Visual clues to see if a console is modded?

[flojocabron]

We all see cd based consoles all the time and we think nothing of it. Unless we need one and ask how much they want for it.

But other than seeing physical modifications, is there a way to tell that a conosole has a mod chip? How nice would it be to find an already modded saturn!

I am not an expert at electrical/soldering let alone modding a system. So I want to go the lazy way and get some clues from you guys here and see If I'm lucky enough to find a modded console.

Its already happened to me once. Last year I got a PS1 with a chip in it! It had some strange stickers on it and I took a risk. And when I opened it, it was modded. Best $50 pesos I've ever spent.

So they must be out there right? People that sell, lose or forget that they have a modified console, and get rid of them for something newer?

Heres some pics of my PS1. So if you have any tips, go ahead and post them here for us to learn how to keep an eye out for them.

[gtmtnbiker]

For most chips, there's no easy way to tell if a console is modded without opening it up and looking for physical changes. The only exceptions that I can think of would be the BIOS replacement chips for the GameCube (Viper, Qoob) since they would have something plugged into the high-speed serial port.

[Hatta]

Stick a burned game in it and see if it runs.

[flojocabron]

Stick a burned game in it and see if it runs.

in a simple world yes.

but when you're at the fleamarket and there may not be electricity nearby that may not be possible.

That, or if a savy seller then learns that its modded, the price will go up.

Like with my pics with the stickers, would someone want to show that its modded? Would the console negligibly weigh more? Would it be possible to see through the optical drive to see anything out of place.

I doubt sellers would want you to open up the console infront of them anyways, for fear of breaking it?

[Breetai]

There is no way to tell, to be honest, on a lot of consoles.

Exceptions would be:
-if it was done "professionals", they might be security stickers on them. That looks to be the case on the PS1 in the OP. I believe consoles from modchip.us/modchip.ca does this.
-some consoles, as mentioned (the GCN was listed as an example), might have something shown on the exterior. Some modded X-Box consoles have a switch on the outside. Often region-modded consoles have an extra switch/button.

[AznKhmerBoi]

when i got my saturn a year back i took it apart and found out that he had tape inside the console, sad to know because im more than sure hes doing that swap method to it instead of an actual modchip.

Anyways what i would look for first would be any lose screws.

[CRTGAMER]

Anyways what i would look for first would be any lose screws.

Missing screws or screws that are shiny in the middle. The chew marks from the screwdriver.

[Niode]

Warranty sticker missing is a good indication that somebody has at least opened it up. Still, could have been opened for any reason though.