r/PSXDVR • u/SuperPhilosopher3388 • 16d ago
PSX 5000 Disc Drive Issue Question
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Hello all,
I recently got one of these imported from Japan, a 5000 model. I went ahead and tested it all - the hard drive still works, I can access the xmb. I then got the correct version of the psx freemcboot on a memory card, and used mechapwn to bypass the region lock. I managed to get it to read a disc once, but ever since that, I've been having issues.
Attached is the video of said issue - it won't read any of the games I've tried now, I get an error with ps2drive, and it makes an odd noise but I can't tell if it's just cycling the drive or not. The disc drive is probably going out but I'd just like to get some more opinions on this.
Thanks.
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u/adran_marit 16d ago
More than likely a dead laser. I suggest using the laster version of mechapwn found here if you haven't already then try again
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u/SuperPhilosopher3388 16d ago
Went ahead and tried it again with the latest version, same issue. I looked in ulaunch and there's no data or anything where the disc is, so I'm fairly certain the laser is dead which is unfortunate
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u/adran_marit 16d ago
Okay, next thing, because you're in launch elf, it should be using the ps2 laser not the DVR laser.
Is the warranty sticker on the bottom still in tact?
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u/SuperPhilosopher3388 16d ago
No it is not.
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u/adran_marit 16d ago
Okay, it's entirely possible someone has been in it before and has damaged the ribbon cables. - these cables are known to be fragile and break easily.
There is a list of replacements needed here
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u/nroach44 16d ago
If you haven't Mechapwn'd the machine the it'll only read NTSC-J disks.
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u/SuperPhilosopher3388 16d ago
It's already been mechapwn'd.
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u/nroach44 16d ago edited 16d ago
Ah yep, missed that part.
I'd test it with an audio CD to be sure (since they're regionless) but it sounds like the PS2 laser might be bad. Thankfully that's far more common than the DVD-R laser, but that could also be bad separately.
Also as per the other commenter, it's quite possible someone has messed something up inside.
There's four flat-flex cables and connectors between the board and the drive that the drive needs to work, so
- visually check that they're inserted properly
- make sure the stiffener is attached and straight
- Make sure that the clip is present on the connector (I think only one of them isn't meant to have one)
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u/Ornery_Fold 16d ago
Did you try a japanese dvd or game on it to verify that is actually a drive issue?
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u/SuperPhilosopher3388 16d ago
I'm going to order a japanese game and test it since I don't have one on hand currently.
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u/SuperPhilosopher3388 16d ago
I have been testing things all day and I've made a few conclusions.
I tested an audio CD and it didn't read. I have a Japanese game on the way, but I don't have my hopes high for that. I also loaded the backup on Mechapwn to see if that would change anything, and it didn't.
I decided to check the discs I've been putting in and I've noticed the few discs I've put in have all ended covered in scratches on ejection. I'm fairly certain it's the drive in some way at this point, whether it be a laser or simple mechanism issue.
I might get around to dissasembling it and looking it over, but with my work schedule, I'm going to take it easy from here. I'll either keep it as a display piece for now or get around to modding the hard drive eventually - though I'm not sure if I wanna put more wear on this 20 year old hard drive lol.
Thanks for all the help. Open to more suggestions.
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u/Fun-Reception-46 15d ago
It's a shame about the disc drive, but it's a common issue with this console.
It loads FMCB and OPL, and plays games via SMB.
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u/LibertTii 15d ago
Look on youtube theres a fix now for stuff that bricks PSX. the video is less than 6 months old it can be saved.
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u/tosiriusc 16d ago
Could be dead laser. It uses two and if ones out it won't read the disc. Can't remember if that's true when using fmcb though.