|
Playstation Problems and Fixes
Copyright
2002
© by Ultimate Console Guides
CARE and MAINTENANCE
We suggest that you always take proper care of your Playstation.
This means powering it off when its not being used, and storing it
in a safe place. Do not leave it out in the open, or up on a shelf
or piece of furniture with the cords hanging low. Tripping on the
cords and causing the Playstation to come crashing down is probably
the most common reported cause for broken systems. Remember to
replace your games back in their jewel cases/holders to prevent dust
and scratches on the CD's from hindering your Playstation's
performance. Also, it is common for dust to transfer from the CD to
the Playstation, through playing dusty games. A can of pressurized
air is very useful when the Playstation tray is carrying more dust
then you are comfortable allowing. Feel free to blow it out once or
twice a month. If you are comfortable with opening the Playstation
enclosure then it also can be "air dusted" once every 6 months.
BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING
Remember, you open your Playstation at your own risk. Opening the
Playstation will void your warranty every time!
Symptom:
My Playstation makes awful sounds while reading my CD's
Causes:
1. The CD may have some scratches and the CD laser on the
Playstation is having problems reading it.
2. You're using a copy of the CD you want to play.
3. The position of the Playstation console is not level and is
not allowing the Playstation to spin properly and in a balanced
manner.
FIX:
1. Dirty disks are quite common. Remember to put your CD back in
its holder/case after use. AND NEVER PLACE A CD DOWN- INFORMATION
SIDE DOWN! This causes scratches that will cause the laser to have
problems reading your disk.
2. Don’t play with copied CD's!! You will burn your motor out by
trying to read these disks! Once and a while you might get away with
it, but if its causing your Playstation to go haywire- then trash
the copied CD!
3. Playstation was designed for one position. Horizontal. Don't
try the upside down or sideways technique on this game console.
Symptom:
My Playstation unit isn’t turning on! (I push the button, but
the red light doesn’t light!) and the CD doesn’t spin.... It’s just
DEAD!)
Cause:
1. The cord isn’t properly plugged-in to your outlet
2. Your Playstation’s power supply is damaged
3. You plugged it into the wrong outlet
4. There’s no electricity
5. Somehow, it’s just not getting power!
FIX:
1. Make sure that the plug of the Playstation is firmly and
exactly plugged into your outlet.
2. This is a common mistake among many. First of all, before
plugging in your Playstation into an outlet, check the voltage of
your Playstation. Most Playstation are for 110/120 volts. If you
mistakenly plugged it into a voltage higher than that (i.e. 220),
the Playstation will take in excessive electricity and thus burn
out. Most likely, the power supply is damaged.
3. Sometimes you get frustrated, but it’s just because there’s no
electricity coming out of the outlet. It’s either there’s a blackout
in your area that you now know of, or the fuse for that outlet is
broken (your other appliances in that particular part of your house
isn’t working too). Call your Electricity provider if there’s a
blackout. If not, call an electrician to fix your fuse. Unplug the
Playstation during this process.
4. Be clever, look around. Is the on/off switch on your wall set
to "off"? Simple problems call for simple solutions.
Symptom:
My Playstation is on, the light is lit. I have a CD inside and
its spinning as normal, but I don’t see anything happening on my TV.
Causes:
1. You’ve made the wrong connection to your TV
2. You didn’t make a connection to your TV
3. At worst, your TV isn’t compatible with your Playstation (PAL/NTSC
issue)
FIX:
1. Check your connection with your TV. If you have a S-Video
cable Connection for your TV and your Playstation, check it properly
so that Video cable from your Playstation is at the Video-in port in
your TV. If this doesn’t work. Go to #3.
2. You probably just overlooked something small. Connect your TV
to your Playstation by following the instructions in your manual.
3. OK, TV/VCR/AUX/. The most common setting is to plug directly
into your S-Video connection at the back of your TV. Depending on
how you have your cable and VCR hooked up, you may need to get into
your TV options and set it to "AUX" or "VCR" whatever or however you
have it configured. Be sure to check run through AUX/VCR/TV/VCR, you
should be able to get the game to show on at least 1 of those
settings.
