Just bought a new KSM-440 ADM

Hello everyone.

As the title says, I just bought and installed one from www.richspsxparts.com.

And I'm just shocked! Very disappointed! It plays even less games now (originals and CD-Rs)! Some games refuse to boot!

Some will spin, stop then retry again.


With the old (original) drive, all games boot but some had FMV sequences skip.



Am I going crazy or were my expectations for the new drive just too high?

 

Would increasing the pot help?

 

New ? A laser pickup that stopped being produced in 1998 ?

Of course it's very likely to be an Chinese counterfeit unit.

 

Oh God. Don't tell me...

 

Sure I can try that later today. It's 6 in the morning. I'm going to bed... very disappointed.

Thanks guys.


I'll report back in a few hours. More suggestions are much appreciated.

 

Contact the dealer and ask for a replacement?

 

I did just that. Hopefully this is an issue with the drive.


Even if it's a cheap knock-off, it shouldn't be failing so quick...

 

I forgot to install the bottom piece of plastic. I doubt it made a difference but games seem to actually boot now.

I can't seem to move the pot... on the original drive from Sony, it's very easy.

 

Honestly speaking these lasers are extremely sensitive and some dont survive shipping (once had 20 out of 50 not make it out in shipping) ,its a shame really...

PS other thing you might look at is that the spindle didnt get pressed down during shipping and that it moves freely...

 

Yeah... Rich (if that's his name) sent it in an envelope. I don't see the CD wobble.

 

Yup. Now certain games just make loud clicking noises.


FML.

 

Its fried.

Just get a new PlayStation and use the laser from that system

 

Yeah, that might be my only choice. But then how would I know it's a good laser?

I'm also going to RMA the one I have.

What is the lowest value the potentiometer can go?

 

You go to flea markets for PlayStations. 'nuff said.

 

Did you make sure the laser was calibrated right? I bought lasers from the same place and they worked fine. I think there atleast 2 adjustments on the laser assembly you can try to see if they improve performance.

 

i bought one of those china things a few days ago, it works pretty ok appart from the spindle pushed down too much :/ had to put one screw from the spindle motor out, so it dosent scratch there.the other is, i have to put like a little cd box under one side of the psx so it reads my disc correctly, even though i already set bias, gain and the laser power correctly as said in many guides on the net(measured with mutlimeter)all values around, 1,73v idle, 1,80v with disc, and the laser power 24mV.

but appart from these things it plays everthing pretty fine, even backups!(via xploder cartridge swap).

.richie

edit: just saw mine is a KSM-440BAM, got confused with these names....:/

 

If it is not in a Sony based product :lol:


The lasers in the PS1 are terrible. They will eventually all break. Just grab a another console and use that.

 

What exactly are the adjustments that I need to make? Calibration?

I already sent my drive back for a replacement.

 

I think the SCPH-5501 doesn't have a "gain" and "bias" pot. Correct me if I'm wrong.