Two months ago I bought a TEST PS2 from mattcp, and the first thing I noticed was that when I switch it on, it takes a while to recognize the game - it displays the built-in menu for a few seconds, whereas my other PS2 loaded the game at once. I never really paid attention to this until playing Shadow of the Colossus today - somehow, I got the idea that objects weren't being loaded fast enough, because there was quite some pop-up. And then, after a few minutes, the drive started making a weird 'clicking' sound for a few seconds. After a few minutes of quitet it did this again. However, I got no errors of any kind. Is the lens on its way out? Is this something I can fix? Or should I contact the seller (who doesnt appear to read his PMs)?
Mine does that all the time and having no PS2 previoulsy I didn't know this is not norm? Besides it doesn't seem to affect anything since it still play all the disc I throw at it inc. NTSC/NTSC-J/PAL...
Mine is not from Mattcp and has the same issue's, personally they dont bother me I think all TEST's take some time loading the games and if I recall correctly the TEST has a slower reading speed then retails hence the longer loading times. Also a good tip, I have noticed that it does matter what brand/kind of burnable media you use, first I was using Premium DVD-R and frankly they sucked, some games would not load at all others would take ages having me thinking the lens was almost dead.. then I tried Nashua's DVD-R and now everything seems to loads just fine besides taking a little bit longer then a retails PS2 everything works without any problems what so ever.
Hmm, well I tried some more yesterday night and it would crash during the intro FMV of my (spotless copy of) FFVIII. Other PS1 games would work fine though, until today - I got my first Disc Read Error while trying to play Rez :-( (i only play originals by the way, so the media issue isn't really relevant for me) So what should I do? Is there a permanent solution to be found with cleaning or re-adjusting the laser or should I shell out for new parts? If so, which? What pisses me off is that I've hardly used the machine (I was abroad most of the time after I got it) and I haven't found a way to get through to mattcp...
That changes the story a little, but I can confirm that mine acts the same with original retail discs (as in slow reading and slow boot) as for disc errors I get them with some ps1 games strangely enough. But it sounds like you maybe have some issue's, though I would think that TEST ps2's are made for masterdiscs and may not be compatible with all retails.. but this is just a guess might be your laser is at his end of life, and I think adjusting it will not do much as the TEST laser mechanics are different then a retail one, cleaning tho maybe does! Anyway goodluck.
I had an ancient PS2 Test that reacted in exactly the same manner. It would fail to read some discs and then play others of the same type almost immediately. I put it down to a lens issue and was proved correct in this instance when I replaced it a few weeks ago. My 3xxxx series now reacts exactly the way a retail straight from the box would. Pop a disc of any kind in and it boots up almost immediately - no messing around! That isn't to say all Test units will act in precisely the same manner - but from experience, any delays in reading discs COUPLED with any clicking noises tends to mean something needs replaced or looked at. The clicking could in fact be the arm that goes from the laser and rests on top of the motorised spindle - if it gets worn (or if it the later 5xxxx series with the metal arms, they can get bent through usage). First instance is get inside it and clean it throughly and then check with seller if no joy. For what it's worth, I've also not been able to raise Mattcp on PM for weeks, anyone spoken to him recently? Note* depending on the type of Test you have, you may be required to set the laser depth, but if you take a photograph of the particular DVDrom internals (like my image) I can tell you how to do this. I can also tell you how to strip the laser right down to give it a good clean - sometimes it helps - sometimes not!
Gee, thanks so much guys! I must admit that I'm a bit overly stressed out in general; first, I lose my 'free train travel for students'-card - and the goddamn govt not only fines me 32e for a replacement, no, I also have to wait two weeks for it - all the f*ing time, I have to pay for transportation (16e/day), then, I'm having some trouble getting to grips with my new major and the university's bureaucracy, and then my PS2 breaks down :evil: All within three days! :banghead: Now that I resorted to an agreeable cigar and a wee bit of Amaretto I'm winding down a bit, will give the PS2 a good clean tomorrow.
WIIW~ Here're some pictures of fixing PS2 lense issue. Have a look - though it's in Korean but should be suffice with pictures... -__-;; No I didn't took those pictures. It's the old post by someone at another forum that I've forgotten... link link 2
Hey, thanks. BTW, now I know why I couldn't reach mattcp by e-mail - I sent them to another guy named Matt C. in my paypal record - what a coincidence :redface:
Let us know how you got on. Out of interest what model # is it you have? Can you take images of the unit whilst open so I can compare / contrast. Thanks!
Well, I'm in the process of stripping down the lens assembly, actually. I figured I'd start by re-lubing the lens rails & worm gear with WD40, and cleaning both lenses (there's one below the one on top, actually!) with some alcohol. The laser arm doesn't look worn at all - of course, I don't know how long the two stubs that sit on the worm gear ought to be. Also, I looked up some guides on adjusting the laser depth - however, like the pic you posted, my PS2 has a small copper cog next to the big white one. This resets the laser depth on bootup, so I have yet to find a way around it. Word is I can disconnect its motor, but I have yet to find a way to get to the small orange ribbon cable. If this doesn't work, I might try adjusting the laser pots & hooking up an oscilloscope (I KNEW I would find a use for it one day!) if I find a test point. I have a DTLH-30001E btw.
The little cogged motor actually selects the BEST possible laser depths, it's one reason why there is a slight delay when swapping media types - the adjustment means it will test then start. Other than that, it sounds like you've got it in hand.
Well, a friend of mine has repaired scores of CD-i's using WD40, apparently. Though I apparently did something wrong - it hardly spins the disc now :S
Hah, it was but a badly reconnected ribbon cable It now appears to read discs just fine, will hook it up now and see what happens...
You can use WD40 so long as the parts are actually removed from the unit. Otherwise the stuff can go further than you'd want it too. The little plastic nozzle that comes with it is quite handy. However I use a lubricating silicone substance which is better.
Rapture! Just played a very nice round of Rez :033: Strange that just wiping the lens & mirror and re-lubing the rails works so damn well! By the way, Parris, I found out that the automatic depth re-adjustment strangely occurs *before* the disc is read - i.e., when turning the system on with the tray open, the cog spins a few times while the tray returns! Maybe it re-adjusts later on, too.
Never tried it with the tray out and switching back on I must admit. You can hear it readjust when you change the type of media in the tray, i.e. go from say a blue disc back to a silver. Although it's not so noticeable now I have a brand new laser.
