Playing back-ups can ruin your lens???

[J-Manic]

I know what you're thinking. Shame on me for playing back-ups! I know, I know. But I do own a bunch, and most of the are of games that are way too expensive nowadays. So Iam not ashamed. Just FYI, only a few of them are shmups.

Someone just told me recently that playing back-ups can strain or/and ruin your lens in your console. I've been playing back-ups on both my Dreamcast and Playstation (PS1), and have had no problems so far. But is this really true? Should I stop playing my back-ups in order to prevent damage to my lens'?

Thanks.

[velocity7]

Any form of media that is not original to the console system is likely to damage the lens very slowly. If you want to maintain the lens more, you should look into blowing dust out of the console and drive, as well as cleaning the lens (I use 99% alcohol with a cotton swab, that works great).

[Specineff]

*Cough, Hdloader, cough*

[Dave_K.]

For the DC, backups spin faster, and more often then original GD's since the data layout is different (not optimized for in-game loading). This is the only "problem" with playing backups with respect to the laser/motor.

With the cost of DC's these day I wouldn't worry about it.

[J-Manic]

For the DC, backups spin faster, and more often then original GD's since the data layout is different (not optimized for in-game loading). This is the only "problem" with playing backups with respect to the laser/motor.

I've noticed this. Whenever I play a back-up for a long period of time, I can hear the system working harder (louder noise). And I can also hear the lens moving faster and more frequently too.

With the cost of DC's these day I wouldn't worry about it.

True. That's why I'm planning on buying another console just incase.


I've been using the same Dreamcast that I bought when it first launched, and have been playing back-ups on it since around 2002-2003. So far, no problems. As far as my PS1 goes, I bought it back in 2003, and have been playing PS1 back-ups since then. Again, no problems so far. But I have a funny feeling it will all catch up to me soon.

[malcolm]

I play "backups" all the time and haven't had a problem yet. But just in case I have 3 dreamcasts.

[antron]

you can get the DCs with 'broken' controler ports for next to nothing. jump the fuse and you are good to go.