There are few basic requirement before you wish 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 Adaptor available in North America does include a 56k built-in analog modem, and most internet service provider has include a modem or router in their package.

4. A PlayStation 2 Memory Card with about 150k space available to install the Network Adaptor drivers and software and save your internet connection settings.

The Network Adapter is a peripheral required to allow your psvr trade in value. The adapter has a built-in V90 modem and 10/100 Base-TX Ethernet interface for broadband connection where you can plug your ADSL or Cable modem.

A. Network Adapter fits into the port on the back of your PS2, and all you need is a nickel or a common screwdriver to plug in the adapter.

After this simple operation, you just have to install the drivers and the 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 just have to connect the Network Adapter to the Cable or ADSL modem you currently use with your PC.

C. I have a dial up 56k modem. Where do I connect my Network Adapter?

The network Adapter comes with a built-in 56k modem. You just have to plug your phone line into the right port.

D. Can I use my USB (narrowband/broadband) modem to play online with my PlayStation 2 console?

Since the Network Adapter doesn’t have a USB port, this is a question that most gamers asked. Using your USB modem to play with your PlayStation 2 is certainly possible, also with PlayOnline games and services (even if, strangely, PlayOnline website gives a negative answer to this question), but you can’t connect it straightly to the USB connection on the front of the console.

To connect your USB modem to the PlayStation 2, the best solution is leaving the modem connected to your PC, and then setup an Internet Connection Sharing 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 available Ethernet Card on your PC

4. One Cat5 twisted pair straight cable

If you don’t have an Ethernet card on your PC, you can purchase one for a few dollars. Once you have everything, setting up an ICS connection is easy.

First of all, you must have your USB modem properly installed and configured on your PC. Now, enable Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) on your PC – if you are not exactly an expert PC user, detailed directions to install ICS can be found on Microsoft’s official website.

Now connect your PlayStation 2 to your computer, 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 Network Adapter start-up disk onto your PlayStation 2 and simply configure your PlayStation 2 for a broadband connection.

G. Can I use my Internet Service Provider in order to make my PlayStation 2 Online?

The Network Adapter includes software to connect to the most popular Internet service providers. And if yours is not included in the list, you will simply have to configure the software to connect to your provider.

It’s easy as 1-2-3. Anyhow, keep in mind that if you have problems with your Internet Service Provider even when browsing the Internet on your PC, you will have the same problems with your PlayStation 2 as well.

The quality of the service offered by your local provider is essential for a great online gaming experience. If you are choosing a new ISP, it might be a good idea to give them a call and ask if their services are compatible with PlayStation 2 online games.

H. I’ve heard that online gaming is expensive. Is it true?

Nope. There are no fees to play most of the online games available for PlayStation 2 Online. Popular games like SOCOM U.S. Navy Seals, SOCOM II, The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King, Madden NFL 2004 are playable for free 🙂

So far, it seems that only Massive Multiplayer Online Games like Final Fantasy XI or Everquest will need a monthly fee to be played, fees necessary to maintain the powerful servers required to run these games.

An additional cost to play online games derives from the Hard Disk Drive (HDD), which became available at a suggested retail price of 99.