There are some basic requirements before you want to connect your PlayStation 2 console to the Internet:
1. Sign up for an Internet Service Provider package.
2. Have a network adapter
3. Have a dial-up modem/ADSL router
The network adapter available in North America includes a built-in 56k analog modem, and most Internet service providers include a modem or router in their package.
4. A PlayStation 2 memory card with approximately 150,000 available space for installing network adapter drivers and software and saving Internet connection settings.
The network adapter is a necessary peripheral to enable your PlayStation 2 online. The adapter has a built-in V90 modem and a 10/100 Base-TX Ethernet interface for broadband connection where you can connect your ADSL or Cable modem.
A. The network adapter fits into the port on the back of your PS2, and all you need is a nickel or common screwdriver to plug in the adapter.
After this simple operation, you just have to install the drivers and software (included in the package with the Adapter) on your Memory Card.
B. I have a broadband connection. Where do I connect the adapter?
You only have to connect the Network Adapter to the Cable or ADSL modem that you currently use with your PC.
C. I have a 56k dial-up modem. Where do I connect my network adapter?
The network adapter comes with a built-in 56k modem. Just plug your phone line into the correct port.
D. Can I use my USB stick (narrowband/broadband) to play games online with my PlayStation 2 console?
Since the network adapter does not have a USB port, this is a question most gamers ask themselves. It’s certainly possible to use your USB modem to play games with your PlayStation 2, PlayOnline games and services as well (even if, strangely, the PlayOnline website gives a negative answer to this question), but you can’t connect it directly to the connection USB on the front of the console.
To connect your USB modem to the PlayStation 2, the best solution is to leave the modem connected to your PC, and then set up a shared Internet connection between the PC and the PlayStation 2. To do this, you will need:
1. USB modem with USB device cable
2. Windows 98 or higher installed on your PC
3. 1 Ethernet card available on your PC
4. A straight twisted pair Cat5 cable
If you don’t have an Ethernet card in your PC, you can buy one for a few dollars. Once you have everything, setting up an ICS connection is easy.
First, you must have your USB stick properly installed and configured on your PC. Now, enable Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) on your PC; If you’re not exactly an expert PC user, you can find detailed instructions for installing ICS on the official Microsoft website.
Now connect your PlayStation 2 to your computer, by plugging one end of the Cat5 cable into the PC’s Ethernet card and the other end into the PlayStation 2’s Ethernet port. Activate the connection on your PC, then insert the adapter’s startup disk network on your PlayStation 2 and simply set up your PlayStation 2 for a broadband connection.
G. Can I use my Internet Service Provider to get my PlayStation 2 online?
The network adapter includes software to connect to the most popular Internet service providers. And if yours is not on the list, you will simply have to configure the software to connect with your provider.
It’s as easy as 1-2-3. However, keep in mind that if you are having problems with your Internet Service Provider even when you are browsing the Internet on your PC, you will also have the same problems with your PlayStation 2.
The quality of service offered by your local provider is essential to a great online gaming experience. If you’re choosing a new ISP, it might be a good idea to call them and ask if their services support PlayStation 2 online gaming.
H. I heard that online games are expensive. It’s true?
No. There are no fees to play most online games available for PlayStation 2 Online. Popular games like SOCOM US Navy Seals, SOCOM II, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Madden NFL 2004 are all free to play 🙂
So far, it seems that only massively multiplayer online games like Final Fantasy XI or Everquest will need a monthly fee to play, fees necessary to maintain the powerful servers needed to run these games.
An additional cost to play online games is for the hard disk drive (HDD), which became available in March 2004 in North America at a suggested retail price of $99.
Finally, you have to add the cost of your Internet Service Provider, but you should already be paying for this, right?