Intermittent RSOD: DMS3 V9 in a v9 PS2 Problem - Firmware or Install?

[ISeeker]

Hello All,

Sorry for my long post.. I did my research and read every FAQ/Sticky in here. Didn't wanna sound like a complete noob.. However, I am still at a loss if my problem. I got my BRAND NEW PS2 moded by RTX2002/Dexion here in Toronto.. I am having a hard time getting in touch with him.. (Whole other story..) The issue I have is with mostly DVD-R's.. I use both Verbatim DVD-R and "PINE DVD-R" DVR's, Used Backups with Nero, Alchol and DVD Decrypter.. Here is the problem..

All DVR's were burnt on a NEC 2500A at 2X (just for testing sake, I also tried 4X, same issue.. sometimes the DVD works, some times it dosn't) There seems to be NO difference in the frequency of RSOD with both media types.. (Burned some twice.. once on each DVD Type)

I get RSOD's pretty often, some backups worse than others. I will have one backup that works fine on the first shot.. then a day later it gives me a hassle, whereas one that used to give me a hassle, works all of a sudden) Some times I don't get the RSOD, but I get the browser screen, then it will boot, other times I get "Disk Read Error" then it either sits there or goes to an RSOD..

Methods I have used are:

1) Booting console from red standby with the reset key - Sometimes works

2) Booting the console from a red standby by taping the Eject (For a fraction of a second, so I don't turn off the chip) - Again sometimes works

3) Booting the console from a red standby while pressing the X - Again sometimes works..

4) Tapping the reset while holding the X - Sometimes works..

5) Booting the console from red reset, while holding the select button.. This one normally goes to a black screen (Permant, not just the regular direct boot.. but has at times booted the PS2)


The kicker is.. THEY ALL WORK (Media, burnspeed, method), but intermittently.. Sometimes one method works, another time a different one works, then others, I turn off the unit walk away, and it works with any of the methods in the first shot.. The Unit is BRAND new, so I don't think the laster would be toast..

Originals work FINE, with both the mod on, and the mod in suspend mode..

PS1 Originals and backups work fine (When booted in PSX Mode)

DeV mode seems to work fine, but I havn't played with it much.. and DON'T have it loaded on my memory card anymore.. (I had the browser on, but it didn't make any difference..)

Ironically, I was able to successfully install the 1.8 firmware on the chip! (I figured it should have already had 1.8 as fastboot worked from select, and I figured I would get an error, but it said install successful)

So, In everyones expert opinion.. Is it a bad install.. or the common bugs in the 1.8 firmware which hopefully will be fixed in the 1.9??

If its the install... Has anyone else had in install from Either Dexion or RDTX, AKA RDTX2002? Any luck actually reaching these guys.. I know where the guy lives.. but I really don't want to have to go the route of showing up at the guys door and demanding answers until I am sure its an Install issue and not a common problem with the chip..

And the FINAL bit of oddness is with Tony Hawk Underground.. When I play the Original, a rip (for testing purposes) and a backup.. sometimes it freezes when it tries to save a game.. then I can't play the game again until the saves are deleted.. (The at the bottom of the saving screen freezes, and the PS2 Hangs..) NO OTHER game exibits this behaviour.. OH and when I use the original, the mod chip is off as DNAS check works fine and I can play online..

Thanks again for all your help.. and heres to praying its the firmware and not a crappy install!

(This post is cross posted on the DMS3 Site. For those of you that notice that kind of thing...)

[KTran]

My DMS3 v7 has the same problem from time to time.

Ritek G04 discs boot perfectly, but Princo's seems to be hit and miss. Datawrite Yellow's (Princo's) sometimes give me RSOD but I usually reset again and hold down X to force PS2 boot mode and it works fine. CD-R's are flawless, regardless of brand or dye.

I'm convinced (at least in my case) that this is a media issue. If you want best media out there, then go for TDK, but just be prepared to pay for it.

[ISeeker]

How often does it happen for you.. I would say for me its a failure about 60% of the time..

Again this is also with Verbatim DVD-R's... I am told they are the best..

Also are you running the DMS v1.8 Firmware in your chip?

Aparently the main issues are with PAL v9's with a v9 chip.. but some posts also indicate its happening with NTSC machines too..

My gut feeling is its a bad via solder.. Problem is, I couldn't solder to save my life.. so I am hoping the installer does right by me and repairs it... He appears to have a few "recent" dissatisfied customers at www redflag deals com (all one word..)

[Protosstic]

I seeker go to his house.

[ISeeker]

Loy, any other installers?

Thoughts?

[nexus6]

- Is your NEC updated with the latest firmware?
- Try Ritek G04 instead of verbatims.
- Some V9 require a laser tweak to work with dvd-r.

[ISeeker]

Nec has the latest firmware.. RPC1 from the Dangerous Brothers.. Came highly recomended..

Aparently the NEC gets angry with Ritek DVD-R's so I avoided them..

Brand new machine, so one would assume the laser "should" be fine.. Again it works one second, then another it won't.. seems to have no problem what so ever once it gets past the boot screen..

So I am thinking its an Authentication (chip/install) issue rather than a DVR reading issue...

Any thoughts about running 2 power rails for the DMS3? There is a scattering of posts that seem to think its a good solution..

[rdtx]

i've already been in contact with ISeeker. he'll be bringing in the ps2 today.

[ISeeker]

Hello all,

Just for an update for those that care.. I was able to get my PS2 back to the installer..

He made an adjustment to the Laser (a POTS adjustment)

It now works 90% of the time (common it seems with the DMS3 v9 in a v9 PS2)

So looks like it was the laser causing the problems not the media!

[tukbri]

Be careful ure v9 machine isnt vurnable to the dreaded 'v9 syndrome'...if so then ure ps2 is dying with every turn of dvd-r media....coz it should play everything 100%...without tweeking lazer.....coz tweeking lazers can make it wear down faster...if the install is good and u dont have the above syndrome the it should just work...as long as uve got decent media that is...I dont use anything but:
Ritek Go4 Branded Grade A
Verbatim
JVC Branded x1(coz it cam wif the burner)