My Playstation 2 gave out a few months ago, although it seems longer. It was going along fine and then, seemingly randomly, and started making an odd noise when the disc would go into the console and try to play. It was a grinding sound, like gears were skipping. At first, the console got by and just hiccuped, but then it happened more and more until it wouldn’t even read a disc. I thought I was out my PS2 and would have to pony up for a new or used one, which still run around $100. But, being me, my first instinct was to try and fix it. It turned out to be easier than I thought but very tedious.
Getting the case off was easy but then I had to get into the part where the tray and laser were. There are four of the tiniest little screws you’ve ever seen holding on the top to this part of the console. So I got out the jeweler’s screwdriver set and they promptly broke while I was trying to unscrew. After that I gave up for the longest time with all intentions of trying again…but I got lazy and was happy without it. I was probably burned out on PS2 at the time and it being broke actually was the best thing because I didn’t have to tell myself not to play. But then I started to have withdrawal.
So I had at it again. This time I put some WD-40 on the screws before I tried again. I just sprayed some WD40 onto a plate and used a q-tip to rub it onto the screws. Then I happened to find a glasses repair kit that had the perfect size screwdriver. Not only was the head just the right size, but the handle was very short and gave me a lot of leverage that I didn’t have otherwise. This time the wee screws came undone and there sat the laser.
Since I wasn’t exactly sure what the problem was I just turned it on to see what I could see. What was happening is that the laser was not moving at all. So I gave it a little help. I pushed the laser up and back to kind of reset it. I pushed it as close to the laser as it would go. I gave it a whirl again and the grinding noise was gone. Huzzah!
And then I went and botched it up in an entirely different way. There is this ribbon cable that connects the power switch to the main console. In my excitement I manage to yank out the ribbon cable. And of course slot A for the ribbon cable was under some other parts and naturally it required me to take more of the console apart. Sigh.
That started to go well until I flubbed up the CD tray. I’m not exactly sure how I managed to do that but the tray started to only open half way. Not good. I figured I must have made the tray slip gears and get out of alignment. This, of course, required that I take the console apart even more. I found my gear hunch was right. The tray got off kilter with the open/close gear. The solution to this was taking out the tray and resetting it.
This baffled me for the longest time. I searched and searched for directions on how to get that tray out. I happened to read about a screw that held the tray rod in place. Although those directions were for a different problem, it mentioned a screw that I started to look for. The screw was on the bottom of the tray in the corner…sneaky screw.
Taking out this screw released the tray slide rod and I could remove the tray entirely. Great, but now what? I saw the gear that controlled the tray and the raising of the laser. I pushed this gear until the laser was as high as it would, acting as though the tray was closed. Trying to get the rod back through a hole and working with the tray WHILE the tray was in closed position took a little fanagling, but I finally got it. There’s not magic here, just keep wiggling it until it gets into place - then screw in the rod holding screw.
By this point, I could connect and reconnect the power ribbon cable with my eyes shut. I managed to yank that thing out so many times I’m surprised it didn’t break all together. Then the moment of truth…the first test.
The tray opened all the way as it should, I put in a disc and it closed and started. No grinding and no disc errors. All looked good, so I grabbed some games and played for a while, having the console open in case it needed some repair. Thankfully, it didn’t. So I put it all back together (although I lost some screws) and hooked it up and played my first run of Guitar Hero in what seems like forever.
So now I am with PS2 and Wii, as it should be. And now I also have the skills to repair a PS2 and a classic NES. I prefer the NES over the PS2, as there are like two parts instead of 200, but it’s nice to know I can give it a go before I drop my cash on a replacement. Just a little patience, a small screwdriver, and Google - the solution to all of life’s problems.
I hear you! My DeWalt drill started making a funny smell, was draining batteries in no time flat and I could see MAJOR electricity arcs in the motor. I thought I was going to have to drop $150 on a new drill, but alas. 5 minutes on Yahoo questions and I determined, that is all likely hood something called the ‘brushes’ were worn out. Best of all these were replacable in my drill and only cost $10. So I ordered a pair, installed them myself and now my drill is smell/smoke free and running at full power.
I read that Sony is expected to slash the price of the PS3 next week. That may be the only way that Sony can take a bite out of Nintendo.
I just read that they cut $100 from the price. So, $400 or so now?
The price drop isn’t significant, at least in my view. Sure, a $100 is a good cut, but at $400 (or $500) it is still too much except for the hardcore gamers.
But they’re lowering their price to compete with Xbox, not with the Wii. No on can compete with the Wii on price, and they’re really not interested in doing so. MS and Sony are going after a different audience; Nintendo is looking at casual gamers, the other two want “real” gamers.
This brings the PS3 closer to Xbox-land, but far from making up their lost ground.
However, I think this week or next the big video game convention, E3, is being held and there will be a lot of hubbub coming out of that.
I think the masses are leaning towards a Wii-centric desire for games and experience. There are a ton of untapped, casual gamers and Wii is getting them. I think the others are jealous and just playing it off as not caring. The casual gamers don’t spend a lot at one time, but combined I’m sure their dollars are close to the core gamers.
Before too long the elite gamers will be a minority and casual gamers will rule. This will create a backlash amongst core gamers that get pissed because games start becoming “too easy” and don’t involve devoting 12-hours a day to get even remotely good.
But…Wii needs to get their butts moving on the on-line world or they will start to suffer soon. If there’s one thing casual gamers love is casual on-line play. Comparing scores…that sort of thing. Where’s the on-line play for games like Sports and billiards? Should be easy enough…the poll channel is great but not exact interactive with other people.
How do you reconnect the PS2 Ribbon cable? I’m not sure where it goes. I think I’m having the same problem as you with the tray ejecting. I can’t get the white plastic part back on the track when i put the disc tray back in, it only works with it out. It keeps coming out of place.
The ribbon cable goes into a very tiny slot on the side. If I remember correctly, flip the thing over and you’ll be able to see the slot. There are other ribbon cables that are next to it.
Unfortunately, to insure that your ribbon cable is in tightly it may be best to take off the bottom.
The tray rod was a big pain in the butt. Taking that out will make the tray come off without a problem. Then putting it back make sure the teeth in the gear on the tray lineup with the teeth on the console. Also look at the laser lens too — if it is up then it thinks the tray should be in, if it’s down it thinks the tray is out. You need to start your tray where it thinks it is. Once it is happy it will reset itself accordingly — at least it did for me.