PS2 repair options.

[Demon-Xanth]

Looks like this isn't going to be just the first console I've ever had to send in for repair, but the first I've had to send in TWICE. Some disks take 3 or 4 tries to get it to read, other never read at all. None work problem free anymore.

I have the following alternatives:
Call Sony and pray for another free+$10 shipping repair. (and that it'll last longer than a year)
Buy a new PS2 and hope it doesn't break.
Buy a used/refurb PS2 and hope that it's not broken.
Attempt to fix it.

Opinions on the options?

I hate knowing that I paid $300 (just before the price drop) for a piece of crap that needs to be fixed yearly.

 

[MrChad]

Well, I think the obvious first choice is to call Sony, explain your situation and see what they say.

 

[PTCvette]

I think you can get some kind of repair stuff on eBay to fix that problem. A friend of mine picked up a PS2 with a bad laser at a yard sale for $20, and was going to buy something off eBay to repair the PS2, but thought better of opening the case, called Sony, and they replaced/fixed it for free (minus the $10 to ship it to them, of course).

So, either way, they may do the same for you. Can't hurt to try, and pray that it works a little longer. Personally, I got mine when they came out, and it's still going strong. It doesn't get played much lately, but it still does the job.

Jeff

 

[Injury]

There are many issues related to this and figuring out exactly what the problem is can help in fixing it. Does it fail to read PS2 games and DVDs, or CDs and PS1 games, too? If there is only a problem with the DVD media, it is likely that this is a voltage issue.
Look for information on adjusting the laser voltage. It is fairly simple to do and my PS2 has worked flawlessly since I did it about a year ago.

If you want a simple rundown...

-Open up the PS2 and flip it so the top is on the table..
-On some PS2s this is all you need to do to access the screws, for some, there is another panel over the CD Drive protecting the screws. In a spot below where the laser should be, look for two tiny silver screws. These are the screws that adjust the laser voltage. If I remember correctly, the left one controls the voltage for the DVD laser, while the right controls Standard CD media.
-Giving the correct one less than a 2-5 degree turn, flipping it over and testing it out (it's okay to leave it apart as long as it is stable and on a non-conductive surface) should tell you whether you got it or not.
You will need a jewlers screw driver to turn this screw, anything bigger will not turn it. If you have a small enough screwdriver it will turn almost effortlessly. If you are putting too much strength into it, it is either not turning or you may break it!


PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!! DO NOT GO BY THIS INFO ALONE!!! Please research this before trying it to make sure, as adjusting the voltage too high could burn out your PS2!!! (I'm a bit not-sober so please check out and verify the correct screw with more information before you try this)


NOW... if it is not reading any media, this could be an issue of dust, in which case take the thing apart, use compressed air on it, and then use a CD/DVD lens cleaner and see what that does.

If that STILL doesn't work, it may be a matter of the CD Drive parts being off-balance, in which case you need to find more info on the net, because I have never had this specific problem.

There are a few "fair" FAQs at gamefaqs.com, but they are all text based so you may want to find a guide with pics.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Injury: both DVDs and CDs are f'ed. Half read after many tries, the other half never read at all. They all read fine a month ago.

 

[TechnoKid]

are you using the unit vertically or horizontally?

 

[DurocShark]

If all else fails, I'll take it off your hands. My son "needs" one for the bus... Something about having all these LCDs around, but nothing to play with. 😉

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Horizontally. It's going back. Again. I should keep the packaging this time.