Laser going bad??

shawn · #1 23-12-2002, 00:11

I have a V4 PS2, with out a mod chip. I bought it used for a 100 bucks a year ago. Original PS2 games work fine, but dvd-r movies, and audio cd's do not work. (I've never tried a psx game) When I put these in, it says "disc read error." It's even done it with working original PS2 games that will later work--but this is rare. So I'm assuming the laser is going. I would like to sell it on ebay and buy a nice, new, pre-modded V7, but I don't want it to break in the near future for ever I sell it to. So what do you guys think I should do? Just sell it as it, or get a new laser put it or somethin?

Geoduck · #2 23-12-2002, 00:40

Just my humble opinion, but I would recommend you sell it.

As far as I know, (which isn't much

) older ps 2 versions are less stable than the newer machines, which is probably why Sony keeps making new version to improve on them.

If you read the posts from some ps 2 message boards, most of those who encounter DRE's, laser-burning-holes-on-CD problems, and laser failure issues are those that own launch/early models. On the other hand, it could be that the newer machines have probs that just haven't manifested yet -- touch wood

In sort, a never version (V7 and above, if these is ARE any newer ones) are safer bets -- again, only IMHO.

Hope this helps!

ottoman · #3 23-12-2002, 04:34

Yeah, on the version 3 and 4 the lasers are cheap and nasty which means you can get trouble trying to boot up cdr and dvdr but it is possible to recalibrate the laser to read these better. I wouldn't try it though unless you have access to an oscilloscope as you can end up with a PS2 that won't read anything

Regards

shawn · #4 23-12-2002, 21:24

My brother also has a V4, and his can read dvd-r's. So I got a no solder chip on the way. He doesn't play a lot anyway, so he should be fine. But I definatly gotta get rid of mine, I just hope whoever buys it on eBay is happy with it.....

bighap · #5 23-12-2002, 23:28

I sure hope you mention the problems it has. They will be pissed to find out they bought a broken PS2 without you mentioning any problems it has. I know I would.

ottoman · #6 24-12-2002, 01:05

The way ahead is definitely trying to calibrate the laser, have a look at this site.

http://www.ps2.nu/playstation-2-laser-calibration.htm

Although it recommends that you don't calibrate the laser without a scope I managed to do it no problem. All you have to do is make a mark where the pot that you adjust is to start with and then turn it up about one sixteenth of a turn and try it again with dvdr. If still not work turn up a sixteenth again. I had a version four that wouldn't read dvdr games or movies and used to come up with the same error message as yours and got it to read them no problems doing this. As yours won't read cdr's either once you've got the dvdr's reading you'll then have to adjust the cd pot as well but do this in the same way and take your time about it and you'll have no problems. It might also save you having to buy a new PS2.

Let us know how you get on......Regards and happy Xmas......

angry · #7 24-12-2002, 02:09

World of pain selling things that aren't broken, let alone things that you know are broken/going to break. Give it away to someone, or sell it cheap to somone with the proviso that they know the laser is on the way out. That way you won't feel guilty, and there will be no comebacks.

If I brought something that was broken, and I felt like I had been "done", I would hound that person.

lunardave · #8 24-12-2002, 07:46

Run a lens cleaner on it a few times, may or maynot help, but worth a try.

shawn · #9 24-12-2002, 19:47

I tried a lens cleaner CD, and it came up as "disc read error" so then i tried a normal audio CD and that didn't even work. And your [angry] right, i don't want to sell it to someone and then feel guilty about it (even though, isn't that what you get for buying a used PS2--or anything--off ebay?---i mean what would you expect) but regardless it would be cheasy. I'll take a look at that site about calibrating the laser--ottoman--but i don't know..

thanks everyone, happy holidays----ya got some real friendly people on these forums---can't stand those ones where people bitch at ya for asking stuff. later