PSTwo

[Boydy1988]

I have the slimline PS2 and want to chip it, what type of chip would be the best and would it be easy enough to solder by myself?

[rivlez]

i would def recommend either a dms pro or lite before anything. a maxtrix infinity is a great chip also. for installin all of them they are all about the same installation. divineo.com sells a great variety of chips and they ship quickly.

[ToolPunk]

I went with the DMS4 Lite because I wanted something simple. You could also go for the Pro but I only recommend the Pro if you are going to be attaching a hard drive. If you don't already know you will also need a laser fix. I went with the Comsoft Slimfix v4. If you need somone to do the install I know someone that does a great job. He installed my chip and laser fix.
I have had my PSTwo Slimline for 5 months now. I have played Oringinal\Back Up movies, Oringinal\Back Up PS2 games DVD, CD and the blue backs, Oringinal\Back Up PS1 games and Oringinal\Back Up music CD's. I have also used the the Code Breaker 9, Gameshark and the PS2 emulators on my system. The longest I have had my PS2 running is 7 hours and have had it running for 3-4 hours many many times. I have had not one error, no problems, no blue screens, no black screens, no red screens, no freezing and no boot problems.

[dwightlooi]

I got my PS2 Slim (70012) a few months back. I really wanted access to Japanese market turn based strategy titles -- a genre that is extinct in the US market -- and pondered whether I should spend $200 on a new Japanese PS2 or spend about $120 on a mod chip, laser fix and installation. I went with the mod chip thinking that it would be more convenient once it is all said and done to have one "do it all" system.

Hence, I ordered a DMS4 Pro chip and a FX ii laser fix - from http://www.modchip.ca/store/home.php. I had the guys at http://www.geocities.com/pstwomods/ do the installation because I don't own any soldering equipment and I didn't want to spend $50 on them just to do a one time thing. Anyway, they had since informed me that they had installed the chip and the fix, but my laser had died immediately post installation. They commented that I had a different "fuse" for the laser than they are used to seeing in other SLIM PS2s -- something about the PS14 on the board is usually 50, but mine was 102. That, and that the FX ii laser fix probably does not adequately protect the laser. They don't do repairs and I was advised to get a new laser, a new laser fix and fix it myself. They are shipping the PS2 back to me.

So now I am $300 in the hole with a dead PS2, and looking for an affordable place to buy a replacement 802W laser unit. I am also at a lost as to what other laser fix I need to get and whether I need to remove the FX ii laser fix they installed to install a new fix. Of course, in the mean time I need to cough up a minimum of $100 or so on parts and get deeper into the hole with no garrantee that I'll ever get the PS2 working again. Even if I do, I will always live under the uncertainty that my PS2 may die again in a few minutes, a few days or a few months. In retrospect, I think I should have gone with a factory fresh, Japanese PS2.

[ToolPunk]

To: dwightlooi
The laser fix you selected is crap. If those guys you sent it to had any experience and cared about thier customers they would have told you that from the begining. The cause of your laser burn out was most likely because they installed that crappy fix. If you put a chip in a v12, any chip, you have to have a fix or your laser will go out. A lot of times it will go out fast. If you put a crappy fix in, it is just like putting in nothing at all. I had a thread about this here before they changed the forums and I guess they decided it wasn't important. Read my previous post that is what I did. If you need to get things back together I know a great guy, he installed my chip and he takes care of his customers.

Here is my post from my old thread regarding the laser fixes for anyone who needs it I know I did: Just to let you know if you have a v12 PSTwo and you have a modchip installed your laser will go out whether you have a laser fix or not. Some v12s are burning up the laser without the help of a modchip. Right now laser fixes prolong the life of your laser and that is it.
There are several different kinds of Laser Fixes.
The Diode Fixes are at the bottom of the ladder not giving much protection and constantly going out leaving the laser wide open for a burnout. The Subzero Fix is the latest in Diode Fixes. It ships with the Summ0ne Fix which is a Resistor Fix but is not recommended to be installed. Other Diode Fixes are, the "MATRIX FIX" MFD Board and the NEO-FIX Xii there may be others but these are the more popular.
Next on the list are the Resistor Fixes. The two most popular fixes are the Summ0ne Fix and the Comsoft Slimline Fix v3/v4. I have read that the Summ0ne Fix limits the PSTwo's ability to read CD-R (which in my opinion would be a bad thing because it puts more stress on the laser). Right now the Comsoft Slimline Fix v3/v4 is highly recommended and the Summ0ne Fix is widely used. I don't know if the 2 fixes can be installed together or not.

