Matrix Infinity - Worth a DIY??? (Yes/No)

[Rhys]

Would anyone recommend fitting this myself if I just bought the chip online? (I'm generally pretty competant with electronics. I fitted a very complex sound system in my car, and have built many of my friends' PCs for them!)

So are there any good installation guides around, or anyone who could provide a quick outline of what's involved?

Is it worth even taking on the task?

[Adrock]

If your happy with soldering to the bios chip pins your already over half way there.

Its not like fitting a sound system or building pcs cos they slot together. A ps2 chip installation is about getting a soldering iron and working on some small points.

[Rhys]

I see. Very good outline there mate, thanks.

So do you know of anywhere that has any decent diagrams on how to do it? Don't suppose something like that comes included in the box at all does it?

[Yod@]

So do you know of anywhere that has any decent diagrams on how to do it?

Have a look at their site for more info:

http://www.infinitymod.com/cgi-bin/matrix/site.pl?page=home

[yosai]

If you've got a decent light source, tiny tipped soldering iron, magnifying glass, steady hand and some really thin gauge wire go for it, if not, don't.

Maybe take the machine apart first and check exactly how small the points are you need to solder to. The job itself isn't too dificult with the right tools but there is ample scope for it to **** up.

[Rhys]

Thanks for the link there Yod@.

And thank you for your very straight advice yosai. Much appreciated.

Well, I feel like I would be up for it. Certainly not intimidated so far. I'll definately have a look inside first to really get an idea of the skill involved. Thanks

[Saurian]

Please make sure you use decent wire like a thin gauge Kynar or similar. The first mistake people make when working on stuff like this is that they skimp on wire and decent solder and that's a big mistake.

[will2003]

I would also add that if you have a version 9 /10 / 11 PS2 (the quiet fan IR models) then without wanting to sound at all patronising then I would really reconsider modding it yourself, as you'll need to solder to at least 3 of the tiny via points, which are barely a millimeter across, and very close together. This in iself is no problem with a good enough soldering iron, but if you overheat or burn these points through the board the whole PS2 will be dead, not just your chances of modding it. As is always advised, grab an old ?5 graphics card from a computer fair or similar, and practice on that first. Also, with an Infinity, be especially careful how you route wires E and D on the motherboard. They should ideally be short, not cross over themselves, and not lie on top of other components on the motherboard.

Also, don't forget that the Infinity will black screen you for a good 20 seconds on some versions of PS2, if you do not have a controller plugged into port 1.

I tore my hair out with my first Matrix install - it was a clinically good job if I say so myself, but took it apart and put it back together again about 5 times before realising the reason for it black screening

As Saurian says, it's all about the good quality wire as well. I saw a PS2 that someone tried to mod using wire they salvaged from an old IDE cable, as they couldn't be bothered to wait a dayto order some Kynar... totally destroyed it to the point where the labour costs involved in sorting it out would have cost more than about 3 new PS2s

[Rhys]

Thank you so much you guys. Advice much appreciated! I think I may have to consider this long and hard before I venture for a chip then. Thanks!

[lostn]

If you haven't done it before (or soldering of any kind) I wouldn't advise it. Just pay someone a bit to do it. There's more peace of mind that way.

Unless you're rich and don't care if you need to buy a new PS2.