PS1 issues

[Hyp81]

I picked up a PS1 at a local thrift store for $10. No return policy, but I figured $10 wasn't so bad to take a chance on. It had a power cord, but no A/V cord or controllers.

Ordered controllers and an A/V cord off ebay. Both have come in, and I hooked it all up this morning. I put in a copy of Spyro the Dragon first, and it booted up to a Memory Card/ CD player screen. I tried all the buttons on both controllers and it is very unresponsive. The up and down buttons don't work well at all on that screen. I can't seem to naviagate beyond that screen at all. I tried two other games, as well-- same situation.

I have a hard time believing a person would sell not one, but two bad controllers. And given the games all came from different sources and seem intact, I'd think at least one of those would work.

So my question is... is it the system itself? Or is it the controllers? I can return the controllers to the guy on ebay if need be, and if it's the system, I'm only out $10, so it's not a big deal. It should be noted that I do not yet have a memory card. I am hoping to pick one up today.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[ZenErik]

$10 with no controllers or AV is a rip off. Especially if it doesn't work.

[Hyp81]

$10 with no controllers or AV is a rip off. Especially if it doesn't work.

Thanks, that was very helpful.

[pakopako]

Open up the system.

A GameStop once trashed my controllers because I wanted to test them out before selling them to the store. Sold me a new pair, which after testing out, I found it was the PSX's controller port that was fried.

[CRTGAMER]

I put in a copy of Spyro the Dragon first, and it booted up to a Memory Card/ CD player screen. I tried all the buttons on both controllers and it is very unresponsive. The up and down buttons don't work well at all on that screen. I can't seem to navigate beyond that screen at all. I tried two other games, as well-- same situation.

Maybe the Door Switch or clean the Laser Eye
You mentioned a Spyro copy, I guess you mean an original pressed disc? A game will load even without controllers plugged in. The only time you get the memory card screen is when the lid is open or no game disc is inserted. When you try the different original games, give a firm press on the lid to ensure the door switch is pressed. Also maybe give the Laser Eye a clean with a soft QTip dampened not dripping with Alcohol. Stay away from any heavy cleaner that may damage and fog the lens.

[Hyp81]

Thanks for the suggestions. I was able to get a PS2 at a yard sale today that DOES work and played all the games. I am still going to try and work on the PS1 though-- may as well, nothing to lose at this point!

[Hobie-wan]

That memory card screen doesn't let you do a whole lot. You can only go up and down once you have 1 or 2 memory cards plugged in and you're in edit or copy mode. If the system didn't recognize the disc, then you're really not going to be able to do much of anything on that screen. So probably not the controllers.