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How To Fix A Playstation 2 Disc Read Error.
I got my ps2 when it first came out. It's been giving me disc read errors for several months if not longer. I have even turned it upside down, which helped a little, and have messed around with that little knob that adjusts the height and what not of the laser. I finally had enough and decided to clean the laser directly. I used rubbing alcohol and some q-tips. After dismantling the ps2 and removing the CD cover to expose the laser I dipped the q-tip in the alcohol and rubbed the laser directly. After I let it dry for a couple of minutes it worked great. Just thought this info might be helpful to someone else experiencing disc read errors.
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Free Sony Repair FAQ
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Copyright 2003 Toby Bankson
Author: Toby Bankson (KabutoHunter)
Email: kabuto_hunter@hotmail.com
Current Version: 0.5
Updated: 11/03/03
Legal: The author of this FAQ is in no way, shape or form responsible for
any damage or loss of your PlayStation2 system that may result from
the following of any of the information depicted hereinafter.
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Index
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1. Revision History
2. Introduction
3. Do I have Disc Read Errors?
4. The Free Sony Repair
- 4.1 Why are they doing it?
- 4.2 What do I need to get the free repair?
- 4.3 Is there anything that will disqualify me?
- 4.4 How do I get the free repair?
- 4.5 Shipping your PlayStation2 to Sony
- 4.6 After Shipment
5. Frequently Asked Questions
6. Testimonials
7. Credits & Thanks
8. Copyright & Contact Information
9. Closing Thoughts
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1. Revision History
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Version 0.5 11/03/03 - First version.
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2. Introduction
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Disc Read Error! The name strikes fear into the hearts of many, while others
simply pass it off as a myth. Let me tell you, it is no myth! The Disc Read
Error, or DRE, is the error message that pops up when your PlayStation2 is
unable to read a disc that you have put in, be that Game, DVD, or Music CD.
Many methods for fixing this problem have been devised, and many of those
are readily availible here at GameFAQs. However, most of these methods
involve the risky procedure of taking your PS2 apart and tinkering with
systems that were never ment to be seen, let alone tampered with. And after
seeing many topics and posts on the PlayStation2 General message board
dealing with people who had followed these procedures and hence damaged part
of their, now non-functional, system I began to get a little concerned.
Further, when my system began to succumb to the dreaded DRE, my concern rose
to panic as game after game stopped working. After trying the aforementioned
methods and getting no result, this panic turned to deep despair. But then
one day I saw a lone post on the message boards that everyone was ignoring.
The poster spoke of getting a free repair after calling Sony about the
problem. I figured that I didn't have anything left to lose, so I might as
well try it; as ridiculous as getting a free repair after the warraty
expired sounded. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be true!
That is what this FAQ deals with. What to do and not do in order to get this
free repair from Sony.
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3. Do I have Disc Read Errors?
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The most obvious way to tell if you have DREs is if you put in a game and a
message pops up that says "Disc Read Error." This message does not appear in
the main menu. You must first select the Browser (the place that shows your
memory cards and such). Now put in a disc and see what happens. If it reads
the disc, then a little CD icon will appear which you can select to have it
start. If the PS2 fails to read it, then the Disc Read Error message will
appear. You may have to wait several minutes for it, however.
DREs come in several forms. The most common, it seems, is that your CD-based
games (a.k.a. blue-backs) will stop working all at once. Another form is
when your DVD-based games (gold-backs) will stop working. Yet another form
is when your PS One games stop working, but PS2 games work fine. There are
also cases that don't fall into any of those categories in which there is a
mix of all of the above. All of these are Disc Read Errors. A precursor to
any of these is usually DREs and glitches encountered in DVD movies.
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4. The Free Sony Repair
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Yes. You heard right. It's free!
- 4.1 Why are they doing it? -
Some would like to believe that Sony is repairing DRE infected systems for
free just because they're such a great company and want to do it out of the
kindness of their heart. Not true. Sony got slapped with a class-action
lawsuit due to the frequent nature of these Disc Read Error breakdowns. So
it was either pay a heap of money or repair systems for free. I'm sure you
can figure out which one they chose.
- 4.2 What do I need to get the free repair? -
Surprisingly little. All you need is a PlayStation2 that's getting Disc Read
Errors on games. Seriously, that's all you need. Nothing else.
- 4.3 Is there anything that will disqualify me? -
Yes. If you installed a mod-chip you can just forget about getting this
repair. Sony will not touch systems that have or had mod-chips in them.
Another thing that will get you disqualified is if the DREs are a direct
result of your own actions. That could mean if you've dropped it, spilled
something on it, etc. They will also not repair it if you damaged the system
further as a result of trying to repair it yourself.
- 4.4 How do I get the free repair? -
To get the free repair you need to call up Sony at 1-800-345-7669. Their
regular business hours are Monday-Satuday from 6AM to 8PM and on Sundays from
7AM to 6:30PM Pacific Standard Time. You need to call during those hours.
