Is it worth fixing a PS2

Francophile

I think it's not doing anything, I'll check with my son and get back.
Thanks everyone for the advice so far.

Francophile

Apparently it starts up but doesn't read anything according to my son which is why he thinks it's the laser.

pchelpman

I guess your son is getting the dreaded DRE [Disk Read Error] message on screen?

If so he could be right about the laser but it's worth taking it apart to see if anything been dislodged out of place or similar. After all ... what have you got to lose?


PCH

ollyk

I would thoroughly check the integrity of the laser mech (pull apart make sure everything moves freely no damage visible etc) and make sure the machine is actually looking for the disk (can you here the laser searching when you switch on?) and if everything seems fine then you might want to adjust laser power level or if I remember there is another mechanical setting of the sled angle which is more likely to have changed. Really you should be careful adjusting the laser as once you do it it is a path to guaranteed failure.

neiljc_2

I am in no way a techie but I was able to "fix" my PS2 using an internet guide.

often you just need to adjust the laser as most problems are "disc read errors" due to misalignment of the laser due to being knocked etc.

Francophile

I've been away for a few days so am only catching up with MSE now. Thanks for the advise everyone. Have bought an internet guide so will have a go at taking it apart and see how it goes. As you say PCHELPMAN nothing to lose.