does the SCPH-990x PS1 exists ?

Sounds like a dumb question since I have one in my possession but I've never seen a second SCPH-990x during the 14 yrs. Does this model actually exist ?

 

Could you take a picture of the motherboard.
This way we can see if it's a PU-23

 

There is a "Property of Sony Computer Entertainment" seal covers one of the screws and I can't break it at the moment. It does have the parallel port in the back however. If my knowledge serves me correctly, the PU-23 doesn't have the parallel port. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

That's an odd beast just based on the label alone.

The SCPH-xxx3 models were all Asian models. They're supposed to have English boot ROMs, but be region coded NTSC-J. The label on yours claims to be NTSC-UC.

The standard 900x series models do NOT have a parallel port, however they do have serial ports.

Manufacture date is correct as it falls between the 900x series and the PSone release.

 

I was thinking it might be a sample model since it does boot CD-R and PAL discs. Also, It does have serial port as well as parallel port. The reason I think it's a sample model is because the manufacture date is May 1999 and there is a label below it saying "received on May 25th, 1999 by [a person name] at [name of a office]. I never seen a retail SCPH-990x that why I've been wondering for years.

 

The label also says 120V-240V input. All the NTSC-UC units I've seen only have 120V on the labels

 

Standard for the SCPH-xxx3 Asian models.

 

Got it. Thanks.

 

I'm sure I've seen a mixture before, possibly from the user manuals that sony had in pdf form on their site at one point.

 

Wow. And you say it can boot CD-R discs? Very interesting.

Can I ask you to run my BIOS dumper on it? It will give you onscreen info such as ROM version and date along with CRC-32 of the BIOS image.
That way we can see if it contains a previously undumped BIOS.

I'm not asking you to share the BIOS image. I'm just asking if you can share that information with us as this is the first time I heard about that model.

 

I'd try to do so when I have some free time. I'd be happy to share the info but please give me some times. I'll let you know via PM or post it here when get it done.

 

No worry, take your time.
I'm sure others will be interested too so I think it's best to post here in this thread.

 

If you take the parallel port cover off, is there a parallel port underneath it? That would be interesting information that could be acquired nondestructively.

 

Definitely watching this thread with interest!

 

I'm surprised that it says only 60 Hz. That would mean that it would not work in northern/eastern Japan, which I find quite unlikely. That's probably a labeling oversight. The difference between 50 and 60 is within most computing devices' tolerances, especially for something originating in Japan.

 

It is sort of strange - all the SCPH-xxx3 units I've seen have been marked "110-240V 50/60Hz" and have been NTSC:J region coded (even though they aren't specified to work on 100V Japanese power...)

 

I'm almost certain I have one of these systems..I picked it up at a local flea market six months ago. It's in my storage unit, so it will take a little time for me to get up there and dig around. I will post photos and do a complete breakdown in a week or so.

Mine boots CD-Rs, as well, but I just dismissed it as having a modchip installed in it..I will have to try and track down some PAL games and see if it works..

I do remember looking at the model number and scratching my head, thinking it was odd.

 

Finally someone has the same system. Please do a break down if you can. I can open any system but not that one

 

There is an actual parallel port when I take the cover off. I plugged the Action Replay Pro into the port and was able to play cheat without any problem. So it means the port does work

 

Wow. I guess this means I should actually pother to look at playstations when I'm at the thrift store. Never know when you'll find something different.