Hi, I thought about perhaps replacing the entire CDVD drive assembly on my DTL-H30102 with the one from my SCPH-50004 (which I got for 30 euros, and that included 2 Sony memcards + 2 Sony controllers, and a PS1 game . This is because I think it'll be easier than swapping only the laser eye (that requires a TORX screwdriver, right?, and I don't have one), and will more likely give a better result since my guess is that other parts beside the laser of the drive mechanism on my DTL are worn too. Can I do this (the units are not of the same hardware revision after all)? If I remember correctly (and it's been a while since I was last inside a PS2, since my only unit which doesn't have the warranty sticker is currently with a friend of mine 500 kilometers away), the entire drive assembly can be removed as an unit and is connected to the motherboard with a single ribbon cable. Also, will I retain the special features of the DTL console (as in: reads imports + recordable master discs)? Ie. is the CDVD controller, which is locked down, located on the mobo or inside the drive assembly? Will I have any possibility of burning the LA chip in my DTL-H30102 if I use badly scratched or rewritable media (assuming rewritable discs still work when the drive has been swapped to the older PS2)? As far as I know, it can happen on the SCPH-50004 (V9) from which I intend to source the drive. Also, any tips on removing the warranty sticker intact? I've heard a hairdryer works well... Oh and finally (somewhat related) I'm thinking of replacing the fan with the one from the SCPH-50004 since SCPH-50004 is much more quiet. Will that work?
Hi, I can only comment on the consumer units, as I don't have a debugger (yet :shrug. In short, I think you cannot exchange the drives because of different cabling of the drive assembly; but even if the drives happen to be identical (which I doubt), the laser pick-ups might be incompatible. I have summarized the differences of the PS2 drives and lasers below, just in case. However, I don't think its worth it, as it is far easier to replace a laser pick-up than the whole drive (at least for 30000- and 50000-type consoles, haven't disassembled other types yet). Simply remove the top cover of the console, then the cover of the drive; you don't need a TORX screwdriver, as the left screw (when you sit in front of the console) need not be unscrewed to remove the laser pick-up. The left screw is used for fine-tuning the angle between the laser and the disk, but frankly I never needed to change the initial setting of a new laser. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the LA chips have only been used in later models starting with SCPH-5xxxx. Earlier models use BA-type motor drivers, which I have never heard of melting itself or the attached laser ;-). Therefore, as I think your debugger does not contain a LA, I assume it should be safe from this issue ray:. Sorry, no ideas for removing the warranty sticker intact. I heard the same thing regarding hairdryers, but hadn't had a chance to try it yet. The system fan's connector should be compatible across all (big) PS2 mainboard revisions. At least I never read anything contrary. Some general information regarding CDVD drive types as well as laser pick-ups follows. Regarding CDVD drives: there are at least three different types of drive assemblies used in the big PS2 units: As you say, some CDVD drives use a single ribbon cable to connect to the mainboard. These units contain a small PCB with both motor driver ICs, and, as far as I know, they have only been used in very early (japanese) models. The mainboard of these units is almost quadratic, whereas in all later models, it is rectangular. Personally, I have never seen a console using this kind of drive, so I can't say more about it. Beginning with the SCPH-3xxxx models, the motor driver ICs have been moved to the main PCB, leaving almost no (relevant :icon_bigg) PCB in the drive assembly itself. The assembly is connected by means of three ribbon cables (laser pick-up, laser pick-up positioning motor, spindle motor) and three two-wire cables (tray motor, tray open/close switches). CDVD assemblies from SCPH-5xxxx models are quite similar to their predecessors from the 3xxxx type, but the three two-wire cables have been replaced by a single ribbon cable; therefore, you cannot interchange drives from this console with earlier ones. In all cases, the main logic of the CDVD drive (Front End Processor/RF Amplifier, CDVD DSP, Mechanics Controller) lives on the mainboard, not on a board in the drive assembly. For all but the very first drives, the motor and coil drivers are located on the mainboard, too. However, as I described above, the connections to the drive assemblies differ, so they can't simply be exchanged between versions even if the drives are functionally equivalent (3xxxx vs. 5xxxx drives). Regarding the lasers: the fun doesn't end with the drives, there are different (incompatible ) types of laser pick-ups, too: KHS-400A/B/C, and KHS-400R/HD7 Basically, besides some mechanical problems when trying to exchange a (I think) 400A with a 400B/C, you can exchange a laser with a different type from its group (e.g., 400R for HD7), but not with one from the other group. All these pickups have the same dimensions, but the ones from different groups use different "bitstream protocols", which makes the data unrecognizable to the CDVD controller on the mainboard when a laser from the "wrong" group is connected. There is a program to change the corresponding configuration setting, but I don't know whether I am allowed to post its name here.
Hi, thanks for the reply. Just as you said, the drives seemed very different between my DTL-H30102 and the SCPH-50004. And heh, turns out the 50004 has a HD7 laser. :-( I know the program you speak of for changing the lens type, but I'm kinda afraid to use it on my debugger. I fear that something may go wrong and I end up with a debugger which doesn't read discs with any type of laser. And since no one knows how to boot a debugger from the memory card slots, well...I'd end up with a piece of costly useless plastic junk. A local modchip shop sells both original Sony KHS-400C lasers (they at least say they're new, not "factory refurbished", but who knows..maybe they just changed the description due to the low reputation refurbished lasers have) and clones called KHS-400Q. The official laser costs 75 euros and the clone is just 45. I know I could get one cheaper from eBay, but last time I bought one from there I got a laser which only read CDs, not DVDs. I managed to return it, but lost the postage fees (both ways). I actually have one console equipped with a 400Q, and it works reasonably well compared to how it was before the laser was changed. However, the time to recognize a disc, especially for recordables, hugely varies. Sometimes it's almost instantaneous, sometimes not. Rewritables can take long enough to give a "Disc Read Error", but they too are sometimes recognized instantly. I wonder if this is because of the clone laser or just incorrect "fine tuning" of the adjustments in the CDVD drive? I also managed to break 2 pieces of plastic from the disc tray (those hold the front plate with the PS logo in place) due to attempting to incorrectly getting the tray out of my way without powering the system and using the eject button. Noticed those 2 little screws which hold the tray in place too late. :-( So now I gotta go look for a SCPH-3000X to get a new tray for my debugger...the one from 50004 is not compatible -- it doesn't have the slot for the long metal rod. And yeah, I tried the hairdryer trick on the warranty sticker but it didn't work. Perhaps I didn't hold the dryer to the sticker long enough (I held it there for about 2 mins).
