Ps1 modchip

[Kyle]

Hey all, I have a SCPH-5501 PS1 console.

I bought a pre-wired 7-wire stealth modchip from modchip.ca.

I am fairly new to soldering but managed to do a pretty nice job at getting all the points soldered without any excess solder on the board.

Upon reassembly of the system, I tested an original PS1 game, and the system worked perfectly.

Then I tested a backup of one of my games, but I had no luck. I tried 4 times actually. I tried using ImgBurn and CloneCD, and neither worked. How can I diagnose this problem?

It must be one of a few things:

1) Improper install
2) Bunk modchip
3) Incorrect backup procedure

Any suggestions?

Cheers,

Kyle

[allterran]

I would say to check to see if any of the wires came loose first, if they did then try using a "no clean" solder flux, it helps to create a better connection with solder and also helps to prevent solder shorts. Next I would check with a magnifying glass that no connections are bridging (sometimes they are too small to see by the naked eye), next I would check to see if any of the IC's (chips) have open pins (leads lifted off board) if there are just put a little solder on the tip of the iron and press down on the pin for 1/2 a second. If all looks ok on the inside try a different cd media, i've had great success with memorex cd-r's.

[Kyle]

Thanks for replying so quickly.

I was using CD-RW's, is that OK for PS1 backups?

I heard that CD-RW's were inclusive of what CD-R's are for.

I was using a flux-paste which definitely did what it sounds like you are describing. Not sure if it was a "no clean" flux or not.

On that note, since this flux seemed to "attract" molten solder, should I have maybe put a bit of this flux on the tip of the wire to make it get a better connection? Or does it even work like that?

The connections seemed to be quite strong. Each point was firmly connected enough that I could pull on the wire and the motherboard would lift off the table; none of the wires came loose when I tried this. And there were no IC legs involved in the job.

One thing I left out of my story was that in attempting to double check all
the solder points, I unfortunately nerfed one of the components by getting my iron too close, so now nothing works at all so it is impossible for me to continue trying to find the problem until I get a replacement console to try attempt #2 on.

Speaking of which, know of any websites that have PS1 consoles (older models) relatively cheap?

Hopefully this helps narrow it down.

Thanks for your help!

[Kyle]

Having ruined my PS1's motherboard, I'm using it as a practice board for a while before I tackle my PS2, which looks like it's quite a bit beyond my capability for now. The most intimidating thing about the mod (I'm planning on using Duo Ultra 3 ) for a version 8 SCPH-39001 PS2 is the IC legs that I need to connect to.

On my PS1 motherboard, I've practiced quite a bit, and I have found I can solder onto a leg if its lifted quite easily, but when I try to put it back down with a bit of new solder, I'm finding that the solder spreads to the neighboring legs, causing a nasty bridge. Even when I heat up the leg to lift it, it seems like the solder which originally was holding the leg immediately begins to spread. This is concerning me as I'm not sure how I will be able to handle this problem once I am working on my precious PS2. Any advice?

Cheers,

Kyle

[allterran]

It is a good idea to practice on a dead board, Thats what I did when starting out. On the note of if cd-rw's will work or not, I have tried and not had any success (PS1 or PS2). If you do have problems with connections bridging just use some solder wick to suck up the solder, next place some flux over the area you're going to solder and just put some fresh solder on the leads. Also see if you can get your hands on some liquid no clean solder flux, it might be labeled "water soluable", It's best to also apply liquid flux from a syringe like ones found in ink refill kits. As for soldering the PS2 chips, I've installed 6 Duo Pro chips and haven't had any IC Pins lift up, (not saying it couldn't happen but I think it's less likely on this system). I would also consider when installing the PS2 chips to use a thick gauge wire for the +5 or 3.3V (depending on the chips voltage) and ground connections, and for the other connestions use between 26 and 30 gauge wire and keep the wires as short as possable as the signals being transmitted are digital and if the wires are too long there will be too much resistance for the signal to get through (this is the common problem when people have a chip that does not work all the time.) There is a good tutorial at sksapps that gives you step by step instructions on PS2 chip installs. As for cheap PS1 consoles, the only place I really know of to find them cheap is ebay. I hope this helps, and if you have any other questions please feel free to ask. Oh I almost forgot, a good place to find PS2 chips cheap is Modchip(DOT)ca, they even include wires for the install.

Best Regards

-Ryan

[Kyle]

Thank you for your detailed reply.

You have helped me possibly more than it might initially appear (by answering questions that I wasn't smart enough to ask!).

As for the issue on thicker wire, what guage would you suggest? I currently have, in my arsenal, 30, 24, and 14 guage. Is 24 thick enough, and is 14 too thick?

Thanks again!

[Jdemon]

Test a CD-R, I don't think a PS1 will read a CD-RW. I haven't used mine in quite some time but I know all my backups were made with CD-R and run fine. Oh and burn at a relatively slow speed (8x or 12x)

[Kyle]

CD-R's work beautifully. CD-RW's absolutely do not work.

Yay for a successful 2nd attempt!

[Kyle]

As for the dreaded PS2, it's a done deal as well. Thanks for all support guys.