Installation Troubleshooting of V9 CC2.0

[0rpheus]

The ps2 board is a v9, GH-023 date code 3c. The top side solders were fine, but the bottom side via's are hell - they're really close, and the wires won't stick to the pads. Attached is a picture of the pads I'm having trouble with. The 'HA' wire went on fine - there aren't any other wires around it to interfere. However, the rest (F,B,G,H,I) are giving me trouble. Are there any alternative locations to solder these wires? If not, any other tips?

0rpheus.

[0rpheus]

Sorry forgot to attach the pic.

[hawkbug]

I would stick with the vias - but here's how you do it. You'll need some things.

1) Magnifying glass.

2) A very sharp and small object - I use one of those dental tools a dentist would use to scrape plaque off your teeth. You know the thing, it has a little hook on the end of it and is very small and sharp.

3) Flux. I can't stress this enough. Don't even bother to install a modchip if you don't use a small amount of flux on your points. It makes the solder joints stick so much better.

First, you need to take that sharp tool and carefully scrape the via on one side of it. You're trying to remove the covering over the via exposing the copper of the point. Practice first on the outside of the board along the edges - you don't want a very deep scratch which might ruin it - just enough to expose the copper. You'll know you're there when you can shine a light on the point and have it reflect light back at you like a shiny new penny.

Next, use that same small instrument and dip it in the flux - you want a very, very small amount here - smaller than a pinhead. Put the flux right on the via hole.

Now, flux the end of your wire a bit then stick a very small amount of solder to it. The flux will help it stay on the wire. Now lay the wire in the small amount of flux on top of the via hole. Press down fairly hard with your solder iron and hold for like 1 or 2 seconds and you should be able to hear and see the flux burn off.

Now you should be done - I have no problem soldering to any size of point on the entire board using this method.

[0rpheus]

Thanks.

It took some time, but we figured it out before the post. Right now, we are having a problem with getting the software installed. The power works, but there is no picture or audio, and the disc tray doesn't come out. The installation is complete, and it should be fine, but could there be a problem with it, or is it a result of something else? Anyway, if you have any suggestions, I would be grateful. Thanks for your time.

0rpheus.

[EJM]

On the disc tray and other issies:

-Remove the top of the PS2 and see if it ejects without the top. Could be assembled wrong.

- Then check your ribbon cable, make sure it was put in correctly and wasn't damaged. Sometimes when inserting it again the leads that go in can snag.

- Check your fuses, especially if you soldered to any of them.

- Finally double check your install with the diagram, make sure all the points are correct. And then use a multimeter to test the continuty of the points.

-If it is still a problem, remove the chip and see if that fixes it. And then re-install.

[0rpheus]

I still haven't gotten past my initial problems: namely, the disk tray and the video-audio component will not work, but it powers up fine. Here are some pics of the install. I will try to get mroe later--especially of the backside. I am mostly waiting to get my camera back. Let me know if you see any problems. Enjoy. Thanks for your time.

[spedmetal]

This is what I would do.

1) Remove the chip and the wires completely and clean up your solder joints.
2) Test the unit to confirm that everything is still in order.
3) Toss that magnet wire in the trash and get some 30AWG Kynar.
4) Relocate the chip to here



I noticed a few of your wires pass over ground points that the RF shield presses against. When its tightened down its very likely these wires are getting pinched and grounded out which would cause exactly what you are describing. Magnet wire isnt that great to be using for PS2 installs. In other situation like with the PSP and the UP chip you have to use magnet wire. But I would suggest Kynar.

Good luck!

[0rpheus]

Right, thanks for the advice. The magnet wire was removed, and it was reinstalled with the Kaynar wires. That solved the disc tray problem. Now onto the software. When I turn it on, there is a black screen. I cannot get to any upgrade menu, which displays the "Flash Chip" and "Install BMan" options. I just get a black screen. I burned a disk with the "cc_software_29_hacked.zip" software from Jones23, and I tried that but nothing happened. I think I need to try the bootmanager first since it was stated that "You have to... [the] BootManager from the hacked release to be able to play backups. Using an original BootManager will cause problems." Where can I get the hacked bootmanager though? Well, thanks for your time. Hopefully this is not another install problem--or worse, the chip.

Well, I am starting to think that it is the install as hitting reset six times does nothing. It won't play anything. there is just a black screen. at least the disc tray can open now...

More info:

Taking into acount the info on the crystal chip site about the LED install diagnosis, I watched the diagnostic LED on startup. Every time, it stayed on for 1 second. The cd drive was spinning, so i figured that was sufficient as 'all discs boot'. However, I am not sure about the DVD/CD controller wires--as discs wont boot. Hopefully this is what is wrong???

Another--and maybe more important note--when I removed all the wires (in other words uninstalled the chip), I was stuck with the fact that the system didn't work. It just gave the black screen. It still powered up, and the disc tray worked. I am not sure if my ps2 got ****ed or if I can fix it. So far the problem is getting it to work regular and installing the software after. Any advice would be appreciated. Much Thanks.