PS2 not working!

[Demobilized]

I just got my friends broken PS2 and he says it will only play PS cd's and wont play PS2. I was wondering if anyone knew what i might be able to do to fix it besides sending it in to Sony.

[Artic Flame]

u wont be able to fix it just send it to sony

[cheetah256]

first off, make sure that it does what he says it does, then come back here : )

if it doesn't read the ps2 disks, then its most likely having a problem with the dvd reader. i can't think of why it would read ps1 disks then though...

[morph228]

There are 2 possibilites.

First. The DVD reading component of the laser burnt out due to improper tuning(By the manufacturer which can happen for no reason because PS2's are unfortunately very cheaply made right now.)In this case you can send it to Sony and have them fix it, and gouge you seriously in the process. Or if you have skills with electronics can buy a new laser off one of the many fine online stores who supply official sony parts(and other less offical upgrades which enhance your PS2 to do many neat things)then open up your ps2 and replace the laser yourself which takes no time if you know anything about cd players.

Second. The Laser adjustment pots are out of alignment. Once again you can send it to Sony to be gouged or if you know what your doing and find the info online can whip out your multimeter and re-adjust your laser, which once again is a simple procedure if your familiar with electronic devices.

Well this post basically says that if you know your away around electronics you can easily(and cheaply) fix the problem. If however you know nothing about electronics, can't solder worth a damn and don't know what a multimeter is. Then i'm afraid all you can do is pay Sony around 200 bucks to do a job that takes about 15 mins tops.

cheers

Morph228

[Demobilized]

Well, it does play PS gmes, but i dont have any PS2 games to test it on. Im just gonna try it wiht a dvd.

[gimp]

I had a problem with mine. It wouldn't read the older PS2 games, you know the blue ones. I just got a little lens cleaner and ran it through. It worked after that, but I have to clean it pretty frequently. It won't read plain music CDs at all any more.

[morph228]

just as a note...Blue discs are not older..there just cd based. Silver bottoms are dvd based. most games are silver now because most games are dvd based(and very large).

Blue(compact disc) has a max capacity of 650 meg
Silver(dvd) max capacity is 4.7gig

cheers

[Demobilized]

so morph, you think unless i have good electronic knowledge i should just send it to SONY? Also the dvd did not play but all of my PS1 games do.

[ShooterJM]

First, I agree with morph. If you don't feel comfortable trying to fix it, don't try. You'll just destroy it.

If you don't decide to fix it yourself you have a few options.

1) send it to Sony for $200
2) Call a local video game store (I believe the local one here charges $50 and parts)
3) Buy a used PS2 for $200, keep the other one for parts.

[Will Wood]

From an unrealive sourse, my freind said that if you play lots of DVDs, it will ruin your PS2. She said her freinds had this problem, a simple $50 dollar fix. So from the 200 price esitimate here, I guess that wouldn't be it. Something about them being too heavy.. or something. And some are too light, you gotta like put a thin layer of ducktape on them.

[WickeDKlowN]

First off, I have heard that if you mention that you know that alot of people are having DRE's(Disc Read Error's) Sony should fix it for free. This is because some people are trying to file a class action lawsuit against them.

Also if ita an older model(v1, v2, possibly v3) It will not play DVD's or DVD(white) games.

Disclaimer: If you get electricuted(sp?), Burn down your house, etc. I am not responsible. Do the following at your own risk.

First, open it up(if you are comfortable doing that) and dip a Q-tip in rubbing alcohol and swap the lens with it. Let it dry on its own. then try it out.

There is also somehting called the white-knob fix that works about %80 of the time. for it, see the links below.

PS2 Cleaning
PSX/PS2 Repair Forum
White Knob Trick
DRE Lawsuit

If none of that helps(or possibly before you try any of it), call Sony, and mention that you have read/heard alot of people have DRE's. They should(might) fix it for free.

Edit: Also, I have been told that tape around the hole(on top; not OVER the hole) will help it work. Or turning the PS2 sideways/upside down will help.

[morph228]

that is indeed something i have heard (today infact). Sony is now doing the fix for free(if you ***** and complain enough). While they still claim it only effects early version systems it does indeed affect them all. I got a V5 which is completely useless and needs a complete new drive unit and an V1 with parts salvaged out of the V5(thank god they backwards engineered the newer parts).

As for what was said earlier. Do not try and fix it yourself if you don't have experience with these kinds of electronics. There is that nasty chance of getting fried or not being able to reassemble it properly as all of it seems to be wired togther with ribbon cables and cheap plastic connectors.

As it stands I have sunk upwards of $700 on gaming systems I barely use these days. I no longer care enough to fix the V5 ps2 i have and just wish i could find someone who needs the parts to take it off my hands.

cheers

[kenndogg]

Do this!

go out to your local Wal-Mart or Best Buy and buy a whole new PS2 and when you get home put the broken PS2 in the box and return it and get your refund!