Laser Recalibration

nwong · #1 04-09-2002, 22:46

How does one perform this task or where does one send it in to get done (somewhere in So. Cal. preferred)? When I first chipped my PS2 with Neo4, all DVD-Rs played fine. Games and movies played excellent. But for some strange reason, today when I tried to play one of my backup DVD-rs, it gave me the red screen to Insert Valid Game Disc. After several attempts, it finally played, but does this mean the laser is bad or needs replacing? DVD-r movies play fine, but I'm afraid they will eventually fail. Any help? Thanks!

dust2dust · #2 05-09-2002, 01:23

try a cd lens cleaner first(the type with little brushes on it
could just b speckle dust or crap on the lens
this option works for most people

if not dont sweat to much laser can b adjusted or replaced if neccasary

but try clean first
70% of the time it enough

nwong · #3 05-09-2002, 09:22

dust2dust,
I will try the lens cleaner first and see if that clears it up. Thanks!

I guess it would seem wierd if I could play another DVD-r game/movie while just this particular one I can't. I also heard that playing the PS2 horizontally produces more dust to accumulate. Is this true?

TylerDurden · #4 05-09-2002, 10:55

Im not sure about the horizontal dust issue but it sounds logical that dusts can settle easier on a horizontal lens as to a vertical one.

Another reason you might do this (put your ps2 vertical) is to allow your laser to be free floating. Since there is no gravity pulling against it, your laser can maintain its actual adjustment which can be closer to your disc.

Tyler!

charlie_ps2 · #5 05-09-2002, 11:05

If you must recalibrate ..

http://www.ps2modchips.com/forum/sho...&threadid=3899

bighap · #6 05-09-2002, 11:06

On rare ocasions when my ps2 is horizontal it freezes. Its only happened maybe 3 or 4 times. With it vertical I have had no problems. As for dust problems, I vacume my ps2 monthly. I do the top, the vents, and the fan screen(collects a lot of crap). When my ps2 is not in use I cover it with a pillow case to keep dust off it. As a result, my ps2 is as good as the day I bought it.

TylerDurden · #7 05-09-2002, 11:34

Quote:

Originally posted by bighap
On rare ocasions when my ps2 is horizontal it freezes. Its only happened maybe 3 or 4 times. With it vertical I have had no problems. As for dust problems, I vacume my ps2 monthly. I do the top, the vents, and the fan screen(collects a lot of crap). When my ps2 is not in use I cover it with a pillow case to keep dust off it. As a result, my ps2 is as good as the day I bought it.

Do you read it bedtime stories too?

Tyler!

bighap · #8 05-09-2002, 11:36

I sure do. It cools her down after a long days work.

nwong · #9 06-09-2002, 10:46

Well, I cleaned it when it was horizontal and it didn't help. Cleaned it mounted vertically and it seems to have worked ... better. I can play DVD-r games now, but on some they freeze a little. For instance, Onimusha 2 freezes a few times when accessing the disc. I will try to reclean the unit more thoroughly, but will most likely adjust the laser slightly.

bighap · #10 06-09-2002, 12:08

You might want to try blowing it out as well.

charlie_ps2 · #11 06-09-2002, 13:06

Quote:

Originally posted by bighap
I sure do. It cools her down after a long days work.

Once a month?

bighap · #12 06-09-2002, 13:11

Vacuming, yes. I don't need to blow it out cause I vacume it out so often. I baby my prize possesions, like my PS2.

nwong · #13 06-09-2002, 22:17

So I tried to adjust my laser output power, however after reviewing the posts and Charlie's instruction sheet ... I think my laser was already adjusted from the factory. I measured the impedance on the DVD pot and it was 580ohms while the CD pot was more like 880ohms. Seems to me that the DVD pot is slightly lower than what is the norm. Anyone ever see this ... I've had my PS2 for about a year now with the NEO4 and haven't had the need to adjust the laser until now.

Anyone know of a good reuptable shop to have the laser replaced? Also, does the Neo4 chip cause problems?

charlie_ps2 · #14 07-09-2002, 02:56

NWONG - addressing your first paragraph, are you sure about those laser settings? 500 ohms etc. usually fries the laser quick smart (if you use the PS2 daily) unless it's operating at a lower voltage (which it won't be).

What model PS2 is it? I assume your installer set the pots down.

This is the moment to get a new laser, I believe and set the pots to 1100 ohms.

Another thought - the Laser Azimuth adjustment is often sloppily set by Sony because there is latitude when reading pressed CDs and DVDs. You could optimise by getting the laser fully orthoganal to the disk.

As to DVD-R movies - I suspect these work because they don't stream i.e. load in the background. That's a guess though. Laser Azimuth adjustment is posted/buried somewhere in this forum or in the FAQ section of www.ps2modchips.com

nwong · #15 07-09-2002, 14:38

Charlie,
Yeah that is what I thought ... 500 ohms seems a little low. I'm pretty sure my installer didn't mess with the pots though as I was there when he did the mod. My PS2 is V4 ... do you know of a good/reputable repair shop in Southern California?