Quick PS2 Laser Question

[Yoshimoto]

Just tried to play Gradius V this afternoon and my PS2 is refusing to read the disc. I've tried it with a game on a silver disc (DVD?) and it reads and plays perfectly. So guess the laser must be on its way out?

I'm quite happy stripping the PS2 down, so is there anything i can try to fix it? I don't really want to have to replace the laser or import a new PS2 as i'll be able to get on myself from Japan later this year. If i can just make it work until then i'll be happy enough.

It's a version 5 as far as i know if that makes any difference.

Thanks for any advice.

[Mayhem]

Gradius V is on CD not DVD, so yeah I suspect the laser is wearing out.

[Yoshimoto]

Yeah just been doing a bit of searching etc and it certainly looks that way.

I wouldn't mind if it was covered in dust or otherwise abused but it's absolutely immaculate. All my gear is cleaned and dusted on a weekly basis and as far as i can remember has only been moved twice since i bought it.

I'm going to have a go at stripping it down, cleaning the laser with a cotton bud and perhaps adjusting the laser if it looks easy enough. Wish me luck.

I suppose it's too early to tell if the new slimline models are any better in this respect? I'd much prefer to buy another 'big' model if i have to but i don't want this happening again in a few years time.

Bring back cartridges.

[Yoshimoto]

Well i've had a go at fixing it and it's not made a chuffing bit of difference.

Anyone know the street price brandnew PS2s in Japan? I need to work out if i can wait long enough not to have to import one from Play Asia.

[C']

ok, the method I am about to say should only be done at your own risk.

Basically first time I had this problem with my PS2 (DVDs fine, CDs not loading) I got it repaired by Sony but second time was outside of warranty period. However, a bit of Net Searching I found a document on GameFAQs. It is listed on this page here:

http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/game/915821.html

It was the Disk Read Error FAQ by Col_Sandoz / XShady.

In the FAQ it is the solution detailed in sections 4 and 5 (Adjusting the Voltage).

Using this method I did get my PS2 up and running again and it never gave me any problems up untillate last year when it was retired for a chipped model.

It may not be something you are willing to try but if you are planning on purchasing another machine anyway, you've got nothing to lose.

[Yoshimoto]

Thanks for that. Like i said i've already had a go at cleaning it which didn't work. With the info in that guide i shouldn't have any problems having a mess with the laser.

As you say, it's not like i've got much to lose is it.

[Yoshimoto]

Yay!

Had another go this afternoon and my PS2 appears to working fine (for the time being )

Didn't have to adjust the laser in the end. All i did was strip it down and then clean and reseat all the ribbon cables. Put it back together and Gradius booted first and everytime i've tried it. Which makes me think that the laser wasn't going afterall...fingers crossed anyway.

[ucci]

ok, the method I am about to say should only be done at your own risk.

Basically first time I had this problem with my PS2 (DVDs fine, CDs not loading) I got it repaired by Sony but second time was outside of warranty period. However, a bit of Net Searching I found a document on GameFAQs. It is listed on this page here:

http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/game/915821.html

It was the Disk Read Error FAQ by Col_Sandoz / XShady.

In the FAQ it is the solution detailed in sections 4 and 5 (Adjusting the Voltage).

Using this method I did get my PS2 up and running again and it never gave me any problems up untillate last year when it was retired for a chipped model.

It may not be something you are willing to try but if you are planning on purchasing another machine anyway, you've got nothing to lose.

Thanks for this advice C' - gonna attempt this soon when I get the PS2 back from my bro - the laser is on its way out - reads CDs but not DVDs. Got nowt to lose. Ta.