PS2 Model Question

Hey all,

I have a question regarding the PS2. I currently have a PS2 (fat one) Version 4 (I think, the serial number starts with U4). It's having two problems currently. The first is, the disk tray isn't opening all the way. When I press the button, it'll slowly eject, get to about 3/4ths of the way, then slams shut. Which makes disk-swapping kind of a hassle. The second problem is, it doesn't read certain games correctly (mainly Shadow Hearts: Covenant...two copies of it, getting a weird error). I'm not technically minded (at least when it comes to hardware), and probably am not likely to fix it. I'm probably just gonna run to Gamestop to grab another Fattie (they're only 30$, so why not), but what should I look out for? It kind of *has* to be a Fat model (I have a hard drive I use for backups and such), and I know the slim can do that, but I'm not likely to crack it open and solder something into it.

So in any opinions, which is the best old-style model? I'd prefer it be one of the 8 screw units, but that's about it. Like, specific model number, or anything. Just so I can have some frame of reference when I make a purchase.

Alternately, if someone has a PS2 that is decently (or interestingly) modded, and want to sell it, drop a PM, and I might consider it. I'd rather support someone on here for more money, than Gamestop. Let me know either way.

P.S. Dunno if this topic has been asked or not before. In my cursory search I didn't find anything, but I'm sure someone will point out some topic I missed from 4 years ago, or something. Cheers.

 

Seeing as you dont really want to mod it, get yourself a V9/10 Console, the model number will start with: SCPH-5xxxx

If you wanted a easier model to chip V7-8, SCPH-39xxx is better, as you dont need to solder to any via connections and just about the entire mod is on pads (except the four connections to the bios P,O,M,N),perfect for a novice, but these units are older and the lasers might not be so good any more

PS Why not just fix your current unit it sounds like it just needs a good service(New tray belt, Clean laser, and the tray gears)?

 

If you can find a cheap PS2 Network Adapter (you'll occasionally see them pop up at gamestop for about $15), an IDE hard drive out of an old PC, and a donor memory card (should say MagicGate on it, though it doesn't matter), you'll have the ultimate setup without even having to open up your PS2!

With uLaunchELF, you also have many options to transfer files back and forth to the HDD like USB, static, and DHCP. HDLoader can save your dying optical drive by ripping your games to the HDD.

I just performed this mod on my SCPH-30001R last week by cleaning/repairing a damaged Network Adapter, taking a 30GB Samsung HDD out of an old HP desktop, and hacking my memory card with the original PS3 Memory Card Adapter. Above all, I enjoyed doing this because I didn't spend anything on it! :thumbsup:

- Eviltaco64

 

Oh, don't get me wrong, my PS2 is already soft-modded with FMCB (HDLoader, a few Codebreakers, etc.) the specific issue is that some games (especially Shadow Hearts: Covenant....dammit it) don't work under HDLoader (Believe me I've tried). I get to the first battle, the game freezes, and that's that. Running either disk copy I have in the PS2 just causes it to reset. I know it's not the disks, since they can both boot up on my PS2 emulator with no problem (that's not an ideal solution), so it's likely the PS2's problem.

Also, I'm not great at performing maintenance on electronics, specifically consoles.

 

I myself tend to lean towards the models with fire-wire or the Sony iLink port (I use it for Kermit), but you also have the option of using a fire-wire hard drive (if you can find one).

As @Eviltaco64 said, do a softmod on your machine but use Open PS2 Loader instead of HDLoader, it gives you better support for Internal and External Hard Drives. I swear by softmodding because I for one don't like touching soft motherboards with anything hot.

Open up your console and give the disk drive a bloody good clean out and have a look at the underside of the tray while it's out, there may be a broken part of the tray or motor assembly that's causing it to do what it's doing. It's not very hard to do check You-Tube for a guide, depending on your model there will be 2 or 4 screws to undo in the lid and 2 on the tray. This will also give you the opportunity to clean your laser using white spirits (I use white meths, but Vodka is also okay, or rubbing alcohol).

I agree with you that the Fat model is the best for exactly the same reason, Hard Drives and Network Adapters. They also last a lot longer than the slim ones do. I call them pretty much un-breakable, where if you drop a slim kiss it goodbye if you don't know how to fix it.

There is setting (select I think) in Hdloader that fixes some game issues, or have a look on SksApps for game patches. I would try Open PS2 Loader to see how that goes.

I wasn't good either until I tried it. It's not very hard to do.

 

you could try to find a FAT fliptop for the playstation 2
then you wouldn't have the disk tray issue
and like was said before use OPL instead of HDDLoader

 

I didn't think about that. Good suggestion.

 

I dont agree with the Phat PS2 being more sturdy than the Slim.

Slim has a small motherboard + a very minimal DVD drive - not much to move or get broken.

The Phat has so much more that goes wrong with it, especially in the drive.

 

I disagree, I buy and sell broken consoles (150 and counting) and IME the slims are way harder to fix. What happens when a controller port fucks out on a slim? You have to unsolder it and solder on a new one, where in the fat model you just unplug a ribbon and away you go. I've also found that the lasers are a lot harder to tune than the fat models.

 

Disagree, and repair plenty myself. Easily over 500+ of various consoles without putting much thought into it.

There is less to go wrong on the Slim, which makes them less likely to break (which is the original point, not how easy they are to repair - there is a difference).

I also see A LOT less broken slims than phats. The phat also weighs more, so more damage when/if you drop it.

Desoldering and replacing a port is easy, but that wasnt the discussion.

 

The Phat PS2 has the most horrible insides of any console. Good luck fixing that idiotic drive!
Also, ribbon cables which break at the first attempt to reseat them, forcing one to make new ones from old ribbon cables from broken PC cd drives.

 

QFT

 

that depends on what you call broken if you mean lasers then yah up until the 75000 slims sony designed the drive mechicon to fail and destroy the laser
all models 75000 onward are solid

but the fat ps2's will always be easier to fix because of the hard drive support
dead laser be damned thanks to FMCB

 

You can hack in an IDE port on the early slims. But yes, HDD support is a big bonus.

I never said the slim was better, just less likely to break (and later that it is easier to repair). Need to keep my comments in context

 

sorry for the miss context fixed it

yes the early slims did have ide traces

 

IDE hdd isnt "fixed" for a dead laser, just "worked around"

But I have the same setup on a PS2 phat as I was given it for free with a dead drive. Fitted a DMS Pro and using Toxic OS, as it seems to have higher compatibility from HDD

 

you could also install a mobo 4 into slims and get HDD support back

ive herd that a v4 is the fat model you want due to sony not having yet begun to officially sabotage the mechicon ( i herd it started out as a bug and sony just delibertly expanded on it to fight dvd backups and drum up sales for new PS2's)
and being built similar to the v0 witch were built like tanks

i have a v7 witch has undocumented ability's to read both dash and plus dvd media so ive herd
ive always just used a HDD

got it a few years ago as a gamestop refreb
they seem to referb them rather well they removed that stupid mesh
in the air vents that collects dust and has cause overheating deaths to many PS2's

 

Modbo doesnt have Toxic OS support and none of my slims have IDE capability

 

what dose ToxicOS do? is it a replacement bios?
or just some fancy app for modchips?

 

We'll just have to agree to disagree. I admit I've seen a lot more "broken" fat consoles, but most of them just need a fucken good clean because people play them on the carpet.

Out of all of the slims that I have bought (30 or so??) about 7 have been repairable. I don't have a lot of money to buy replacement lasers so I don't. If I can't adjust a laser and get it working, it goes in the parts bin.