So i recently got Monster Rancher 4 off ebay, and the disc is in less than perfect condition, but not too bad. Few surface scratches but none looking especially deep.
I stick the game in my PS2 and it's fine. However issues start when i try to use the main feature of the game the "disc swap". I take the disc out, insert the disc of my choice i wish to get a monster off and then go and insert the MR4 disc back in.
Now the first time this worked fine, no issues. The second it said "MR4 disc not in tray". After numerous attempts taking it out and putting it back in (not to mention several cleaning attempts) it worked. I tried again and same issue only i couldn't get it to work at all.
So i created a back-up wondering if the scratches were making it difficult to read or something, and exact same problem with a shiny new unscathed disc.
I'm using a mod chip for my PS2 to run both the back-up and the US game, as the PS2 is originally UK. I'm wondering if perhaps the region encoding is interfering with me starting the game back up again. But if that IS the problem then why work the first time? It shouldn't work at all if this is the case.
If anyone has any suggestions i'd appreciate your input.
It was a birthday present like 5 years ago, a new PS2 with a chip already installed. I've got no receipts that might state it and i'm certain the chances of my parents (who purchased it) are about a snowballs chances of surviving in hell.
Do you know of any easy methods to check? I'm probably going to end up taking the case off my PS2 to clean it out and tamper with the laser height anyway, so if it's just looking at a number on the chip then that should (hopefully) be easily done.
If i can't discover what chip it is, i figure testing a different monster rancher game (or game with similar feature) to see if it just doesn't like it much.
I mean, my inclination is to believe it's some sort of laser/reading problem, as otherwise why would it work EVER, not a couple of times then throw a tantrum? But if anyone has any better suggestions i'd be glad to hear them. :)
A lot of times cleaning the laser is sufficient enough, before adjusting heights etc.
Just use a q-tip and some rubbing alcohol
Rub in a firmly, yet gentle circular motion for about 30 sec.
Then take the dry end of q-tip and do the same
Do that first too see if it makes any difference.
As for to tell what modchip is installed, the only way is to take it apart and look on the motherboard, unless you have a Boot logo screen or boot manager of some sort.
