My sons’ Sony Playstation is only two years old, and the sound has just stopped. We took it to the regular ‘fixer’ place and they don’t fix Nintendo, Sega or Playstations any more. I e mailed Sony to ask was this a fixable problem, and still haven’t heard anything, it’s been two months now.
So, I’m betting on the SDMB brilliant crowd! Anyone know, or care to guess why our play toy has gone mute?? My youngest son said he didn’t care, ‘I talk for them all anyway.’ But, my oldest son is pickier and wants Triple Play and John Madden to announce for him. Any help is MOST appreciated.
Assuming it s a PSX hardware issue and you have not mis-set some setup parameter in the PSX accidently, realistically you are best off buying a refurbished unit for 60- 70 or so. The PlayStation (like most consoles) is an extremely integrated piece of equipment and I will practically guarantee you that bench time alone for a tech (if it was fixable) would be more than this.
As a possible alternative there are PSX gearheads crazy enough to romp around inside PSXs who might be willing to tackle this and checking out some Playstation web sites or a usenet psx newgroup you might be able to locate someone to attempt fixing it or willing to buy your console for parts so you can recover a few bucks.
Having said all this a refurb unit is still the best, cheapest and easiest way to go.
Thanks for the quick response, ** astro, ** I figured the fixer rate might be higher than just getting another one. But when I went to check out how much they were selling for in the stores, they were out of them, and I was told that Sony had stopped making them because some new version is due out in October. They wouldn’t be making the regular ones till the end of July. So, I think I’ll try your idea of checking out some online.
I have an actual 13-year-old boy here who says, “If it’s only messed up on one game, then there’s something wrong with the CD. But if it’s on every game, yeah, it’s the Playstation itself.”
Is it just on Triple Play that the sound is messed up?
You did know that there’s a volume control on the TV set (however, there’s no volume control on the Playstation console itself).
I’m not surprised that Sony hasn’t responded to your e-mail. Obviously they would much rather sell you a new Playstation than help you fix the old one. Astro is right, a Playstation is kind of like a microwave, in that it’s easier and cheaper to throw it away and buy a new one, than to try to get it fixed.
Your No. 1 son may also be suddenly “pickier” because of the glossy new Playstation Two that was just released in March (a mere coincidence, as I’m sure he’ll tell you. )
The Playstation Two is about $300. The Playstation One was about, what, $100, new? Check newspaper ads under “Computers and Electronics”.
P.S. You probably know this, too, but I’ll say it anyway. Sometimes the individual games have menus where you can set the volume–make sure somebody wasn’t fooling around with it (maybe playing illicitly late at night?) and reset it.
P.P.S. Behind me, the kid says, “Tell her if she’s going to buy a Playstation Two, to wait a little while, 'cause they’ll come down in price.” Ah, such consumer-savvy, in one so young…
THe Playstation 2 was released in March? Yeah in Japan, but certainly not in the States.
And if it was in the States, WHERE!?!?!?!?!?!??!!?
I really really really don’t think there are any Playstation 2 in the States at this point. There won’t be until about October.
And the reason they are more expensive (One of the reasons) is that it is also a DVD player.
The Playstation 2 has not been officially released in North America. It’s here by way of import. You could buy one, but unless you are fluent in japanese, you won’t get much out of it. Also, it is not garunteed that US games will work (garunteed NOT to work, without some mechanical or electrical hack, a la the MOD chip in current PS). And like DVD players (as it is one), it will probably have region coding, so it may not be worth it yet. Also, the $300 tag is for when it gets here; to import it or buy from someone that has imported it will garner you import prices. I suggest wait till October 26 (i think). I am being as impatient as I possibly can.
Now restoring your OP…ahh, the question has already been answered.
BTW, is it resting on the carpet? I’ve heard of the vent not venting on shaggy carpets, thus the unit overheats and parts supposedly melt…don’t know how much truth there is to this though…sounds feasible (happened to one of our computers at work).
Perform Surgery. I’m not sure about these playstation II’s but if it’s the same body style, buy one, switch the mainboard, cd reader and what not’s and return the one that “doesn’t work”.
Clerk: “What’s your reason for returning the item?”
You: “I went to play a game and the sound didn’t work”
Clerk: “Would you like to Exchange or cash back”
You: “hmm…I’ll (your words here)”
I’ve went through 3 of these thanks to Funco Land and their nice return policy’s.
Look at the PSX cable where it plugs into the audio video connectors on your TV/VCR/Receiver. If the audio line of this cable (should be labeled) has been cut, nicked, strained or otherwise damaged this could cause audio droput. Exterior damage might not necessarily be visible if cable has bben strained.
If damaged you can replace this cable for around $ 10.00 or so. If your kid has a friend with a PSX arrange to borrow the known good cable temporarily and test it on your system.
I e mailed Sony to ask was this a fixable problem, and still haven’t heard anything, it’s been two months now.
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