So I mentioned this in another thread but I figure I would ask here as well. Earlier today I wanted to play some Grand Turismo 4, I put the disc in and it doesn't run the game. I restart the PlayStation 2 and it does the same thing, it doesn't even act like it reads the disc like normal. Now granted my PlayStation 2 is on it's last legs. I had to take it apart 6 years ago to fix the disc drive after it messed up, but my first copy of GT4 had issues before this. I bought a second copy for $1 and it's used, and it's having the same issue. Anyone know about this problem? If any help or anyone know why it does this, I would appreciate that.

Is it a slimline or a fat model? Depending on the model, there might be a few things you can try. If it's a slimline, you can try cleaning off the laser lens with a cotton swab and some rubbing alcohol, making sure not to leave and lent or too much moisture behind and letting that dry before trying it. If it's a fat model, you can try the same thing but, obviously, you'll have to take it apart again. If cleaning the lens doesn't work and it's a fatter model, you could try calibrating the laser. There should be something in there that you can fit a hex key into and click it up or down. Try getting it to read closer to the disc. I've had some issues with games not reading before, particularly blue or black discs, but some regular games, and recalibration fixed the problem until it finally just burned out. If none of that works and you're sure it's not a bad disc, you may have to have the laser replaced.

Also, I think I'm gonna move this to General Chat.

m0ssb3rg935 : It's a fat model. The thing is, it reads every game I have with no issue (Other then WWE Smackdown: Here Comes The Pain, but that has a bad scratch...It's just odd it does this with 2 separate copies. I think at the end of the day, this PS2 is just on it's last legs, it's been a great one, but it's definitely on life support lol.

Yeah, it sounds like the laser is starting to go. Once they do, some games will stop wanting to read while others will work fine, oddly enough. I'd guess it has something to do with data density on the disc or something but, in that area, I really don't know what I'm talking about and I just pulled that out of my hat.

If you're willing to go through the trouble, which it really isn't to me at least, I'd give calibrating the laser a try. It should solve the problem until it just burns out completely, and you might see a load time improvement on other games, as well. I'd do it for you if that were an option lol. I rarely have an excuse to open stuff and poke around on the inside.

m0ssb3rg935 : At this rate, I might as well just let it die, and keep it as a back up, and get a new one, either a fat PS2 or a slim. I mean I got it new in 2002 if I recall, so it's went through a lot. Been a damn good console though.

So a update on this. It was the PS2. I ended up buying a used PS2 slim this past Friday for $60 (ended up getting some games too) and I tried out Grand Turismo 4, and both copies I own work perfectly fine. So my fat PS2 that is on deaths door is going to be a back up, but either way, this little PS2 is real cool, and glad it works. Hopefully it lasts me as long as the old PS2 did. Thanks m0ssb3rd935 for helping!