Hello! Long-time lurker, 2nd time poster here. I searched the forums to see if this is topic has been covered and couldn't find anything, so here goes: Recently, my PS2 slimline, which has served me faithfully for years, has started to lightly scratch some of my game discs. Some research has led me to believe the culprit is the small pad near the laser which, as I understand it, keeps the disc from wobbling while it spins. Since the scratches have been light circular groves, I assume the disc is skipping as it turns (the machine occasionally makes a sort of light grinding sound during gameplay). My questions are: Does it sound like I've diagnosed the problem correctly, and if so, how do I got about replacing the pad? All the directions I've found have been pretty vague on this point. This is the most hard-core collector forum I know, so I figured if anyone would have the answer, it would be you guys. As a note, I realize I could probably go grab another PS2 on the cheap, but this one has a special emotional value for me. It's a Japanese model I picked up while living in Singapore, and then got modded to play American games. Anyway, I'd appreciate any advice, even if it's where I can stick my request. Thanks!
Does it do it always, or just sometimes? Here are some general hints for slimlines: ALWAYS use the brake when removing games. That is, press the eject button. DO NOT turn off the machine then open the lid - the disc will be spinning! Keep the machine on a flat, level, sturdy surface that won't be susceptible to knocks or vibrations. Make sure you don't knock the console or the surface, and keep the pads so that you have a bit of slack in the lead - you don't want to accidentally jerk andpull the machine. Use the machine HORIZONTALLY. Don't get a stand for it. Are the scratches always in the same place? And is it a single groove, a wavy pattern, or several grooves? This will help you locate what is causing the problem. Sometimes, it can even be the laser lens. Check that the spindle is OK. These are known to wear/break on slimlines. If it isn't holding the disc correctly, it will wobble. The spindle is the only part that should be touching the disc when it spins. That said, you mentioned it was modded. It could be that they didn't put the laser ribbon cable back right - check that, too. The damper pad could become worn and the bottom of it scratch, in which case replace it. You can even use that double sided foam stuff as a bodge job. You really want to look into why it wore out, though, as it may be an indication that the disc was wobbling - so do check the spindle carefully.
a friend had the same problem with a neogeo cd... but it turned out he was using backups cds that were a lil smaller in the central part and caused the scratching. whatever...
Circular scratches may happen on discs if the laser pickup flexible cable has deformity, thus reaching the disc surface when reading the central area of the disc. Such a circular scratch will appear close to the outer edge of the disc. The only definitive solution I know for it is replace the flexible cable. An possible workaround would be straight up the said cable and heat with a hairdryer at the maximum temperature to force the plastic to straighten up a bit. This might happen if the user store the unit for a long time with the laser close to the center. There is two reasons the PS2 pulls the laser to the outer side of the mechanism when it's turned off on the power button or when the lid is open: 1- Diminish the chances that the user would touch the lens 2- Avoid deformation of the optical pickup flexible cable. Hope this help you.
