Welcome to my troubleshoot & repair guide for Playstation game consoles. I have assembled much needed information about how to fix some common Playstation problems. This guide was created many years ago... the information is somewhat obsolete so I am giving it away for free!

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1) Press the eject button so that the lens is exposed.

2) Give CD tray a good blow to clear the dust away from the lense. (compressed air will also work great!)

3) Get out your rubbing alchohol and a Q-tip. Open the lid on the rubbing alchohol and dip the Q-tip in it. Now with your clean fingers, just squeeze the excess rubbing alchohol off of it. You'll still have enough alchohol on the Q-tip.

4) Gently rub the lens in a circular motion for about 1 min or so to give the rubbing alchohol time to evaporate off of the lense.

Laser Adjustment

If your PS is having problems reading disks then you should firs try cleaning the laser lens. If you are still having problems then you can continue with the procedures below to try and tweak your laser's output. This may help your PS read game disks better, and allow for better, more stable motion video playback.

Please keep in mind, these procedures are precise, and you should make your adjustments in very small increments.

Step 1) Take your Playstation and turn it over. Remove all the screws on the back side of the unit. You can use a simple Phillips headed screwdriver to take the screws out.

Step 2) Flip the PS over and lift up on the top case. It should come directly up and off.

Step 3) once you remove the top cover you will be able to see all the components that make the PS work. If you look in the center of the console, you will see the black CD assembly. On the side of the CD assembly you will see an area of circuitry that we want to look at.

What we will see depends on which model PS you have.

Below is an older model,  SCPH-100X (x can be either 1,2 3 ect..) These models have a "Bias" and a "Gain" adjustment on the circuit board.

If this resembles the model PS that you have now, then you can continue by taking a small flat headed screwdriver and gently making a small clockwise adjustment to the top screw head that is pointed out in the picture below. Your adjustment should only be enough to barely move the screw. (the screw is indicated by the second arrow shown below).

Step 4) Replace the top of your PS, plug it in and test it. Did it work? Is your PS able to read your game disk? If not repeat the previous procedure and turn that screw a little bit more, and repeat as needed. Just don't go past 1/4 of a full turn, if you do you can damage your laser.

If you did try to adjust the screw, and tried again, and tried again and you still have no luck then your CD assembly sled alignment may be off. You can try to fix the CD assembly alignment here. (must be connected to the internet to view this link)

Step 3) (for SCPH-550x models)

If you own a newer model,  SCPH-100X (x can be either 1,2 3 ect..) These model DO NOT have a  "Bias" and a "Gain" adjustment on the circuit board.

The model below is the newest model of PS, SCPH-550x, and has NO bias or gain adjustment points on it. But, you can still adjust it. Continue reading. ....

On the side of the CD assembly is a amber colored circuit pad that contains a single screw (potentiometer or "pots" screw). You can adjust this screw clockwise in very small increments. Adjusting this screw may allow for better play of your CD games.

Step 4) (for SCPH-550x models) Replace the top of your PS, plug it in and test it. Did it work? Is your PS able to read your game disk? If not repeat the previous procedure and turn that screw a little bit more, and repeat as needed. Just don't go past 1/4 of a full turn, if you do you can damage your laser.

If you did try to adjust the screw, and tried again, and tried again and you still have no luck then your CD assembly sled alignment may be off. You can try to fix the CD assembly alignment here. (must be connected to the internet to view this link).

On to the next section.....

Playstation, Sony Playstation and their accessories are registered trademarks of Sony. This informational list is copyrighted Aug 15, 2002 by William Schott 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.

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                           By William Schott