Laser or modchip problem?
 

i have this ps2 ver4 w/ a messiah pro 2 installed. before i use to play cd-r games and i was able to use ARmax, codebreaker, and GS disc but now i can't. is it my laser or my modchip that is giving me problems? i tried using a cd/dvd cleaner but that didn't do much. fyi, i can still play dvd games w/ ritek dvd-r's. i've tried different brands of cd-r media(i.e memorex black cdr and verbatim cdr multi-use) and that didn't work. if it's my laser, where may i purchase one at? i appreciate your response.

It sounds like your laser is just starting to go out and won’t read CD media well now. You might be able to just turn the pots down some and get it to work a little longer. If you want to purchase a new one there are three places that I can recommend.

www.richspsxparts.com
www.Divineo.com
www.foundmy.com

CLEAN the laser lense.. most likely the problem.. Use a q-tip and rub the lense gently. Need help still pm me.

This is more common in version 5 rather than version 4 but both of the above are correct. Give it a good clean with a qtip and sum cleaning alcohol. Then use a dry qtip to polish. This should improve the situation if not fix it.

If it doesn't then recaling yr cd laser will only be a temporary solution. It will die after a while so replacement is the way ahead.

People are very picky about which DVD media they use but are willing to throw any old cd backup in which is why the lasers die. I always use Verbatim Datasafe Plus as they have a blue write surface similar to Original ps2 cds and have never had a cd laser head go on me.

Regards :)