Laser (azimuth) Adjustment

charlie_ps2 · #1 12-03-2002, 02:12

Laser adjustment is one of the issues of the day as v3s and NEO2.2 v4s begin to expire when DVD-Rs are booted. So I asked my famous "mate round the corner" to brief me on the detail and here's what we've put together for you.

The laser assembly is mounted on a sled which runs on two round steel runners. The azimuth adjuster screw will tilt the assembly slighty by lifting one side off its rail. Experiment shows that the range of adjustment is very large; normal CD's and DVDs will read reliably over several turns of this screw.

However, DVD-Rs and CD-Rs exhibit a very different range of adjustment. DVD-R is most critical. When Sony set the machine up originally, the setting was probably made with a 'standard' DVD because this (and CD) was all the machine was ever going to play .

Now that we are using CD-R and DVD-R, this adjustment is much more critical. Proceed as follows, with the PS2 already open - at your own risk of course:

1/
Carefully remove the top of the CR-ROM drive, four small screws.

2/
Power up and eject the drawer. Don't look into the laser lens, infra red is invisible and can cause retinal damage (it's probably safer to switch off when the cover is off the drive).

3/
Put a tiny drop of white correction fluid (or similar) on the screw to keep track of its position. You can feel how 'loose' the screw setting is by holding that side of the sled and seeing how much play there is. (This 'play' is deliberate, the screw must NOT be
tightened up so that the sled cannot move.)

4/
Put an 'iffy' disk (DVD-R) in the drive. Put the drive's cover back on, no need to fit the screws, a small coffee mug stood on top will suffice. See how good the 'boot' is.

5/
Eject the disc, remove the cover and move the screw clockwise a little. KEEP A NOTE OF WHAT YOU'VE DONE. Try again. Be
patient. Once you have found the position where boot will not happen, go the other way and find the other 'no go' end of the range.

6/
Keep going until you have a range of positions (probably less than half a turn) where the boot is best. Set the screw in the middle of that range.

7/
Verify that normal DVDs and CD still work OK. They should work, probably even better than before (if ypu'd notice).

CAUTION: If you tighten the screw up tight then the sled will not be able to move and you may damage the sled motor or mechanism.

fanta · #2 12-03-2002, 09:59

sony are still doing a exchange system it costs £75 but you get a refurb unit delivered to your door no question even if youv'e opened the console
could help anyone with older v3 with duff lazers

SimonBradley · #3 12-03-2002, 13:31

Where can you do the ps2 exchange?

Thanks
Sim

fanta · #4 12-03-2002, 14:06

ring sony playstation support line 08705998877
the ask a couple of questions model ser number
you can either get it repaired or they offer an exchange
for £75 its sent to you and the delivery guy exchanges
it for your console mine arrives friday im exchanging
a dead v3 will post what model i get

charlie_ps2 · #5 12-03-2002, 17:02

Quote:

Originally posted by SimonBradley
Where can you do the ps2 exchange?

Thanks
Sim

A brilliant tip from Fanta. Do it, Sim.

SimonBradley · #6 13-03-2002, 01:06

One problem my PS2 is chipped with Neo 2.2 So would need removing so that solder cannot be seen.

I am going to find someone to re-chip mine with a Messiah or sell mine and buy a V5, then get it chipped with Messiah.

Or is anyone selling a pre chipped V5 with Messiah?
Would save me some messing around!

Sim

charlie_ps2 · #7 13-03-2002, 03:28

Quote:

Originally posted by SimonBradley
One problem my PS2 is chipped with Neo 2.2 So would need removing so that solder cannot be seen.

I am going to find someone to re-chip mine with a Messiah or sell mine and buy a V5, then get it chipped with Messiah.

Or is anyone selling a pre chipped V5 with Messiah?
Would save me some messing around!

Sim

We do, Sim - £350 all in. Can turn it round quickly too. We prefer you to collect so we know what's going out the door but next day parcelpost costs £20 extra.

fanta · #8 13-03-2002, 09:05

Sim
if you can wait a day or so ill let you know what version exchange i get iv'e got a messiah waiting for it maybe we can sort an exchange deal out your not so far away email me

dust2dust · #9 13-03-2002, 11:10

buy v5 sim u know my advice makes sense

fanta · #10 15-03-2002, 09:46

got my ps2 exchange from sony today got v4 works great
sent back dead v3 not bad for £75

dust2dust · #11 15-03-2002, 11:38

yes very very good if v3 had no life in it
sim is different his works fine he better sell v3 plus £75 for swap he can buy brand new v5

SimonBradley · #12 15-03-2002, 12:16

I am going to sell mine with a couple of games, and get a pre-chipped Messiah probably from Charlie at the end of the month when I get paid.
Thanks for everyone's help on this one

Sim