[quote name='pete5883']This is probably one instance where pirating is justifiable.
I had a similar problem with the game, playing on a PS1 (might've been upside-down) instead of PS2 fixed the problem, for the most part.[/QUOTE]
I have been thinking of just playing a copy of the disk I got off of the internet. I do have a ps1 that appears to have a modchip inside. Unfortunately, that system is finicky and sometimes have problems just getting it to play anything at all. It's a garage sale find. So if I want to go the route of playing a back up now and picking up a working copy later, I'll have to chip my ps2. I'm not exactly sure what type of modchip that I need though. I'd be looking a cheap one that auto detects what type of game is in there.
I'd like to trade for a real copy though and not have to bother with any mods right now. Unfortunately, I don't have much that would be a good trade for what I'm looking for. The only thing I can think of is a disk only copy of Lunar Eternal Blue or a complete copy (I think) of Dragon Warrior VII. I really don't want to have to pay $40 for a single ps1 disc.