Ps2 picfix question

[shownomercyomer]

I've purchased a few picfix chips and I was wondering if anyone knows what the "C1" label is?
i circled it in red

my console is a v9 (scph50001)

 

[SylverReZ]

'C1' tells you that it's a decoupling capacitor (around 100nF, according to Modzville's GitHub repo). But, this has nothing to do with configuring the PIC fix.

If your system is a V9, bridge pads '1' and '2' as shown by the jumpers.

 

[shownomercyomer]

'C1' tells you that it's a decoupling capacitor (around 100nF, according to Modzville's GitHub repo). But, this has nothing to do with configuring the PIC fix.

If your system is a V9, bridge pads '1' and '2' as shown by the jumpers.

Thank you for your response. I will be practicing soldering on a dead motherboard before I attempt to install this perfectly on a bunch of 50001 units i will be restoring. I just want to do it right

 

[shownomercyomer]

'C1' tells you that it's a decoupling capacitor (around 100nF, according to Modzville's GitHub repo). But, this has nothing to do with configuring the PIC fix.

If your system is a V9, bridge pads '1' and '2' as shown by the jumpers.

What's the best way to know if picfix installed properly? Obviously checking for continuity with a multimeter should be sufficient right? Also if the ps2 boots up and works normally should be a way to know im guessing. Also i will be using 30 awg for all the connections.

 

[SylverReZ]

What's the best way to know if picfix installed properly? Obviously checking for continuity with a multimeter should be sufficient right? Also i will be using 30 awg for all the connections

28 AWG for Vcc and Gnd will do, the rest of the points use 30 AWG. Thick wires for power are needed for the current to flow through. Wires that are too thin or too thick, then you risk shorting one or more components, or even the PIC fix.

To check that all of the connections are soldered correctly, and that the chip is working, you will first need to solder point 'K' to GND. Power on the console and wait a few seconds; if the console powers off after seconds had passed, then the chip is functional. Afterwards, desolder point 'K' from GND and solder it to the correct point accordingly to the diagram.

The diagrams can be found on Modzville's Github: https://github.com/modzvilleusa/PicfixPCB

 

[shownomercyomer]

For testing- Do you mean solder 'K' to any ground located on the ps2 motherboard? Also is there a 'optimal' ground location for installing picifx?

 

[SylverReZ]

For testing- Do you mean solder 'K' to any ground located on the ps2 motherboard? Also is there a 'optimal' ground location for installing picifx?

Yes. But make sure to solder it to a large ground plane, such as the bottom of the motherboard for example.

 

[shownomercyomer]

Thanks for your replies and patience as these are newbie questions you've been helping a lot. I have one more question.
The test doesn't include this small resistor that K is connected to because K will be connected to ground so is testing for continuity between K and small resistor sufficient enough?

 

[SylverReZ]

Thanks for your replies. Is testing for continuity between K and the small resistor the only way to check this connection? Because it seems test doesn't include this small resistor that K is connected to because K will be connected to ground.

If 'K' is connected properly then I don't see any issue there. Just make sure to clean off any flux residue afterwards.

 

[shownomercyomer]

If 'K' is connected properly then I don't see any issue there. Just make sure to clean off any flux residue afterwards.

Is this the correct wiring for testing picfix? Here's the image i made; Yellow square represents picfix.

Also , for testing. Is 'K to ground' point the same as 'pin4 to ground' which I've read somewhere for testing. I'm confused on this part

 

[master801]

Is this the correct wiring for testing picfix? Here's the image i made; Yellow square represents picfix.

Also , for testing. Is 'K to ground' point the same as 'pin4 to ground' which I've read somewhere for testing. I'm confused on this part

Yes. Pin 4 is point K.

 

[shownomercyomer]

Yes. Pin 4 is point K.

Thank you

 

[shownomercyomer]

asdf

 

[SylverReZ]

Did you ever get it to work? I like your install.

 

[shownomercyomer]

Did you ever get it to work? I like your install.

Yes it works. Test install too. I installed on two units so far and im new to soldering. Patience is everything.

I did come across something interesting. On both units-- i tested an Hd7 laser and it plays all discs just perfectly fine however when I insert a dual layer DVD disc (god of war) it 75% of time triggers picfix and turns the system off. The other 25% of time it boots the disc

Without picfix installed....the laser plays the dual layer disc every single time, however , most of the time it takes 5 attempts to boot the disc (sounds like 'clicks') to get the disc going before it boots up and begins to spin fast.

