Playstation Model 1, Laser Pot.

My Playstation model 1 console had a problem with its laser and it not reading games disc sometimes years ago, i can remember that it was suggested to tweak one of the pots on the laser assembly which i did but completely buggered it up to the extent of the laser not working at all. I would like to get this console up and running again, but as it was such a long time ago i cant remember what pot it was that need altering, and also not sure whats a good start point for the position of the pot to be in. Can any one give me the info on the location of the pot and a starting point, ie turn the pot all the way to the right then 2 turns to the left for example?

 

If you've turned the pot ages ago and the laser won't work, you could have *possibly* damaged it. I'm no expert, but you can always turn it back and see if it reads then.
When I pot tweak it's usually half a twist, if that makes sense... For example if I turn the screw driver I just begin to turn and stop.

 

Yeah that's just it though i don't know what position its supposed to be in for it to work, and what 'window' the pot has to be in for the laser to actually start reading the disc correctly, if this 'window' is very small then i might never find the sweet spot?

 

I have used this in the past, and found it pretty accurate. Used it on at least 4 different SCPH100X's

http://dogbreath.de/PS1/LaserAlignment/Laser.html

 

But this requires some thought about what you're doing and actual tools. Most people just want to play with things until they appear to work and then wonder why it eventually dies.

 

Very true. I too am guilty of taking stuff apart and "adjusting" things in my youth I knew next to nothing about. Good fun though... Come to think of it, i'm still doing it:redface-new:

 

Buy new one. They are cheap enough

 

But this is my original PSX that i bought when i was 16, so kind of has sentimental value to me.

Im 99% sure i only adjust either the GAIN or BIAS pot so should be able to identify this with my multimeter using the guide cde posted above.

 

I've never turned a laser pot without a multimeter attached, and subsequently would like to warn against the sensitivity of these adjustments. Potentiometers on this sort of application should be adjusted sparingly, and literally to a point just past the point of operation ability in order to gain maximum console life and (more importantly) reduce possibility of premature console death.

OP's unit could have a couple possibilities:
1. Console was adjusted to a proper degree and has now weakened to a point of decreased functionality.
2. Console was adjusted far beyond acceptable power and the lens/etc has deteriorated to a point of death.

Hopefully the link above will point you to the right pot and carefully tweak it into working. If not, it's possible the pickup/laser is damaged and needs to be replaced in order to restore the console.

 

Hi, I have several PS1s sitting around which have issues reading disks, I'm thinking to give it a go at the laser pot trimming, however as these are PAL, shall I adjust the multimeter to AC instead of DC? I've read something somewhere back in the day that American appliances run DC power and European AC, that's why I'm wondering, any thoughts will be much appreciated.

 

LOLWUT? The only difference between PAL and NTSC consoles power supply is that they require 220V AC or 110V AC to work properly. All internal circuits use DC voltage. (Use DC)
Besides, if PS1 doesn't read the disk, laser pot trimming is the last thing to do. Most problems with the laser mechanism actually caused by weared spindle motor and dusty optics.

 

Err back in the day (like 1899) most appliances did use DC until AC caught on.

 

let it be because the question that you did not even know how to use the tester and'd end just to do damage.
Buy a new drive directly.

P.S.: For your information. For adjust trimmer (not pot) you shall use OHM not voltage

 

Hi there, I'm getting kind of confused here with the OHMs and Vs, however, I used the guide at http://dogbreath.de/PS1/LaserAlignment/Laser.html and actually got an SCPH1002 to read disks again, however I cannot get the trimmer for gain to be set to more than 1.75 - 1.78 V, no matter how I turn the trimmer clockwise or counter-clock, I either get it below 1.75 - 1.78 or up to the latter. At one point I managed to get it to run at 1.80 V, however after playing a couple of disks it just wouldn't reach again. I also found by fiddling with the third trimmer [the one to the far right http://feuerbacher.net/Dogbreath/PS1/LaserAlignment/LaserAl2.jpg which is neither bias neither gain and I have no clue what it is for] that it was also needed to do so in order to get the disks going. The more I rotate it clockwise, disks read only as music disks or do not read at all, turning counter-clock finally get's the laser to read properly as a game disk, however if not turned enough, disks will freeze on the black screen where the Playstation logo appears after the Sony Computer Entertainment logo.

Anyone has a clue how to set and measure properly the third trimmer mentioned above?

One more thing, after trying and playing couple of games still with the top case of the PS removed, once I put it back, disks freeze again on the Playstation logo screen and I have to go back to fiddling with the third trimmer.

 

Let alone that guide.
Really, I don't know which metod they have used for obtain that values, because they vary between the models, the laser and other conditions...

 

Also it'd near impossible to get accurate measurement of resistance in circuit. Other components will affect the reading, resistor is usually best measured out of circuit.

 

At least the guide is a little more scientific than just reading the resistance across the pot, but it's still far from ideal. You should preferably use the correct tools (probably an oscilloscope and jitter meter) in conjunction with the relevant service manual, which will have the correct specifications.

If you are going to attempt to take any live readings, don't forget that the PSU is live and partially at mains voltage. Keep your hands away from it!

 

scph 1002 help

hey you will have to solder new all 3 pots thats the final way to fix it .
that pot trimmer techniqe is just for resistance purpose never to touch it
.it gets damage or gets lose after 2 3 times rotating , hence losing the resistance !! so i have thrown 5 ps 1002 & 3 ps 1001 models because of
this POT problem. in india there are hungry naked people they keep only
spares which are in much priority and not this much small part like a pot .
:dejection: :mad-new::mad-new::dejection::dejection:they cannot EAT anything with pot money so they are not keeping it. !!!!!!!!!!!!! if can find the pot ENJOY... its OUTSTANDING
PLAYSTATION !.............................................................:sorrow:

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