So wait a minute...

[Shrike27]

What's all this I'm seeing about V12's w/ MI getting their laser's fried? Should I not even bother getting a modchip if I have a V12?

[GeToChKn]

There are fixes for the v12 lasers that should be applied regardless of what chip you have. Comsoft/Subzero are the two biggest ones used and can both be ordered online at most places where you buy chips from or can be made yourself if you're into programming PIC's and stuff. Make sure you dp have a v12 and not a v13 or v14. v14's are safe as are v13's I think, but I'm not sure about the v13's as I've only seen v12's and v14's up here in Canada, eh.

[crans]

v12 need the fix only with or without chip or your laser will die.. V13+ no fix neede as sony has used the Sumone fix on board top fix the problem

[Shrike27]

Ugh. Of course no one advertises this problem, huh. I have a V12 (70012) so I guess I'll have to buy one of these, too. Any personal recommendations between the subzero and comsoft?

Also, has anyone witnessed these fix boards in effect? What exactly happens? I mean, yeah it's cool that it would prevent my laser from getting fried, but for example let's say I'm playing a game for a couple hours and I haven't had a chance to save for a long time... if the laser shuts off I would only have access to data that is in RAM, right? So, I probably won't be able to save my game unless there is a "save spot" in sight when the fix kicks in and shuts down my laser, right? And that's only assuming that accessing a save point and saving to the MC doesn't require any disc access...

First I traded my V3 with a friend for his V12 to make soldering my MI easier, now I hear about this laser problem... I just can't win, huh?

[Shrike27]

Oh, also. If I were to get a comsoft, for example, are there diagrams/instructions for installation anywhere?

[muppet]

Shrike27: I have witnessed the fix kicking in. It shuts the whole console down.

I've only seen it with faulty disks though when booting, it certainly doesn't happen in the middle of gaming etc. Well, it hasn't to me.

I think you're being way to paranoid. I used my V12 unmodded quite happily for the best part of a year and never had a problem.

[Shrike27]

yeah, i did a bit more reading and from what I can tell it's not as common an occurance as some might make it out to be (i.e. the paranoid, like me). the subzero was pretty damn cheap in any case (and i found a diagram which looks like it's super easy to install) so I went ahead and ordered one, anyway.

thanks for the quick replies, everyone.