Question about a modded PSTwo I've been offered...

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:18 am

Two days ago, a guy from the www.neo-geo.com forums offered me a modded PSTwo in exchange for my PSP. He says that; " The modded PS2 has modbo 1.1 professionally installed and the someOne laser fix also installed."

I've never heard of the "someOne laser fix"-is it effective in preventing laser blowouts on PSTwo's??

superhitachi4 · Post by **superhitachi4** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 2:01 am

You should ask what model the console is: Located on the back in the form of SCPH XXXXX. From the sound of things, it's probably an earlier version 1 console due to the laser comment. "someOne laser fix" isn't really too detailed for you hehe.

If a person calibrated the laser, and did it incorrectly, or too much, it might wear out quicker. If however, the whole optics unit was replaced with a later model (doubtful), that's a little better. Anyway, earlier units, especially SCPH 3xxxx usually have issues sooner or later, so keep that in mind. If you decide to trade, make sure you ask about how the system plays: strange noises, loading times longer than usual, problems with either blue (CD), silver (DVD) discs, or CD-R/DVD-Rs. Wouldn't hurt to find out if he did the installation himself either. Sounds like a lot of questions, but PS2s (older ones in particular) are very touchy.

Post by **nZero** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 2:24 am

PStwo implies V12/V13/V14 revision (SCPH-75001 and later), the slimline consoles. I don't think the early PS2 optic unit problems apply here.

The flaw isn't in the laser unit itself, either, but rather in the revision of the circuit responsible for supplying current to the laser unit. The screw-up first appeared on (I think) V9/V10 PS2 consoles but was easily fixed there with the so-called Romeo mod (see:Google). Since this isn't possible to do on the PStwo revisions, which don't supply 5V via the mainboard, there are a variety of laser-fixes available that are usually installed at the same time as the modchip on modified systems, since burned media will reveal laser-related problems very quickly.

If it was going to blow up the laser due to the design flaw or an insufficient fix method, it probably would have done so already if it's more than even a few weeks old.

superhitachi4 · Post by **superhitachi4** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 2:50 am

heh is he SURE it's a slimline PS2? I've heard people say PSTwo plenty of times, and they mean either. If it's a slimline, he needs to say "slimline". Also, with PS2s there *is* a problem with lasers becoming weaker over time. Optics burn out slowly.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:06 am

superhitachi4 wrote:heh is he SURE it's a slimline PS2? I've heard people say PSTwo plenty of times, and they mean either. If it's a slimline, he needs to say "slimline". Also, with PS2s there *is* a problem with lasers becoming weaker over time. Optics burn out slowly.

I have no reason to belive that it isn't. The offer reads:

"Hey i've got a new modded pstwo slim that I'd consider trading for your PSP and games. The modded PS2 has modbo 1.1 professionally installed and the someOne laser fix also installed.

Let me know if you're interested. I'm in the US by the way.

Thanks,
Bill"

So there's some more info on it.

Post by **nZero** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:16 am

superhitachi4 wrote:Also, with PS2s there *is* a problem with lasers becoming weaker over time. Optics burn out slowly.

Yes, but that's not what the various PStwo laser fixes or the Romeo mod are designed to prevent.

it290 · Post by **it290** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 5:36 am

Yeah, the summone laser fix is specific to the slimline. The first batches of them had plenty of problems with the laser blowing out, especially with a modchip installed. As nZero said, if the console has been in operation for a while with no laser problems you should be fine. Although personally, were I going for a modded PS2, I'd get the fat version, as you can install a hard drive and install games on it, thus sparing wear on your laser and loading games a hell of a lot faster and more conveniently. Currently I do the same thing on a slimline using a USB HD, but the USBAdvance software used for this is much less compatible than HDLoader, and since it's USB 1.1 it's also slower than the optical drive (movies halt every second or so, for example). [/list]

superhitachi4 · Post by **superhitachi4** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 7:08 am

As it290 said, the old style PS2 will allow you to easily add a hard drive later if you'd like. Handy feature really. The laser on the slimline's probably fine, but keep in mind they've had a lot of problems in the short time period they've been released. (both laser, and power supply related) Probably fine if the system's been working properly for a while though.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 9:34 pm

What do you guys mean by installing games on the hard drive?? No offense, but if you're talking about emualtors, I don't want to go that route-I only use them on our PC to try out games.

