> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://8bitmods.gitbook.io/manuals/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://8bitmods.gitbook.io/manuals/virtual-memory-cards/boot-card-and-mode.md).

# Boot card and PS1/PS2 mode

## PS1 and PS2 mode

The device is always in one of two modes, shown by the console icon on the display.

* **Always boot into PS2 mode** (default on) starts the device in PS2 mode.
* **Switch PS1/PS2** in the menu toggles the mode by hand.
* In PS2 mode, the device detects a PS1 console automatically and switches to PS1 mode. A PS1 cannot be detected from PS1 mode the other way round, so after using a PS1 either switch by hand or leave **Always boot into PS2 mode** on.
* GameID switches to PS1 mode automatically when a PS1 title is detected.

Each mode has its own boot card, GameID setting and last-card memory.

## Boot card

The **boot card** is the card mounted at power-on and by **Menu > Load Boot VMC**. It defaults to `MemoryCard1`. Set it in the WebUI with **Set Boot Card**.

Use the boot card for your loader's saves and settings: FreeMCBoot, OPL, Unirom and similar. When a game starts and GameID switches to the game's card, the loader's data stays on the boot card.

## Load last card on power up

When enabled under **Settings**, the device mounts whatever card and channel was in use when it was last powered off, instead of the boot card. Setting a boot card turns this option off.

## Boot delay

Some FreeMCBoot and Free HDBoot setups poll the card before the device has finished mounting it. If your PS2 does not boot into FreeMCBoot reliably, enable **Settings > Boot delay**.


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