I'm looking to buy a new ps2, and i've been trying to confirm the latest version. In the process of doing this i?ve learned that the v16 or SCPH-7900x was released in Japan in July 2007. I can only assume that it won't arrive in North America until next year.
I then decided to look at the v15 or SCPH-7700x for potential problems. According to various sources the laser voltage overload problem has been fixed for v15 and v16 models. However overheating and disc read errors seem to be listed over and over again as drawbacks to the v15. Has anyone experienced either of these problems with this model? It just sounds odd to me that such a new version would have any design faults.
I have these questions mainly because I owned a v12, never even opened the case to clean/mod and the dvd laser fried on me. I?m not looking to mod in anyway I just want to turn it on have it work and last.
Quote: Fix the laser in your broken one or get the Big 5xxxxx series, those usually never have problems. Get a used ome from gamestop.
I appreciate your response but i've already considered both of the options you suggested.
1. I could replace the laser in my v12 but I don't own or know how to use a soldering gun to do the laser fix. I've also heard that the laser fix prevents burn out by simply cutting the power to the laser, meaning you could lose an hour or two of gaming.
2. A lot of people's v1-v7 ps2's are still working, so they keep them. Older ps2's in stores are usually refurbished and who knows how long they'll last. Finding a non-moded working fat ps2 that someone decided to sell is rather unlikely.
I?m looking for some one who owns a v15 to see if any of the problems I stated are as common as they seem to be. I know they don't make em like they used to, but I think the best option for me is to buy a new ps2 with no wear and tear on it.
I don't think laser replacement needs a soldering gun and "Refurbished" PS2's from Gamestop just means that the unit was tested and cleaned from the outside. As long as the warranty seal is intact on the fat ps2, then you should be fine. anyhow, lasers in the fat PS2 get misaligned, not break so its an easy fix if it ever does break. I have a Used fat PS2 from gamestop after my original one (SCPH- 30001R) and it still performs as new. (I bought it when they still selled systems for different prices as "Used" and "Refurbished", about 3 years old.)
The laser fix involves soldering wires from a certain part of the main board to the ground to redirect a surge of power that could damage the laser. (I?m not to sure about the specifics; I found a screen shot in some older threads and pretty much abandoned the idea of fixing my v12).
I?ve never actually bought anything from gamestop but from what i?ve heard their rather reliable. 3 years is a long time for a used ps2, what version is it?
Depending on gamestops return policy I might consider buying from them. I just don't want to be one of the unlucky sob's that has to oil the laser arm incessantly or replace the worm gear after a week.
I have a version 5 or 6, version 7 and a slim (not sure of the version, will get back to you on that. Gamestops return policy is 7 days for return and 30 day for exchange which can be extended to 1 year.
http://www.mod-chip.com/en/ps2version.htm