I think what this means is a dying/faulty laser and it whenever it tries to boot up a dual layer disc it uses more energy or perhaps jolts of energy or a software glitch from the laser during these attempts to read the disc to even boot. (totally guessing)

I believe this process triggers the picfix and turns the system off to protect not just the laser but the optical laser components on the ps2 motherboard as well.



i tested other lasers-- no problem with dual layer discs

PS. Thank you so much for the help

Post automatically merged: Dec 12, 2024

thank you for the help

 

[SylverReZ]

PS. Thank you so much for the help

No problem, glad I could help out.

 

[therealbenwiley]

Yes it works. Test install too. I installed on two units so far and im new to soldering. Patience is everything.

I did come across something interesting. On both units-- i tested an Hd7 laser and it plays all discs just perfectly fine however when I insert a dual layer DVD disc (god of war) it 75% of time triggers picfix and turns the system off. The other 25% of time it boots the disc

Without picfix installed....the laser plays the dual layer disc every single time, however , most of the time it takes 5 attempts to boot the disc (sounds like 'clicks') to get the disc going before it boots up and begins to spin fast.

I think what this means is a dying/faulty laser and it whenever it tries to boot up a dual layer disc it uses more energy or perhaps jolts of energy or a software glitch from the laser during these attempts to read the disc to even boot. (totally guessing)

I believe this process triggers the picfix and turns the system off to protect not just the laser but the optical laser components on the ps2 motherboard as well.



i tested other lasers-- no problem with dual layer discs

PS. Thank you so much for the help

Post automatically merged: Dec 12, 2024

thank you for the help

I am experiencing the same behavior with my HD7 laser on a 50001 PS2, Matrix Pic Fix installed. I haven't tested with the pic fix removed, I would rather not. In my case I'm very consistently having trouble running dual layer DVD movies (Lord of the Rings), I have tried this dozens of times and I only ever got any of the discs to start one time without the console shutting off immediately. Other single layer DVDs and PS1 games are running just fine, no noticeable issues.

What was your conclusion to this issue? Did you stick with a 400c or 400b? Did you use lenschanger?

I have an HD7 replacement laser (supposedly new) on hand that I could swap in, but I wonder if it's better for me to order a 400c and change it. The HD7 laser generally seems to be pretty good so far.

I'm also a little nervous about running lenschanger because I have heard mixed opinions on what it does and the risks. I already have mechapwn installed to remove region locking, would rather not screw that up.

 

[shownomercyomer]

I am experiencing the same behavior with my HD7 laser on a 50001 PS2, Matrix Pic Fix installed. I haven't tested with the pic fix removed, I would rather not. In my case I'm very consistently having trouble running dual layer DVD movies (Lord of the Rings), I have tried this dozens of times and I only ever got any of the discs to start one time without the console shutting off immediately. Other single layer DVDs and PS1 games are running just fine, no noticeable issues.

What was your conclusion to this issue? Did you stick with a 400c or 400b? Did you use lenschanger?

I have an HD7 replacement laser (supposedly new) on hand that I could swap in, but I wonder if it's better for me to order a 400c and change it. The HD7 laser generally seems to be pretty good so far.

I'm also a little nervous about running lenschanger because I have heard mixed opinions on what it does and the risks. I already have mechapwn installed to remove region locking, would rather not screw that up.

Without picfix installed , the bad/faulty HD7 lasers will operate as normal where it has trouble reading discs.

My conclusion:
-HD7 lasers that are in good condition will not trigger picfix and work just fine.

-faulty HD7 lasers trigger Picfix then shutting down the system.
-HD7 lasers that cannot boot or take longer to boot dual layer discs will also trigger picfix.


HD7 lasers that trigger the picfix are caused by lasers that are faulty or seem to have trouble with certain media like dual layer discs. On the rare occasion when the laser boots disc fast--no problem , however if it's having trouble reading the disc then picfix is triggered.

My guess is that HD7 lasers run a different power or configuration so when it's a troubled laser it somehow triggers picfix. Perhaps this saves the optical drive components on the motherboard from shorting or blowing a fuse. Maybe there's a way with PMAP.


I have yet to see a KHS400c laser trigger picfix like this - faulty or not...