PS1/2 Problem with Ps1, not reading burned discs

Bipo10 · Nov 23, 2019

Hello.
I have a SCPH-9001 model Ps1 I've recently acquired. It's modchipped, and although I don't know much of its background it used to read burned games just fine. The problem is, I've been testing the console for a while and no burned games work. The console either brings the CD or memory card screen or the "insert PlayStation 1 disc" screen after staying in the orange and white logo for a while.

The weird thing is that for some burned games, the console thinks its a music CD and just plays the game sound track. It also plays normal music CDs just fine too. I've already tried trimpot adjusting the optical unit, testing values from 600 ohms all the way to 1300 ohms but the attempts were fruitless since apparently nothing changed. The "upside down" trick didn't work either, even after cleaning the laser lens.

Unfortunately I don't have any original games on me, only burned ones that definitely used to work AFAIK. I didn't try buying an original game yet because since I'll have to buy it online I might as well buy the replacement parts required.

So, does anyone have any idea on what could be happening? From everything I've researched, most forums say that it's either the laser unit or some IC with the modchip, but since I'm not really tech savvy I don't know which one of those has the problem, or if they have a problem at all.

TL;DR: Modchipped Ps1 doesn't read burned games and adjusting the laser trimpot doesn't work.

Thanks in advance!

Ps: the image in this post is a picture of the motherboard of the Ps1 in question. I don't know if it'll help. I can post more images as needed

supersega · Dec 8, 2019

I know I'm late, but I think the laser has gone dead. Don't mess with the trimpot unless you have a scope and know what you're doing, the whole "resistance" check is not precise enough and can cook a laser, now it will be hard to get it back to normal assuming it is still alive. Mod chips don't suddenly go bad like that most of the time, but that one is pretty old (probably a PIC12C508A modchip) so I'd replace it for a Mayumi V4, the code has been updated many times since the older chips.

YOUCANTSTOPME · Dec 24, 2019

If it is reading music CDs fine, and it can read the music from a burned disc fine, the laser is fine.

My money is on the modchip not working, either due to dying or one of the connections just coming loose over time. Odds are this was installed by someone who isn't a professional.

supersega said:
but that one is pretty old (probably a PIC12C508A modchip) so I'd replace it for a Mayumi V4 ...

Even if this is on a 12C508 chip, that would be irrelevant as even the original Mayumi v4 code is meant to run on a 12C508 chip.

I can't figure out what chip it is but I can tell you for certain it isn't MM3 or Mayumi v4 (pretty much the newest you'll get now) so it's older code for sure.

BeniBel · Dec 24, 2019

I recall having this issue 20 years ago, darn I'm old.
What fixed it for me, was editing the iso's with this tool called "bootedit". This allows you to put a custom text for the bootscreen, but for some reason made all unworking discs work for me.

If that doesn't work, make sure you burn the iso's correctly, not too fast, or use another brand of disc.

YOUCANTSTOPME · Dec 25, 2019

The brand of disc isn't the issue though. The console is still capable of reading the music from the disc - it just won't boot the game.

BeniBel · Dec 25, 2019

Try the swap trick if you have a legal disc laying around. It's not hard, and if it works, it's a sign your modchip is bad.
If that doesn't work too, be sure to try the bootedit I suggested.

PS1/2 Problem with Ps1, not reading burned discs

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