So this is the problem, the DRE problem.

[hiccupleftovers]

Alright so I bought Contra: Shattered Soldier today at Kmart and just popped it in and got another Disc Read Error with it. I say another because I have rented this game in the past and every time it gives me this DRE. I know that I have an older PS2 model, not the original probably a year and half to two years after the original (can check what model if needed), but this is the first time I have had any trouble with a blue bottomed disc. I have other blue bottom discs and they all work fine (i.e. Marvel versus Capcom 2). So the question is why is this game and only this game give me troubles? The one I just bought is brand new, no scratches, new box, celophane the whole thing so what's up with it? Is something up with the laser?

[Trakan]

It's not the game, it's the PS2. Check some FAQs. I'll try to link you to some.

If the laser is the problem, try these FAQs.

http://www.cyber-mag.com/station/laserPS2.htm
http://db.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/file/playstation2_sony_repair.txt

[shoobywizard88]

Yeah, It's more than likely the laser.

[rockhero]

Is Shattered Soldier a blue-back game?

[Trakan]

Is Shattered Soldier a blue-back game?

I'm pretty sure it is.

[CaseyRyback]

Is Shattered Soldier a blue-back game?

yes

[Alpha2]

Yes this is the DRE problem some games seem to trigger it easier than others.

Does you system click or just not read it at all? I ask because when my system finally showed the problem it was on Contra as well. I seemed to have no problem with other CD based games (isnt that much easier than saying "blue backed"?) either but only for a while as eventually I put in one and suddenly none would work and I was getting the loud clicking.

You might want to try it in diangnostic mode to see if the problem rights itslef but other wise you might be ready to get your free repair.

[hiccupleftovers]

Yes this is the DRE problem some games seem to trigger it easier than others.

Does you system click or just not read it at all? I ask because when my system finally showed the problem it was on Contra as well. I seemed to have no problem with other CD based games (isnt that much easier than saying "blue backed"?) either but only for a while as eventually I put in one and suddenly none would work and I was getting the loud clicking.

You might want to try it in diangnostic mode to see if the problem rights itslef but other wise you might be ready to get your free repair.

I hear a slight clicking sound now that I think about it. It happens right at the beginning but then stops. Wher's the diagnostic mode in the PS2? I still can't believe that it is happening because I thought that they had fixed the problem with DREs when I bought my PS2. Would blowing condensed air on it to clean up the dust on the laser maybe help like you do in you PC?

[Trakan]

I hear a slight clicking sound now that I think about it. It happens right at the beginning but then stops. Wher's the diagnostic mode in the PS2? I still can't believe that it is happening because I thought that they had fixed the problem with DREs when I bought my PS2. Would blowing condensed air on it to clean up the dust on the laser maybe help like you do in you PC?

Yes, blowing it out could definitely help. Do that before doing anything. The Diagnostic Mode is in the options somewhere.

[Alpha2]

Diagnostic mode is in the start up, I believe it's the screen where you press triangle and get the settings like the PSone game read speed and the texture smoothing.

You should try the compressed air but if it's clicking that sounds to me like the laser is missaligned thats why I suggested the diagnostic mode (it's supposed to center the laser or something.)

[hiccupleftovers]

Diagnostic mode is in the start up, I believe it's the screen where you press triangle and get the settings like the PSone game read speed and the texture smoothing.

You should try the compressed air but if it's clicking that sounds to me like the laser is missaligned thats why I suggested the diagnostic mode (it's supposed to center the laser or something.)


Alright I'll try that then. If it doesn't work what should do then?

[Alpha2]

1(800)345-7669

And let them know, they'll ask you a couple of questions, run you through the diagnostic again over the phone and assuming you haven't modded your PS2 they should give you a code to get a free repair. Send it to them (should be about 20 bucks or so) wait a couple of weeks and you'll get it back repaird

[Trakan]

1(800)345-7669

And let them know, they'll ask you a couple of questions, run you through the diagnostic again over the phone and assuming you haven't modded your PS2 they should give you a code to get a free repair. Send it to them (should be about 20 bucks or so) wait a couple of weeks and you'll get it back repaird

That is probably the best/smartest option, but I didn't want to waste time and money. I opened mine myself, blew the shit out of it with compressed air, and then used one the FAQs and fixed it myself. Took me maybe 20 minutes max. Worked like new from then on.