EDIT-The guy got back to me and said that he's has this modded Slim-PSTwo for over 3 weeks and it hasn't had any problems. So we're good to go. Even if this doesn't last as long as older PS2, at least I know I'm getting progressive scan with the the slime-line, and I couldn't give two cents about the PSP.

I'm thinking how long I should wait until selling my American PSTwo-or if I even should, once I get this modded PSTwo.

Post by **nZero** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 10:30 pm

dave4shmups wrote:What do you guys mean by installing games on the hard drive?? No offense, but if you're talking about emualtors, I don't want to go that route-I only use them on our PC to try out games.

Not emulators. PS2 games. See HDLoader for some info. I'd read some compatibility lists and comments before considering it.

dave4shmups wrote:Even if this doesn't last as long as older PS2, at least I know I'm getting progressive scan with the the slime-line, and I couldn't give two cents about the PSP.

All PS2s can play progressive-scan compatible games in 480p on an EDTV/HDTV setup, or via the VGA cable. The only thing the slimline adds (and IIRC the V9/V10 fat PS2 had it as well) is progressive-scan DVD playback. Not really a selling point one way or the other for non-HDTV users.

dave4shmups wrote:I'm thinking how long I should wait until selling my American PSTwo-or if I even should, once I get this modded PSTwo.

Why would you need to hang on to both? Maybe sell while the market is good, a little extra cash never hurt anyone

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 2:37 am

nZero wrote: Why would you need to hang on to both? Maybe sell while the market is good, a little extra cash never hurt anyone

Good point, although I don't know how much I could sell it for, given that it's used (although in MINT condition). I was just thinking of hanging on to it just in case this modded on craps out on me soon after I get it, but that probably won't happen.

Specineff · Post by **Specineff** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:14 am

Dave, I second the fat PS2 with the HDD and network adaptor. PM for details. You can get them cheap, refurbished, and with extended warranty off EB games or Gamecrazy. Heartily recommended.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 8:16 pm

Specineff wrote:Dave, I second the fat PS2 with the HDD and network adaptor. PM for details. You can get them cheap, refurbished, and with extended warranty off EB games or Gamecrazy. Heartily recommended.

Yeah, but that wouldn't be modded, and as far as the network adapter goes, I don't play online and never have.

I would really like to do a trade; I don't have the money right now to purchase ANY system, or to have any system modded either. Unfortunately that guy from neo-geo.com backed out on me.

it290 · Post by **it290** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 10:25 pm

You need the network adapter if you're going to install the HDD, as the connection for it is located on the network adapter.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 1:54 am

it290 wrote:You need the network adapter if you're going to install the HDD, as the connection for it is located on the network adapter.

Oh, I see. Well, I'm definately not going to get rid of my PSP, considering that every time I have gotten rid of any system I've regretted it.

I thought only the PS2's (forget the model #) that had the yellow "+" sign on the box had progressive scan?

I'm thinking of progressive scan as allowing you to play blue backed game discs, though. I DEFINATELY don't want a PS2 that can't do that!

I wonder if I could trade in my Slim-PSTwo for the Fat PS2 you guys are talking about? If not, I'll just go the Swap Magic route.

Specineff · Post by **Specineff** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 4:57 am

Progressive scan doesn't refer to scanning the disc, but the way the pixels are displayed on an HDTV monitor.

lawnspic · Post by **lawnspic** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 5:11 am

i never heard of that chip (modbo 1.1 or whatever) they only two worth getting is a DMS4Pro or Infinity Matrix and the best lens fix is the subzero, also the V13 and 14 dont need a lens fix sony worked it out after V12