Intermittent shorts...can't figure this one out.

[darklegion]

Well after a bit of struggle installing a Duo2 in a v9 ps2,I was able to get it to boot ps2,ps1...both backups and originals.However I often get a black screen and a momentary cd spinup.....whioch suggests a case short at some place.This happens intermittenly and seems to happen every time I re-assemble/dis-assemble something,which suggests one of the metal components is shorting against something and is getting moved slightly and no longer affecting things.Usually it is more liklely to to work with the case off but I have got it to boot completely with the case on a few times too.I am starting to think something else is wrong,as although I though I was seeing a pattern I think I may have veen seeing things that weren't there and that in truth,it may be completley random.So I then tried removing the chip,first just the ends connected to the chip and then I removed everything completely....stilll happens.I'm at the end of my tether here and I've spent far too many hours on this....and have a mate keen to play his station and getting a little impatient.
Also a little extra details that may or may not help:
V9 ps2
duo2 modchip
PAL/AUS model
Romeo mod done
NTSC fix done
HDD bay slightly bent...removed but makes no difference
A few screws missing because of thread broken or lost
Fan cable broke,re-soldered works fine
Controller ribbon clip broke...taped it down and it works
Both plastic covers in place
Black electrical tape put on the bottom of the metal shields where the plastic doesn't cover....probably completely unnecassary
Once or twice over a heap of boots the tray wouldn't eject

BTW I am quite pissed off at the unreliabilty and the poor design of these consoles...even if it was partially/totally my fault......I hear all the warnings about the diffculty soldering these but that was the easy part,only took me a couple of hours and this is my first install of a ps2.I wish it was simple as the xbox or ps1,10/20 min install and its done,never have any problems again.

Anyway would greatly appreciate any help on this..

Thanks

[darklegion]

Just fixed it,there was a hairline short on one of the bios pins I believe if that is the m* chip on top...works 100% now and I feel like an idiot for not checking that first.....live and learn

[darklegion]

Bah. spoke too soon.Now i get the browser screen but tray locks up i.e either it won't open or it won't close.Power/reset button works and both leds work,I get the browser screen on bootup so It isn't the black screen bugger up I was gettign before.I checked most of the fuses(I may have missed one or 2) and they all checked out okay.Checked the resistance on the coils,both 4.6 ohms.This first happened after I found the small orange cable that connnects to the cdrom was loose,it made some possibly wierd sounds at that time and then I reseated all of the cables,still happens.LA chip seems to be ok but I don't know which pin to check to see if its in good condition or not.The drive only spins for an moment then gives up.Fan works if thats of any use.I read about thins problem on a search before but the solution was not found.

Thanks

[darklegion]

Seems to be something on the mobo not the drive as the drive works in a V7.I heard netmech mention in another thread that the romeo mod killed the motor function....this seems to be exactly what is happening here.So far I have removed the cdvd wires of the chip and cleaned them up,and I put pin 8 of la65 back to 12v,didn't help.I don't expect that it is the bios pins,as the thing boots up properly,i.e no black screen or any other crap.The only other thing I can think of is the ribbon connector for the motor is broken,cable works fine in another board.I think I'll consider putting in a BA chip,anyone have a guide or at least pinouts for both chips? And are there any suppliers in australia for either of these chips?

Thanks