Test PS2 Browser screen crash/failure?

Howdy all

I have a Test PS2 system: DTL-H30001 E 220-240V 50.60Hz 42W

The problem with the machine is as follows:

Without a game/disc in the drive it turns on fine and boots up as normal with picture and sound the browser screen then sits as normal for a couple of seconds then starts to flicker slightly and then it disappears

My TV then says 'no signal' if I turn the machine off and back on again there is still no signal but if I wait an hour or so and turn it on again the signal comes through and it boots etc but suffers the same fault as before

Is this an original PS2 problem or a specific test PS2 issue?

Thanks

Rob

 

Can it play games without this issue?

 

Sorry I was supposed to mention that even with a game in the screen still goes blank.

I used the browser screen as my description so people have an idea of how long it stays on before the failure

any ideas?:shrug:

 

Sounds like a graphics issue. I have fixed many normal ps2s and only ever had two with this problem. It sounds like your graphics processor is going out.

 

Fuxxored RDRAM chips are the common cause for such problems.

Honestly on all these years working with PS2 repairs I've never seen a PS2 with GS or EE chips broken. I've seen a lot of units with RAM issues though.

And depending on which area of the RAM is faulty, you get odd stuff ranging from screwed up sound to screwed up graphics, game logic glitches and slightly random bugs.


I've seen one particular PS2 console which would AWAYS crash/freeze if you tried to run past a certain land bridge on SoTC while mounting Aggro but not while on foot. Replacing RAM chips fixed that odd fault. :shrug:

Now the RAM chips are BGA chips...

 

I always just swapped boards as I started fixed ps2s near the end of the system life. It could very likely be the ram chips.

 

So would swapping the RAM module/board be an easy job? preferably without soldering etc

I have a couple of large PS2 systems that I could open for parts so would they be compatible or were there system variations/differences on the debug unit?

Thanks

Rob

 

The RAM are the two small square chips with the silicon back exposed, close to the Emotion Engine chip. Since it's a DEV unit, an DEBUGSTATION, it's worth the trouble of repairing the motherboard.

You will need professional aid to have the parts replaced, though.

 

Thanks for the information. I was hoping it would just be a case of swapping faulty parts for working components.

It will have to wait I guess until I have some more time and money

Thanks again

Rob

 

Okay so time has come for me to fix the TEST PS2 and was hoping someone could help me out with either a contact who could do the work in the UK (preferable) or very detailed information on the process involved that I could have a go myself (not really a good idea!)

Any help is much appreciated!

Thanks

 

I would contact Bad_Ad84 and ask if he could help. He lives in the UK and is very good at console repairs and modding.

 

Thanks mate I will try and get in contact with him:thumbsup:

 

How much ram is in the PS2 test?

Does it use the same chips in the retail PS2 and if the test has more ram, does it just use more of the same chips as retail or does it use larger chips?

As if I was going to do a replacement, you would need replacement chips.

 

It's just the standard 32 MB, nothing more, and the exact same chip, so you can just do a straight swap with a retail model.

 

So just need a donor PS2 - makes things easier.

 

Depending on the model of the motherboard I'd recommend you try moving the BIOS, Mechanics Controller and EEPROM/RTC (if it's a 2 in one type) chips onto a retail board of same type instead of RDRAM replacement... :thumbsup:

Anything up to GH-016 will have an QFP MECHACON, which is easy to deal with. :thumbsup:

 

Would it be possible to clone the hardware you think at all, to make fake TEST consoles. In theory, that is.

What's happened recently with the Saturn / DC BIOS and stuff has me thinking..

 

You can't make fake TEST PS2 consoles, because you would need TEST console "Mechanics Controller" chips. That simply won't happen ... :lol:

OOOOH and I forgot you might have to swap the Syscon chip too... :shrug:

 

wow just checked back and a few more answers now and its starting to seem a lot more complicated!

I have taken the machine apart and photographed the large board at the bottom. I presumed this was the main board but maybe its not someone just let me know.

Its not the greatest resolution but hopefully can help. If you cannot read the text on the chips I can tell you what it says.

Thanks

Hope this helps

[/IMG]

 

That is indeed the mainboard. It looks like a B-chassis model to me (US v1 or v2). I would have included C-chassis (v3) as another potential model that it's based on, but that one doesn't have that second cable going to the DVD drive, so we can exclude that.

B-chassis retail models were only sold in the US/Canada (EU only started at C-chassis), so it's going to be very hard to acquire one in the UK. It looks like the "simple" RDRAM replacement is your only practical option.