PlayStation 2 Disc Read Error (DRE) Repair Guide
PlayStation 2 Disc Read Error (DRE) Repair Guide
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The author of this document assumes NO responsibility whatsoever for any and/or all damages or losses to the PlayStation 2 console, media, peripherals and/or yourself, whether incidental, accidental, or otherwise, that may result from the procedures followed in this document. The procedure of opening the PlayStation 2 console by tampering with the warranty sticker voids all product warranties currently in effect. Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) neither endorses nor sponsors the procedures described herein.
If you have one of the earlier model PS2s, you more than likely have seen the dreaded “Disc Read Error” screen. If your PS2 cannot play certain games, certain types of discs, or all types of discs, then your system has an unfortunate technical defect. Fortunately, there is a solution, although most times it is only a temporary one. See, unless you send your system to Sony, there is no way to truly fix the problem. Sony will replace the defective part (in the PS2’s case, the laser) and your system becomes as good as new. But if you send Sony your PS2 after its 90-day warranty has expired, your wallet also becomes $130+ lighter. Sony charges this steep fee to repair a PS2, no matter what the problem is.
If you’re PS2 is defective and it is still under warranty, by all means let Sony take care of the problem, since they’ll do it for free (minus shipping).
On the flip side, if your warranty has expired, and your PS2 is not reading discs, I strongly recommend NOT sending it to Sony. What you should first do, is take matters into your own hands, and try the “temporary repair” that I’ll walk you through below.
If the temporary repair does not work, you would be better off just buying a brand new system (which is what I ended up doing), instead of paying to have an old one fixed. There have been numerous occasions with Sony-repaired PS2s breaking once again. However, if you do decide to send it to Sony after you’ve tried fixing it yourself, don’t worry about how you just voided your warranty by opening the system – your warranty is already expired anyway (If you had your PS2 for more than 90 days from original date of purchase.)
The “temporary fix” saved my launch model PS2 three times. Yes, I actually did this method three whole times. Then, the system finally hit the dust, for good. Why, you ask, is there not a way to permanently fix the system by yourself? And what exactly does this temporary method do? Allow me to explain briefly. If you aren’t the curious type (or just don’t give a crap!), you can skip ahead and attempt your own “temporary fix” to your PS2.
The defective part of some of the earlier PS2s that causes these “Disc Read Errors” is the laser that reads the disc. Some of Sony’s first PS2s were made with lasers that “die out” much quickly then a disc laser normally should. Thus, as you play your PS2, for the first few months it seems fine. But if you have a defective system, the laser would soon start to get weak, and eventually would become so weak that it does not emit enough light to even read a disc correctly. Therefore, your system is unable to play certain, or all, discs. The only way to permanently fix this problem is to have the entire laser unit replaced with a brand new, non-defective one. Obviously, it needs to be a Sony part, and you would need to be trained like a Sony technician, and (well, or) you would need to fork over $130+S&H; if your PS2 warranty expired, so doing this yourself is out of the question.
What you CAN do is something quite simple (and all but free): Clean off the laser’s lens . All laser lenses get dirty over time, but a normal, full strength laser can read right through any dust or dirt. But if your PS2’s laser has become weak, even the slightest bit of dust may hinder its voyage to the data portion of a disc. Therefore, by cleaning the lens, the weakened laser can “see” the disc again. But over time, the laser itself will die out completely, thus rendering the lens cleaning method obsolete. That's why I call this a “temporary fix”.
If you’re confused, here’s a neat analogy: For comparison’s sake, the flashlight is the laser, the window is the laser’s lens, and YOU are the disc. Suppose somebody shines a flashlight into your house from a window, and keeps it on. You can see the light coming through the window. Over time, you notice that it is getting harder to see the flashlight’s light coming through the window. Eventually you see no light at all. But then, you notice that your window was just dirty. So you cleaned it and you saw the light again, yet this time it appears dimmer. Soon the light goes out again, and you suspect that your window just got dirty again. But when you clean the window, you still can’t see any light. You say to yourself, “What gives?” You don’t know it, but the flashlight’s batteries just ran out of juice.
Hope that did not bore and/or confuse you further. Whatever the case, what really matters is fixing the damn system. Remember, that this method is only temporary. It may keep your system going for another two years, or another two months. Or it may not work at all! (However, it will not screw up your system anymore than it already is.) But you won’t know if you don’t try…
Below are the tools required to get the job done.
What you will need:
-Philips head screwdriver
-Jewelry screwdriver
-Butter knife (or strong fingernails)
-Cotton swabs (Q-Tips)
-Isopropyl rubbing alcohol
-Can of compressed air
Optional (but recommended) tools:
-Vacuum cleaner with hose extension
In case you are wondering, it is safe to use magnetic screwdrivers. Magnetic screwdrivers are also more convenient. Finding a Philips-head screwdriver, butter knife, cotton swabs, and rubbing alcohol should not be too tough. These items are usually things that everyone has somewhere in the house. If you do not have any compressed air, you can buy a can at any office supply or electronics store. (Best Buy, Staples, etc). Canned air is quite expensive, about 10 bucks a pop, but if you shop at those warehouse stores (like Costco or Sam’s Club), you can get four cans the price of one. Canned air is a very useful cleaning aid for many different products. You should be able to pick up a jewelry or glasses screwdriver at pretty much any supermarket.
