Broken PS2(fat) disc reader

I bought an old PS2(fat) from Goodwill and it wouldn't power on. I found it had a blown fuse. I replaced the fuse and it powers up fine but it won't read discs. It ejects just fine but I can't hear it spinning at all and the system doesn't recognize the disc at all.

The model is SCPH-50001

When I took it apart I unplugged all the ribbon cables from the cd drive and then plugged them back in. I tried reseating everything but still nothing.

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

- John

 

Adjust laser pot and/or clean the laser (cotton swap + alcohol or similar), if that doesn't work, you might need a new laser or drive. You can find guides on how to adjust the pot if you need to online - there's plenty available. Make sure you have a multimeter handy.

Before doing any of that, I would try a pressed CD (audio), burned CD, pressed DVD, and burned DVD and see if it fails for all of them. Sometimes it may be that CDs work and DVDs won't for example; certain PS2 drives have seperate pots for CD and DVD and it can help you narrow the problem down. Or sometimes it will work with pressed discs but not burned, etc.

 

Cleaned the laser, adjusted the pots, still nothing.

It's ejecting fine but won't even start spinning. Could that be a problem with one of the ribbons connecting it to the motherboard? Maybe not seated properly? I've had ps2's that spin but won't read, this doesn't even hint at spinning.

Maybe I should mention that I found a modchip in it. Could that cause a problem?

 

A little update to this.

I got a new drive motor, still no change. I decide that it might be a faulty modchip install. I removed the modchip completely and now it won't even stay powered on. The light turns green for a moment and then turns red again.

I think I might have to just accept this PS2 is dead.

Any further advice?

 

Probably a solder bridge...

If you can't see a bridge then run the solder iron over the points that you removed, maybe it'll help melt the solder that could be bridging it so that it doesn't bridge anymore.

 

I didn't think about that, there were a lot of very close together points i can double check. Thanks!