What's Up With This Playstation 2?

[somchaismith]

My son's 3-year-old playstation 2 has always worked like a charm up until 6-weeks ago, when it became unable to read approximately 9 out of every 10 dvd and vcd game discs.

On the 27 November I dropped the PS2 in for repair at the Laksi branch of newgame (the shop where we originally purchased it from.)

The chap in the shop said, that the laser head needed replacing and this wasn't unusual with PS2s. It would cost 1500 baht. Also, that we should think ourselves lucky, as his own personal PS2 needs a new laser every year! We left our contact number and details with him. He was to contact us before any work went ahead on the PS2.

A couple of weeks went by and we heard nothing. We tried calling newgame but their number was disconnected. Eventually, we visited newgame Laksi branch, only to find out that their store was abandoned and locked up. A nearby shopkeeper said, that the shop had been like that for a week or longer. The rumour was that newgame were trying to find a new manager for their Laksi shop.

Obviously wanting our PS2 returned, we contacted newgame at Seacon Square. They told us to contact newgame at Future Park Rangsit.

We located the PS2, picked it up on Christmas Day (yes, we tested it with a game in the shop) and paid 1500 baht. After we got home the PS2 would only still play 1 out of every 10 games.

Yesterday, we returned it to newgame at Future Park. The same assistant who worked at the Laksi branch was now working here. He said, 'don't worry, the PS2 has a month's warranty!'

Can a poster advise on what the possible problem is with the PS2?

[h90]

here are several different problems possible:

Version 9 and 10 get a burned out LA chip, because Sony put it on the wrong voltage....that isn't your problem

version 11 and 12 get a burned out laser because of a silly mistake, usually it is a all or nothing problem, so I don't think it is your problem.

some cheap modchips inject wrong signals. Usually that can be improved by disconnecting one point which only responsibility is PS1 games

the older laser die from time to time and the replacement laser are second hand from china or refurbished one which might be good or not.

My recommendation would be: buy a 75 or 90 series PS2 without chip inside and let them add a good quality one and the PS2 should work for a couple of years without problems

[somchaismith]

here are several different problems possible:

Version 9 and 10 get a burned out LA chip, because Sony put it on the wrong voltage....that isn't your problem

version 11 and 12 get a burned out laser because of a silly mistake, usually it is a all or nothing problem, so I don't think it is your problem.

How can I look on the game console to find out which model ours is?

some cheap modchips inject wrong signals. Usually that can be improved by disconnecting one point which only responsibility is PS1 games

the older laser die from time to time and the replacement laser are second hand from china or refurbished one which might be good or not.

Thanks for the heads up.

My recommendation would be: buy a 75 or 90 series PS2 without chip inside and let them add a good quality one and the PS2 should work for a couple of years without problems

Yeah, the PS2 had been working for 3-years without problem.

After my experience with newgame's customer service policy, or lack of customer service policy implementation, unless they give my kid an apology and a nice post Chrissie present, we won't be using their services again. You know. 'once burned, twice shy'..and all that.

[thunder30101]

Couple of questions, is it a mod chipped console ? are you trying to play copied games and it fails to read the disc ? and did you try it with an original or copy game before you brought it home ? I havent seen lasers fail at the rate he is talking about even with heavy usage.

[somchaismith]

Couple of questions, is it a mod chipped console ?

Yes, I believe it is. Most in Thailand have to be, don't they?

are you trying to play copied games and it fails to read the disc ?

All the games we own have either been copied or have been purchased from newgame for 80 baht each, so I don't suppose any of these are are genuine.

and did you try it with an original or copy game before you brought it home ? I havent seen lasers fail at the rate he is talking about even with heavy usage.

We tried it at the shop, so I suppose it was one of the 80 baht games which are just copies.

Wouldn't it be difficult to buy genuine games in Thailand, unless you went directly to game's maker, i.e: sony?

[somchaismith]

I havent seen lasers fail at the rate he is talking about even with heavy usage.

It does seem strange all round. Even the replacement price of 1500 baht seems too high.

I just checked the original PS 2 purchase receipt. The console is 2-years and 3-months old, with newgame offering free repairs without replacement part costs, for a period of 5 years from the date of purchase.

[h90]

On the back side you find a sticker with a number starting with "SCPH-" please let me know that number, than I know which model it is.

[somchaismith]

On the back side you find a sticker with a number starting with "SCPH-" please let me know that number, than I know which model it is.

The shop said they'll call us back on Tuesday. Don't know what they are going to call for us for though. Hopefully to come and pick up the PS 2, but that time frame sounds a bit ambitious, especially when comparing it to their form up-to-date.

Anyhow, when I get it back, I'll post the model/serial numbers, and update the result. of the repair.

Actually while googling about, I found this link, ps2-chips.com/PS2_Version_Identification_Guide.htm, does this match with your info?

