My girlfriend’s PS2 has stoped working … sorta. The problem seems to be with reading DVD content; audio CDs and PS1 games play fine, but (movie) DVDs and PS2 games won’t read. I’ve tried using a lens cleaning disc to no avail. Is there any way that I can fix this problem on my own? If not, is fixing it cheaper than buying a new PS2 (about $150 for a slim one)?
This page says that Sony will repair PS2s with disc read errors for free even if they are out of warranty. It was last updated last March, though, so I’m not sure if they are still doing that. There’s a 1-800 number on the page, so it can’t hurt to give Sony a call and find out.
Failing that, you could try to adjust the laser’s potentiometer to compensate for what could be a weakening laser.
If that doesn’t work, you can replace the laser entirely.
If that doesn’t work, or if you don’t want to screw with your PS2 too much, you can probably find a PS2 DVD-ROM drive on Ebay.
Yes. It’s most likely not the lense that is the problem, but the rails that the lens platform move on. They are normally greased, but dirt easily gets stuck in the grease. Both that dirt, and the fact that the dirt eventually takes off all the grease, are causes of disc read errors (DREs). Typically problems start with PS2 CD-ROM games, then DVD-ROM games, then the rest.
- open the PS2 (below the square thingies on the bottom are screws, there are 8 or 10, depending)
- when you’ve taken the top off, unscrew the top of the DVD player (four tiny screws)
- now clean the two metal rails that the laser platform moves on, remove the dirt and clean up with some alcohol if you have it
- regrease the rails with this special white grease, I’m not sure what it’s called but if you ask for it at a hardware store they should know what you need
- reassemble.
Although I’ve not tried this myself, I’ve told three people to try this for whom it worked and whose PS2 is running again as new, and I heard about it myself from a consumer test programme that discussed this relatively common problem in PS2s, that will cost you about half a PS2 if you let Sony fix it outside of guarantee. All in all you have a pretty fair chance that this will help.
If it doesn’t, the only other thing I know about is that you can adjust the angle of the laser lense. There’s a tiny screw for that, which is very sensitive and easily brakes, so if you decide to mess with it be very careful and only try half-twists at a time.
The first problem is by far the most common though, so definitely give that one a good try first!
Good luck!
I’ve fixed the “Disc read error” a couple of times. Follow Arwin’s first 2 steps and then use a Q-tip and alcohol to clean the lens that covers the laser.