PS1/2 Need some help with PSX(Laser/ModChip)

[razenxd]

Hello there,
I recently found my PSX SCPH-1001 which i remembered that had some problems back on days.(video lagging/sound skipping-lagging,freezing etc).
I Found many of my old discs (most of them badly scratched) which couldn't play so i decided to burn some games using Sony CD-R and followed some guides specific for psx games.
Well It's got better from what i've remember(i thought it was pretty dead).
But still can freeze at any time, has some probs for example with the Spiderman can't play any video and video/menu sound without lagging, playing crash bandicoot i took several freezes during gameplay time or loading time.
Also the machine is Hardmodded but i have not any clue which modchip is installed.
If any1 could determine which chip is used tell me which place of the motherboard u need me to upload a pic.
My question is there any way to check if the laser/lens works correctly and maybe need a calibration or if its tottaly damaged?
Thanks for your time reading this
And sorry for my english
Regards

 

[Thomas83Lin]

You could try playing your Ps1 on its side\top to see if it plays better. If it does its a laser alignment issue. Pot tweaking is also a option. you can look up videos for that, just make sure to have a voltage meter handy if you go that route cause its really sensitive. Myself I have alot of Ps1's with laser issues and playing on its side\top gave the best results.

 

[razenxd]

You could try playing your Ps1 on its side\top to see if it plays better. If it does its a laser alignment issue. Pot tweaking is also a option. you can look up videos for that, just make sure to have a voltage meter handy if you go that route cause its really sensitive. Myself I have alot of Ps1's with laser issues and playing on its side\top gave the best results.

I tried to play on its side/top i thought that i got a better perfomance but i still took freezes and things.
Also i don't have a Volt/ohm meter but i see if i can find one for this
Maybe its anything regarding modchip,it's probably and old one.Or it doesn't affect at all?
Could u maybe recognise it if i posted pics of motherboard?
Thanks

Ηeya again guys.
I Got a multimeter in my hands, i've searched for some pot tweaking guides but it seems i can't find some standard info's
So if any1 could tell me the exact steps or link me to a guide to tell me what i can do in my own to revive my psx it could be really nice.
Thanks
P.S My PSX is SCPH-1002, not SCPH-1001 as mentioned in the first post.

 

[Foxi4]

Use your Google-fu, son!

http://dogbreath.de/PS1/LaserAlignment/Laser.html

 

[razenxd]

Use your Google-fu, son!

http://dogbreath.de/PS1/LaserAlignment/Laser.html

Well i found that guide, but it seems to be for more "expert" guys.and i couldn't understand many things.
I had seen some videos for pot tweaking using a multimeter but it's not like the one i got,and i got frustated from what i've seen in multiple sources,
about 2ΚΩ,3KΩ's etc.Also i have seen many different values regarding the Laset Pot(the most seen is 800),and really dunno
I would like a more determined for newbs guide or some help.
Also could u tell me if i can do job with that multimeter?

Thanks

Edit: Just saw the bad resolution of the webcam pic,if u cant figure out i'll try to upload a pic from my brothers phone later.

 

[Foxi4]

You can "do the job" with any multimeter, really - they all "measure" things the same way. The tl;dr version of the procedure is "manipulate the pots until you're close to balanced settings, turn them slowly (just a couple degrees each time), try not to burn the lens and hope for the best". Just keep turning and measuring until you get the lens to read something properly (which may or may not happen depending on the wear and tear on the lens itself).

Speaking of the lens, have you tried just cleaning it before manipulating any of the pots?

 

[razenxd]

You can "do the job" with any multimeter, really - they all "measure" things the same way. The tl;dr version of the procedure is "manipulate the pots until you're close to balanced settings, turn them slowly (just a couple degrees each time), try not to burn the lens and hope for the best". Just keep turning and measuring until you get the lens to read something properly (which may or may not happen depending on the wear and tear on the lens itself).

Speaking of the lens, have you tried just cleaning it before manipulating any of the pots?

