PS1/2 PS1 Backups have sound lag

[Helltech]

Hey guys, I'm having some problems with my PS1 backups. I'm using Alcohol 120 percent, write speed at slowest, write method raw dao, and tried rectify sub-channel data both on and off. I burned 4 games two worked just fine (Crash 2 and 3), and two the sound lags horribly (Intelligent Qube and Spyro 1). The gameplay is fine, but the background sound is not. The music is THERE, it's not missing, it just cuts in and out. When I play them on ePSXe then the gameplay lags slightly (rarely), but the sound is fine..

Also tried ImgBurn 16x writing speed (lowest I can go), same problem.

I assume its because my PS1 laser/motor isn't spinning fast enough, but I'm not sure. I've wasted a few CD-Rs on this already so I don't wanna keep trying blindly.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[BasedKiliK]

Haha. I've been working on this EXACT ISSUE for the past week going through trial and error in getting my games working properly on my modded PS1, so I can help you out.

First thing you wanna look at are you CD-Rs. There are two specific brands recommended: Taiyo Yuden or Verbatim (dark blue if they still exist, if not that's fine. I'm using the normal ones). The former you'll have to order online, the latter are common enough at your general stores and quite cheap. Got mine at Best Buy.

Second, as for the software to burn them, at first I was using Alcohol 120%, but after some issues with a certain game's cutscenes having problems when burnt as an .ISO, I switched over to imgburn (which has a automatic profile for PLAY STATION) and that game, as well as others, have no issues. Because of the PS1's iffy laser, it's recommended to burn at the slowest speed possible (my laptop is 10x; desktop's CD drive can go all the way to 1x). I've tested games with both and I've had no real issues. Very small skipping only occurred when I left my PS1 on for literally hours, when it was growing hot. Totally neglegible. It also helps to have proper rips of the games.

Third is the laser unit itself. Age and use can cause problems of course, so what you can do is order a new PS1 laser unit and change it (not difficult at all, did it myself), or, you can try adjusting the potentiometer (POT) that controls the laser's voltage. That's explained here.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

 

[Midna]

Try setting the PS1 on its side. This can help it read discs better. Personally, most of my own PS1s only work if I prop them up on top of the memory card/controller port.

 

[Lumstar]

It's barely worth buying repair parts. Main reason to do that, is if your PS1 is already modded and you don't want to go through modding a replacement. Normal US fat PS1s were made in such vast extreme numbers they're unbelievably worthless loose in any condition.

 

[Helltech]

Lots of replies, thanks for the help guys.

I didn't realize ImgBurn had a playstation setting, I did use ImgBurn as I said with the same results as the Alcohol. Which also meant the games played fine on my computer (not that I want to play them on my computer, just using that as a test).

So maybe the Playstation doesn't like reading these disks, which sucks because I've tried three different kinds, some old Memorex ones, Phillips, and TDK.

I'll try turning my playstation on it's side, I'll let you know if that works.

Seriously appreciate all the help guys. This forum is amazing.

 

[Helltech]

Holy cow turning it on its side worked! Thank you so much.

 

[Cyan]

Sony used plastic parts for the first batch of disc lens rails. it's cheaper, but it's degradable.
With time the joints became loose and the lens is not correctly aligned anymore, that's why putting the console on the side helps by forcing the lens to be in correct position thanks to gravity.
Sometime, it's not perfectly 90°, you'll have to find one between 90 and 120°.

I think last models (PSone) are using metallic parts and don't have this problem.

 

[Helltech]

Well when I was looking up how to repair a lens I found one website that said which serial numbers use plastic bits and which ones use metal ones, I have a later version of the FAT PS, which had metal pieces, but still uses plastic gears, the PSOne (might i have no idea) use metal gears as well which I could see helping a lot.

At least I got it working, hope it lasts a few years on its side =/

 

[Nirmonculus]

My psone also plays a bit laggy to freezy on fmvs and cutscenes... it feels as if it is rather hopeless. So much for retro gaming.