Matrix Infinity Install Problem (v5-PS2)

[ky0t3]

Finished installing my first modchip this weekend and I've hit a snag. The chip is a Matrix Infinity (not homebrew) and the PS2 is a V5. After the install I went to fire it up and nothing. When I hit the reset button the light turns blue for a sec, the fan starts up and immediately shuts of in about a second and the reset button goes back to red. Before I tear my PS2 apart again, does any one have any suggestions as to what I should look for? I read in another post that I should apply tape on the metal shield directly above the chip. Could this be the problem (shorting/grounding out)? I also had a little trouble getting the 3.3 wire to stick to the board. Maybe a problem there? All other solders seem fine. All passed my tug test. I even pulled out my handy printers loop to inspect the connections and they all look OK. Any help would be great. Thanks

[N£TM£ÇH]

pinched wire, might be a screw that shorted a wire. Or of course you could have a short caused by solder either on the biosor somewhere else.

[ky0t3]

I'm tearing my ps2 back apart now. So you think it's a short? I guess I'll check all my solder points again. On my first go at soldering to the legs on the chip I did bridge two of them together. I thought I successfully removed all the solder, but I'll have to check it again. Thanks for the response. I'll keep you updated.

[T07N]

Check all your fuses as well. You might have blown one if you shorted something.

[messiahfan2003]

Fix the bridges and check the fuses.

[ky0t3]

OK, here's an update. After disassembling my ps2 again I noticed the two wires on the back side of the board were pinched (wires "I" & "B" I think). Actually at first the insulation looked bubbled, as if getting too hot or something. But on closer inspection they were in fact pinched by being too close to one of the screws. So I replaced those and reinspected all my solders. Everything looks good now. I still haven't put it back together yet. But before I do, I'll take your advice and check my fuses. Are there any in particular that I should check? I'm sure I should check them all. I couldn't find any reliable posts about fuse locations. Could someone point me in the right direction? And is it noticably obvious if they're blown? I hate to ask so many questions, but if there are blown fuses, where is the best place to get replacements? Thanks again.

[cmal1492]

the fuses are labeled on the mobo with ps7 ps14 etc (they look like little itty bitty black boxes), with arrows pointing to the component. There are some little white ones too, but you should be able to tell which they are fairly easily (there are also component lables for each of the ps fuses in boxes on the mobo, with a description of the amperage and probable component numbers - like S3 is a fuse (on the component)).

you need a DMM (mulimeter) or a continuity tester for these, as a fuse that has a resistance is likely blown. (no continuity).

I have shorted the I wire to the shield once (on my first infinity as well, actually) and it caused no problems once I removed the short, but no guarantees on that unless you check them.

Best to check your bios wires with the continuity meter/DMM for bridging (no resistance/ positive continuity) to be sure there are no bridges between the place where you put the wire and whatever bios leg etc is beside it (this type of bridging can be very difficult to see even with a good magnifying loupe, but the tester never lies)

Good luck ky0t3

edit: best place to get a replacement fuse is off of a dead ps2 - remember, these arent standard tube type fuses, they are surface mount components instead...

[ky0t3]

Finally got back into this thing. Here's where I'm at now. Replaced two wires on underside that seemed crimped (tested them later with a multimeter and they tested fine BTW). Before reassembling I tested every connection on the chip and mobo (all passed). I checked all connections with neighboring solders and they all checked out fine (no continuity). I also checked every single fuse on the board, and they are all fine. Put everything back together and now it fires up (green light stays on at least). Now my new problem is no picture or sound. CD/DVD ROM drive ejects fine and spins up. I get the typical flicker on the TV screen when I reset, so that tells me that my connection to the TV is OK. I even held down the reset button to see if it would boot up in factory settings and that doesn't work either. And before anyone asks, I have a controller plugged into port 1. I searched these forums to find similar problems and it sounds like my only option is to remove the chip and see if my PS2 still works. I'd hate to do it, but if that's the only way... If anyone would like to see my install, I'll send them pics. I just hope the chip isn't bad, because I bought it probably 6 months ago and I doubt I can exchange it now. I hope someone has good news for me. Thanks.

[ky0t3]

Is it possible that I have a bad modchip?

[cyrbanen]

Is it possible that I have a bad modchip?

Well The Matrix Team acclaim that they test each chip so if you're sure that it's not a clone chip then I doubt that it's faulty.

Checking the solderings and fuses is the way to go. You should have one of those volt meters that can se set to beep when there is a short circuit. That helps with the solderings and fuses.