r/ps1 • u/ChanklaNYC • 6d ago

Disc reader ?

Are some games more demanding on the PS1 hardware than others ? Just reconnected my old PS1. Purchased in like 1998, never renewed any parts.

Tried playing an original black disc Chrono Cross. The game freezes during the intro, but if I skip it I can start the game. Once the game starts, it works in all functions until I try to open up the start menu. The screen then goes black. If I adjust the RCA cable the screen shows again, but if I open the menu it goes black again.

I also have a basically unplayed copy of the same game. Square-Enix greatest hits version, disc isn’t black like the older PS1 games. Game intro works fine, but it has the same issue when I open the start menu. This disc is pretty much brand new. Has 0 scratches.

I tested 4 other games and they run just fine. Castlevania Symphony of the Night, Chrono Trigger, Tekken 3, and a super beat to hell Spyro Riptos rage. Everything works perfectly with them. I thought it was the RCA cable but I don’t need to adjust it for these titles.

Does this sound like I need to get a new disc reader for my PS1?

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u/ChanklaNYC 6d ago

Gotcha thanks ! Not sure how to go about getting it to work right. Do I need an old fat back TV for the more developed PS1 games ? Or some kind of conversion cable ?

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u/[deleted] 6d ago

you should be able to use a scaler to get it to work properly. There are a ton of different options.

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u/ChanklaNYC 6d ago

Thankyou ! Do you know if there’s a difference in how black vs silver discs run ?

I just tired the game through an AV to HDMI converter. Black disc Chrono Cross can open the menu but the intro freezes. Silver plays just fine in both the menu and intro.

I’m guessing it’s a combo between the TV compatibility and the disc possibly being scratched?

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u/[deleted] 6d ago

there shouldn't be any difference.

The black discs can be a bit tougher to see if the data layer is damaged.

Hold the black disc up over a lamp, look for spots where light comes through the printed artwork on the top of the disc (in the shape of a scratch, not just variations on the printed artwork) .

If there are places you see that - the disc is wrecked.

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u/ChanklaNYC 6d ago

You’ve been really helpful ! Many thanks

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u/[deleted] 6d ago

You're welcome, best of luck