Problem reading DVDs ...CC, MB and now Laser

That's a tough call but you could look at it as a way to get two units running with that purchase.

What I had in mind was if you buy that V9 you could take that laser out and put it into your V4 and get it running (keep in mind it would have to be adjusted as far as the sled height and azimuth). Then you could probably put that new 400Q into the V9 and get it running (the reasoning behind this is that I have seen a lot of info saying that the 400Q lasers do not work well in those older units, but if I remember correctly the 400Cs work OK).

Then again, if you have sent your V4 to Rich then I would say just wait to hear from him. He has been monkeying with these things for a long time and I wouldn't be surprised if he could pull a rabbit out of his hat and get it going for you. This may be the easiest solution seeing as how you already have the modchip installed in that machine.

If he gets it going then you could play with that V9 at your leisure. I was playing games off of the hard drive of V9s long before I ever even considered using a modchip. Just pick up a PSX game and cook up a memory card exploit for it and you can have roughly the same functionality.

Also it should be mentioned that I am running out of beer at the moment and none of this may make any sense at all...

That v9 was all busted up and caked with dirt. I let it be. He had a v10 but when I got it home I noticed that there was an electrical warning on the bottom. I booted it up and it turned out to be a v4, 5, or 6 with a top cover from a SCPH-50001 Date code 4C. Darn. I returned it. I did win a bid on a DRE v 13 however for 20 bucks shipped. So if that has a cheap laser then I will try that. If it works then I think that I will put in a CC and a HD combo. If it does not then I can tinker with it as a hobby. I will love it if Rich can get the v4 up also. I will not have to fight my Daughter for it and I can run her few games off of the hard drive with the auto boot HDL option.

I have always been curious about the functionality of HDCombo slim units, however from what I hear the V13 may be a bit tough to get one working with though. Ask around, I may be mistaken.

If you ever do get an itch for a V9 I probably have one I could stand to turn loose of that has a weak laser. I got a few extra in case I needed spare parts but really never did.

Shoot, if you could get any unit that would just read a PSX disc (which a lot will since it is a CD instead of a DVD) you could set up a memory card exploit and let your little girl play games off of that unit. That's the cool thing about the MC exploits is that you never even have to crack the case.

If you live in a decent sized town, try calling pawn shops as well or even visiting them! I found two V9's in one not too far from me, both in good physical condition with network adapters installed (one even has the SonyHDD in it (!!)). The owner didn't even realize what they're really worth and was looking to unload them for $40 and $50 (non-HDD and HDD respectively). I called two friends who snatched them right up and I'll be doing the modchip installs for them over the next week or so ;).

Seriously, most pawnshops wouldn't know a calculator from a Palm Treo, so it doesn't hurt to check out the shops and see what they have grossly marked down ;).

That is a good recommendation. I have gotten many good PS2 and Xboxes from pawn shops. However do not assume that they do not know what they are worth. Video games are big business and in order for a business to survive (i.e. pawn shop) they have to know what an item is worth.

On the other hand, if they forget to test one when it comes in and then find out that it will not read disks, quite often they will sell it cheap and you can get it and put a new laser in it.

I did try a few pawn shops but I live outside of New Orleans and since Katrina they are selling a bunch of junk. I found a few but you can see rust on the inside and sometimes where the case screws are. They were cheap but probably not worth it. When I did find some working ones they wanted $130 average. I told them that they were that new and was told to basically take it or leave it. The pawn shops here must cater to some pretty dumb people. I will look thought in some other cities. It is still a great idea.

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Originally Posted by CoderJ

If you live in a decent sized town, try calling pawn shops as well or even visiting them! I found two V9's in one not too far from me, both in good physical condition with network adapters installed (one even has the SonyHDD in it (!!)). The owner didn't even realize what they're really worth and was looking to unload them for $40 and $50 (non-HDD and HDD respectively). I called two friends who snatched them right up and I'll be doing the modchip installs for them over the next week or so ;).

Seriously, most pawnshops wouldn't know a calculator from a Palm Treo, so it doesn't hurt to check out the shops and see what they have grossly marked down ;).

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