4. You bought a European Playstation?! (PAL standard, Whereas
U.S. is NTSC) Not compatible. The only option to fix this (I've
heard but not been able to replicate) is to "MOD" the Games using a
Playstation emulator, on your computer. Then burning the MODded game
back to CD. Do a search on the WEB for "PAL NTSC Playstation"
Symptom:
The sound is quite scratchy or has no sound at all
Causes:
1. Bad audio connection or no audio connection to the TV
2. TV sound system settings
3. Playstation sound system settings
4. Damaged TV or Playstation audio system
FIX:
1. Check to see if your Playstation’s audio cable is properly
connected to the audio-in port of your TV.
2. Check your TV audio settings. If there is sound on your normal
channels.
3. Check your Playstation if the game/DVD’s audio options are
properly set.
4. Check your TV's sound system.
5. Replace the audio jack on your Playstation.
6. Ask Sony (always ask Sony, whenever possible)
Symptom:
The buttons suddenly stopped responding. But just before it
happened they work perfectly.
causes:
1. The Controller cord is loose
FIX:
1. Unplug the controller from the controller port and then plug
it in again. Make sure that the controller port connector is firmly
inserted into the controller port slot. This should fix the problem.
If not try and plugging a different controller (that you know works)
into the same slot. If the problem goes away, then you know the
wiring in the first controller may be faulty/loose. (due to winding
and pulling on the cord). If the problem does not stop, then your
Playstation port connection piece may be faulty/not soldered/broken.
-either pull it apart and have a look (for seasoned elec techs only)
OR call Sony and arrange for them to fix it for you.
Symptom:
Playstation Game freezes during play.
Causes:
Overheating (easy fix)
FIX:
1. *Could need a power supply unit.
2. *Fan could not be working properly, causing the chips to
overheat.
Symptom:
I have a modified Playstation and all seems to work fine then
suddenly, every game in my collection crashes. And that includes all
of my original games.
Causes:
1. You rigged your Playstation!!! Doh!
FIX:
1. Whoops. You now own a completely worthless piece of Sonymemorabilia! (Sell it on ebay and get $25 for it) Seriously, though.
If it never worked once you modified it, then you could have
modified it incorrectly, or there could be a solder short. However,
if it once played, but now it does not.. then the "modification"
could have slowly fried a chip in your Playstation renderingit
useless now. I'd still open it up and check for the obvious.
I dont support MODs. I wont, I cant. I dont have the time to help
troubleshoot for hours on a game console that has been MODded and
internally fried. "Uh.. my Playstation wont power on", so I try
ripping my hair out trying to help some poor kid, only to find out
he illegally modded it, destroyed the insides, and wasted 3 hours of
my time. Nope. I dont do MODs.
GAMES TROUBLESHOOTING
In here, you’ll find troubleshooting tips about games. This
includes CD's and Playstation games.
Symptom:
My game for Playstation isn’t working!
Causes:
1. The CD has a lot of scratches
2. The Playstation is worn out due to extensive use
3. You’re using bootleg CD's
4. You boofed and forgot to insert a game! (or it’s upside down!)
FIX:
1. Take good care of your CD's. I suggest a cleaning kit. I also
suggest that you never place a CD down information-side-down! EVER!
Always put them back in their holders when finished. Likely, you
probably have some scratches and dust on your game. Remove it and
clean it if it is dusty. If it’s extremely scratched, try cleaning
it, and if it still don’t work then trash the game.
2. This often happens if you use your Playstation for 12-15 hours
straight per day. That only means that you have to get a life. Ahem.
Anyway, let a Sony representative check it for you if there’s
something needed to be repaired. Then, do what he/she suggests.
3. Buy original games. Its illegal to copy games and "trade" them
about.
4. Make sure a game is inside! Doh!
Symptom:
I played a game and it worked fine. Then, when I put in a new
game, it suddenly hangs. (other games too!)