It wasn't really too long to didn't read, i read but i cant understand some things
So There's no a standard Ω value for the lens to work?But it's based on trying?
Yeah i tried cleaning it with a swab and alcohol, i did back then and didn't change anything

 

[Foxi4]

It wasn't really too long to didn't read, i read but i cant understand some things
So There's no a standard Ω value for the lens to work?But it's based on trying?
Yeah i tried cleaning it with a swab and alcohol, i did back then and didn't change anything

The lens, the laser diode and other components deteriorate over time, that's why you're adjusting the pots in the first place. The laser's characteristics change with wear and tear, hence the need for calibration. Eventually you'll need to replace it, as it's the case with all optical drives - adjustments are just delaying the inevitable.

 

[razenxd]

The lens and the laser diode deteriorate over time, that's why you're adjusting the pots in the first place. The laser's characteristics change with wear and tear, hence the need for calibration. Eventually you'll need to replace it, as it's the case with all optical drives - adjustments are just delaying the inevitable.

Yeah the replace was in my head and i really thought that it's inevitable.
But I really think because it's just skipping some audio and sometimes freezes on loading that with a calibration it could be ok, that's why i wanted to try.
I also see that some guys measuring the DC(if i'm correct) voltage of the lens insted of the Ω(Ohms from what i remember from school psysics), so i got that there's not a standard value for the lens to work and i have to based on trying, but what i would really need to measure?
Edit : Also i've seen some guys remove lens tape and the other links is it necessary to doing the measures?(cause i've seen others like the one u posted which is not removed and its power in also )

 

[Foxi4]

Yeah the replace was in my head and i really thought that it's inevitable.
But I really think because it's just skipping some audio and sometimes freezes on loading that with a calibration it could be ok, that's why i wanted to try.
I also see that some guys measuring the DC(if i'm correct) voltage of the lens insted of the Ω(Ohms from what i remember from school psysics), so i got that there's not a standard value for the lens to work and i have to based on trying, but what i would really need to measure?

There is no standard for the lens to "work", there's only the standard values of an out-of-the-box lens. If yours only has trouble with skipping, a very, very minor increase in power should do the trick.

 

[razenxd]

There is no standard for the lens to "work", there's only the standard values of an out-of-the-box lens. If yours only has trouble with skipping, a very, very minor increase in power should do the trick.

Yeah my problem is the skipping(which isn't the big problem) and some times freezing on the main playstation screen(after the boot screen) or ingame during some loading screen(which is the really bad thing )
So i have to measure the voltage of the lens?and give it a mini boost?
I got that there's no standard value, but what about the "safe" values?
Really Thanks for getting along and trying to help a newbie like me.

 

[Foxi4]

Yeah my problem is the skipping(which isn't the big problem) and some times freezing on the main playstation screen(after the boot screen) or ingame during some loading screen(which is the really bad thing )
So i have to measure the voltage of the lens?and give it a mini boost?
I got that there's no standard value, but what about the "safe" values?
Really Thanks for getting along and trying to help a newbie like me.

Yes, I think a little boost on the pots should do it. If you don't "really" know what you're doing, turn the pots counter-clockwise (increase) by just a few degrees and try to read a disc. Don't go nuts with it - the slightest turn really makes a difference. Repeat the procedure, note the changes in the laser's behaviour, rinse and repeat. You'll know the "maximum" value when the disc drive dies. Seriously though, try to stay within the recommended values and don't deviate too much from them. It's all risky business - no pain, no gain.

 

[razenxd]

Yes, I think a little boost on the pots should do it. If you don't "really" know what you're doing, turn the pots counter-clockwise (increase) by just a few degrees and try to read a disc. Don't go nuts with it - the slightest turn really makes a difference. Repeat the procedure, note the changes in the laser's behaviour, rinse and repeat. You'll know the "maximum" value when the disc drive dies. Seriously though, try to stay within the recommended values and don't deviate too much from them. It's all risky business - no pain, no gain.

