A question on how Sony fixes DREs

Grave_Addiction

CAGiversary!
Feedback
35 (100%)
Most of us already know about the home-made way of fixing DREs, but I was interested in how Sony fixes them when you send them off.

I just bought a PS2 with DREs for rather cheap on ebay. I thought I could fix it myself, but my fix didn't work. At first, it wouldn't play anything. I ended up getting it to play CDs, DVDs, PS1 games, but it wouldn't play any PS2 games. Sony is fixing the problem for free. So in total, I ended up paying about $70 for a PS2, all hookups, a controller and an official memory card. Not too shabby.

Sorry to trail off there, but my question is what does Sony do to fix the DRE problem.
 
I bet they just send you out a refurb unit that has been fixed already. They probably just replace the drive itself.
 
[quote name='BigNick']I bet they just send you out a refurb unit that has been fixed already. They probably just replace the drive itself.[/quote]

If that's the case, I'll be happy because mine smells like cigarette smoke big time from the people I bought it from. Also, I get a month warranty on the one they send me, which is good.
 
They probably just replace the drive. When I sent mine out I made sure to put identifying marks on it to make sure I got the same one back and I did.
 
[quote name='Grave_Addiction'][quote name='BigNick']I bet they just send you out a refurb unit that has been fixed already. They probably just replace the drive itself.[/quote]

If that's the case, I'll be happy because mine smells like cigarette smoke big time from the people I bought it from. Also, I get a month warranty on the one they send me, which is good.[/quote]

Alpha2 got his back. Karmapolice got a different xbox back, so maybe its a YMMV thing. If sony does send yours back,m I am sure that they will clean it while they have it open.
 
Why would they waste money replacing the entire drive when the laser most likely costs them like $10 wholesale? But then again it's easier to just replace the entire drive I suppose...
 
Mine goes into the mail tomorrow.
How long has it taken you guys to get yours back?
I'm not gonna get the hopes up, but sooner is always better.
 
[quote name='Thunderscope']Why would they waste money replacing the entire drive when the laser most likely costs them like $10 wholesale? But then again it's easier to just replace the entire drive I suppose...[/quote]

Labor costs. Maybe replacing the laser is difficlt to do, it might require cleaner working conditions, it all adds up..........
 
has anyone sent back a ps2 and not got theirs back? I'm kinda attached to my ps2 (waiting all night for it and all, damn pre-orders selling out, damn college not near any stores) and would want it back.
 
[quote name='kfkl']has anyone sent back a ps2 and not got theirs back? I'm kinda attached to my ps2 (waiting all night for it and all, damn pre-orders selling out, damn college not near any stores) and would want it back.[/quote]

I was thinking the same thing because I sent mine in more than a week ago and there still wasn't any record of them having it even though my postal tracking confirmed they had it.

I was kinda hoping that it would get lost and Sony would send me a brand new one. Wishful thinking.

But it was assigned to a tech Friday, and now it's back on its way to me.
 
Mine came back in under 2 weeks minus shipping time. I dont think theres a chance of not getting a system back as long as you get the repair code from sony before you send it and give them the correct contact info. Supposedly you can get updates on repair progress with the code.

What they apparently do is when they get you system in the mail with your repair request and the code Sony gives you over the phone, they print a small lable with your name and the code number and place it on the system and pass it on to the technicians who work on it and send it to shipping where they scan the code and ship it back to the adress on file.

But if you mean getting your personal system back I'd suspect that as long as it can be repaired you will get the same one back unless you specifically tell them you want a replacement. (which I wouldnt want to do since I have the system link on mine that that removed on newer systems. so I can still play head to head Armored core or GT3 on 2 tvs)
 
[quote name='Alpha2']
But if you mean getting your personal system back I'd suspect that as long as it can be repaired you will get the same one back unless you specifically tell them you want a replacement. (which I wouldnt want to do since I have the system link on mine that that removed on newer systems. so I can still play head to head Armored core or GT3 on 2 tvs)[/quote]

Exactly the reason I want to keep mine (except I also want to play Time Crisis 2, makes it so much more like the arcade w/ 2 tvs)
 
[quote name='Alpha2']Mine came back in under 2 weeks minus shipping time. I dont think theres a chance of not getting a system back as long as you get the repair code from sony before you send it and give them the correct contact info. Supposedly you can get updates on repair progress with the code.

