Need Help in Repairing a fat PS2

[SAM]

Hi,

I have a fat PS2 which could not read disc. It's model No is SCPH-30006 R.

I replaced its laser with a KSH-400C. And I did dissolder the Anti-Static dot.

But it still couldn't read disc. Any Clues?

-SAM

[SAM]

I have also replaced the ribbon cable of the laser unit, but still couldn't read disc.

I start to wonder, could it be the mod chip which get in the way?

I actually no longer need the mod chip, my sister used to play imported English titels on the console. But now she and get married and moved away, there is no need to run English titles on this console.

When the unit is turned on, it displayed the menu normally. After inserting the game disc, the CD drive keep turning, but then nothing more.

[heli]

Maybe you need to oil the cd-mechanism, just try it, cant hurt.

[tongshadow]

You need to re-align the laser or it wont read any discs.

[SAM]

You need to re-align the laser or it wont read any discs.

I adjusted the white skew knob & tiny black height hex screw and managed to run DVD games (Silver).

But the console still wouldn't run CD-ROM games (Purple) or PSOne games (Black). The Disc just turns and turns, nothing happened, any clues?

[tongshadow]

DVDs are easier to read, now you need to fine tune the knobs for CDs.
My drive had 2 white knobs to adjust the height of the rails, and I had to redo the whole process to get both DVDs and CDs to read. Yes, it's pretty much trial and error until you reach the sweetspot. You need to find the extremes where it wont read DVDs/CDs and turn the knobs until you get something, use the holes in the gears as your guide. Then you fine tune by turning 1/2 gear teeth at a time.

[SAM]

I tried adjusting the white skew knob & tiny black height hex screw, but it seems CD-ROM games couldn't be run under any settings.

[thchardcore]

Hi Sam. I went through this myself recently. The issue is not the laser but the magnetic hub top that secures the disk to the drive hub. I replaced this part with a new one and...it still skipped. Laser was adjusted, white gear, all that.

Fix was to use a piece of gaffer's tape (or duct tape, blue painter's tape also works) and add it to the white nylon section of the hub top. I used a razor blade and a empty water bottle cap to trade a design. Everything works now, even Contra SS (a blue CD rom based disc which are the hardest to read). This keeps grips the disc down and keeps it from spinning independently from the hub.

Before you do this, try adding some tape to the top of the disc itself. If this gets your game working, then that is your issue.

[SAM]

Added gaffer's tape, but CD-ROM game still couldn't be read.

Please take a look, and see if I am doing it right.
https://imgur.com/gallery/VrwWXZE

Thanks you.

[thchardcore]

Hi Sam, that looks correct. Since we have ruled out the hub, I would suggest using a multimeter and dialing in the pots. There are guides online that reference the safest ranges and how to approach in stages as the less resistance, the higher the output and lower the lifespan.

If your DVD based games are fine, then it is the CD pot only that you need to touch. PS2 lasers are cheap, but almost none of them work out of the box in my experience.

Let me know if you want me to dig up the guide I used and I'll rummage through my bookmarks.

[iVirtualZero]

The PMAP adjustment program should get it working again.

[tongshadow]

PMAP wont a fix a bad laser, which is likely the case here.