This is a very common failure on the grey PS1. This is either caused by a all plastic laser, or a faulty optical block. The die cast ones fail from optical block failure and the plastic ones wear unevenly.
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This is a very common failure on the grey PS1. This is either caused by a all plastic laser, or a faulty optical block. The die cast ones fail from optical block failure and the plastic ones wear unevenly. Adjustment can help, but it doesn't last forever and it's not a super reliable way to fix the problem. It works, but it's only recommended if you have nothing left to lose.
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My recommendation is to get a SCPH-10x unit. It isn't prone to this problem, but the Parallel/Serial ports are no longer on these units. Most people do not need them, but if you do get one of the early 700x models.
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If you can adjust it, then I would go about it this way since all of these fat ones have terrible laser assemblies. If you replace it, it's just going to do the same thing.
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What I would do is adjust it and enjoy it while it lasts, and then get a SCPH-101 if you are in the US. You will need to keep track of an external power supply and lose the Parallel and Serial ports, but it's a lot more reliable then this model.
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If you adjust it, there's a point on the motherboard, and one on the laser assembly. You will need an oscilloscope to adjust the board trimpot, and for the laser trimpot do it in small doses until you get a near 100% hit rate. Going for 100% is more then likely to ruin the games by burning them(literally!). I made this guide on [guide|47857|adjusting] the system, which may help.
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If you choose to adjust it, there's a point on the motherboard and the laser assembly. You will need an oscilloscope to adjust the board trimpot, and for the laser trimpot do it in small doses until you get a near 100% hit rate.
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Messing with the board one is NOT RECOMMENDED. You do not have to adjust it so leave it alone. You want to adjust the one on the laser. It isn't as effective but it's a lot safer to adjust then the motherboard point is.
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Now if you are brave and are willing to risk it, mess with the one on the motherboard. You will risk burning your games but it does work a lot better then the one on the laser assembly. You can follow this guide on how to [guide|47857|adjust the laser], which explains how to do it.
This is a very common failure on the grey PS1. This is either caused by a all plastic laser, or a faulty optical block. The die cast ones fail from optical block failure and the plastic ones wear unevenly.
If you can adjust it, then I would go about it this way since all of these fat ones have terrible laser assemblies. If you replace it, it's just going to do the same thing.
What I would do is adjust it and enjoy it while it lasts, and then get a SCPH-101 if you are in the US. You will need to keep track of an external power supply and lose the Parallel and Serial ports, but it's a lot more reliable then this model.
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If you adjust it, there's a point on the motherboard, and one on the laser assembly. You will need an oscilloscope to adjust the board trimpot, and for the laser trimpot do it in small doses until you get a near 100% hit rate. Going for 100% is more then likely to ruin the games by burning them(literally!). I made this guide on [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repairing+PlayStation+SCPH-5501+Laser+Trimpot+Adjustment/47857|adusting] the system, which may help.
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If you adjust it, there's a point on the motherboard, and one on the laser assembly. You will need an oscilloscope to adjust the board trimpot, and for the laser trimpot do it in small doses until you get a near 100% hit rate. Going for 100% is more then likely to ruin the games by burning them(literally!). I made this guide on [guide|47857|adjusting] the system, which may help.
This is a very common failure on the grey PS1. This is either caused by a all plastic laser, or a faulty optical block. The die cast ones fail from optical block failure and the plastic ones wear unevenly.
If you can adjust it, then I would go about it this way since all of these fat ones have terrible laser assemblies. If you replace it, it's just going to do the same thing.
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What I would do is adjust it and enjoy it while it lasts, and then get a SCPH-101 if you are in the US. You will need to keep track of an external power supply and lose the Parallel and Serial ports, but it's a lot more reliable then this model.
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If you adjust it, there's a point on the motherboard, and one on the laser assembly. You will need an oscilloscope to adjust the board trimpot, and for the laser trimpot do it in small doses until you get a near 100% hit rate. Going for 100% is more then likely to ruin the games by burning them(literally!).
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What I would do is adjust it and enjoy it while it lasts, and then get a SCPH-101 if you are in the US. You will need to keep track of an external power supply and lose the Parallel and Serial ports, but it's a lot more reliable then this model.
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If you adjust it, there's a point on the motherboard, and one on the laser assembly. You will need an oscilloscope to adjust the board trimpot, and for the laser trimpot do it in small doses until you get a near 100% hit rate. Going for 100% is more then likely to ruin the games by burning them(literally!). I made this guide on [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repairing+PlayStation+SCPH-5501+Laser+Trimpot+Adjustment/47857|adusting] the system, which may help.
This is a very common failure on the grey PS1. This is either caused by a all plastic laser, or a faulty optical block. The die cast ones fail from optical block failure and the plastic ones wear unevenly.
If you can adjust it, then I would go about it this way since all of these fat ones have terrible laser assemblies. If you replace it, it's just going to do the same thing.
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What I would do is adjust it and enjoy it while it lasts, and then get a SCPH-101 if you are in the US. You will need to keep track of an external power supply and lose the Parallel and Serial ports, but it's a lot more reliable then this model.
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What I would do is adjust it and enjoy it while it lasts, and then get a SCPH-101 if you are in the US. You will need to keep track of an external power supply and lose the Parallel and Serial ports, but it's a lot more reliable then this model.
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If you adjust it, there's a point on the motherboard, and one on the laser assembly. You will need an oscilloscope to adjust the board trimpot, and for the laser trimpot do it in small doses until you get a near 100% hit rate. Going for 100% is more then likely to ruin the games by burning them(literally!).
This is a very common failure on the grey PS1. This is either caused by a all plastic laser, or a faulty optical block.
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If you can adjust it, then I would go about it this way since all of these fat ones have terrible laser assemblies. If you replace it, it's just going to do the same thing.
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What I would do is adjust it and enjoy it while it lasts, and then get a SCPH-101 if you are in the US. You will need to keep track of an external power supply and lose the Parallel and Serial ports, but it's a lot more reliable then this model. [guide|1595]
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This is a very common failure on the grey PS1. This is either caused by a all plastic laser, or a faulty optical block. The die cast ones fail from optical block failure and the plastic ones wear unevenly.
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If you can adjust it, then I would go about it this way since all of these fat ones have terrible laser assemblies. If you replace it, it's just going to do the same thing.
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What I would do is adjust it and enjoy it while it lasts, and then get a SCPH-101 if you are in the US. You will need to keep track of an external power supply and lose the Parallel and Serial ports, but it's a lot more reliable then this model.
The best way to fix the unit is to replace the whole laser assembly. The assembly is roughly the same cost as the motor only, so it makes no sense to replace the motor only. It's cheaper to replace the whole thing. See the guide below on replacing it. You can find the lasers NOS on eBay.
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[guide|1595]
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This is a very common failure on the grey PS1. This is either caused by a all plastic laser, or a faulty optical block.
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If you can adjust it, then I would go about it this way since all of these fat ones have terrible laser assemblies. If you replace it, it's just going to do the same thing.
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What I would do is adjust it and enjoy it while it lasts, and then get a SCPH-101 if you are in the US. You will need to keep track of an external power supply and lose the Parallel and Serial ports, but it's a lot more reliable then this model. [guide|1595]
Unfortunately, the motor assembly failed and the bad thing is you need a whole optical assembly.
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The best way to fix the unit is to replace the whole laser assembly. The assembly is roughly the same cost as the motor only, so it makes no sense to replace the motor only. It's cheaper to replace the whole thing. See the guide below on replacing it. You can find the lasers NOS on eBay.
[guide|1595]
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The laser can be saved for a DIY laser pointer, so keep the bad assembly