Odd PS2 disc problem- Status: Replaced Laser. Dead.

XCVG · Post by **XCVG** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 2:34 pm

STATUS: DEAD
Well maybe not, but it still won't read discs and a PS2 that doesn't read discs is pretty much useless.

A couple of days ago I got a (slim) PS2 for free. Now I think I know why.

It has a very odd disc reading problem. It reads audio CDs fine, but refuses to read DVDs or the PS2 game in it (although the game is very scratched). I've tried a lens cleaner but it did nothing.

I'm going to borrow a PS2 game from a friend and see if that works. I don't think it will.

What is causing this and what can I do?

EDIT: Replaced the laser, played with trimpots, put old laser back, played with trimpots more, still won't work.

Kyo · Post by **Kyo** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 3:23 pm

the laser can't adjust itself to read DVDs

bgnome · Post by **bgnome** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 3:32 pm

the laser might be on its way out. you can try adjusting the trim pot. i know on the the fat models that i worked on, there was also an alignment gear that sometimes got knocked out of place if the ps2 took too hard a knock. otherwise, you might just have to get a replacement laser assembly.

XCVG · Post by **XCVG** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 5:26 pm

Trim pot? Alignment gear? Where are they and how can I get to them?

WhatULive4 · Post by **WhatULive4** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:51 am

Or, you could buy this.

Make sure your model is compatible first.

XCVG · Post by **XCVG** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:01 pm

After doing some research I ordered a replacement laser module assembly thing.

XCVG · Post by **XCVG** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:39 am

Laser module thing still hasn't arrived! Argh, I really wanna play some PSX and PS2 games!

Basement_Modder · Post by **Basement_Modder** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:26 pm

itz been a week, yo.

these things ship in business days...so itll probably be another week right there.

XCVG · Post by **XCVG** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:52 pm

Replacement laser arrived today. Eagerly installed it and...

Nothing.

The PS2 didn't even seem to realize it had a disc in it. It just says- "There is no data." I must have botched the repair job somewhere. Any ideas?

Aguiluz · Post by **Aguiluz** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:18 pm

Pictures?

EDIT: Maybe the switches that detect the closed lid are crapped out?

XCVG · Post by **XCVG** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:59 pm

Pictures?

Sorry, don't have any. I've already put it back together.

Maybe the switches that detect the closed lid are crapped out?

Maybe, but I have no way to test that.

Post by **Black Six** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:22 pm

Maybe the switches that detect the closed lid are crapped out?
Maybe, but I have no way to test that.

Sure you do, short them so it always thinks the door is closed.

17daysolderthannes · Post by **17daysolderthannes** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:21 pm

guess you guys never replaced a PS2 laser before

There is a bit of solder you have to remove from the PS2 slim laser or it won't work at all. Its there to prevent static shock from ruining the laser during shipping. I would take a picture, but I don't have a laser handy. Google around for something like "remove solder PS2 slim laser" until you find it. Also, you'll need to turn the potentiometers a little most likely, you're supposed to use a multimeter and keep it above 600 ohms, or you can turn it very slightly (1/16 to 1/8 of a turn) and keep trying it. Also, laser swapped systems usually don't work as well as you would hope, I've never had one work "just like new." Maybe they have to break in first or something, but generally if the laser needs replacement, something has been abused about it. I recently had one that would boot PS2, DVD, and PSX games fine, but it wouldn't load the DVD magic swap disc (but did load the CD magic swap). Weird crap.

XCVG · Post by **XCVG** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:10 pm

Okay, I found the solder blob and removed it. Then I adjusted the trimpot settings. No joy. Tried again like 5 times. Still refused to read. Put back old laser. Okay, now it reads CDs. Adjusted old laser. Still won't read DVDs.

I think we can safely assume that either a) I'm an idiot or b) This thing is dead.

Aguiluz · Post by **Aguiluz** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 9:13 am

You pushed the trimpots too hard and blew the laser?

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Odd PS2 disc problem- Status: Replaced Laser. Dead.

Re: Odd PS2 disc problem- Status: Replaced Laser. Dead.