Messiah 2 install question.

I will preface that I read the faq but I have a specific question that doesn't seem to be answered, or not directly at least.

I have the chip installed and I checked every connection I could from either a BIOS leg or a via along the track that I soldered to to ensure that connections appeared good... there were a few I didn't check that way but I did check from the connection point.

Anyway, I always get the red screen with DVD-R and CD-R backups.

THE QUESTION: I have one PS2 with a Messiah and to put the chip in standby I hold the reset, the blue light comes on and then goes off again. In this new install that I am having problems with, the blue light comes on and never goes off. Does this mean that the chip is never enabling to begin with? Could it be the power or reset lines? I know for sure the BIOS connections are good and the B, C points are good too since I checked all of those from the pins themselves and also checked their neighbors for shorts.

Thanks! If this is answered indirectly in the faq, I apologize... the only thing I could gather from it was to check the points that I have already checked and I don't have a GS2 to try if I can boot a backup that way.

Thanks in advance!

Ok, I went through the whole thing again and still no luck. No booting of any kind of backup (PS1 or PS2) on any media DVD-R and CD-R.

I checked every connection from a via somewhere along the trace or from the BIOS pin itself to the actual pins of the Messiah 2 (or via) so it appears that my solder connections are good. I also checked neighbors for bridged connections and have found none.

Is there a way to determine if the Messiah 2 is even getting power. I checked continuity of the ground and power connection (even verified continuity to alternate ground and power). I did notice that I get continuity on the power line up until the first surface mounted component on the Messiah 2, after that I don't. I am not an electronics expert so I don't know if that is normal, if not, I have a defective component on the Messiah 2.

The messiah 2 is a 1.22 and the back via is drilled out. Any suggestions as I really don't want to desolder everything.

I have done over 50 XBOX mods and wanted something more challenging and am getting it.

The unit still does play PS2 originals in both CD and DVD formats btw.

One way to determine if the chip itself is faulty would be to take out the good chip from the working system and put it in the non working system. The chip itself is pretty easy to remove/reinstall. This would tell you for sure, but it does sound like you might have a DOA chip.

Ok, I have read tons more posts and can some one verify that if the PS2 still works fine with originals (both DVD and CD), this means that there aren't any bridged connections. I would think a bridged connection would mess up normal operation. The chip is fully installed and it works just like a normal PS2... still indicating to me that it isn't getting power. Maybe I will try the alt-3.45.

Any answer to this or the previous questions would be appreciated.

One way to determine if the chip itself is faulty would be to take out the good chip from the working system and put it in the non working system. The chip itself is pretty easy to remove/reinstall. This would tell you for sure, but it does sound like you might have a DOA chip.

Yeah, thanks. I posted my post as you were probably posting this one. It looks like you answered my question and then I asked it but we both must have simultaneously been typing them.

Yeah, I could do that but I rather not... then I could end up with two non working systems. Its just frustrating because I have checked everything so many times.

Here is the install:
My Install (not working yet)


I have now tried other power and ground points to verify that isn't the problem. It does appear that the red surface mounted component on the Messiah 2 3.45 line is on very crooked (diode?) but I doubt this is the problem.

Everything works with normal PS2 discs so that leads me to believe I am fine as far as bridges and I have triple checked my points. I am about to write this off as a bad chip. I guess I can take the one out of my working PS2 and replace with this one and verify that

I think that is the only for sure way to know. It is a snap to remove just the chip (unless you used too much 2 sided tape). It only takes 10 minutes swap it out once the iron is hot!

Yeah, that is what I am going to do. Watch me post this weekend with two non-working. :P

mabe it's a 0303 one look for bridge pins besides 2 and 3

I do see the pins where A connect are bridged.

I did just notice something. That component that I mentioned as the first surface mounted component (redish orange) in from where you connect power to the Messiah 2... well, looking at it, it is on backwards (and crooked) from multiple picture I have in front of me. If it is a diode, that would be a big problem since they allow current to flow one way... and that would be the wrong way in my situation.

I am beginning to wonder if that part was bumped off or missing in production and manually soldered back on wrong. That would prevent power from going into pin 90 on the Altel pinout chart that I am looking at.