Dead PS2s after Romeo Mod?!

truebaal · 08-24-2004,12:57 PM

In the last time I did some Romeo Mods (about 50) and all worked fine. But a week ago I destroyed 3 new PS2s and wasnÂ´t able to fix them yet. Now I am afraid to do the Romeo Mod again.

It were all new PS2s (two V9 an one V10). I first did the Romeo Mod and they worked. Then I modded the consoles with a Ripper 2 Gold and only original Games worked, no backaups.
This indicates that the Modchip is not working. After testing all solder points etc. I deceided to remove the Modchips. After that the consoles reacted like the LA was dead.

I checked the heat pad, soldering points, solder splashes etc. and didnÂ´t find the error. I also tried to change the LA-Chip in one console - but it didnÂ´t work.

Now I am confused if I should do the Romeo Mod with new PS2s in the future.

What did I wrong?
I always test the ohm value of the coils. Is it safe if the value of both is above 4,5 Ohms?

Thx for your help!

**mikearama** · 08-24-2004,01:52 PM

I don't think it's the LA/Romeo that's the issue... your coils are mint. And the Romeo is always a good idea, even if the Ripper2 site suggests otherwise.

I find the detail that originals still worked the most confusing. That would suggest that the chip/install is the issue.

You said the consoles reacted like the LA was dead... can I ask what the symptoms were? Maybe we can narrow it down to something else.

truebaal · 08-25-2004,09:13 AM

Thanks for your reply.

I also think that it wasnÂ´t a LA/Romeo Mod only problem. But I wonder if it was a bad luck collaboration of the Romeo Mod and the Ripper.

The symptoms after the removal of the Modchip were diffrent. The laser of two consoles didnÂ´t work correct anymore. They flashed red shortly two times and would do nothing more. I checked this with opened drive. Further the drive-motor didnÂ´t spin.

The third console didnÂ´t anything. After turning it on there was only a black screen and even the tray wonÂ´t open anymore.

It might be that it all was my fault and I had a very bad day and did something wrong. But it was an normal day and I did many moddings before. But who knows?!

It might be that it only was bad luck. But of course I am afraid now that this happens again.

But is it enough to test the ohm values of the coils. Is this a guarantee?

**mikearama** · 08-25-2004,09:33 AM

Originally Posted by truebaal

But is it enough to test the ohm values of the coils. Is this a guarantee?

As far as I know and have heard, good coil values indicate a good LA. I don't believe it's possible to have a blown LA but still have good coils. Perhaps Stephen or Tony can elaborate.

The first two consoles definately sound like something other than the LA... perhaps a fuse, solder splash, or loose cable, but the third console... classic symptoms of a blown LA. How were the coils on the third machine?

truebaal · 08-26-2004,07:13 AM

The coils were fine. About 4,7 ohms. That is why I thought it was my fault.

I always test the coils before I mod a console. But if a console is new and the coils are okay does that mean that the LA will not die?

I am not sure.

**mikearama** · 08-26-2004,08:01 AM

I haven't heard/read of an LA frying after the Romeo. See, before the Romeo, the voltage can run as high as 12V in the LA as the laser tries to focus... this is particularly hard on the LA when there's no disc in the tray, as the laser goes through the whole gambit of voltages twice... all the way to 12V.

When the Romeo is done, it can only go as high as 5V, which is normally plenty to focus. BUT, it is not enough to toast anything in the LA.

truebaal · 08-28-2004,04:59 AM

You are right. I did a few Romeo Mods during the last days and all worked well.

The one console with the "dead LA Symptom" is still a miracle to me. But it might have been an accident.

Another thing I donÂ´t understand is:
If the coils have good values does that mean the LA will not die in the future?

thx

**Scan-C** · 08-28-2004,07:31 AM

if the coils are good it means the la is not in danger for now but playing a scratched disc over some hours can fry it.
maybe you didn't fully lift the pin and connected the solder pad to 5v too? that would feed 5v into the 12v rail and i don't think the unit would survive this.

truebaal · 09-01-2004,06:45 PM

Thanx for your help.

The "lift pin" theory sounds quite good to me.

**tomvs123** · 09-03-2004,12:11 AM

I ran into nearly the same problem today and fixed it, but it may not be the same problem you're having.

I modded a v9, did the romeo mod, hooked it back up and the laser was acting really weird. It took a while to notice, but the flat ribbon cable that connects the laser and the motherboard had some breaks in its "traces" near the motherboard end and some of them were overlapping. I smoothed out the loose traces, put it back in carefully and now it works great. It must have gotten that way from pulling it out and pushing it back in so many times without opening its little lid first.

It's just something to check since it may be easily overlooked

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