[somchaismith]

The 1500 baht price of a replacement laser in Thailand is very strange. Considering that this USD website doesn't have a replacement laser over the price of 36 USDs--roughly 1100 baht at current conversion rates.

etech.com/video-games-playstation-2--c1143_1170

[clickblade]

I had the same problem I took it to a SONY service centre in Phuket they sent it to Bangkok it was returned 10 days later working perfect and that was 2 years ago

[h90]

On the back side you find a sticker with a number starting with "SCPH-" please let me know that number, than I know which model it is.

The shop said they'll call us back on Tuesday. Don't know what they are going to call for us for though. Hopefully to come and pick up the PS 2, but that time frame sounds a bit ambitious, especially when comparing it to their form up-to-date.

Anyhow, when I get it back, I'll post the model/serial numbers, and update the result. of the repair.

Actually while googling about, I found this link, ps2-chips.com/PS2_Version_Identification_Guide.htm, does this match with your info?

yes almost the same....

[h90]

The 1500 baht price of a replacement laser in Thailand is very strange. Considering that this USD website doesn't have a replacement laser over the price of 36 USDs--roughly 1100 baht at current conversion rates.

etech.com/video-games-playstation-2--c1143_1170

no that is not strange!

The install the laser for you

they aren't an internet shop

a part of the laser are always broken when you get them from China. The internet shops don't replace them usually., the real shops do.

But I don't know the current price of a new PS2......

[somchaismith]

The 1500 baht price of a replacement laser in Thailand is very strange. Considering that this USD website doesn't have a replacement laser over the price of 36 USDs--roughly 1100 baht at current conversion rates.

etech.com/video-games-playstation-2--c1143_1170

no that is not strange!

The install the laser for you

they aren't an internet shop

a part of the laser are always broken when you get them from China. The internet shops don't replace them usually., the real shops do.

But I don't know the current price of a new PS2......

I think newgame is giving me a strange price then. I base this on the fact that when I bought the PS2 unit, they gave me a card guaranteeing free repairs for five years from the purchase date. Therefore I now should be only paying for a laser replacement part.

A new PS2 unit currently costs about 4500 baht with a dozen free games thrown in--copies, no doubt.

[somchaismith]

I had the same problem I took it to a SONY service centre in Phuket they sent it to Bangkok it was returned 10 days later working perfect and that was 2 years ago

Unfortunately I'm mixed up with these newgame cowboys now. I took the chance and returned it to them and things went rotten, as can sometime happen in Thailand with a shop's customer service. Wish I could find newgame's website, so at least I could try to send of an email to their head office. They have about fifteen shops in Bangkok, so I would have thought them being so commercial, that they should have a website...hang-on maybe most of their shops are now abandoned and closed like their Laksi branch.

Just hope things work out for the best and the PS2 gets properly repaired. In the future if there's any problems with it, I'll definitely be giving Sony a jingle.

[LivinLOS]

Lasers burn out on copy discs (and legit ones eventually).

This isnt unusual.. Just get the laser replaced.

[somchaismith]

Lasers burn out on copy discs (and legit ones eventually).

This isnt unusual.. Just get the laser replaced.

Yes, unfortunately it's been a month and 1500 baht's worth of 'just', so far.

[thunder30101]

Why would lasers burn out on copy games faster ??? its just a data disc like the original. What part of a laser is always broke from china ??? If it is defective, it doesnt work plain and simple. too funny.

[somchaismith]

Why would lasers burn out on copy games faster ???

In support of LivinLos, I guess he means that some of the copies may have been burnt on to inferior discs. I've heard many complaints about the quality of Princo DVDs/CDs. This may put extra work on the laser.

What part of a laser is always broke from china ??? If it is defective, it doesnt work plain and simple. too funny.

A lot of the non-original cheapo parts come from China. These have quite a name for being of low and dodgy quality. Maybe they have trouble reading low quality discs, as opposed to original laser replacements.

[somchaismith]

Well, finally new game from Future Park contacted us to pick up the second time repaired PS2. Again, it wouldn't play any games. We managed to secure a refund and are now having it repair by another playstation retailer. We chose not to use Sony, as like newgame pointed out, a Sony repaired PS2 will only be able to play original games.

[somchaismith]

On the back side you find a sticker with a number starting with "SCPH-" please let me know that number, than I know which model it is.

Finally have it back. The model number is, SCPH 77006 .

[Gluestick]

Try taking it to Nadzproject in the new Digital Gateway Mall at Siam Square. I've never had a problem with them.

[somchaismith]

H90 hasn't got back to me about the PS2 model, but never mind.

Went around Zeer Rangsit and IT Sqaure, Laksi, trying to buy a genuine PS2 joystick. Zeer only had places offering no warranty and had one shop offering a 6-month one, however, was out of stock.

Finally, saw New Game at IT Square, was reopened. Hopefully I wasn't stupid, because I purchased a joy off them for 750 baht, with a year's warranty.

Was shocked when I saw the same staff who'd been working at Newgame, Futurepark.