Got partition hdd0:__.POPS
  Got partition hdd0:__.POPS
  Got partition hdd0:PP.SLUS-21292.WILD_ARMS_4
  Got partition hdd0:PP.SCUS-97203.WILD_ARMS_3
  Got partition hdd0:PP.SLUS-21240.STAR_WARS_BATTLEFR
  Got partition hdd0:PP.SLUS-21782.SHIN_MEGAMI_TENSEI
  Got partition hdd0:PP.SLUS-20002.RIDGE_RACER_V
  Got partition hdd0:PP.SCPS-55001.ICO
  Got partition hdd0:PP.SLUS-20742.CHULIP
  Got partition hdd0:PP.SCPS-15026.BOKU_NO_NATSUYASUM
  Reading last launched title
  WARN: Failed to open last launched title file on device mmce0:: -1
  WARN: Failed to open last launched title file on device mass1:: -1
  WARN: Failed to open last launched title file on device hdd0:: -1
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_972.11_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_972.13_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_972.11_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_972.03_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_972.11_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_972.13_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_971.34_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_972.13_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_972.11_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_972.03_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_971.99_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_971.98_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_971.24_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_971.11_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_971.02_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_971.13_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCPS_150.88_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCPS_150.26_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCPS_110.14_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SLPM_655.55_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCPS_110.14_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCPS_150.26_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCPS_150.88_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_971.13_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_971.02_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_971.11_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_971.24_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_971.98_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_971.99_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_972.03_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_972.11_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_972.13_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_971.34_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_972.31_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_972.65_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_972.68_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_972.75_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_973.16_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_973.28_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_973.30_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_973.53_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_973.99_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_974.64_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_974.65_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_974.72_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_974.79_COV.png
  Failed to load PNG file: mass0:/ART/SCUS_974.81_COV.png
  ERROR: Failed to open mass0:/nhddl/global.yaml
  WARN: Failed to load global launch arguments: -2
  Looking for title-specific config for SCUS_974.81.God of War II (SCUS_974.81)
  Title-specific config not found
  Saving title-specific config to mass0:/nhddl/SCUS_974.81.God of War II.yaml
  ERROR: Failed to open mass0:/nhddl/global.yaml
  WARN: Failed to load global launch arguments: -2
  Looking for title-specific config for SCUS_974.81.God of War II (SCUS_974.81)
  Loading title-specific config from mass0:/nhddl/SCUS_974.81.God of War II.yaml
  Updating last launched title
  Writing last launched title as mass0:/DVD/SCUS_974.81.God of War II.iso
  Mounting VMC on MMCE devices
  Trying to mount VMC for SCUS_974.81 on mmce0:
  VMC mounted
  Trying to mount VMC for SCUS_974.81 on mmce1:
  Launching SCUS_974.81.God of War II (SCUS_974.81) with arguments:
  1: pfs0:/neutrino/neutrino.elf
  2: -gc=5
  3: -bsd=ata
  4: -dvd=mass0:/DVD/SCUS_974.81.God of War II.iso
  loadelf: fname pfs0:/neutrino/neutrino.elf secname all
  Input ELF format filename = pfs0:/neutrino/neutrino.elf
  0 01cf2a20 00012fe4   .  .  
  Loaded, pfs0:/neutrino/neutrino.elf
  start address 0x1d0001c
  gp address 00000000
  --------------------------------
  - Neutrino PS2 Device Emulator -
  -         By Maximus32         -
  --------------------------------
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/config/system.toml flag 1 data 41378
  open fd = 3
  Loading: System settings and drivers
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/config/bsd-ata.toml flag 1 data 41378
  open fd = 3
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/config/i_bdm.toml flag 1 data 41378
  open fd = 3
  Loading: Block Device Manager (with FHI)
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/config/i_dev9_ns.toml flag 1 data 41378  
  open fd = 3
  Loading: DEV9 no-shutdown driver
  Loading: ATA HDD BDM driver
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/config/bsdfs-exfat.toml flag 1 data 413  78
  open fd = 3
  Loading: exFat filesystem driver
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/config/emu-dvd-file.toml flag 1 data 41  378
  open fd = 3
  Loading: CD/DVD emulation using image file
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/modules/ee_core.elf flag 1 data 41378
  open fd = 3
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/modules/eesync.irx flag 1 data 41378
  open fd = 3
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/modules/imgdrv.irx flag 1 data 41378
  open fd = 3
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/modules/udnl.irx flag 1 data 41378
  open fd = 3
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/modules/fakemod.irx flag 1 data 41378
  open fd = 3
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/modules/bdm.irx flag 1 data 41378
  open fd = 3
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/modules/iomanX.irx flag 1 data 41378
  open fd = 3
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/modules/fileXio.irx flag 1 data 41378
  open fd = 3
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/modules/isofs.irx flag 1 data 41378
  open fd = 3
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/modules/fhi_bd_defrag.irx flag 1 data 4  1378
  open fd = 3
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/modules/dev9_ns.irx flag 1 data 41378
  open fd = 3
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/modules/ata_bd.irx flag 1 data 41378
  open fd = 3
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/modules/bdmfs_fatfs.irx flag 1 data 413  78
  open fd = 3
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/modules/cdvdman_emu.irx flag 1 data 413  78
  open fd = 3
  open name pfs0:/neutrino/modules/cdvdfsv.irx flag 1 data 41378
  open fd = 3
  Reboot IOP into Load Environment (LE)
  Get Reboot Request From EE

God of War II did run. I was able to start a new game. But when the transition from opening cutscene to gameplay is supposed to happen instead the video and audio just cuts. It is a black screen. I figure this could be resolved with compatibility options though. I was able to fix Spyro by enabling every compatibility option except unhooking syscalls. I know that is probably overkill but it did work. The game was able to load assets and transition between levels.

