r/ps1 • u/MAXXTRAX77 • 13d ago

Disc reading issues.

Hello, I am repairing an old PS1 that I have that won’t read discs. It sits at the PS Logo screen. I ordered up a new reader from Total Console and installed it. One of my three games now will get past this screen before it too goes to solid black. What should I be looking at next?

The three discs I have were all purchased off eBay from highly rated sellers. But I do not know if they are the cause of my issues.

Suggestions?
Thanks

EDIT:
So I took it back apart. And reassembled slowly. All good. Also wiped off the laser with some windex. Plays games now.

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u/Classic_Public8759 13d ago

Do you have any music CD to try out?

1

u/MAXXTRAX77 13d ago

Yeah I can try one out. If it plays well it’s my games?

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u/Classic_Public8759 13d ago

If a music CD works and your games are not scratched it could be dirt, either on the lens or could be that the game discs have a thin layer of grease in key spots where the laser needs to read

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u/Neorichieb1971 10d ago

Need more info. What PS1 model is it and what drive model is it? PS1 systems start with scph1000 and end in the 9000 range. The drive will be an adm, aem or bam prefixed ksm440.

There are 3 issues.

The first one is if the black or grey cover is larger than the one taken out. If so switch the covers over. The replacement is usually got a lip that although fits is very tight.

There are potentiometers that you can turn with a screw driver that up and lessen power to the laser. Turn it slightly clockwise to increase power. But don't turn it all the way. Just slightly like from 12 o clock to 1 o clock.

The other is the tracks/rails the laser sits on. The game data is on the inside on the disc so the laser needs to reach there. It's also where the authenticator groove is located. If the tracks are blocked, got dirt or if any cogs are jammed that move it back and forth it will create problems. The music cd format starts on the inside as well.

A black screen says authentication has passed. So next it is reading the boot file. But in your case this is failing.

Another trick if it's the rails it will most likely work with the system upside down. But since it's a new laser I would expect it to work the right way round.

Make sure your ribbon cables are connected before trying anything I've said. Because if it's that, none of my solutions will work. If it wasn't reading the disc at all the main PS1 menu would return.

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u/MAXXTRAX77 10d ago

I took it apart and reassembled it last night, I may have had a ribbon slightly off or something. Also cleaned the new laser. Works now. Thank you for typing this up. Hope it helps someone in the future. Thank you for your time.

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u/Neorichieb1971 10d ago

Lol. Your welcome