Can the PS2 lasers be swapped?

[Devezu]

In commemoration of the PS2 10 awesome years, I would like to fix mine...

Is it possible to swap the laser of my v4 into my working v7?

The v4 has the exposed laser that looks like this (I like this laser, it plays all quality DVDs):

http://www.depot4u.com/images/PS2/PS...s-KHS-400R.jpg

The v7 has this laser (This one is picky; it will only read original DVD's and good quality DVD-R):

http://img.diytrade.com/cdimg/404965...s_KHS-400C.jpg

Forgive me, but I am going solely off of looks. Would it work? I fully understand that crappy quality DVD = crappy laser life, but still, I would like to be able to watch ANY DVD movie and game backup, not just select ones.

[fuctfuct]

Pretty sure the v4 laser can only be swapped between the v1-v4 ps2. Just buy a new v7 laser. Or better yet buy a new slim before they are all gone for $30-$40 more (depending on the deal you get on your laser). If you do buy a new laser do your research. I remember there used to be tons of cheap shitty Hong Kong ones around.

[17DaysOlderThanNES]

PS2 slim FTMFW.

The later model PS2s (SCPH 5000) suck in every way possible. They switched to a stupid clip method for holding the laser rails down and put 2 rail adjustments instead of 1. In essence, they made it a nightmare to work on. The SCPH 3000 PS2s are the one to get if you want a fat, the lasers are much sturdier and much easier to replace. Still, slim definitely gets my vote as lasers are dirt cheap and insanely easy to replace. Even better, slims are blindingly simple to mod for SwapMagic discs to play backups.

Oh, and BTW, low quality DVD-Rs won't wear out your laser any faster. The only thing that can wear out a laser faster (besides getting it dirty from putting dirty discs into your system and having it blast around all over the place) is if the disc is highly un-optimized and causes the laser to track constantly during gameplay/playback. Some Dreamcast backups do this if they were made by people that didn't know what they're doing and didn't pad the data out to the edge of the disc (naturally, the further out, the less the laser has to track). Unfortunatley, Propeller Arena is that way and it's the only way to play it, so I basically can't play it unless I want to bend my Dreamcast over and rape it. BTW, if anyone can drop me a PM of a version of Propeller Arena that properly writes the data to the edge of the disc, I would appreciate it.

[Devezu]

Thanks. Well, I have the desirable fat and the.... not so desirable fat.... However, I really wanted a fat due to the network adaptor...

As for propeller arena, have you tried the DCRES series? Its not there, but snesorama has a good quality build that I downloaded and burned some time ago...

[PhilExile]

I tried this and it was a nightmare. Ended up just buying a (barely) used PS2 for $35 from a guy at work. I'd recommend doing the same.

There are a lot of different lasers and they aren't all compatible with each model.

This is the part of the PS2 I don't want to remember.

[17DaysOlderThanNES]

Thanks. Well, I have the desirable fat and the.... not so desirable fat.... However, I really wanted a fat due to the network adaptor...

As for propeller arena, have you tried the DCRES series? Its not there, but snesorama has a good quality build that I downloaded and burned some time ago...

The slim has a network adapter built in, unless of course you mean you need a hard drive. What's wrong with your 3000 fat? I might be able to help you if it's nothing too terrible. I did console repair for Play N Trade for 9 months and did just about everything imaginable to a PS2 at least once (besides hacks/mods outside of Magic Swap mods for slims since we sold Japanese import games).

I tried this and it was a nightmare. Ended up just buying a (barely) used PS2 for $35 from a guy at work. I'd recommend doing the same.

There are a lot of different lasers and they aren't all compatible with each model.

This is the part of the PS2 I don't want to remember.

Used systems are a pretty good way to go. You can get a loose system for VERY cheap, especially right now while everyone pawns off their PS2s in search of a PS3, etc.

As for lasers, there are only 4 for fats, 2 work with the earlier models, 2 work with the later ones. There was basically one minor revision between each major revision. I don't remember the codes, but it's basically 2 for the 3000 and 2 for the 5000. I believe there's only one for the slim, regardless of which variant it is.

Oh, and when swapping in a new laser (in case anyone is reading this and wanting to do it), make sure to remove the solder joint they put on there to keep it from shorting during shipping (sounds crazy but I guess they need it). Any good repair guide will mention it, but keep that in mind. It's also a heads up that you'll need a soldering iron handy, though that's the only thing you need it for. Make sure to tin the tip of the iron (they sell it at radio shack, it's called tip tinner, go figure) so the solder sticks, there's nothing worse than a bare soldering iron.