Playstation 2 Hardware Problem

[cbwing0]

I think somebody mentioned this in passing on another thread, but I couldn't find the quote. Anyway, for some time now, I have had a problem with my PS2 not playing certain games. It only affects a few games (Streetfighter EX3, Gauntlet: Dark Legacy, and Tekken Tag Tournament), but they are some of my favorite games, so it is a rather annoying problem.

When I put in the game, it makes a really awful sound, like the disc is scratching against something (although I am almost certain that this is not happening, because there are no scratches on the discs), and the games doesn't load. It may load about 1 out of every 100 tries, but then it usually stops in the middle of the game.

Can anyone diagnose and/or help me fix this problem?

[Link Antilles]

I saw this on TechTV. This might help.....

[cbwing0]

Thanks. I will try that tomorrow. The PS2 has no problems with dvd movies though, so hopefully this method will fix the game disc read errors.

I will try it, unless someone else tells me that this is not a good idea between now and then. Has anyone tried this? Should I go for the dvd software upgrade instead (even though the problem is not with dvds)?

[shooraijin]

I think actually this might help, since your symptoms sound like a mechanical problem. My Dreamcast had some similar problems with seeking which turned out to be a stuck/misaligned lens gear, similar to the fix they talk about here, and in fact simply helping to remobilize the gear made the difference.

Also, they make a good point that positioning of the device itself can really make a difference. If you have your PS2 vertical, turn it prone (horizontal). When my DC was wobbling off the end of the TV stand, it had a lot more read errors than when it was stable and all of its corners were level. Try this first before voiding your warranty.

[cbwing0]

I keep my PS2 in the prone (horizontal) position, so I guess I will have to adjust the lens gear. Thankfully it appears to be a simple process.

[Fsiphskilm]

AHHHHH Why am I so ignored???

[cbwing0]

Thank you Volt. I would rather do that than perform surgery on my PS2.

You posted this about 6 days before I joined the site, which would explain why I didn't know about it. Sorry to duplicate threads.

I plan to call Sony in the future, because my PS2 is even worse now.

What happened?

[Fsiphskilm]

the same EXACT problem

[cbwing0]

Thanks. I now have two reasons to call Sony. When I try to play Dynasty Warriors 4, the system won't read the controllers, so I can't play it. The game starts, but I can't do anything. It's very annonying.

[cbwing0]

Update: I called Sony today, and I'm going to send off my PS2 tomorrow. Thanks for the info Volt, it helped tremendously!

I told them I hadn't cleaned the discs, and the tech support guy gave me a lecture about how to clean discs. For a minute I thought they might not do the repair until I had cleaned the discs, but thankfully they didn't care.

[Fsiphskilm]

Uh, isn't it almost christmas?

[cbwing0]

I have my PC and Dreamcast to keep me occupied until the PS2 is repaired.