Before you start…make sure you are working in a clean, brightly lit area, and that you are comfortable. You should at least skim through the directions so you have a clue as to what you are doing, and what to expect. This is not a hard task, but allow yourself a good 40 minutes to complete it if this is your first attempt.
Note: There are slight internal physical discrepancies between different PS2 models. For the following procedure, I used a launch model Playstation2 (model # SCPH-30001). Some screws may be missing or in slightly different positions in your PS2, but the procedure is the same. I mention any notable differences between systems so you are aware. You can find the model # of your PS2 on the back label of the system. The number starts with “SCPH”.
If you have any questions or concerns AFTER you have read the directions and the FAQ section at the bottom of this article, drop me message *here* with the subject heading: “PS2 DRE”.
IMPORTANT: Disconnect all cables from your PS2. Do not attempt to open the system while it is plugged in! Also, remember not to directly touch any computer chips inside the PS2. Doing so may cause the motherboard to short-circuit and therefore render your system unusable.
Step 1: Vacuum the Vents (Optional)
I recommend using the hose extension of your vacuum cleaner to suck out dust and dirt from the front vents and from the fan on the back of the system. This is entirely safe and even something Sony recommends. Go over the vents multiple times, because a lot of the dust will be “sticking” to the metal grating. You should continue to vacuum the vents on a regular basis, I’d say at least once every month, more frequently if you heavily use the system.
Step 2: Removing the “Lock”
Remove the warranty sticker near the fan on the back of the system. It’s a small, skinny sticker that says your warranty will be void if you remove this sticker blah, blah, blah. Obviously, if your PS2 has passed the 90-day warranty, it does not make a difference. If your PS2 is still in warranty, you’d be better off letting Sony fix it for free. In any case, you MUST remove this sticker if you plan on getting inside the system.
Step 3: Lay the System Down
Turn your PS2 horizontally face down on a flat, clean surface. This means that the blue “PS2” logo is facing the ground. You should see around 8 to 10 little plastic square-shaped covers on the side now facing up. These are the screw covers…that cover the screws.
Step 4: Remove the Covers
Remove all the screw covers with either your nails or a butter knife. All the covers are identical, except for the four soft rubber ones at each corner of the system. So when you put these covers back on, just remember that the soft rubber ones go on the outer corners.
Step 5: Remove the Screws
With all the screw covers removed, you now see the screws that you will have to remove as well. Use your Philips-head screwdriver and remove all of them.
IMPORTANT: There will be 2 or 3 screws (varies from system to system) that are visibly longer than the others. Make sure you remember where these long screws came from, and that you screw them back into the SAME holes you unscrewed them from. I would recommend putting a piece of scotch tape over each hole that belongs to one of the long screws. If you put the long screws back into the incorrect holes, you may be screwing them into the motherboard, thus fatally damaging the system.
Concerning all of the other shorter screws, you can mix them up whichever way you want, since they are all identical.
Tip: Put all the screws out of your way, preferably in a bowl or small bag so they do not get lost.
Step 6: My Hand is Shaking…
Again, if you are feeling nervous at this point, don’t. This may seem like a risky endeavor, but it is fairly straightforward, as long as you follow the directions exactly. Okay, I know this was not really a step…
Step 7: Flip It, Carefully
Now, take your PS2 and turn it over again, so that the blue “PS2” logo is facing upwards towards you. Make sure you grip the system on the top and bottom while turning it over, since the cover will be loose now that the screws are off. The blue “PS2” logo should now be facing the ceiling, and the controller ports and disc tray should be facing you (as if you were going to put a game in it.)
Step 8: Lift It, Carefully
Now you are going to lift the top cover of the system off. (Again, it is the side with the blue “PS2” logo.) PLEASE READ THE NEXT PARAGRAPH CAREFULLY:
IMPORTANT: Attached to the underside of this top cover are the wires that connect the power button to the power supply. Lift the cover off VERY SLOWLY, lifting from the back of the system first (near the fan). The cover will feel like it gets stuck on the power and reset buttons, but you just have to wedge it around them. This step may take you some time, just be patient and remember not to just rip the cover off.
Tip: You may want a friend to hold the cover for you while it is off, but I’ve done it by myself every time.
When you’ve lifted the cover about an inch from the system, you’ll see those wires I was talking about attached to the underside. Do NOT do anything to the wires; just slowly flip the cover over to the right side of the system, and lay it down, as if you were opening a book. Don’t worry if the tape holding the wires to the cover comes off, you can just put your own scotch tape back there later.
Step 10: You Dirty, Dirty Thing! (Optional)
Now, inside the system, you should see a bunch of computer chips and circuitry and stuff on the left side, and a black cover on the right side (the lens cover which you will soon remove), which has a warning sticker on it telling you about the dangers of staring at laser radiation (there’s no danger here, because the system is unplugged). You might also see a lot of dust and…more dust.
