Help with PS2 Homebrew Setup – OPL, FMCB, and Network Loading Issues

Hello everyone,

I recently got back into PlayStation 2 homebrew and decided to set up FreeMcBoot (FMCB) along with Open PS2 Loader (OPL) to load games from a network share. However, I’m running into a few issues and could use some advice.

Here’s my setup:

• PS2 Model: SCPH-70004 (Slim)
• FMCB Version: 1.966
• OPL Version: Latest stable release
• Network Setup: SMB share on a Windows 10 PC

Issues I’m Facing:

1. SMB Share Not Detected – I’ve followed multiple guides, ensuring my share settings are correct (Guest access enabled, proper permissions, firewall adjusted), but OPL keeps failing to connect. Could it be an SMB version compatibility issue?
2. Slow USB Loading – As a backup, I tried running games via USB, but the loading times are terrible. I’m using a USB 3.0 drive formatted to FAT32. Are there any recommended settings or alternative solutions?
3. Game Freezing on HDD – Some games load fine from my internal HDD (via an adapter), while others freeze at the loading screen. Could it be a fragmentation issue or a specific mode setting needed in OPL?

I’d appreciate any troubleshooting steps or insights from those with experience in PS2 homebrew. If there are updated tools or better methods for setting up network loading, I’d love to hear about them!

Thanks in advance!