Well I've done that without using a multimeter a long time ago, and from what i remember i hadn't seen any difference,i can't remember how much i turned it but i remember i was afraid of broking it and i didn't did it much.Also from what i remember i hadn't seen any changes.
That's why i came back with using a multimeter and do a better job
I started removing the screw to see what it will happen.
I just wanted to ask some more questions to be sure cause i still dont get some things.
Well 1st I'm gonna measure the DC Voltage of the lens ,Using the red multimeter cable attached to the pot right?
After that i'm gonna turn it a little bit to take more voltage, but i have to stay in the recomended values,which are what?(guide says 1.14mV is that the maximum allowed or something?)
Also could i ask why some people measure the voltage as u said to me to do, and why some others measure the Ω's as i seen in some videos?

 

[Foxi4]

The guide gives you what's called a "recommended" or "optimum" voltage, but it was optimum for the PS1 in question - you'll have to deviate from that value either up or down depending on how your system will react, this applies to all three pots.

EDIT: Three pots, actually.

 

[razenxd]

The guide gives you what's called a "recommended" or "optimum" voltage, but it was optimum for the PS1 in question - you'll have to deviate from that value either up or down depending on how your system will react, this applies to both pots.

I see, got that also!
But what My steps are ok right?I do it the way i wrote!
Also what u mean by "both pots" it's one pot isn't it?
Also about the last question

Also could i ask why some people measure the voltage as u said to me to do, and why some others measure the Ω's as i seen in some videos?

Should i do both things or not?
(sorry if i'm becoming a ballbreaker but i really want to be sure about the steps i'm gonna follow)
Thanks

 

[Foxi4]

I see, got that also!
But what My steps are ok right?I do it the way i wrote!
Also what u mean by "both pots" it's one pot isn't it?
Also about the last question

Should i do both things or not?
(sorry if i'm becoming a ballbreaker but i really want to be sure about the steps i'm gonna follow)
Thanks

Read the guide again, there's three pots. One is on the ribbon and adjusts laser intensity, two are on the motherboard and adjust bias and gain. Chances are that you'll only have to adjust laser intensity, but I'd measure all the points either way just to be sure that they're all green and have nominal values.

 

[razenxd]

Read the guide again, there's three pots. One is on the ribbon and adjusts laser intensity, two are on the motherboard and adjust bias and gain. Chances are that you'll only have to adjust laser intensity, but I'd measure all the points either way just to be sure that they're all green and have nominal values.

Hmmm yeah didn't understood that because i didn't see a direct touch like the ribbon pot.
I now seem to understand the whole procedure but i got confused about some things again!

Measure the DC voltage between point P and ground when the PS1 is switched on but idle.

What's the meaning of this?
I can see on the picture that the red stick is touching directly the point P so what does measure voltage between point P and ground means?

 

[Foxi4]

Hmmm yeah didn't understood that because i didn't see a direct touch like the ribbon pot.
I now seem to understand the whole procedure but i got confused about some things again!

What's the meaning of this?
I can see on the picture that the red stick is touching directly the point P so what does measure voltage between point P and ground means?

Well... ground is... ground.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_(electricity)

When performing measurements, you have to measure between the solder point and the ground, for instance the metal shielding or one of the ground points scattered on the motherboard. Read the guide carefully before you actually go through with the calibration, even if it takes several times to understand everything.

 

[razenxd]

Well... ground is... ground.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_(electricity)

When performing measurements, you have to measure between the solder point and the ground, for instance the metal shielding or one of the ground points scattered on the motherboard. Read the guide carefully before you actually go through with the calibration, even if it takes several times to understand everything.

Ah my mind really didn't gone there cause here in greece we use a tottally differrent word for Electricity Ground
Well i've read it more than 15 times.
I will do it some more times and probably start tommorow with a clear mind.
Really thanks for taking all this time to help me with your knowledge.
I'll come back if i got a new question.
Really Thanks
Regards

 

[Foxi4]

Ah my mind really didn't gone there cause here in greece we use a tottally differrent word for Electricity Ground
Well i've read it more than 15 times.
I will do it some more times and probably start tommorow with a clear mind.
Really thanks for taking all this time to help me with your knowledge.
I'll come back if i got a new question.
Really Thanks
Regards

Funnily enough, your post motivated me to fiddle around with my PS1 lens - I pretty much dismissed it as dead and in need of a replacement ages ago. Managed to read an Audio CD, albeit skipping after fooling around with the pots blindly, "you are what you dare"!