Playstation 1 LASER REPLACEMNT HELP!

[ZOM]

...I think the ACM is the older crappy model anyway. Plastic guide rails and they wear down faster...

I thought all "A" models are the same just with different lenght ribbons, while the "B" models are PSone assemblies...?

[Jorel]

Apparently they replaced the plastic guide rails with metal ones in the AEM which makes it a bit more sturdy. But yeah, the AEM should work.

[undamned]

Christ knows if the extension cable will work though.

Yes. Yes, He does.
-ud

[neorichieb1971]

I received a laser unit yesterday, will fit it tonight and see what happens. It looks brand new and came in a cardboard box with a neat mould inside to house the unit. Looks to be metal not plastic like the original. It also has the rubber feet already on it.

[Jorel]

That sounds like every laser assembly I've gotten that didn't work. If it works please let us know where you got it from. Good luck!

[yojo!]

I received a laser unit yesterday, will fit it tonight and see what happens. It looks brand new and came in a cardboard box with a neat mould inside to house the unit. Looks to be metal not plastic like the original. It also has the rubber feet already on it.

It sounds similar to the one I got from RichPsxPart: looked brand new. I'm starting to think that every shops ps1 lens that we've been discussing here about could be sourced to the same (flawed) factory in China.

[Jorel]

Okay, so I have to share this with you guys because it's just too amazing.

I finally decided to just buy a couple used PS1 9001 model systems for the laser assemblies right? Figure my odds are better that way. So I order this one from ebay. Says it's in perfect working condition model 9001, and it will ship the day it's ordered, okay? Says it comes with a controller and a power cord. I don't really care about the controller and the power cord but that's fine, right? And it just so happens the guy selling this thing is only about 30 mins from my house. But I really don't want to go all the way to Venice Beach to pick this thing up because to be frank, I don't wanna meet anybody from Venice. So I figured I'd just let him ship it. So I ordered this thing and I waited. And I waited. Finally after a week I get an email saying the ps1 has just been shipped...

So I send the guy a message. I'm like, "hey, you just shipped my playstation? What's that all about?" And he responds. "Tested the controller. The controller doesn't work. Had to get you a controller that works."
Okay... so I tell the guy that I'm only interested in the laser assembly. Don't really need the controller. So I wait. And I wait. Now it's been almost 2 weeks. I get another email from this person. He tells me that he refunded my money, because he couldn't find a working controller, and I can keep the PS1...okay...

Today finally the PS1 shows up. And this is really awesome. It's a model 5501. And it skipped during the FMV on Einhander.

Isn't that far out? At least I got my dough back, and I have a console to test the next assembly I get, that doesn't work. Beats having to open up my working PS1 over and over.

[neorichieb1971]

My laser works fine. I just booted Tekken ok and no FMV skips or jumps were encountered. It played fine.

edit 1 - Except, the stupid thing gets stuck with the lid on. So I'm trying to figure out why thats happening. Technically speaking mine works though.


edit 2 - Had some problems, fixed them all though. Got it working perfectly now. Made a video to show you what I did. It will also double up as a personal introduction of myself. I will upload it tonight and link it here.

[Jorel]

Awesome! Where did you get it from?

[Jorel]

I'm guessing you had to adjust the pot on the laser assembly.

[neorichieb1971]

I got the laser from this ebay seller -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWNX:IT

My youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6eLqCG5IEg (I "erm" alot when on camera because I'm a bit nervous)

So there you go. No pot adjustments. Just replace the plastic cover on the laser mech.

I don't know if I made myself perfectly clear in the video but this is a text version.

1) Bought grey mech brand new.
2) Took black mech out.
3) Installed grey mech with lid off, works fine (not shown)
4) Installed grey mech with lid on, doesn't work fine (first bit of video, I was shocked at this point lol)
5) Took case lid off with grey mech installed again. Works fine (2nd bit of video)
6) Noticed the laser drive was shunted down by 2mm by the upper case of the playstation.
7) Noticed the laser mech grey cover was slightly bigger than the old crappy black one.
Realized the black cover would fit the new laser. Swapped over.
9) Installed the black cover, removed the grey one. Installed playstation case lid.
10) Tried Tekken and Point Blank with this configuration. All Good.

I prefer the black laser cover as it keeps the unit looking original.

I hope my video and tutorial helps some of you out.

[Jorel]

Neo, thank you very much for the video. You're using the BAM laser assembly. I'm not sure which model ps1 you have there, but on my 9001 model ps1, the BAM will require a ribbon extension cable, which sucks. So I've been using the AEM assemblies, and those just do not work. They're made like garbage. I guess the BAM is made much better. I'll try one out. But I'm not getting one from Liberty because they totally screwed me on some AEM's that do not work. Also, I'm pretty sure you had to replace the cover on your BAM because they were actually made for the newer, smaller, PSONE. I've read that people actually file down the cover instead of just popping it off, and replacing it with the cover from the older models. I'll just pop the cover off one of the defective AEM's I got from Liberty, and give it a go.

So the moral of the story is, try the KSM-440BAM.

Thanks again Neo.

[Evilmaxwar]

My old PS1 stopped working at some point, laser apparently dead. Ended up putting it on the side and it works like friggin new. Put it back table-top flat and its back to suckage. Kinda funny so i ended up screwing my ps1 on the side of my tv shelve with plumbing straps. Now it works great.

