DRE Problem I had
 

Some of you may remember the post I had a few weeks ago about my DRE.

So after taking it into a repair shop I got a call that it was working fine and I could come pick it up.

He didnt have to change the lazer either which is awesome news. But once I got there I had brought 3 games, a reg DVD game, a Copy of that same DVD game, and an original ps1 game. DVD movies now play in it no problem, ps2 originals, as well with ps1 originals work fine, ps2 copies(havnt tried ps1 copies) still get a DRE. Because of this the guy didnt charge me which was awesome, as now my ps2 functions normally but wont play burnt games which is annoying...

So now I have a few queries. Is it the mod thats messed then, or is it because I tampered with the lazer alignment?

The ps2 is booting like a reg ps2(its fitted with a magic 3.1), so im not sure if the mod chip is even being recognized, but after a few tests i think it is.

Usually if it cant recognize the disc you get the red screen saying to put in a real ps2 disc, but it doesnt give me that screen it just gives me the DRE screen, so the mod must be functioning.

So I dont know wether I shud take it back to the guy who fitted the mod for me to see if he can fix it, or open it myself to see if all the wires are still connected, or just sell it for what I can, see if I can get enough to get myself a game cube or something.

If anyone has any ideas or if they know of a way I can fix this I would appreciate the help.

Game Cube!!! Why the hell would you leave the PS2 scene for a game cube. Well there are a few options for you, which one is the best will be up to you.

1) If it’s booting originals you might consider selling it and put that money toward a brand new PS2 and have it modded with a better mod then the magic 3.1.

2) If after the laser adjustment wasn’t successful, you could always purchase a new laser. This will fix your system for around $80 or so with it professionally installed.

3) The Game Cube is not an option!

The mod chip is probably working just fine, although it’s not as good of a mod chip compared with the current ones on the market. Taking it back to the guy that fitted your chip will not help you if it is a laser issue (unless he too can adjust your laser better or fit a new laser). In the end I would say it might be best, as well as cost effective to just get a new PS2 and have it modded.

Hope this helps.

So only DRE on burnt games means its a lazer issue not a mod issue?

Have you tried a back-up PS2 title that is on CD-R?

No i dont own any...

So what are the odds its a laser problem compared to a mod problem?

Try booting an original DVD movie as if it were a PS2 game and post your results.

I can boot everything as if the modchip wasnt there, hence why I think its mod related.

I have tried adjusting the angle of the laser and the only thing that seems to happen is that I either get all games to give me back a DRE, or I get all games but burnt ones to work and when i try burnt ones I get the red screen, or I can get it to boot all originals, and when I play a burnt get a DRE.

So I dont know if its just the lazer dying, or if its mod related or what.

If i cant get it fixed, im gona sell the mod chip inside, and then trade the ps2 in for a gamecube at EB cos its basically a straight trade, and I allrdy have another unmodded ps2 to play reg ps2 games, I just wana fix this one so I have a modded one to play backups.

What version is your PS2?

I know you can boot everything but back-ups. I specifically asked what happens when you boot a DVD movie as if it was a PS2 games (i.e. don’t put the chip into PSX/DVD mode) because if I remember right (its been a while since I did a magic 3.1) when you boot a DVD movie as if it was a PS2 game it wont play but it will take you to the browser screen and show a disc that the PS2 thinks is a PS2 game. If this happens then the mod chip is most likely working. This is what happens when you try to play a DVD movie with the apple pro, duo, magic V and messiah pro. So give that a try and post your results.

dvd movie boots fine, and its a magic 3.1 chip.

make a PSX back-up and try that

Tried one, no luck

hmmmm........what happens DRE or RSOD?

At the current lazer angle(I have 2 marked off and have tried many others) I get the red screen enter a valid ps2 disc, sometimes i get Dre, at the other angle all backups is a dre.

go to my site at www.norcalmods.com and click on the "Test your laser" link and post your results here.

Turned ps2 on, left at screen, then inserted DMC1, took about 7 seconds till it booted the game.

Did it go to the browser before it booted?

Nope no browser on boot, so im guessing the lazer is fine, mind you this is with the silver backed ps2 title.

So it must be a mod problem???

Well it could be, to clear it as being the mod chip maybe you can take it back to the guy that installed it and ask him to take a look at it.

Yeah Im going to, but when I had the initial DRE problem I brought it to him to fix and he gave it back to me said he couldnt find anything wrong with it and charged me 20$ so I was kinda hoping not to go back to him, as im not up for paying for him to do nothing.

Ill call him tommorow and see what I can do, thanks!

OK huge update...

so turns out reason why burnt games wouldnt run is because he put the wrong mobo back in which didnt even have a modchip on it. So he gave me my mobo back and let me keep the one in, so now i have to put my old mobo back in. So i put it back in and turned the ps2 on and now the problem is the lights and everything work fine, i can even hear the fan working etc, but i get no picture on the tv or sound, and the eject doesnt work.

Does anyone know where I can find a dissasembly and reassembly guide, or know what this problem is caused by. I know its not the cables as Ive checked them all, and they worked fine with the old mobo.

WOW!!! Now that’s a big mistake isn’t it? How could any one give you back the wrong mobo???? Especially with out a mod on it LOL!! The mobo he gave you back, if it is in fact yours, he probably fried and that’s why he gave you a mobo with no mod. He was like "OH SH*T" and just gave you a non-modded working mobo so you wouldn’t be angry. Also why didn’t this guy install the modded mobo for you??? I mean like if he really did make this mistake, why didn’t he fix it??? After all you paid for a service and only got half!! LOL!! Damn if I did business like that I would be rich...no I take that back...no one would be coming to me with their business. BTW who is this cluster that you’re having the work done by.

He never charged me a penny which is good.

So Sped whats wrong with the mobo is it friend?
If it is how do I tell if its just the fuse or the chip? Do you know where I can get diagrams or stuff to show me what to look for. is it possible I just forgot to plug in a cable or plugged one in wrong or something?

I really want this damn ps2 fixed sick of this now.

What version is the mobo with the mod? You should check all the fuses with a multi-meter. PM me your email and I'll try and send you a diagram with a list of all the fuses. Better yet take it back to the chump that installed....... wait never mind, he has already dragged you through the mud.....ummm it could be a lot of things but with out it here in front of me it’s kind of hard to tell. Did the un-modded board boot originals? Look over your free install and see if you can see any solder bridges or anything that doesn’t look right. Yes it could be that you didn’t install a ribbon cable correctly or at all. Check all that again.

If the un-modded board worked you may consider having that board installed by a pro and get a better chip then the magic 3.1.

Also depending on what version it is and if the laser is good.

Lazer was fine, version of mobo with mod is a V5. Ill open it up again and check to make sure I put everything back together again properly.

Ill PM you my e-mail for the diagrams so I can check if its a fuse or anything.

Thanks for your help btw