[Alpha2]

If you feel confortable opening up a PS2 go right ahead but personally I thought about it and quickly nixed the idea after reading the repair tutorials because it just seemed a little risky. If it were just a screw you have to tighten maybe but it's and adjustment and without the right expertise I felt I wouldnt know exactly how much ot how little to turn the thing.

[Trakan]

If you feel confortable opening up a PS2 go right ahead but personally I thought about it and quickly nixed the idea after reading the repair tutorials because it just seemed a little risky. If it were just a screw you have to tighten maybe but it's and adjustment and without the right expertise I felt I wouldnt know exactly how much ot how little to turn the thing.

Very good point, as I went into it blind. It did work though.

[hiccupleftovers]

If you feel confortable opening up a PS2 go right ahead but personally I thought about it and quickly nixed the idea after reading the repair tutorials because it just seemed a little risky. If it were just a screw you have to tighten maybe but it's and adjustment and without the right expertise I felt I wouldnt know exactly how much ot how little to turn the thing.

I feel exactly like you. I guess I;ll just send it in if it doesn't work after that diagnostic thing. Why do I have to pay them $20 though if it is supposed to be free?

[Trakan]

If you feel confortable opening up a PS2 go right ahead but personally I thought about it and quickly nixed the idea after reading the repair tutorials because it just seemed a little risky. If it were just a screw you have to tighten maybe but it's and adjustment and without the right expertise I felt I wouldnt know exactly how much ot how little to turn the thing.

I feel exactly like you. I guess I;ll just send it in if it doesn't work after that diagnostic thing. Why do I have to pay them $20 though if it is supposed to be free?

The fix is free, shipping is not.

[camoor]

hold it vertically for about 20 secs immediately after starting your system with the game in it. That works for mine. Then, once the disc is initally read, i can lay it flat. GAME ON

[FriskyTanuki]

Does it sound like the disc isn't spinning when you put it in? If it does, you could try the tape method and that would help it spin like it should.

[hiccupleftovers]

Does it sound like the disc isn't spinning when you put it in? If it does, you could try the tape method and that would help it spin like it should.

No it doesn't sound like the disc is spinning or jumping up in the tray. And it is like I said it only happens with Contra: Shattered Soldier, no others.

[hiccupleftovers]

well alright I just checked what model PS2 I have and it is a SCPH - 30001 R model. I don't know if this the model made correcting the initial DRE problem that was at launch or not.

O.K. so now I have put my PS2 into diagnostic mode now what? Just run the game on it and seem if the laser realighns?

[cthcky33]

when i worked at EB they always made me test traded in ps2s with vice city and contra to test them, i guess those are the games that wont read first with the DRE, then eventually none of your games will work....

[hiccupleftovers]

Alright so uhhh..........anyone?^^^^^^

[Alpha2]

Yeah once in Diagnostic mode go to the broswer and start the game up from it's icon. If it dosen't work you're prtty much into classic DRE territory.

I agree at first I had no problems playing Contra:ss and a few weeks later I decided to crank it up again and thats when it first happened, I went on to play other games figuring "well atleast these work" and eventually got my first DVD DRE I eventually couldn't get any CD game to work and randomly I'd have issues with DVD games.

The thing is While they may cliame to have fixed the issue in some version of the system (Something I doubt they'd ever say official because it'd just make them look stupid if it truely WASN'T.) there's still the possibility of it being caused by gradual wear and tear.

[jngx80]

Someone else mentioned this earlier - try standing it vertically. I had problems with Kingdom Hearts (no DRE message, just kept freezing) and when I stood it vertically it worked almost flawlessly.

[phammerz]

okay i have the loud grinding clicking noise, and sometimes itll freeze on me and ish, i vacuumed thru the vents and ish, and it got better but it sometimes randomly gets those loud clicking grinding noises, any other ideas on how to clean the ps2 without opening it, i alrdy talked to sony and they said theyll fix it for free but if they dont see the DRE, then theyll charge you up the wazoo for the testing and ish and id ont get DRE's all the time just some loud ass grinding and clicking noises, anybody try like a dvd cleaner or anything>

[hiccupleftovers]

hold it vertically for about 20 secs immediately after starting your system with the game in it. That works for mine. Then, once the disc is initally read, i can lay it flat. GAME ON

camoor, you're a genius. I just did that shortly after putting the disc in and it worked. Strange, why does this do the trick and fix the problem but nothing else?


