Questions about slim PS2

[starfox316]

I recently sold off my older model PS2. It had become troublesome with reading certain game discs (including not playing blue-backed discs at all) and rarely ever recognized or loaded dvd's. It also refused PSX discs regularly (60%+ of the time it didnt load). These problems became unbearable after several cleanings with no effect and I parted with it for 80 bucks at a local store.
I did this with every intention of purchasing the newer slim PS2 models. One question, though: Has Sony made a reliable newer model this time around? Is anyone having disc read errors or failure to read dvds or psx's with the slim model? Any negatives about the slim ps2?

Thanks in advance for the comments!

[AMG]

I've had absolutely no problems at all with my PStwo. She works like a charm.

[smork]

My slim PS2 has been bulletproof! (Though not literally, AFAIK)

[studvicious]

I've been very impressed with mine and haven't had a single problem. And besides, IT'S SO TINY!!

[SuperShark]

I still have an old fat PS2, got it used from someone on this site a year or two ago, and it still works great. When I got the PS2 I got now the slim models were out, but I purposefully did not go and try to get one of them for a few reasons.

Yes MOST of the original PS2s are made like crap and die fairly quickly (a year or two of good use) but those that havent yet died appear to of been made a BIT better, and also something you can do with the fat models that you cant do with the slims, you can install a HDD VERY easily and use something like HD Loader disk to play games off of the HDD reducing how much use the CD drive gets causing it to last even longer!

[Oobgarm]

...and also something you can do with the fat models that you cant do with the slims, you can install a HDD VERY easily and use something like HD Loader disk to play games off of the HDD reducing how much use the CD drive gets causing it to last even longer!

Quite true.

If you're fond of the bigger units, you could locate one of the progressive-scan units, identifiable by the built-in infrared receiver between the power and reset buttons. I've seen a good number of successes with that model of machine, even under heavy use of all CD/DVD-based games and DVD movies.

Otherwise, the only thing you should know about the slimline PS2 is that it's not 100% compatible with all games. Here's a list of ones not playable on the smaller machine (http://www.us.playstation.com/News/ConsumerAlerts/softwareTitles_75001.html). Note that there has been a hardware revision since that list was compiled, so it may not be 100% accurate.

[PentiumMMX]

My sister bought one used from the Gamestop where she works, and it still works great.

[Kitsune Sniper]

... It seems my slim PS2 has some really bad heat issues, though. It froze while playing Guitar Hero 2. I went to the system, touched it, and it was pretty hot. So who knows.

[omnedon]

The slim's are cheaper to produce, not more reliable. They suffer from different issues than the big ones, with DC port problems, heat issues, laser issues, and motherboard issues.

"Reliable" and PS2 PSTwo are not words that go together.

If it wasn't for SONY, OSG likely would not be what it is today.

[carslayer]

yes, the PStwo slim last generally longer than the horrifyingly failure-prone original model, but the slim is not without its own problems. And besides, i prefer the fat model because i have a Hard Drive inside mine, thus reducing the need to use the disk drive and increasing its lifespan.

But if you dont plan on getting a Hard Drive (wich you should), go for the slim model.

[norkusa]

and also something you can do with the fat models that you cant do with the slims, you can install a HDD VERY easily and use something like HD Loader disk to play games off of the HDD reducing how much use the CD drive gets causing it to last even longer!

There are actually mod kits with fatter shells you can buy for the slim PS2 so you can hook a HDD up to one:

http://www.mod-chip.com/images/ps2_hd_combo/ps2_hd_combo2.jpg


And there's another kit called HD Connect that lets you hook up a HDD externally, so you can don't have to replace your shell (i think)

[8Ways2Tuesday]

I've found my silver PStwo to be reliable and durable. I managed to knock it off my bed (while packing to go somewhere) with a decent bit of force and it was fine.

And I was playing blue-bottomed discs in it just fine a couple of weeks ago.

[heybtbm]

If you're fond of the bigger units, you could locate one of the progressive-scan units, identifiable by the built-in infrared receiver between the power and reset buttons.

So are you saying that the fat PS2's before that model didn't output 480p for games or was it just DVD's? I remember that particular revision because it was the first PS2 I ever bought. It was signified by a "+" symbol on the corner of the box.

[Gentlegamer]

There are actually mod kits with fatter shells you can buy for the slim PS2 so you can hook a HDD up to one:

http://www.mod-chip.com/images/ps2_hd_combo/ps2_hd_combo2.jpg

That's cool . . . where can those shells be found?

I've had no problems with my slim PS2, except that after long, long extended play some overheat problems, but I think that is normal for systems from that gen.

[cyberfluxor]

I love my Slim-silver PS2. I haven't put anywhere near a thousand hours into it but it's played my PSX and PS2 games find thus far.

[DOL_001]

I've had 2 slim PS2's (both bought used) and have no problem with them. I left it on for over 24 hours and it still works fine. Also it plays blue discs and PS1 games without any problems.

[Lady Jaye]

Never had any issue with my slim PS2 and I've had it for a couple of years easily.

[sabre2922]

My slim model PS2 gets pretty hot after a few hours of gaming especially with games like RE4 or God of War but it still works fine.

Also I do hear the fan inside of the slim model turn on after the console gets pretty hot.

All in all I think the slim models are more reliable than the older "fatty" ps2s. but I still use my 4 year old "fatty" model for long play sessions since my slim model tends to get pretty damn hot.

[ProgrammingAce]

That's cool . . . where can those shells be found?

I've had no problems with my slim PS2, except that after long, long extended play some overheat problems, but I think that is normal for systems from that gen.


Last time i checked, the install instructions for that thing were insane. It involved soldering a full IDE connector to the PStwo's motherboard (we're talking a 40 pin cable).

As for the PSTwo itself, i can tell you the debug versions aren't very reliable

[Oobgarm]

So are you saying that the fat PS2's before that model didn't output 480p for games or was it just DVD's? I remember that particular revision because it was the first PS2 I ever bought. It was signified by a "+" symbol on the corner of the box.

That would be for DVDs. I think it was the third PS2 for me. LOL

[ubersaurus]

My friend is on his 5th ps2...2 fat ones, and 3 slim ones.

Apparently the slim ones overheat and die a lot easier if you play them for extended periods of time.

[RyanMurf]

You fat ps2 wasnt broken. the laser was just dirty from time. All you had to do was take the lid off and clean above and under the laser with a lint free cloth. And keep your slim ps2 in an open place or a cooling plate because they do overheat and there lasers do melt so watch out or buy another big ps2 the 1st gen. ps2's are more reliable.

[starfox316]

To: Ryan Murf

yeah....cleaned the laser like you said several times over the course of me owning it. I thought I made that clear in the first post that cleaning didnt work, only provided a quick fix (really quick, like lasted about 2 weeks before performance deteriorated horribly)

so are ps2's just this crappy? it seems from your guy's responses that there really isnt any safe bet.

[RyanMurf]

well no my personal opinion is still that the fat ps2's are safer. When you said that you cleaned it and it gave you a temporary fix that just proves that it was dirty and thats all that was wrong with it. Now you say that it came back 2 or so weeks later. This just means that where you have it is a very dusty place or maybe even on a rug IDK? But when ps2's get DRE its just that the laser is dirty. All you have to do is change its current place because it is obvious that it is too dirty there. Worst case scenario you just buy a new laser on ebay for 20-40 bucks.