Ok - since I posted two useful items, time for me to ask some advice here.

Bought a neokey, and it works just fine for PSX game backups, but haven't gotten it to work with PS2 games as of yet. I considered the possibility that my 1 jumper was soldiered incorrectly, but under a magnifying glass it looks ok. I will admit that one joint was pretty damn small (the one with the resistor). so I do admit that could be a problem.

The 2 backups I've been trying for this are SSX and Crazy Taxi, both which I made myself on CD-Rs with a straight copy using either RecordNOW or Clone CD (both worked). I've gotten these games to work under knife swap but not neo key.

I assume I can discount the fact that the NeoKey is bad cause it plays PSX backups.

I also assume I can discount the fact that the games themselves are bad beacuse they all work under knife swap.

The procedure for booting the games is similar (both have to boot using GS 2.01)

What steps should I be troubleshooting? The soldier (sp?) joint? What does that do anyhow and how can I test it? I do have a multimeter, but the connections are so damn small

Also, I was shipped 2 pieces of wire with what I belive to be a capacitor in between (from reading other people's posts) - which I used to make the connection.

For this, I have been using the following:
PS2v1
NeoKey
GS 2.01

You have to fix the wire that was soldered incorrectly

Before I go and do that - I assume you're stating that the point I soldered it incorrectly was the one point near the resistor. Q: From what I can see with my magnifying glass - the flat resistor looks as though it has two very small metal joints which then are joined to the main board, and the connection needs to be applied (for lack of better words, but based on all the pictures I've seen) to the top one of the two. Please elaborate to see if I'm on the right track.

Thanks!

SWC

how are you booting the ps2 backups?

Attempting with the NeoKey

Insert NeoKey USB plug into top PS2 USB slot.
Place GS 2.01 disc 1 cd in tray and close tray.
Switch PS2 off then on using switch at rear.
At Main menu select 'Start game'
At 2nd menu select 'without codes'
Eject GS 2.01 cd replace with backup close tray and press X

I've tried a few other methods as well, and as I said before, got these games to work no problem with a knife swap.

I have a v1 but I use a v1.3 GS.
with my neokey.

"The procedure for booting the games is similar (both have to boot using GS 2.01)"
you don't use a GS with the psx games.

doesnt seem like you are doing it right..
depending on who you got your key from, it may or may not have a switch. anyhow, bootup your original gs2. afaik, it didnt matter when you hit eject to swap discs, as long as you activate the key before pressing eject again to close the tray. then it should load after you hit "x" to start the game. you dont need to shut off the ps2 with the switch, etc. for a psx game, all you need to do is have the game in and the key activated -- no gs.

i finally got my neokey to work after a month of deciding whether or not i'd be happy with it or purchasing a premodded neo4 or messiah ($$$yeah right$$$). i had to go back in a few times and re-adjust the wire connected to the resistor (yes, on top) and got it to work fine. for your problem, i'd like to know what is on the screen after making the switch from gs to backup?

ok, ur neo key is fine when u place the ps2 bakup in dont hit x untill u hear the ps2 making a continuall clicking noise that repeats

the fact that your ps2 plays psx backups means that your neokey is working and your solder connections are ok. doesn't ssx tricky need a patch? my guess is that your games are the problem. just because they play with the knife method doesn't mean they are compatable with a neokey. try some different games.

Also some versions require you to hi R1+0 instead of X, but I haven't seen anyone write about that lately.

yea i had a gs 1.8 and i had to use r1+o and it was a pain in the butt so i got a 1.9

And make sure you give the PS2 plenty of time to read the CD before you press X or r1+0.

Thanks for the help - One of my games did successfully boot now with neokey, though I must say I am a bit disapointed with it vs knife trick. Using a backup of Virtua Fighter 4, the knife swap worked like a charm, was fast, and quite. The neokey boot was noisy - full of clicks and slow. So far, my PSX games have been pretty quite - but may stick to knife swap (I do not find it that inconvienancing btw) unless someone REALLY convinces me that neo 2.2 for my PS2 ver1 is the way to go.

Writing backups @ a lower speed can usually get rid of the noise issue, which also can be caused by using labels on top.