[Jorel]

That's awesome Evil. It's only a matter of time before your assembly dies even if you hang it from your ceiling though.

[neorichieb1971]

Neo, thank you very much for the video. You're using the BAM laser assembly. I'm not sure which model ps1 you have there, but on my 9001 model ps1, the BAM will require a ribbon extension cable, which sucks. So I've been using the AEM assemblies, and those just do not work. They're made like garbage. I guess the BAM is made much better. I'll try one out. But I'm not getting one from Liberty because they totally screwed me on some AEM's that do not work. Also, I'm pretty sure you had to replace the cover on your BAM because they were actually made for the newer, smaller, PSONE. I've read that people actually file down the cover instead of just popping it off, and replacing it with the cover from the older models. I'll just pop the cover off one of the defective AEM's I got from Liberty, and give it a go.

So the moral of the story is, try the KSM-440BAM.

Thanks again Neo.

The ribbon on mine is longer than first suspected. I accidentally pulled on it and it somehow detached itself a bit. I pulled on the cable and suddenly its 3" longer. So its wrapped up inside you just can't see it because its stuck on the side at some point. Because mine came undone I get that extra leverage which I don't need.

My machine is the original SCPH1000. A day 1 Tokyo launch machine. I got it 20th Dec 1994 for £700 with Ridge Racer lol. Which is why I've kept it because I'd only get £5 for it. It was the start of the Sony era, which I've enjoyed alot (until PS3 anyway).

I think my model is the one with the super audio chip or something. Due to the crappy laser I never tried it out.

Just FYI. Before I changed this laser no discs would work at all unless the machine was upside down.

[Jorel]

Right. But in the 9001 model you need an extension for the BAM because the port for the ribbon cable is farther away then in the 1001. Much farther. I've researched the hell out of it. I'm going to order a BAM right now. I'll hold off on the extension though and let you know if it doesn't reach. Which I'm positive it won't.

[Jorel]

http://www.wiisingonline.com/PS1-Laser- ... 8-144.html

[neorichieb1971]

Well, I only ordered this particular unit because it said it was for SCPH-100* units. Surely you just have to buy a BAM designed for SCPH-9*** units or is that not possible?

edit - Mine is the SCPH-1000, not 1001. The difference being it has a Svideo socket on it. The 1001 is the first machine to hit the USA, the 1000 was discontinued by then.

[Jorel]

I think the BAM is just the BAM. Like there's only one. It just so happens to fit (kinda) in the 1000 model.

Your information is greatly appreciated. I think I love you.

[Jorel]

It looks like Liberty might be sending me a BAM assembly to make up for the bad experience. If they do, and it works, I'll never bad mouth those people again.

[neorichieb1971]

When you detach the grey cover from the new laser you need to be careful because there is a joint under the spindle. Well I suppose it doesn't matter if that breaks since you won't be using it. I guess my trick only works if when you install the new drive the upper side (facing the back of the PS1) is rubbing like it did with mine. As a result of putting the upper case back on the playstation it was pushing the whole mechanism downwards.

If I am not mistaken the 9001 series has the drive facing a different direction (which is why you need the extension).

I should also note that even though I mentioned in the video that its louder, its only because the drive was rubbing somewhere. Once I got it working it wasn't really louder. The noise is a result of the mechanism not being able to do what it wants freely.

Now i've got mine working I might get into some nostalgia this weekend. I've had this PS1 in a state where it would only work upside down for 5+ years, so its really nice to have it working like day 1 again.

I should also thank you for bringing up this thead. Its nice to bring things back from the dead.

regards,

Richie.

[yojo!]

http://www.wiisingonline.com/PS1-Laser- ... 8-144.html

did you order your BAM from the same place too ?

[Jorel]

No not from wiisingonline.com. I'm hopefully getting one from Liberty Electronics, instead of a refund, for the two crappy AEM's they sold me.

[yojo!]

the ones from wiisingonline.com are pretty cheap ; only $5 a piece; how much did you pay from liberty?

[Jorel]

For the AEM's, like 15$ because theyre in the states and i didnt want to wait 3 weeks for the laser.

[neorichieb1971]

I'm very happy with my unit. I played some games on it today and its like new. Very happy to have the old bugger back again lol.

[Jorel]

Thankfully my current modded 9001 ps1 still works perfectly. Can I recommend Zanac x Zanac? Awesome vertical shmup on the ps1.

[s8n]

this is a great Thread ive been reading it on and off as i had planned to buy backup Laser Units for my own PSX's i have 500x's , 700x's and 900x's.

Has anyone thought of trying out Donberg Electronics Lasers ? ...........thats where i was thinking of getting mine from


http://www.donberg.ie/


also for anyone that doesnt know .......flipping a PSX over so the Bottom is the Top the Laser Eye moves closer to the Disc therefore reading it better , i learned this from a previous friend .....he read it in one of his Playstation Magazines about 15 years ago.

[Jorel]

Haven't tried Donberg Electronics. And I guess it's just gravity that pulls the lens closer to the disc. I guess that makes sense. But after a while even an upside down PS1 will stop working. Or so I've read.

And if you do try out Donberg, let us know how it turns out.

[s8n]

hi Jorel ,

And if you do try out Donberg, let us know how it turns out.

roger that.........