Short answer: Boot FreeDVDBoot into uLaunchELF, plug in a FAT32, MBR USB drive containing the FreeMCBoot installer, run FREE_MCBOOT.ELF from mass:/, and install to a genuine Sony 8MB memory card in Slot 1. Reboot without the disc and the console boots into FreeMCBoot. Never buy a pre-installed FreeMCBoot card as the shortcut — FreeMCBoot is distributed under a non-profit rule, and a DIY install gives you a known-good, current setup.

You need

• A burned FreeDVDBoot disc that already boots to uLaunchELF on your console.
• A USB flash drive formatted FAT32 with an MBR partition table (not GPT, not NTFS/exFAT — uLaunchELF cannot see those; see mass:/ empty).
• The FreeMCBoot installer files on that drive, with FREE_MCBOOT.ELF at a path you can find.
• A genuine Sony 8MB memory card (SCPH-10020) in Slot 1 as the install target. Clone 64MB/128MB cards are a common cause of install failures — see memory card errors.

Steps

• Boot FreeDVDBoot and wait for uLaunchELF.
• Insert the USB drive. In uLaunchELF’s FileBrowser, open mass:/ and run FREE_MCBOOT.ELF.
• In the installer, choose the install target (Slot 1 card) and the install type. A normal install is right for most users; multi-install matters only if you plan to move the card between consoles of different regions — read the installer’s own help before choosing it.
• Let the installer finish completely, then power off, remove the disc, and reboot. The console should now boot into the FreeMCBoot menu from the card alone.
• Copy Open PS2 Loader (OPL) into the card’s BOOT folder or set it as a menu item so it is one click away (see OPL storage options).

If the installer will not start

• mass:/ is empty or freezes — USB format problem. Reformat FAT32/MBR and retry.
• Installer starts but fails writing — suspect a clone card. Retry with a genuine 8MB card in Slot 1.
• Console boots to uLaunchELF but the installer ELF is missing — you copied the wrong folder to USB. Re-copy the installer package to the drive root and check the filename.

Late Slim 900xx note

Standard FreeMCBoot does not boot directly on late 900xx (BIOS 2.30+). FreeDVDBoot still gets you into uLaunchELF on those models, but for permanent memory-card booting on a 900xx, install Fortuna/OpenTuna instead (see the Fortuna guide). Installing standard FMCB onto a 900xx card and expecting it to boot is a known dead end.

Next steps

• Install Fortuna instead (900xx)
• uLaunchELF basics
• Install kit buying guide

Verified against: CTurt README (from uLaunchELF, run FreeMCBoot or Fortuna installer) and ConsoleMods FMCB guide (FreeDVDBoot install path), checked 2026-10-24. FMCB non-profit distribution rule per freemcboot.org.