Ongoing Classic PS2 Disc Read Error Problem

[AkaRai]

I have one of the old fat PS2 consoles which I've had practically since launch. It's one of the ones that's unable to save dvd rating settings and such. Not that that's a problem.

However, over the years, it's had consistantly more of the dreaded disc read errors. And I've considered getting a PS2 slim to replace it, but I've gotten so much use out of this one that would feel like putting the family dog to sleep, you know?

Anyway, I've gone through the usual repair steps.

It started up about a week ago, as I'd ordered some new games and dvds. I could at first play only silver-back PS2 games, and half of my dvds. I simply opened it up, cleaned all the dust out, and applied a dab of rubbing alcohal to the lens with a q-tip, and dries and cleaned it as well. This increased which games and dvds would play, but for the first time wasn't enough, so I went to the next step.

I increased the power of the magnet using cut out pieces of a thin refridgerator magnet. That worked like a charm, and all silver-backed PS2 games, and DVDs played with no problems. However, then I got in some with blue and dark blue backs, and some PS games. None of them would work, so I proceeded to the next step.

Manipulating the laser adjustment wheel. Unfortunately, this is where I screwed up, as in my haste I didn't memorize the original position it was in. It shouldn't matter though because of what happened next.

I spent something like two hours the other day just slowly adjusting the wheel, and trying again and again to get the PS games to play. After being convinced I'd tried every single notch clockwise, and counter-clockwise -which may be part of what caused my problem- I gave up. I ended up falling back in desperation on the simplest, easiest method: I simply flipped the console over so it was laying on it's top as it read the discs. Shockingly, this did the trick. All the PS games would suddenly work. Dvds still work as well with no problem.

However, early this morning, I went and put in one of the PS2 games I'd previously played on it with no problem.... and no it won't work. Worse yet, it seems none of the games that previously worked on it no problem will work with it now. But dvds and PS games will still work with it.

So today I spent maybe four hours trying to adjust the laser level again. Putting in a stronger magnet. Putting in a weaker one. Flipping the console in every possible position I could think of. Nothing worked. I can no longer play the games I originally had no problem with. Just PS games and dvds.

Oh, and all throughout, while the dark blue discs worked with the flip fix, light-blue discs have never worked on it at any point. I mean, they used to before the current frustration, but yeah.

Any advice would be most welcome. If anyone has a picture of the default position of the adjustment wheel, or can tell me what's wrong with it, what I messed up, or if I should just give in and get another PS2.

Thanks in advance.

[60307a]

Instead of moving the wheel up and down, try moving it forward and backwards. I've heard this trick works sometimes too.

[AkaRai]

Originally Posted by l_b_rex

Instead of moving the wheel up and down, try moving it forward and backwards. I've heard this trick works sometimes too.

I'm not entirely sure what you mean... I turn the wheel clockwise and counter-clockwise. As it turns, it lifts the laser level up and down. I'm not sure there's another way to move the wheel. You mean to physically push the wheel to one side and the other rather than to turn it, or...?