PS2 faulty disc drive? Replace with one from another console?

Hi,

I recently found a SCPH-50004 model PS2 to replace the insanely noisy 30004 model I already had. ONly problem is that the disc drive seems faulty on this "new" one. One time when I turned it on it wouldn't read the discs, and instead made some awful grinding noise. Now I am currently copying a game onto the HDD using HDLoader and, although it seems to be working, it is making "clicking" noises quite regularly that aren't too reassuring.

First off, does my drive sound pooped? Also, would I be able to swap the drive from my 30004 model into this 50004 model? Or is the hardware incompatible?

Thanks!

 

I recommend you simply swap the fans.

 

Well, I was thinking that - but isn't it so that that the hardware in the 5xxxx models is different? Different enough so that the cooling requirements aren't the same? If I swap the fans, will the console overheat?

 

It doesn't overheat in mine ;p
But the fan does appear to pull a little less air. It's still okay though.
My console gets as warm as others.

 

OK well I'll keep it in mind - but I would prefer to switch the drives, if possible. Do you (or anyone) know if they can be switched? Are they the same in both consoles?

 

It's very likely not the same. Why not figure out what is making that sound?

Since it's a loud scrapping noise, is that magnetic clamp (that it located on the top of the CD/DVD drive) able to clamp down securely on the disc?
When you wrote that it is making clicking noises, is that when a disc is inserted? If so, it is trying to read the disc, but isn't reading very well. Is your disc a genuine disc? If it is not, the problem might be with your disc.

If you know that the OP block (the laser) is already bad, you can replace it. But try to make a 1:1 replacement.

 

I will open up the console and check the magnetic clamp, perhaps it has come loose somehow.

The game managed to copy onto the HDD even through all the clicking noises, and there were no read errors, but the disc IS quite scratched so it could just be that - I will test again with some other discs tonight.

I dunno about the laser, but if it is that then I will give it back to guy who sold it - he already said I can have a refund if it doesn't work properly. A new laser will likely cost more than what I paid for the thing. What's the best way of checking if the laser is good?

 

IMO, if it works well, it is good. So if it does not work well, it might be better off for you to get a replacement. Especially if you can get that done easily.
But of course, that is if it really is bad and its reading problems aren't caused by bad discs.