PS2 not reading discs

[Ack]

Hey guys, my girlfriend's PS2 is having problems reading discs. It boots up ok, picks up memory cards and controllers just fine, but DVDs, PS2 games, PS1 games...they ain't working. It flashes a message that says Disc Read Error. It's only been able to start one game, and by start I mean it got to a black screen and hung there. She also said it sounded louder than usual when it was trying to read the FF disc. She says she can hear the disc spinning, too.

Personally, I'm thinking issue with the laser. What do you guys think, and is there anything I can do to help her out?

[philipofmacedon]

http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... r+cleaning

[Whatupdoc?]

I had the same prob with my phat. If you crack it open and go a little crazy with some dust off on the hardware and especially the fan and where you can visibly see dust, and then go soft on the laser from like a side angle it should pick up. While your in there drop a drop of rubbing alcohol in the laser and dab it with a q-tip. If that doesn't work go with the former reply of philip's. My problem was integral though. First the dvds went then the ps1 and then my ps2 games starting loading slow so I worked it and they all work again. If you have your ps2 in storage or don't play it for a while that kinda stuff happens but I'd definitely try this before going hardcore with total laser cleaning.

Disclaimer: Don't rip off the drive cable because its attached to the top of the ps2 and then you really have trouble.

[MrPopo]

What they said. I used to have a similar disc read error problem with my brother's phat, and I found a guide online to fixing it, which invovled cracking it open and playing with some of the components inside, doing some kind of adjustment on the laser. It worked for me, but I"ve heard that it can shorten console life. I'd recommend sticking with a cleaning first.

[Tancred]

I had to do a laser adjustment on one of mine. It extended the lifespan for about a year.

[executioner]

Adjust the laser. Its just a minor tweak, always take notice were it was originally. What version is it? If its a phat version, try to get a hard drive on it. My lens has been practically dead for a long while so hdd is my salvation.

[Ack]

Alright, she got it fixed. She told me it had to do with some hair getting caught in the gears and fowling things up. It had just built up over time. Works now, though.

[Whatupdoc?]

ya that stuff can get gross.

[MrPopo]

Back in college I used to do everything over my computer desk. I basically sat in front of my computer from the moment I got home until I went to bed, barring going out with friends. In the summer after my third year, I finally decided to clean out my keyboard. I popped off all the keys, and there was a solid mat of hair and crumbs and who knows what else. It's amazing what can build up over time.