V3 bad Laser or bad chip?

[Relayer]

I got a v4 thats only boots PS1 CD-Rs.

PS2 DVD / DVD-R : Disc read error
PS2 CD-R: Browser shows the blue disc, press X and its just jumps back a few moments later. No PS2 logo either.

Is this a lens or chip issue?????

If your getting a disk read error and not the "red screen of death" (RSOD), then its more likely that the laser is the problem.
What mod do you have installed???
Since the PS2 is a V4, then its highly likely that the laser is on its last legs.
Have you tried to do any adjustments, clean the laser lens etc.???
Regards,
Relayer

[EnTiTy]

Originally posted by ShadowKnyght
My turn to ask for help...

This one is a strange one - V3 installed with DUO...

All points are good.

Laser pots originally factory set to 1198 CD and 665 DVD (bloody low for factory set DVD pot...)

With a clean and a slight adjustment to the CD pot - all PS1 and PS2 CDR based games work fine.

Problem - PS2 DVD games both original and copied boot to the PS2 logo but then go to black screen...

As the laser was already adjusted so low... no room to move there...

adjusting the white cog made the game boot faster to the logo but still no further...

Strange thing is - every bad laser I have had in the past wont actually recognise the media enough to get to the logo... this one does...

any ideas? is this just a dead laser or is the DUO only half doing its' job??? :CONFUSED:

PS1 CDR = ok
PS2 CDR = ok
PS2 DVD = boots to logo then stops??

If it is the laser that is stuffed - how do other professional installers handle this sort of thing?

Do you still charge for work performed as the laser being worn is not your fault? (even though customer will feel disappointed as in the end they wont get a fully working install...)

Do you offer a discount just to be nice?

Do you replace the laser at a discounted price - if you have one around that is??

Do you charge for the extra 4 hours spent fiddling to try and resurrect the worn laser?

My problem is I am always wanting to be the nice guy - not the best way to run a business - but I hate leaving people dissappointed

be the nice guy and take the hit i always do replace the laser for free
go on be merry it's time of good will.
a happy customer will bring more happy one's remember
EnTiTy

[classact]

Tell the customer what is wrong let him deside what he wants to do. You replace the lens or replace with a brand new factory unit or send it back as is i would give him those 3 choices..

[ShadowKnyght]

The azimuth adjustment is the only thing I have not tried - mainly due to the fact that I don't have a screw bit small enought to fit that damn black screw!...

But tried the cog, the pots, and plane old simple cleaning it...

Will chuck in a couple of V4 lasers today and see if they work.

if they do I will charge bugger all for the one I leave in - much rather do this than buy one and charge $160 - he would most definitely prefer to buy a new station for that price... but if the two V4 lasers don't work - he will have little choice.

Will also try that 10K replacement again if the V4 lasers don't work.... will let you know how it goes.

[ShadowKnyght]

ok the sage continues check here:

http://www.ps2newz.net/forums/showth...threadid=18736

anyone know what will make the system config reset all the time?

this one is using a Messiah1...

[KTran]

I'm using the MXL 2 on that v4. I reckons its the laser myself, but how come PS1 games still work perfectly? I mean shouldn't the PS2 CDR work as well?????

[ShadowKnyght]

well the problem was not the laser - swapped the V3 main board over with another one and it booted all games fine - so one day when I have time I will look into the problem again and post to let you know what was wrong...

At this stage my thoughts are the CD/DVD controller may have been stuffed by accidentally linking two legs together via a small short on the 10K 4 pack resistor points where the Z point is connected...

but then again I don't think I powered the station before fixing that short so.... when I am bored I will look into it more...

for now though the customer is happy with their working V3 that they ended up with.

[KTran]

I'm gonna solder the BIOS legs on that v4 instead of the via's, not my idea of fun though but I'll do it. Post the results soon ........

[ShadowKnyght]

if you have a multimeter - you can map out the CD/DVD controller legs onto the main chip like is done on the V9 - this is easier to solder to than the shorter legs of the CD/DVD controller.

The BIOS legs are not what you meant I would not think - as these are easy and no one uses VIA alternatives to these.

Well on the V3 you can....