What they apparently do is when they get you system in the mail with your repair request and the code Sony gives you over the phone, they print a small lable with your name and the code number and place it on the system and pass it on to the technicians who work on it and send it to shipping where they scan the code and ship it back to the adress on file.

But if you mean getting your personal system back I'd suspect that as long as it can be repaired you will get the same one back unless you specifically tell them you want a replacement. (which I wouldnt want to do since I have the system link on mine that that removed on newer systems. so I can still play head to head Armored core or GT3 on 2 tvs)[/quote]

Can you explain what this so-called system link is more in depth and what it looks like? I think mine is older, so it should be on it, but I want to make sure.
 
[quote name='Grave_Addiction'][quote name='Alpha2']Mine came back in under 2 weeks minus shipping time. I dont think theres a chance of not getting a system back as long as you get the repair code from sony before you send it and give them the correct contact info. Supposedly you can get updates on repair progress with the code.

What they apparently do is when they get you system in the mail with your repair request and the code Sony gives you over the phone, they print a small lable with your name and the code number and place it on the system and pass it on to the technicians who work on it and send it to shipping where they scan the code and ship it back to the adress on file.

But if you mean getting your personal system back I'd suspect that as long as it can be repaired you will get the same one back unless you specifically tell them you want a replacement. (which I wouldnt want to do since I have the system link on mine that that removed on newer systems. so I can still play head to head Armored core or GT3 on 2 tvs)[/quote]

Can you explain what this so-called system link is more in depth and what it looks like? I think mine is older, so it should be on it, but I want to make sure.[/quote]

its the firewire port on the front. its labeled i-link or something (sorry at work, ps2 at home)

oh yeah, its by the USB ports.
 
[quote name='BigNick']I bet they just send you out a refurb unit that has been fixed already. They probably just replace the drive itself.[/quote]

It depends on what' wrong wtih your system. Minimal - they'll send your unit back with repairs. Moderate/Major - they'll send a refurbished unit or a new unit.

And when I sent mine in repair (twice) never once was my order number updated on their web site, so don't sweat it.
 
[quote name='Cracka']they just pop open the case and reset the DRE timer.[/quote]

I heard a rumor that if you put your controller in the second port and input the Konami code, you can reset the DRE timer that way.
 
up up down down left right left right b a b a start

Its amazing what we remember. I cant remember %99 of high school, but can remember how to get 30 lives in contra.
 
a,b,a,c,a,b,b

that's sad, i remembered it.

^blood code for mortal kombat on sega genesis
 
[quote name='BigNick']up up down down left right left right b a b a start

Its amazing what we remember. I cant remember %99 of high school, but can remember how to get 30 lives in contra.[/quote]

1-900-909-9900. That's the number to Mene Gene's old WCW wrestling hot line. I was about seven or eight around then, and my brother and I actually called it once to find the "inside" info out. Turned out to be a damn recording of Okerland talking slow as hell and basically about what happened last week.

My parents weren't too happy about the phone bill that month.
 
When I sent in my PS2 took about one week for them to get it and send it back. They replaced the laser and disk tray according to the invoice. Its great that Sony stands behind their product and repairs it(or is forced to by a lawsuit).
 
[quote name='BigNick']I bet they just send you out a refurb unit that has been fixed already. They probably just replace the drive itself.[/quote]

No they don't....

they just change the part... n send it back to u...

I know b/c i did it b4
 
side note: I got my ps2 for $50 on ebay n it stated it was DRE, so i get it since i heard ppl say sony is fixing it for free, n guess wht, THEY DO, so plus all the shipping and handling thingy, It cost me about $70 for a ps2 about the beginning of the year....

Math: PS2
 
[quote name='Kaijufan']When I sent in my PS2 took about one week for them to get it and send it back. They replaced the laser and disk tray according to the invoice. Its great that Sony stands behind their product and repairs it(or is forced to by a lawsuit).[/quote]

Well, the reason sony give out free DRE repair because they knew that their PS2 have problem (cheap part), so instead of recalling all the PS2 (hurt company image) the would that take it case by case, (so it won't hurt the company image as much). And offer free repair as a bribe (to keep out mouth shut)....
 
[quote name='Missingdata']side note: I got my ps2 for $50 on ebay n it stated it was DRE, so i get it since i heard ppl say sony is fixing it for free, n guess wht, THEY DO, so plus all the shipping and handling thingy, It cost me about $70 for a ps2 about the beginning of the year....

Math: PS2
 
bread's done
Back
Top