REMINDER: Avoid touching any computer chips or circuitry with any part of your body. You may cause the motherboard to short-circuit from static electricity, and therefore your system may be fatally damaged. (Normally, touching these components briefly won't hurt anything, but you know what they say - better safe than sorry.)
This part is optional, but again, I highly recommend you do it. Take your canned air and blow all that dust out of there. Do a thorough job, because this is your only chance to clean inside the system like this.
If you were thinking about using a vacuum inside the system, obviously that is a bad idea. Do not do it.
Step 11: Unscrew the Lens Cover
Now we are going remove the screws that hold down the lens cover (the big black square on the right side). Look for four tiny black screws near the corners of this black cover. Remove them all with your jewelry screwdriver, and make sure none of them fall into the system; otherwise you may have a hard time getting them out.
Step 12: Lift the Lens Cover
Now lift the cover off. Depending on your system, there may be additional screws holding the lens cover down, so remove any that do.
Reminder: Remember where you took the screws out from, so you put them back in the right holes later. The PS2, for some odd reason, has a lot of unused screw holes, so make sure you don’t put a screw back in a hole that it was never in.
Step 13: Lens Cleaning, Part I
You have finally reached what you’ve been searching for: the laser lens.
IMPORTANT: Do not directly touch or move the laser lens or any other mechanism around it with your bare hands. These parts are delicate and sensitive to impurities on your skin.
First, take out that canned air again, and blow it around the laser lens and directly on the lens, making sure you blow into all corners you see.
Step 14: Lens Cleaning, Part II
Take a clean, unused cotton swab (Q-Tip), and soak the tip in some rubbing alcohol. Then, rub the Q-Tip on a clean surface (the inside of the alcohol bottle is good) around and around so that the Q-Tip is not fully saturated. You want it to be wet, but not dripping.
Step 15: Lens Cleaning: Part III
Wipe the lens with the wet Q-Tip in a continuous circular motion for about 15 seconds. Then, wipe in the opposite direction for 15 seconds. You can wipe the lens confidently with pressure, but do not apply sudden and excessive force.
For Your Information: If you were curious, the lens you are wiping is “suspended” by resilient copper wires, which is why the lens feels like it is floating when you clean it with the Q-Tip.
Step 16: Lens Cleaning, Part IV
Now do the circular wiping method on the lens once again, this time with a dry (and again, clean) Q-Tip.
Step 17: Lens Cleaning, Part V
Now take out your trusty canned-air again, and blast the lens directly with air for a few seconds.
Step 18: Reaching the Top is Only Half of the Challenge…
Now it is the time to put the PS2 back together. I will walk you through it briefly. You can skip all the following steps if you feel you can place it back together yourself.
First, place the lens cover back on (the square black cover with the radiation warning stickers). Do not forget to screw it back in with all the screws that you took out of it.
Step 19
Now take the PS2’s top cover (with the wires attached to it) and place it back on.
IMPORTANT: As you’re placing it back on, make sure you guide those wires into place so that they rest on top of the lens cover.
Step 20
With the top cover securely back on, grip the PS2 by the top and bottom, and flip it upside-down to its blank side. (The side with the screw holes.)
Step 21
Screw all screws back in their places.
Reminder: Remember which holes the long screws went in, because they MUST go back in the holes they were originally in.
Step 22
Place all the screw covers back on. Turn on your PS2, and hope for the best! Feel free to repeat this cleaning method as often as you want.
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***Frequently Asked Questions***
Based on e-mails I've received over the past few months, I've compiled a small Q&A; sheet to shed light on some of the more common questions I am asked about the procedures above.
Q: I've accidently ripped the silver (or white) cables that connect from the Power/Reset buttons (on the underside of the top cover). Is there any way to reattach them?
A: Unfortunately, no. They would have to be professionally replaced or repaired by Sony.
Q: I've cleaned the lens as it says in your guide, but my PlayStation 2 still dooesn't play discs. Is there anything else I can do?
A: There is another do-it-yourself repair procedure, commonly known as PlayStation 2 "laser voltage adjustment". I don't recommend it because it requires a healthy amount of technical expertise, and it is generally a pain in the ass to do. Making one tiny mistake will, more often than not, send your PS2 to an even earlier grave. If you're still interested, do a Google search for "PS2 laser voltage adjustment". You should be able to find a few guides for it. But in all cases, attempt the much safer lens cleaning prodecure first.
Q: After I finished the procedure and put the PS2 back together, it doesn't power on, even though the A/C cable is connected. What's going on?
A: This is extremely rare, but you may have short-circuited one or more of the PS2's internal chips by touching them while you were cleaning. You may also have damaged the white/silver wires that run from the Power/Reset buttons. Both of these mistakes are irreversible.
Q: Are those CD and DVD lens-cleaning kits suitable for fixing the PS2's lens?
A: In my experience, lens-cleaning CDs or DVDs can make the problem worse. They may be appealing because it's much simpler than opening your system, but nine times out of 10, they won't fix the problem. The special disc's brushes cannot thoroughly clean off the laser lens as you can with alcohol and a Q-tip.
Once again, if you have any other questions, comments, or concerns, you can email me *here* with the subject heading: “PS2 DRE”.
Feature by Nick Pappas