[pcm720]

Either it crashed or the inputs were severely delayed due to the program trying to parse and load artwork. After deleting the ART directory everything was responsive again.

God of War II did run. I was able to start a new game. But when the transition from opening cutscene to gameplay is supposed to happen instead the video and audio just cuts. It is a black screen

Logs seem okay to me, all of it looks like an I/O issue of some kind.
Maybe it's the SATA adapter you're using, or just incompatibility issue between the NA and the SSD...
Certainly nothing that can be fixed by the software running on main CPU.

I'm not sure GoWII needs any compatibility modes when running from ATA.

I initially did make that ISO with bchunk. But you'll see below I stopped getting that error after creating a new ISO with the original .bin and .cue files. I guess something was corrupted.

Well, it has two options, one of them is called "PSX mode for MODE2/2352".
Counterintuitively, this is actually the wrong mode to use for PS2 images while the default one works fine.

[DankeBrutus]

Logs seem okay to me, all of it looks like an I/O issue of some kind.
Maybe it's the SATA adapter you're using, or just incompatibility issue between the NA and the SSD...
Certainly nothing that can be fixed by the software running on main CPU.

It could be that there is an issue with the conversion mod for my Sony NA. It was long enough ago I can't quite remember where I got it from, but it isn't Kaico or one of the other brands I have been seeing around. I ordered a Kaico mod just to be safe.

I'm not sure GoWII needs any compatibility modes when running from ATA.

Well with Neutrino it stops working once gameplay is supposed to happen and with OPL it never gets to the main menu. This was not an issue when I was running SMB with the same ISO, but I don't want to run SMB1 on my LAN if I don't absolutely have to. Also, it isn't like I never ran into incompatibility with SMB depending on the game.
I played a few games earlier to test out different titles. ATV Offroad Fury 2 seemed to run perfectly, Spyro is good now with compatibility modes, Raw Danger ran well I didn't notice any issues when loading assets, Boku no Natsuyasumi 2 runs perfectly, and I didn't have any issues with Ape Escape 3.

I definitely consider the issue I started with resolved, no question! Thank you very much for the assistance! If there is anything else you'd like me to try on my end let me know.

---

One last question, and this is probably more a Neutrino thing than a NHDDL thing: is there any quick way to reset the console? Having to hold the reset button to power down and power back up is a little annoying. Quickly pressing the reset button does nothing. Unless having the internal drive changes the button behaviour?

[pcm720]

Well with Neutrino it stops working once gameplay is supposed to happen and with OPL it never gets to the main menu. This was not an issue when I was running SMB with the same ISO, but I don't want to run SMB1 on my LAN if I don't absolutely have to. Also, it isn't like I never ran into incompatibility with SMB depending on the game.

There might be some niche cases when it comes to IO stuff.
Case in point — the IDE-microSD adapter in my 70000 really doesn't like APA stuff.
I'm still not sure why, but every write from wLE just hangs it almost immediately, HDDOSD simply doesn't boot.
At the same time NHDDL has zero issues writing cache files and updating last launched title.
I've also noticed that it plays much nicer with the traditional GPT+exFAT layout.

This was not an issue when I was running SMB with the same ISO, but I don't want to run SMB1 on my LAN if I don't absolutely have to

Instead of SMB, I highly recommend using UDPBD. It's purpose-built for streaming data from/to PS2 and way more reliable.
It's also very close to internal HDD in terms of compatibility and speed.
I don't think OPL supports it yet, but Neutrino does.

There are two servers available:

• udpbd-server that simply streams any block device, be it ISO image, disk image or an actual physical disk. It supports reading and writing and works best for Linux/BSD
• udpbd-vexfat that emulates exFAT disk from the folder on your drive. It is read-only and creates OPL structure in target folder, but works on Windows.

One last question, and this is probably more a Neutrino thing than a NHDDL thing: is there any quick way to reset the console? Having to hold the reset button to power down and power back up is a little annoying.

Neutrino doesn't have any IGR functionality due to compatibility concerns, so the only reliable (and most compatible) way is some sort of hardware IGR mod like internal BlueRetro installation or PS2 RetroGEM.

Unless having the internal drive changes the button behaviour?

Yes, this is hardcoded in PS2 BIOS and triggers when HDD modules are initialized on FAT consoles.
OPL behaves the same way. Sometimes a single press is enough to turn the console off, sometimes you need to hold it.

Not sure why, but the default behavior is to always turn off the console once HDD modules are loaded.
There might be ways to work around this, but Neutrino doesn't.