PATCH_9.BIN conflict#
This site deliberately lists two claims for PATCH_9.BIN: a high-confidence maintainer post says it disables the bugged ELF loader, while seed/ElOtroLado-derived notes associate it with $NOPAL. Full package/archive recovery is required before collapsing that conflict.
Where fixes normally go#
Per-game fixes belong in the same folder POPStarter uses for VMC/support files. That folder is based on the VCD basename, not the launcher display title.
| Backend | Per-game support/fix folder | Example |
|---|---|---|
| USB | mass:/POPS/<VCD basename>/ | mass:/POPS/SLUS_002.40.Soul Blade/ |
| HDD | hdd:/__common/POPS/<VCD basename>/ | hdd:/__common/POPS/SLUS_002.40.Soul Blade/ |
| SMB | smb:/POPS/<VCD basename>/ or the equivalent share path | PS2SMB/POPS/SLUS_002.40.Soul Blade/ |
How to read this table#
PATCH_X.BIN and TROJAN_X.BIN are not fully recovered yet. The table preserves what is known, what conflicts, and what still needs package inspection. Do not use a low-confidence row as a universal install instruction.
Hugopocked fix placement#
Hugopocked-style fixes are per-game material. Put them in the game's support folder, not in a global folder, unless the package explicitly says otherwise. The support folder is based on the VCD basename, which is why merged or renamed images can break fix lookup.
TROJAN_7 is a different scope#
The recovered thread study treats TROJAN_7.BIN as a cumulative/global fix-pack line that post-dates the final r13 launcher. Do not stack it blindly with per-game Hugopocked fixes for the same title. If both are mentioned for a game, preserve the source and test each layer separately.
Filename and header discipline#
Thread evidence says POPStarter validates the number inside a patch/trojan header against the filename. A renamed file with mismatched internal identity is not a harmless cosmetic change; it can fail to load or produce misleading results.
| File | Type | Placement | Effect | Conflicts | Status | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PATCH_9.BIN |
Loader-disable / IGR workaround patch | POPS folder | Disables the bugged POPStarter ELF loader so IGR exit does not chain into an incompatible BOOT.ELF. |
|
high verified-primary-conflicting-name | PSX-Place POPStarter page 4 - PATCH_9.BIN loader-disable post PSX-Place POPStarter page 15 - IGR and BOOT.ELF discussion |
PATCH_0.BIN |
IGR disable patch | Per-game support folder or documented patch location to verify per workflow | Standalone equivalent of $NOIGR; disables POPStarter's in-game reset trigger. |
|
high recovered-cross-check | POPSLoader recovered POPStarter documentation site (mention only) PSX-Place POPStarter page 15 - IGR and BOOT.ELF discussion |
PATCH_1.BIN through PATCH_7.BIN |
Compatibility-mode patch family | Per-game support folder or POPS folder depending on legacy recipe; prefer CHEATS.TXT $COMPATIBILITY_0x## when possible | Standalone compatibility-mode equivalents for modes 0x01 through 0x07. |
|
medium recovered-needs-package-check | POPSLoader recovered POPStarter documentation site (mention only) ShaolinAssassin POPStarter documentation wiki |
PATCH_8.BIN |
FORCEPAL patch alias | Per-game support folder or POPS folder depending on legacy recipe; $FORCEPAL is preferred when supported | Standalone equivalent of $FORCEPAL: forces PAL patching and Euro BIOS region behavior. |
|
high recovered-cross-check | POPSLoader recovered POPStarter documentation site (mention only) ElOtroLado POPS emulator for PS2 thread (mention only) |
PATCH_5.BIN |
IGR texture replacement | POPSLoader package / POPStarter patch location to verify | Custom POPStarter IGR textures matching POPSLoader's stock UI. |
|
high verified-primary-needs-package-path | POPSLoader by El_isra |
PATCH_9.BIN |
Compatibility/video patch alias | Per-game or POPS folder to verify | Seed notes say this is equivalent to $NOPAL. |
|
low conflicting | ElOtroLado POPS emulator for PS2 thread (mention only) User uploaded operational notes PSX-Place POPStarter page 4 - PATCH_9.BIN loader-disable post |
TROJAN_0.BIN through TROJAN_5.BIN |
IGR behavior modifier family | Per-game support folder or documented patch location to verify per workflow; CHEATS.TXT $IGR0-$IGR5 is preferred in final r13 | Standalone equivalents for $IGR0 through $IGR5. |
|
high recovered-cross-check | POPSLoader recovered POPStarter documentation site (mention only) ElOtroLado POPS emulator for PS2 thread (mention only) Retro-Jogos POPStarter guide home |
TROJAN_7.BIN |
Cumulative fix bundle | Per-game VMC/game folder according to seed notes | Seed notes say this was created 2020-04-02 with fixes from krHACKen and Hugopocked. |
|
medium needs-package-verification | User uploaded operational notes Hugopocked fixes for POPStarter |
PATCH_7.BIN as IGR-related artifact |
Unverified lore warning | Do not recommend | Some community notes mention an IGR-related PATCH_7, but no primary file/definition was recovered in the reference pass. |
|
low unverified-warning | POPSLoader recovered POPStarter documentation site (mention only) |
Game-specific fix files |
Per-game compatibility fixes | Folder matching VCD basename, e.g. mass:/POPS/<VCD basename>/ or hdd:/__common/POPS/<VCD basename>/ | Applies game-specific fixes such as SPU/GTE/GPU behavior adjustments. |
|
medium verified-thread-needs-package-inventory | Hugopocked fixes for POPStarter User uploaded operational notes |
SPU_IRQ_ON fix/mode |
Audio/SPU compatibility mode | Hugopocked fix placement to verify | Reported useful for games affected by non-terminating sound loops/freezes, though individual fixes may supersede it. |
|
medium verified-thread-needs-package-inventory | Hugopocked fixes for POPStarter |