It has been recommended by several people to use a Resistor Fix and not a Diode Fix because so far the diode fixes have been no good. I have not read about anyone who has tryed the Subzero Fix so I don't know if this one has broken the bad diode fix trend.

[Boydy1988]

What doe the laser fix actually do?
ToolPunk, where is this guy who installs the chips? Can I send my PS2 off to him?

[{{909}}]

the laser fix helps to prevent laser burn out which is very common in the pstwo

[Boydy1988]

the laser fix helps to prevent laser burn out which is very common in the pstwo
Yeah I know, I was wondering more as to how it actually does this.

[ToolPunk]

I can't remember all the technical mumbojumbo but the jist is that it has to do with the power flow. When you add in a chip it forces the PSTwo to read a type of media it wasn't built for. At times the PSTwo can get real stressed in the process and overload. When the power being sent to the laser peaks and it overloads it can cause several problems. A couple for example; the first is, you can burn out your LA chip wich has to do with the controlls of the laser and the second is you can burn out your laser diode killing your laser unit. The Comsoft Slimfix laser fix monitors this power flow. When the power starts to peak the laser fix causes the PSTwo to shut down preventing burnout. Even some non modded PSTwos have buntout by the same problem from being reset to many times at once or the cord being yanked out of the back. About that guy, I don't remember if he takes business from outside the US or not I'm trying to find out. Just incase, I don't know your location.

[Boydy1988]

I can't remember all the technical mumbojumbo but the jist is that it has to do with the power flow. When you add in a chip it forces the PSTwo to read a type of media it wasn't built for. At times the PSTwo can get real stressed in the process and overload. When the power being sent to the laser peaks and it overloads it can cause several problems. A couple for example; the first is, you can burn out your LA chip wich has to do with the controlls of the laser and the second is you can burn out your laser diode killing your laser unit. The Comsoft Slimfix laser fix monitors this power flow. When the power starts to peak the laser fix causes the PSTwo to shut down preventing burnout. Even some non modded PSTwos have buntout by the same problem from being reset to many times at once or the cord being yanked out of the back. About that guy, I don't remember if he takes business from outside the US or not I'm trying to find out. Just incase, I don't know your location.
I'm from Northern Ireland :( I 'll have to try and find someone local.

[ToolPunk]

Actually I found out that he does do work outside the US. It just may cost you more for shipping than if you were in the US.

[ToolPunk]

If you would like to get ahold of him PM me.

[Boydy1988]

I'm thinking of doing it myself now, what equipment would I need and are there any good guides online that I could have a look at before I do?

[ToolPunk]

If you are not skilled in soldering I would not recommend it. I thought about doing it myself at first, I actually even bought everything I would need. After seeing pictures and reading up, it hit me how very micro the areas are that you have to solder to. So I decided to have an experienced modder do it right the first time and not sacrifice my PS2 to my weak soldering skills. The majority of boot and play problems on a modded system are do to an improper installation.That is when I came across Dave. That was the best decision I could have made but to each his own. If you really want to, there is a few tools and supplies you will need and you can get the diagrams from DMS at thier site. There are also tips and tricks on soldering all over the web.

[Boydy1988]

I've read that modding it will kill your laser, it's only a matter of time, even with the laser fix, is this true?

[ToolPunk]

There is a slim chance that your laser will go out eventually without modding and without the laser fix due to the manufacturing. Adding in a chip greatly increases that chance. The laser fix brings you real close back to that slim chance depending on how well the chip and fix were installed and how well you take care of you PS2. Yes though, they do say that your laser will still eventually go out but the laser fixes haven't been out for a real long time so what do they have to base that on. We still have yet to see how these nice Resistor fixes come out in the long run. If you take care of your PS2 and have to replace the laser every 2-3 years for about $40-$50 ($17-$20 a year) I think it is worth it. For what the majority of people are going to use thier set up for I think that small price out weighs the amount of money they are going to be saving. Hopefully though, the laser fixes will stand thier ground and keep the laser going for at least 4-5 years that would be great.

[ToolPunk]

Here is my Stats as of now.
1.)Purchased: May 2005

2.)Longest running time in one sitting: 3hrs., 4hrs., 5hrs., 6hrs., 7hrs., 8hrs., now is the longest.

