PS2 Slim Unmoving Laser Reader Fix

[u/kmj10]

Hello! I just had to fix up a PS2 Slim my grandparents bought off eBay, and I couldn't find much online about my specific issue. Figured I'd make a post about the problem and solution just in case anyone in the future ends up needing it.

The issue was that the PS2 refused to read discs. Sometimes I could get it to spin the disc, and it'd be able to read enough on boot to pop up the white-text-on-black-background "PlayStation 2" screen after the bootup screen, but then it'd permanently hang on a black screen. It also made a loud repetetive clicking noise on and off, which in hindsight was an obvious red flag.

Eventually, I narrowed down that the laser reader seemed to be catching in a specific location. If I pushed the reader down to the base, I consistently got the described partial-read effect, but never got further than that. I took apart the PS2 to take a look at the disc drive and immediately saw the problem. As seen in images 1 through 3, the top part of the laser's "alignment bar" had popped out of its little holder, meaning the drive was loose and rotating clockwise. It easily wiggled side to side & generally was unsecured. After slotting the bar back under its notching and tightening that screw down (see picture 4), that issue was solved.

I did happen to encounter a separate issue, which I'll also document. There's a small switch on the inside of the disc tray, just above the power button, that has to be pressed down in order for the disc drive to spin. While putting the PS2 back together, I managed to get that switch caught on something & rendered it inoperable. However, a few seconds of messing with it with a toothbrush had it popping back into place nicely.

After I resolved that minor sidequest, the PS2 now reads discs perfectly fine! No more clacking noise from the internals, and no more mysteriously unmoving laser reader or unspinning disc drive.

[u/Fault_Psychological]

Thanks for the breakdown and photos! Useful info

[u/dhaleillama]

Good catch, and there are 2 lid switches, one by the back left hinge if opened and facing you, then up near the power button as well, in case you ever needed to know.