The PlayStation 2 Basic BootLoader is a bootloader for the PS2 made by El Isra which can initialize the system, load discs and executables. In other words, it can be used to start the system and different homebrew, similar to FreeMCBoot. PS2BBL however does not have a hacked OSDSYS, but loads an ELF file instead.
It's feature-rich and includes exFAT support, also for MX4SIO and devices connected over iLink. Support for modchips is also good. Additionally, PS2BBL can be configured to boot different programs depending on which button is pressed while booting.
If desired, PS2BBL can be paired with a user interface like OSDMenu (which is a hacked OSDSYS similar to FMCB) or OSD-XMB. It can also be used in combination with OpenTuna to increase OpenTuna's capabilities, also offering installers for which to make installation very easy.
PS2BBL can be set up 3 different ways:
- simply as an executable loaded from where ever you want,
- as a system update similar to FMCB, allowing it to automatically boot on system startup,
- in combination with OpenTuna.
You can learn more at the project's documentation.
Standard configuration
PS2BBL comes packed with a version of the OPL 1.2.0 beta, which is started automatically when booting. You can press 
while booting to start wLaunchELF_ISR and 
to start a disc if one is inserted.
If you break your boot configuration, you can hold and 
while booting. PS2BBL will then try boot a file named RESCUE.ELF from a USB drive. You can put LaunchELF on a drive for example and rename it to fix your config from there.
Setup
As a System Update
Setting PS2BBL up as a system update allows it to automatically boot once the console is powered up. Note that the PS2's main menu is skipped completely.
- Download the KELFBinder installer from here.
- Copy the folder to a USB drive. Your USB drive needs to be formatted to either:
- FAT32 when using an older LaunchELF version
- optionally exFAT if you are using a current LaunchELF version
- Open it from LaunchELF.
- Select Manage System Updates and select Advanced Install.
- Choose the option that suits your needs.
- Select your memory card and wait for the installation to finish.
When you connect the memory card to a PS2, it will automatically boot using PS2BBL into OPL.
With OpenTuna
Using PS2BBL with OpenTuna allows you to use homebrew on consoles with a BIOS version of 2.20 and above like late Slim models and the PS2 TV.
- Download the PS2BBL-OpenTuna installer from here.
- Copy the folder to a USB drive. Your USB drive needs to be formatted to either:
- FAT32 when using an older LaunchELF version
- optionally exFAT if you are using a current LaunchELF version
- Open it from LaunchELF.
- Select which memory card you want to install onto.
- OpenTuna needs to be configured differently for different console and BIOS revisions.
- If you are doing the installation for the same console you're currently using, choose Automatic install.
- If you are doing the installation for a different console, select Manual install and choose the one according to your console.
- Wait for the installation to finish.
PS2BBL can be started by powering on the console, going into the browser and selecting the memory card you used for installation. You'll notice that some icons are missing. Back out twice using 
. PS2BBL will be loaded.