Modding A Ps2

[charlie_ps2]

Having seen a number of PS2s pass through the hands of my famous "mate round the corner", I thought it appropriate to do something about manageing your expectations when putting a PPS2 into be modded.

When a customer provides a PS2 for modification (in these cases Origachip and Messiah), he/she expects it back functioning to spec in all respects.

However, the incoming condition of the PS2 has a pre-determined effect on outcome and this is often not appreciated by the customer who demands that it be got working within the "no hassle" price.

A PS2 that can boot originals and is then modded with the Origachip or Messiah should then also boot import originals (CD/DVD). In its pre-modded condition, the PS2 can't boot CD-Rs and DVD-Rs and so the laser's condition in this respect can't be tested until the chip is in. If it can't boot, say, DVD-Rs then the laser needs attention.

We have found that JAP v1s (10000) & v2s (15000) and PAL v3s come to us for modification with their lasers worn to the extent that even with calibration, they are not going to boot DVD-Rs.

We test the incoming PS2s first for functionality with originals (CD/DVD) and after the mod has been fitted, of course they and import originals work. When/if the DVD-R won't boot (and they are proven to boot on two reference systems we have) then we tweak the laser.

Depending on how well used the PS2 was previously, the laser calibration mught work and indeed has on two in five of the modded PS2s. There are two pots for laser power (CD/DVD) and screws for spatial adjustment to get the beam angle right. The older and more heavily used the PS2, the weaker or more mechanically misaligned the laser will be.

If the calibration doesn't work, then nothing is going to make it work with that laser and the installer is certainly not going to fork out for a replacement.

So that leaves the customer in limbo-land and messing with the laser is the installer's nightmare as hours, cost and opportunity loss mount up.

My famous "mate round the corner" who is a total pro (as satisfied customers will testify) isn't going to take anything older than a v4 and will refuse a previously modded PS2 as well because the NEO2.2 rather exercises the laser and we're back to the above saga.

I thought you needed to know this before embarking on a modification so that your expectation cab be set accordingly.

[Warlock]

Excellent work Charlie, The best post i have read yet. I have experienced this many times installing modchips. Anyone wanting to get a mod installed should have to read this and sign a agreement before a install is done.