Also I've tried other discs and movies and they all seem to work find (other blue disc that I have tried are Marvel versus Capcom 2, a couple other ones that I can't think of).

[Alpha2]

The adjusting of the position of the systen is likely just giving it a slight nudge to get it reading again. I left my system verticle for 3 years so there's probably nothing particularly helpful about changing it. It's probably only a temporary fix though.

Phammerz - if you;re getting the clicking try the Diagnostic thing I mentioned earlier, it might help but it sounds like you'll probably have the problem more often soon. I dont know how anyone could hear that disturbing clicking sound and not want to get it repaired immediatly.

[hiccupleftovers]

Alright so yesterday I put in a dvd that I just rented and now on certain parts of the special features/bonus materials the disc just stops and I get, and I quote, "unable to read disc". What does that mean? Is it the equivalent of a DRE? Also that turning the PS2 vertical trick really works on Contra: Shattered Soldier; haven't had any more troubles with it. Also does the same DRE problem happen with Neo Contra?

[Alpha2]

I dont know if it would particularly happen with Neo Contra, after all they;re two completly differnt games. As for the DVD it depends, sometimes there are just dvd's that are a little funky and can cause the "unable to read disk" error (basically the samething). but concidering you;re already experiencing DREs it might be a foreshadowing.

[phammerz]

the with the repair, is that if i send it into sony and they dont experience the problem, then theyll charge me

[Alpha2]

how often are you getting it and are you getting it with the same disks over and over? If it's a noticable enough problem and occuring often enough there's little chance they WONT encounter it themselves and charge you... heck they're supposed to give you the repaire code before you even send in the system so the waived fee should be garaunteed before hand.

[hiccupleftovers]

I dont know if it would particularly happen with Neo Contra, after all they;re two completly differnt games. As for the DVD it depends, sometimes there are just dvd's that are a little funky and can cause the "unable to read disk" error (basically the samething). but concidering you;re already experiencing DREs it might be a foreshadowing.

Well today I watched two more dvds and their extras and it worked fine. Stupid PS2 giving me all this BS now trying to irritate me and stress me out. See like with phammerz, I'm afraid taht Sony will not see the DRE/unable to read disc problem also. It only happens with Contra: Shattered Soldier and when it is horizontal, not vertical and one dvd movie that i rented.

[Alpha2]

Well hopefully it wont get worse for you, if it does you already have the number to call them. As I said they should grant you the free repaire code based on the conversation on the phone, concidering the number of complaints I'm sure they'll likely just get it in change a part in it and send it back out as fast as possible without really looking to see if theres a problem (technically there's now reason not to take your word, why would anyone want to "fix" a working PS2?)

The might be making this warning for the Slim PS2, since they havent developed as huge a problem yet.

[hiccupleftovers]

Oh O.K. Thanks for all of the help Alpha2. Hopefully my PS2 doesn't get any worse and it is just with Contra and some rented DD that give me trouble cause I really don't want to go through all the hassle.

[Alpha2]

no problem, good luck!

[lordxixor101]

I was having 2 games do this, and here is what fixed mine.

I bought a CD cleaner (one of the CD's with a brush on it. Then, I put the diagnostic mode on (triangle at the start, then its in one of the options, not sure which one off hand.

I then cleaned the player with the diagnostic mode on. It worked.

This did not work for my friend, but when he turned on the diagnostic mode, it would play his gamss (though, it wouldn't read the cd cleaner for some reason).

I hope this helps some.

[menewbe]

i called sony last week and they're gonna fix my cousin's ps2 for free..just have to pay for shipping..it stopped playing his gta:sa so he asked me for help..i tried a bunch of my games on it and got DREs..tried on my ps2 and they worked fine..so i say try all your games on your ps2 and someone elses to compare results..then call sony for the free repair..just dont mention anything about opening, modding, using AR etc...took me like 15 min tops..

[Scrubking]

Also you cleaned the mirror under the laser, because dust gets lodged there and unless you take the housing to the laser off you cannot clean it properly.

Anyone clean other lens under the front one? I tried that method and now everything loads up perfectly-not exactly pefectly, there's just a wait for the DVDs to load up.

Does anyone have detailed instructions on how to clean the mirror under the laser lense or whatever?