PSX problems on Modded Ps2 (Messiah 2)-SORTED

[EddieG]

I have just had my PAL PS2 (GT3 pack) modded, and am having problems with PSX games.

PAL PS2 and Japanese PS2 games work fine, (don't have any US to test yet), but any PS1 game from any region is squashed into the top 2/3 of the screen.

The screen is shrunk with a border along the bottom, but not at the top, yet all the play area is squeezed onto the screen, so it's not shifted up or in a normal widescreen mode, (i'd expect borders at top and bottom for that)

Console is set to 4:3, TV is set to 4:3, (and doesn't automatically switch)

I've had it back to the shop, and they say it is normal, and "Proved" their point by showing me the same problems on a V7 machine, which only really proves that all their chipping gives the same problem

any ideas? - bad chip, bad wiring, wrong scart lead, any clues would help!

Eddie G.

[wod]

hmm, thats strange as i have the same model ps2 with messiah 1 chip and it displays them correct

[Tak]

Looks like it's not a Messiah 2 - ask the shop if it's a genuine Messiah 2 and not a dodgy clone. Either that or it's not installed properly.

The issue is known as "PS1 screen size correction", the Messiah 1 was the first chip to implement the fix for this (and continued in Messiah 2)

A lot of other chips don't feature this fix - like "Magic chips" IIRC.

[EddieG]

A lot of other chips don't feature this fix - like "Magic chips" IIRC.

Thanks, I thought they might have been lying about which chip they were using, but they insist it's a Messiah and they've put their own warranty seal on it, so I can't open it up to check without losing any comeback anyway - catch22.

According to various Web sites both the Magic 3.1 and Messiah have the same boot up methods and functionality, so is there any way to tell without opening up the machine which chip I have?

Eddie G.

[Tak]

You could try disabling the chip, AFAIK the Magic chips don't support this. The Messiah 1 also doesn't support this feature but its PS1/DVD boot method is different anyway (double-tap-reset instead of hold-till-eject-light) so you definitely haven't got one of them.

From standby (with no disc in), turn on the PS2 by holding RESET and continue to hold the RESET button until you get to the menu screen (swirling electrons). The console should now act as an unchipped machine. Now put an import PS2 game in, press reset, and see if it boots. It shouldn't if it's a Messiah 2. Also try a DVD movie. It should load if you have a Messiah 2.

The Messiah 2 will stay disabled even if you press the RESET button, you need to power off to standby to enable the chip again.

[EddieG]

From standby (with no disc in), turn on the PS2 by holding RESET and continue to hold the RESET button until you get to the menu screen (swirling electrons). The console should now act as an unchipped machine. Now put an import PS2 game in, press reset, and see if it boots. It shouldn't if it's a Messiah 2. Also try a DVD movie. It should load if you have a Messiah 2.

Tries that, and Bypass mode seems to work.

PS2 Pal loads, PSX Pal Loads, Any other game gives the red please insert PS2 disc screen.

DVD R2 Loads in bypass, DVD R1 won't run under any circumstances

Eddie

[wod]

hmm, so you have an m2 then

are you using an rgb lead, cause it could be the tv that is messing it up ?

[Tak]

Ahhh...

I've just been looking around and it looks like some clones support the chip disable feature... so that wasn't a foolproof test

I thought it might be TV/lead issues but you say the same problem occurs at the shop which makes me think it's the chip or install method.

There's a "HK clone Messiah 2" which supports disabling but not PSX screen correction, so it could be something like that.

From: http://www.ps2newz.net/forums/showth...&threadid=4685 (You need to register on the forums to read this)

The HK Messiah 2 does not correct the picture shift when playing PSX imports

It's possible that the shop doesn't even know that they are using clones, as some clones look very similar to the genuine chip.

Have a look on that thread and see if there's anything else you can try to test the chip.

[Tak]

Also try RGB and standard composite leads if you can.

And try another TV.

[EddieG]

Thanx Tak mucho useful information on there.

I now suspect I have the HK messiah2 clone instead of the official messiah. I will ask them when I'm next in the shop, (They were charging an exra 10 quid for a Messiah 2 over a Magic3.1 a week earlier, so I suspect they've just got the clones in as a cheaper alternative).

I specifically requested a Messiah 2, so think I'm in my rights to rant a bit about it not working 100%.

are you using an rgb lead, cause it could be the tv that is messing it up ?

Also try RGB and standard composite leads if you can.
And try another TV.

Yes, I've tried 2 different RGB scarts, both cheap though, (I've been looking for an offical Sony lead, but can't find one).

The original AV leads are still in the box somewhere in the loft, (never been used), but I have tried it on a different TV, with identical results.

Eddie G.

[angel]

blaze scart leads are mint, theyre blue coloured and game sell em (in game packaging) for 1499. if yer local games not got em on the shelves ask cos theyl be in the stockroom (cos game staff are lazy )

[EddieG]

Managed to find an Official Sony Scart in "Game", (covered in dust, but what the hell). It hasn't made a difference to the PSX problem, but that's not surprising, has given a hell of a picture improvement though.

also dug out the AV lead I got with the machine - no joy either


Eddie G.

[wod]

cant you open it up to look inside, if its got a warranty seal on it if its like the one, sony put on you can heat it up with a hairdryer and it just comes off ?

[EddieG]

cant you open it up to look inside, if its got a warranty seal on it if its like the one, sony put on you can heat it up with a hairdryer and it just comes off ?

No, it's one of those fragile white things that fall apart if you even look at them too hard.

I'm just living with a PS One on top of my PS2, it's not too much hardship swapping the leads, (thought I'd prefer to have the PS2's smoothing).

oh well, you live and learn, maybe I should just bite the bullet and get a Jap console, (the Pal machine is a bit old now anyway).

EddieG.

[Saurian]

A decent modder would have sorted your PAL machine perfectly - I suggest you take the machine back to them and demand a proper mod cos what you have aint it.

will2003 is the best person to speak to regarding PS2 mods. He wouldnt fob you off with a **** clone or botched install. If all their machines are giving the same problem you have to ask why they are still using the mods they use.

They are obviously using cheap clones which cost next to nothing to maximise profit at the expense of customers. Everything boots perfectly on my Messiah2 modded machine - never had a problem with it (got it off Will)