Hey everyone. I have had a V12 PS2 since it came out. I am thinking of getting a modchip and will (try) to install in myself. With that being said, it is my understanding that the V12 has laser issues. Is it guaranteed that my lens will burn out? I recently read that there is no true lens fix for these PS2's.
Secondly, what is the best chip to get for my PS2? Can you recommend any reputable sites (if that is allowed)?
Thanks in advance.
I actually recently modded two v12 PStwo's with Infinity v1.93 chips so definitely take my advise on this one. The v12 is (in my opinion) by far the worst PS2 for playing backup games on. Especially if you are set on installing a modchip. The reason is because even without a modchip the v12 suffers from a problem that inevitably causes damaged to the systems laser. Here is a quote from team matrix back in the day describing the problem in detail :)
"Further analysis on several V12 has shown that in certain situations the mechanics controller can fail while communicating with the dvd controller. You can notice when this happens since the reset button, which is connected to the mechanics controller, will stop responding and the only way to turn off the machine is to unplug the power jack.
When the mechanics controller crashes, the dvd controller keeps sending a pulse train to the tracking and focus drivers which results in a steady voltage increase on both the tracking and the focus coils.
With the proposed diode fix, this increase is initially limited but if the user leaves the crashed pstwo on for several seconds the output drivers will eventually reach saturation and, if the RS2004FS thermal protection doesn't kick in, the coils can burn from the increased current flowing."
The proposed diode fix was later incorporated into the NeoFix (modern version) which combined the diode fix, summOne fix, and Matrix's 12c508a code to shutdown the system. Unfortunately none of these solutions ever fully fixed the problem. Even with the latest NeoFix your v12 system still runs the risk of crashing and burning out the laser. As I said earlier, even without a modchip you will have these problems but installing a modchip GREATLY increases the likelihood that your laser will burn out. Some people say that different modchips are worse on the v12 than others. From what I have gathered the WORST chip (regarding only the laser issue) to install into a v12 is any modchip running Matrix Infinity firmware. Not that the Infinity is a bad chip, because it has actually gained the largest following over the years and is the only chip that continues to this day to be developed (not by Matrix but by other developers). Supposedly the BEST chip to install is the DMS4 Pro S.E. which is generally one of the most expensive modchips available for the PS2. There is only one reputable modchip seller that I am aware of that still sells them to U.S. customers which is Mod-chip.com. They are supposed to have more in stock at the end of the month (May 2009). Consolesource.com still has them too if you are outside of the U.S.
So, to the point. When I modded my two v12's I wasn't concerned much about the laser problem and I had two perfectly working systems for 6 months or so (no laser fix installed). I was seeing replacement lasers all over eBay for $7-$8 and the NeoFix that most places sell is like $20-$30 after shipping so I figured I would just replace the lasers when that time came. Eventually one burnt out and so I bought two replacement lasers (in anticipation of the other going out as well). I installed the replacement and it played originals perfectly but backups wouldn't play worth a shit. Eventually burnt games would become SO unbearably choppy. I tried the other laser and it did the same thing. The replacement lasers available today are cheap third party lasers and the companies don't intend for you to be playing burnt discs with them so they probably work fine for people that just want to play originals. So with the v12, once you (inevitably) do burn out your laser your pretty much screwed. Long story short, I eventually just decided to get rid of the v12's and find newer ones (the v15's and up have completely fixed all laser issues plus they use a higher quality laser. Even the third party ones available for these models perform very well).
If you don't want to go through all of that I would recommend not installing a modchip and if you want to play backups, just use Free MCBoot and ESR. Guide here: http://bootleg.sksapps.com/tutorials/FMCBv1.8_for_dummies.html. You can still play PSX backups as well using PSXLAUNCHER.elf