Causes:
1. Memory CACHE Problem
2. The Lens is damaged
FIX:
1. Oftentimes, data on the memory called "cache" are left intact
inside. It should be re-set with you turn off your Playstation and
then turn it on again. Sometimes, it corrupts new data and the game
can't put graphic (or even program files) data on the memory and
thus, you can't play the game. A couple of resets might do the
trick. But again, don't forget to ask a Sony representative.
2. Unplug it from the power source. Let it sit for 10-30 seconds
(to allow the electronic components to fully discharge) Now reboot!
3. OK, if your still having problems there may be a serious
problem with the Playstation. Either the processor or one of the
supporting RAM,ROM or BIAS chips has been internally shorted or
fried out over time.
PORTS TROUBLESHOOTING
Here, I’ll help you troubleshoot some problems concerning the
different ports in the system. Memory Card Slot, Controller, USB
port, and Ilink IEEE port.
Symptoms:
Memory Card, Controller, USB/Ilink peripheral can’t be inserted
into the Playstation/Playstation Controller.
Causes:
1. Your peripheral isn’t intended for the Playstation
2. The port is physically damage or the plug of the peripheral
FIX:
1. Playstation peripherals will most definitely fit in the slots.
Example would be the controller. Even if Sony didn’t make the
controller, but it is intended for the Playstation, it must fit in.
(Its not healthy to use 2nd party controllers or memory cards! You
can burn out your controller port!)
2. Something is preventing the plug from fully connecting with
the port pins. Take a dry clean toothbrush and try to go over the
contacts to free anything that might be stuck in there/ preventing
the plug from securely connecting.
Symptoms:
My peripheral isn’t working but it’s plugged in correctly.
Causes:
1. Your peripheral isn’t compatible with the Playstation
2. Your peripheral is damaged
3. The port it plugs into is damaged
FIX:
1. Check your peripheral’s documentation first if it do work for
your Playstation. Some are said to be compatible but not working.
It’s supposed to work. But it doesn’t. If it isn’t ask your retailer
what they can do To help you. Most of the time, they gladly change
the merchandise As long as you come back within just a day or 2 from
purchase.
2. If your peripheral is used quite long already, it might be
damaged and thus, can’t be used for the Playstation anymore. Ask the
manufacturer of your peripheral for advice. Or, do #3.
3. Clean the port first with a dry and clean cloth or dry clean
toothbrush. If it still doesn’t work, try to check it on another
console. If it works on another console, then your Playstation’s
port is damaged. If the doesn’t work on the other system, your
peripheral is damaged.
CONTINUE BROWSING
THIS GUIDE
Download this now for $5.00
Buy this on CD for $9.00
Playstation, Sony Playstation and their accessories are
registered trademarks of Sony This informational list is
copyrighted Aug 15, 2002 by William Schott/UltimateConsoleGuides and may not be
replicated, altered, sold or distributed without written permission
from the author.
Please note that attempting to open your Playstation game
console will void the warranty. Use this guide to work on a
Playstation at your own risk. The author is not responsible for
damage you may have occurred by following this manual. Nor do we
guarantee that by following this manual that your Playstation be
fixed.
This information is for educational and informational purposes
ONLY. It is not our intention to assist you in committing fraud or
performing any illegal acts. As with any action you take, it is your
sole responsibility to obey any regulations or laws that apply to
you. The presence of this site on the world-wide-web means that it
is available to a world audience, so we cannot possibly advise you
on the legality of utilizing or possessing the information contained
herein. You should always seek competent legal counsel to insure you
are in compliance with all local laws.
We do not and cannot warrant the information, documentation or
software included in this distribution service or the performance or
results obtained by using this information, documentation, or
software. This information on all our web pages, documentation, and
software is provided "as is". We make no warranties of any kind,
either express or implied, including but not limited to,
noninfringement of third party rights, merchantability, or fitness
for a particular purpose with respect to the product and the
accompanying written materials. To the extent you use or implement
this information, documentation, or software in your own setting,
you do so at your own risk. In no event will we be liable to you for
any damages arising from your use or, your inability to use this
information, documentation, or software, including any lost profits,
lost savings, or other incidental or consequential damages, even if
we have been advised of the possibility of such damages, or for any
claim by another party.
|
