PS2 Slim - Analogue Controller problem

Hi,
My friend's PS2 Slim has a problem where no Dual Shock 2 controllers are recognised (tested 3) although the Analog light will come on when the button's pressed. An old PS1 Digital only controller does work. I'm testing this in the BIOS screen, I can navigate and select options etc. with the digital controller, but nothing at all with the Dual Shock 2s. Tried both ports (exactly the same behavior.) With the digital controller attached if I load up Tony Hawk and start a game, the character just runs in circles, even when I then unplug the joypad. I don't know if this is because the game's expecting an analogue controller or if something's screwed.

The solder joints look good between the pins and the board, and i am getting continuity (inserting a resistor leg into the port and checking at the soldered pin.)

The only 0 resistance connection to ground is the ground pin, although i'm only seeing 40 ohms of resistance between PIN 5 and ground wheras all the others are several hundred ohms. Looks like PIN5 (fifth from left looking at the console from the front) is +5V. Same on boths ports.

I've seen it mentioned it could be a faulty pad has blown the diodes - is there a conclusive way to verify, or does the 40 ohm resistance from PIN 5 to ground confirm that? If that's the case, does anyone know the part to replace them with? Although it might be beyond my soldering ability actually, the three pins on one side of the diode are very close together.

Thanks,
Paul

 

Did you test those controllers on another system? 3 dead controllers in a row isn’t unheard of.

 

Not so far, I'm reluctant to plug them into my PS2 in case it ruins the controller ports! I've not yet dug out one of my dual shock controllers to test first on my working system, then on the broken one.

 

Half of the controllers I buy end up in the trash due to Flex board failures, I can’t see any reason that they would blow up the port nor have I ever personally seen it happen, the problem you are describing seems like the typical Flex board failure, if you use the DVD player to test it usually the select and start buttons work and the d pad is shorted to down or right, plugging it in triggers an x press.
PlayStation one controllers don’t generally have a Flex board so they don’t break like this.

 

Shorted cable (8.5v line for the motors) can ruin the inputs on the PS2 but in that case nothing will work. The ports have zener diodes to protect the IOP from damage on the inputs. I don't think I need to mention that bypass the 8.5V fuse for the controller port is a horrible idea, right?

 

Do you have any other pads that are known to work? If you do not dare to plug any of the questionable pads into a good system, why not plug a good pad into the PS2?

 

Hi all, sorted - it was all 3 pads were faulty! I had to go up in the attic to find my old Dualshock 2, hadn't been used for years, but worked fine. Wondering if it's worth ordering some flex boards for these 3 faulty pads see if they can be ressurected.

 

Good luck there are atleast 6 different Flex board variants and many are soldered on.

 

Probably more than that. Think I have spares for about 5-6 and still come across quite a few I don't have.

Soldered ones aren't an issue though, you can fit a socket.

 

Hmmm doesn’t sound worth the bother then, I’ll open them up and look for anything obvious eg broken traces I could try conductive paint on or something.