3.)Modded: DMS4 Lite (By DAVE)

4.)Laser Fix: Comsoft Slimline Fix v4 (By DAVE)

5.)Region: NTSC

6.)Condition: Going Strong

The blank DVD media I use is TDK's DVD+R I have also used Memorex DVD+R. I use Memorex CD-R for my PS1 backups. I just do a straight copy with the newest version of Alcohol 120% and Alcohol's default settings. I have also used DVD Decrypter and Nero.

I have played Oringinal\Back Up movies, Oringinal\Back Up PS2 games DVD, CD and the blue backs, Oringinal\Back Up PS1 games and Oringinal\Back Up music CD's. I have also used the Code Breaker v9, Gameshark v4 and the PS2 emulators on my system. The longest I have had my PS2 running is 8 hours and have had it running for 3-4 hours many many times. Still I have had no problems. No boot problems, no reading problems, no BSOD, no RSOD, no overheating, no problems changing games, nothing, no problems, none. WORKS GREAT.

[Crapo]

i installt Ripper 3.2u and slim fix 4
and the laser stop reading DVD after 1.5 H :mad:

I have installt lots of Crystal chip and Matrix Infinity together whith slim fix 4 and no problem.

The slim fix 4 turns off pstwo if i insert an DVD, dossent matter if its original ore backup but it will read CD so its only the dvd part not working anny more.

both laser coils is at 3.0 ohm (shold be about 4.5 ohm)so they arnt burnd over but it wont read DVD the laser is werry noisy and then the pstwo shutsdown. That indicate the slim fix v4 works but still the laser is not working.

so i think its becuse i dont have the diode fix together whith the slim fix v4
i have now installt modbo diode fix together whith slim fix v4
and ordert a new laser.

why modbo. becus it was the fix that fittet best together with slim fix v4
matrix diode fix fits to but i only got the modbo one.
other diode fix will cover the L2 and/ore L1
Like crystal diode fix will cover L1 for slimfix v4
And to me it looks like they all use the same diodes.

I will post back when i get the laser and have the ps2 up running agen.

I have only one thing to say to the SONY laser problem

DONT BYE A SONY CONSOL GO FOR XBOX :D
SONY PLAYSTATION 2 have suffert from bad laser from the very firs PS2
I got the first JAP SCPH 10000 and the laser lasted about 6 month.

I got 2 PS2 now. 1 v4 and 1 v6 both got laser problems
and i got one xbox and no laser problems at all. even thort i use a cheap mod in the xbox.
Dont got the JAP SCPH 10000 anny more i sold that while it still read some disk.

My consols
PS2 v4 PAL DMS3 40 GB HD cant read DVD
PS2 V6 PAL "no chip" Cant read CD
PSP PAL Firmware 1.5 :D and 1 GB memory. Only plays backup from Memory, on it becuse its a sony product whith laser ;)
XBOX v1.6 Aladdin 250 GB HD Reads all exept CD-R
No CD-R becuse xbox cant read that format. Use DVD-R instead ore CD-RW

XBOX is so mutch better at homebrew, backup, mp3, divx, dvd, you name it.
it can do every thing exept recording TV and CD/DVD.
So if you not adicted to eye toy / sing star get XBOX and save $ every time youre PS2/PSTwo laser stop working.

[Lerpa]

Use either a DMS4 Lite, Matrix infinity or ghost 2. DO NOT use DMS4 pro, it will overheat! and hang the ps2. Then you have to wait some mins for the chip to cool down before you can power on the ps2 again. Heat and ps2 slim is not a good combination.....If you have the big model ps2 DMS4 pro is highley recomended.

[brispet1]

toolpunk you are grossly misinformed about the nature of fixes.
there are three causes of laser burnout in v12 pstwo's
one is the tracking coil burnout, another is the DSP crash (almost always caused by modchip and most dangerous)
and burnout due to overheating of laser diode.
the most effective protection chips today protect against DSP crash and Tracking coil burnout
Subzero and Comsoft both have protection for DSP crash and are considered equally
good fixes by most professional installers out there. Subzero is not and was never
a "diode fix" Comsoft is not a "resistor fix" it uses a pic chip to detect DSP state
and when a crash/lockup is detected it automatically drops voltage to zero to stop burnout
subzero does this as well however it uses passive components rather than a pic chip
they both offer tracking protection. Subzero has an optional focus fix to protect
against diode burnout however it causes some media issues so most people choose
not to install it, as this is the least common cause of burnout. Also v12
with good fix either comsoft or subzero is a reliable as any other slim ps2
however laser burnout is inevitable in any version of ps2 it's just a matter of
time, and slims will tend to burnout quicker than biggies