Anyone know what's up with my PS1?

Post by **Leaf** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 2:27 pm

Most every ISO I download, burn and pop into my PS1 plays, but with choppy FMV, voice acting that cuts out, loading times to the point where you wonder if it will ever load again and some really loud noises of disk spinning. Sometimes when it semi-jams a little CD icon will come up as well. And sometimes it crashes completely.

None of this happens with my official games, so I don't think it's the console. The same things happens with different discs so it's not the brand I'm using. Perhaps it's the lens that needs a clean, but I really have no idea. What do you guys think?

If it is the lens, is it easy to sort out? I read somewhere I have to unscrew stuff to get to the laser, but I'm pretty sure I can just see it there anyway. My PS1's chipped (obviously, what with the ISOs) so might it have already been exposed meaning I won't have to dissemble anything? I'm not really a tech wizard so I'm generally reluctant to do anything. And if that is the place that needs the clean, I understand I'm meant to dab it in alcohol of some sort. There's no chance that will just seep it's way on in and screw everything up?

Post by **Mozgus** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 2:33 pm

Sounds like shitty media. If you're buying blanks from walmart or any other retailer that doesn't specialize in media, stop. Order some highly rated media from newegg or meritline.

Post by **Leaf** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 2:56 pm

I'm using Bulkpaq ones and Morrison ones (some supermarket in England). The former I know should be okay as others I've asked use and have had no problems with them.

You really think it's the CD-Rs that's the cause? No use turning my console over or anything?

Post by **Mozgus** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 3:17 pm

Leaf wrote:I'm using Bulkpaq ones and Morrison ones (some supermarket in England). The former I know should be okay as others I've asked use and have had no problems with them.

You really think it's the CD-Rs that's the cause? No use turning my console over or anything?

Either the lens or the media are to blame when it comes to audio/video streaming issues. You said your lens isn't at fault, so it must be the media. And you burn at the slowest possible speed right? I still file that under media issues, because high quality media generally won't have issues if you burn at fast speeds.

Post by **Niode** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 7:36 pm

I concur with Mozgus. Try burning at the slowest speed possible to see if you get any improvements.

Post by **Droid party** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:54 pm

I had this with my ps1. It would still work with originals but would screw up with burns regardless of burn speeds or media being used. After a while it started to do the same with originals too. In my case I decided that it was the laser finally giving up and bought a new machine and took it's laser and put it in my old one and it has worked fine since.

With the PS1 it was the plastic tracks that the laser ran along that would wear out causing the laser to misalighn. I guess it was more sensitive to issues on burns but as it wore out more the problem started with all discs.

Post by **Mozgus** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 10:48 pm

These guys are reliable and they sell replacement drive units.

http://mod-chip.com/en/ps1_full_optical_block.php

Might be a good idea. The price is pretty fair. You could chance buying another used machine with a laser that could once again be on it's last legs, or you can go with this and be sure to get quite a few solid years out of it.

Post by **D.D.D.** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 11:09 pm

Plus, always use Taiyo Yuden CDs (or DVDs) if you can. They're top notch.

Post by **Leaf** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 10:44 am

Thanks for your help everyone.

Droid party wrote:I had this with my ps1. It would still work with originals but would screw up with burns regardless of burn speeds or media being used. After a while it started to do the same with originals too. In my case I decided that it was the laser finally giving up and bought a new machine and took it's laser and put it in my old one and it has worked fine since.

With the PS1 it was the plastic tracks that the laser ran along that would wear out causing the laser to misalighn. I guess it was more sensitive to issues on burns but as it wore out more the problem started with all discs.

This sounds like the problem. I've no idea how to uninstall/reinstall a lense though. Do you think there's a way I could repair my current one without moving? That alcohol dabbing method or something?

(And is the lense the same thing as the laser? Sorry I'm a complete numbnuts with technical issues)

Post by **Leaf** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 11:34 am

Ah here's that article that mentioned the alcohol (apparently of the rubbing variety... thought it meant beer before):

3.17 - How do I clean the lens on my Playstation?

With a Q-tip and isopropyl alcohol. Lightly dab the lens with the
Q-tip, then let it dry for a few minutes. Do NOT use those "cleaning
kits" that Funcoland or any other company sells. If the stiff bristles
on the disc miraculously fail to damage the lens, it will scrape dirt
onto the lens from the tray.

How does it look, could this fix my problem?