Purchasing consoles

[sfbulldogs]

Are there any certain versions of PS2's which are less sensitive and more likely to work with backups? Also, where is a good place to look for a good buy on a new console?? Thanks in advance for any assistance!

[NYyankee18]

a v5 or v6 ( v5.1 ) has the strongest laser there is and even reads DVD+rw with messiah

Go to your local Gameshop to buy one

[charlie_ps2]

I confirm the previous answer except the DVD+RW bit. My advice is to avoid that because you won't be able to try your DVD backup on any other PS2. It just doesn't help.

[sfbulldogs]

Is there anywhere online to buy version 5 or 6 online cheap and guaranteed to be that version? What are the problems with version 3, I see alot of SCPH-30001R for sale????? Thanks!

[sfbulldogs]

Anyway, what is the problem with the version 4? Is it less likely to cooperate with backups? Thanks!

[charlie_ps2]

It's anecdotal but reliably so. The v5.x appears to incorporate lessons learned from earlier versions and the laser is of better durability (or so it would appear).

The v4 has many iterations with BIOS difference (it's those differences that make the Messiah uncooperative with 30001 datecode 1C. v5 is stable. v3 was stable but had a weak laser - Sony tried to cut costs.

The v5 cuts costs by having a cheaper mobo; so a better laser can be fitted.

[sfbulldogs]

Please excuse the ignorance, but I am a part timer regarding all this. So, are all V4 trouble or just ones with the mentioned date code? Is the V3 usable for backups with the weaker laser or is it best to avoid it?

[charlie_ps2]

I can only relate to my own experience. I chose to buy a v5 into which to fit a Messiah because of the new laser.

The v3s have been out a long time and so are well used. It is highly unlikely that DVD-Rs will work first time.

v4s are a mess. They work perfectly with standard functions (lasers are OK-ish) but their variants are a nightmare for Messiah. However the new US Messiah is supposed to overcome all this and we shall see.

A v5 is best.

[sfbulldogs]

What do you mean by "It is highly unlikely that DVD-Rs will work first time"? Is there any difference in the PAL and NTSC models per version? I noticed you were from UK, that is why I asked. Thanks again!

[charlie_ps2]

No real difference in main works between PAL and NTSC versions. Any PS2 plays PAL and NTSC once you get past the region problems and puts the same as the game out the back.

It's just that v3s are around 18 months old, well used, the weakest laser and when you put in a DVD-R, which has about half the reflectivity of the pressed DVD, it is unlikely to read the DVD-R unless it is recalibrated first.

Messiah's from the UK - doesn't mean the steering wheel's on the right! Eh?

[NYyankee18]

I can only relate to my own experience. I chose to buy a v5 into which to fit a Messiah because of the new laser.

The v3s have been out a long time and so are well used. It is highly unlikely that DVD-Rs will work first time.

v4s are a mess. They work perfectly with standard functions (lasers are OK-ish) but their variants are a nightmare for Messiah. However the new US Messiah is supposed to overcome all this and we shall see.

A v5 is best.


I have a V3 with messiah and everything works great even dvd-r but charlie what do you mean by that its higly unlikely that the dvd-r's wont work first time?

[charlie_ps2]

Quite simply this.

The laser diodes, DVD in particular, will degrade and eventually fail. The diode itself, which has to lase to produce coherent light, is the size of a grain of sand and its surface temperatur rises in normal operation to around 70 deg C.

If these temperatures are maintained for long periods, i.e. the PS2 is well used, the laser diode degrades and puts out its light at lower power (which is why we recalibrate sometimes for DVD-Rs). The DVD-R has only half (to a quarter) the reflectivity of the pressed DVD and so laser power is vitally important.

If the v3 has only used CDs are has played relatively few DVD games/movies, then the DVD laser diode will probably be in good condition. This appears to be your case.

Most v3s passing through our installation hands have their lasers in degraded condition.

[NYyankee18]

thanx but i played GTA3 every day for like 2 hours a day before i modded it with a messiah


But one more question my little brother has a ps2 too but now he wants to have it modded too i said too him that the neo 2.2 was crap i saw on lik-sang that they have a Nova chip and an Origa chip is this a good chip any expierences with it?