Slim PS2 fan extremely loud/menu's in Japanese [Help, advice?]

You heard it right, the fan sounds like it's in overdrive. The console has done this 3 times now and I'm not sure what's causing it. When I turn it on it acts like I just bought it and asks me to set it up for the first time. Also, it won't boot any NTSC-U games or FMCB. After it warms up and then I reset it, everything goes back to normal (most of the time).

specs:

PS2 Slimline model
BIOS version SCPH-75001
Manufacture date: 2005

Now it just did something else, the menu's are back in English but to go to the browser I have to press the O button instead of X/cross.

Please move this thread if it's in the wrong area. I figured this was the best site to ask on as there are many experienced in hardware here than most other places.

 

Mechacon EEPROM has been corrupted DUE TO SHORT CIRCUIT on a modchip install. Unfortunately that's not repairable. Once you cause a write to the eeprom in that state(short circuit), it's corrupted and that's it. The mechacon has an hashing algorithm for each of it's sections and if the hash fails, it has "defaults" in it's internal ROM it falls back to. Which is why it changed region from USA to Japan. (region for models 7500x and above are defined by the EEPROM)

Because SONY put protections on the EEPROM after people started messing with DNAS IDs, only way to repair such damage is using a PC with their mechacon serial cable/eeprom service tools, which (by what I know) for that type of PS2 units never been leaked to the public.

I'd suggest you start looking for another PS2 to replace that one.

Edit2: oh you said it goes back to normal (sorry about not reading your post completely)

Open it and see if you have a modchip installed. If you do, get rid of it before the damage becomes permanent: Changing an option at the options screen cause the PS2 to write to the mechacon eeprom (it's inside of the chip FYI) and if the corrupted config is uploaded the damage will be made permanent.

 

Thanks a lot for the reply, l_oliveira.

Opened it up and it doesn't have a modchip.

I'm starting to think it has something to do with the temperature if it gets too cool. (as in a box fan blowing on the case)
Another thing about it, the little blue swirling light on the menu that moves around is sometimes stuck if I unplug it or it gets too cool. The console was given to me from my brother and it came from a pawn shop that thought it didn't work. When it comes to the frozen blue light, if I try to change the date on it it will start back moving again. BTW the date on the console always reverts back to the year 2000.

Also after looking a little closer it seems that some of the console has rust inside of it. Whoever had it before me didn't take good care of it, I took the plastic case off of it and washed it with soap. When I opened it it up it had a horrible stench that came from the fan. Let's just say the previous owner had an insect problem. There were dead bugs inside of it that I also had a time cleaning it out. The fan seems like it has been smashed in, would the system work without the fan? I can keep cool by having my fan aimed at it while it's running.

 

You found bugs inside the PS2?Ewww....that's nasty,I had the same thing occur to me with a PS1,but there were LOTS of dead bugs,under the PSU,on the motherboard and crushed under the metal plate.I was able to salvage only the CD-ROM,the rest I need to throw away,but after my cold goes away.
Back to your PS2,2 options are available:
1.Buy a new fan from RichPSXParts (link here,I'm sorry if I broke any rules:http://store.richspsxparts.com/v1270seslps2.html)
2.Mount a external fan on the top half of the case and have that fan run from USB.
For the rust,do a search on Google for removing corrosion/rust from PC motherboards,I think it applies to any kind of motherboard.

 

Rust ? You might find this little bit of information interesting:

The EEPROM and the RTC chip (real time clock) share the same serial bus. Maybe it's the said rust that damaged the connections under the mechacon chip and cause the malfunction you described.

It was common back in the day that shorted wires on a modchip install would cause trouble for the PS2 to communicate with the mechanics controller chip, causing the permanent damage to the eeprom but in your case it now seems obvious there's some in-progress trace damage from that corrosion. It may require BGA (ball grid array) rework on the mechacon chip.

 

Does it work any better now there arent dead bugs inside it?

Bugs can cause shorts, its where the term "debugging" comes from - original computers that were the size of a room often required "debugging" and a "bug" in the system was quite literal.

 

It still does it on occasion if it's unplugged (power cord) for too long. When it's in this mode I let it warm up a few minutes then uplug it and plug it back up and it works as it should, well almost except the blue swirling ball is stuck, messing with the clock time makes it go back to normal.

When we got the system the shop was going out of business and said we could have them if we wanted. Also got two phat models that have DVD reading problems but that's not really a problem considering I don't use the DVD drive and instead use FMCB. The two fat models belong to my dad and brother.

Seems I'll also need to be replacing the IR internal switch & cable because:

1. It won't even spin the drive because the switch that the lid closes on is damaged
2. Because the LED that used to be red in now a light/bright green, it gets dark when powered on. Messing with the LED cord makes it turn red sometimes.

 

Well,you can leave the power plug there,as long as you DO NOT fiddle anymore with the "LED cord",as it can get broken,and your PS2 won't work anymore.
For the lid switch,I know that there was some kind of diagram that shown you how to solder the CD lid sensors so the PS2 thinks the CD tray is always closed,but I don't find it anymore.
Still,you better buy another PS2,because now that Sony discontiuned the PS2 right on 1st January they are dropping in price I think.