Laser calibration using an oscilloscope >>

Even if we have not scanned your exact PS2 model, you should be able to find the test point as your board is probably very similar to one of the following pictures:

-Japan PS2 SCPH-10000



-Euro PS2 SCPH-30004 "v3"

Laser calibration using an oscilloscope

Most laser calibration guides, like the previous one, for the PS2 are all about adjusting the laser potentiometers "blindly" or using a multimeter to measure the resistance of the potentiometers.

However, the reason you use variable potentiometers is that every PS2 need individual adjustment, so you cannot just use one reference value. What you need is an oscilloscope and/or a laser power meter to measure what is going on when you turn the pots. It is always best to measure on a brand new well working PS2 to get some reference values to use when you are calibrating a bad laser.

If you have a laser power meter, you just have to put the photo-detector directly above the laser lens and look at the readout. If you are using an oscilloscope, you have to know where to find the RF/Eye Pattern measure points.
Laser potentiometers on the PS2 locations are as follows:



This is a picture from the underside of the PS2 Laser. The pots are marked on the picture. Turn clockwise to increase power and counter clockwise to decrease power.
Do not turn these wildly, or you might kill your laser by using too much power, or just be unable to get back to a working setting.
Now, get your scope and connect it to the proper test point. You also need to find a good ground connection, if you do not know how you should not be reading this any further.

Adjusting The Voltage >>>>

If you still get disc read errors after about 20 degrees of rotation, put the screw back to the 12 o'clock position and start moving the screw clockwise two degrees at a time.

It may take a while, but you will most likely find the sweet spot where your discs begin to read again. I have personally never had to move the screw more than 30 degrees, although I have heard as much as 180 degrees are needed for a modified PS2 to play backup CDRs.

8)Try a few different trouble discs before re-assembly to make sure you don’t need more fine adjustment. As well, hold the PS2 elevated in the horizontal position and make sure it reads while in this position. I have found that slightly more voltage (2-6 degrees) is needed to run discs in the horizontal position than the vertical position.

9)Turn off the PS2 and re-assemble it. If this has worked then you should keep it in either horizontal position from now on, contrary to what Sony tells you.