When you call up you will get an automated menu, when the options start
playing just press 0 to be connected to a Consumer Services Representative.
One thing to remember from this point on is to NEVER say that you found out
about a free repair on the internet. There's no dishonesty in this, but the
reason you shouldn't tell them is because they may then think that the only
reason you're calling is not because you have a real problem, but because you
want a free tune-up. Be wise with your words. Another thing to remember is
to not volunteer information. Only answer what they ask, nothing more,
nothing less. When they ask you why you are calling make sure you
specifically mention that you’re getting Disc Read Errors. Those are the
magic words; you won’t get very far without saying "Disc Read Error." After
this they will ask you several questions before offering the free repair in
order to see if you qualify for it. The answers they're looking for are
quite obvious. However, I don't think I would be allowed to list either the
questions or the answers here since that would clearly be dishonest and
probably against GameFAQs policy. But they are very easy and really
no-brainers. They will ask if you've tried using the Diagnosis Mode. If you
haven't they will walk you through it step-by-step. I've only ever heard of
one person getting results from the Diagnosis Mode, but Sony wants you to do
it before giving out a repair, so just go along with it. Once you've gone
through the song and dance they should offer you a "waived fee" repair.
Listen to and follow the instructions they give you very carefully. They’ll
ask you if you want to write down the information or have them email it to
you. I suggest having them email it to you since it’ll have the number that
gets you the free repair already written at the top and it has all the blank
spaces for you to fill in the necessary information so you won’t forget to
put down anything. Once all of the above is completed, you can move on to
the next step. Shipment.
- 4.5 Shipping your PlayStation2 to Sony -
Before you ship off your PS2 make sure you package it well. Choose a box
that is at least two inches larger than the PS2 on every side. Put in plenty
of packing, styrofoam packing peanuts and bubble wrap is probably the best
thing to use. If you lack these, newspaper will work fine as well. Remember
to put in enough so that it will be protected from any shocks it may take
during shipment, but don't put too much in that would prevent it from being
able to move at all. If it does recieve any blows, making it immobile inside
the box would be a mistake. If you don't have any materials to package it
with, or would rather someone else do it for you, most shipping companies
can package it for you. This will cost money, however. But the most
important thing of all is to remember to include the email or piece of paper
with the repair work order, personal information, and description of the
problem. Just use a piece of scotch tape to attach it to the top of the PS2.
The repair is free, but in most cases you will have to pay for shipping it to
Sony. However, when they send it back to you, they pay the shipping.
Recently, some people have reported having all their shipping cost payed for
by Sony. But this is not usually the case. If you have to pay for it
yourself, the cost of shipment can vary depending on what shipping company
you choose, but with insurance it nearly always costs less than $10. Make
very sure that you get insurance when shipping it! You wouldn’t want to lose
your PS2 just so you can save a few dollars on shipping. If you don't know
how to insure a package, don't worry. Just take it to whatever place you're
going to use for mailing it and tell them that you want to insure it. They'll
ask you how much the package is worth, in this case that would be $179 (the
current value of a PS2), and then give you a form to fill out with your
address and stuff on it, as well as the value of the package and it's
contents. Insurance costs a few extra dollars, but it is well worth it. If
your PS2 is lost or damaged in shipment you will get reimbursed the amount
you insured it for. And, of course, print the address you're sending it to
very clearly and put your return address on the package as well.
- 4.6 After Shipment -
Once your PS2 is on its way you can check on it's status by calling up the
Sony hotline again and once you're in the main menu press 3. It will ask for
your phone number as well as your area code. Keep in mind that it is asking
for the phone number and area code that you put on the work order. Your
repair order will not show up in the system uptill it actually reaches Sony
and is opened. Once they finish the repair it will tell you when they
shipped it back to you. You can also use www.playstation.com to check your
order. First click on your region, then support, and then on that page you
can find the link to the Hardware Repair Status form. Although, their website
is rarely up to date on this and it's much better to use the phone line.
The repair shouldn't take very long and you'll be back playing in no time!
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5. Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: My PS2 won't read games, but it doesn't give me a Disc Read Error message
either, what's going on?
A: If your system refuses to give you a DRE message and won't read your
games, then it's really messed up. If you haven't damaged it yourself and
your discs are fine then it is probably just a weird varient of Disc Read
Errors. You should still try calling Sony for the repair.
Q: My games work fine, but DVD movies are messing up a lot or aren't working
at all. Will Sony repair this for free?
A: Most likely not. Be patient, the game DREs will show up soon enough.
Q: Only one of my games won't work. Is this a DRE problem?
A: If the disc is in good shape and it worked before, than yes it is a DRE
problem. If it's a game you just bought, find another PS2 that you know
is working properly to try it out on. If it works, than your PS2 is
getting DREs for sure.
Q: How long does the free repair take?
A: The official responce from Sony about that is that it takes from 15-20
buisness days. But this is rarely the case. Many people have reported
getting their PS2s back within a week. The next most common time is two
weeks. Three week repairs are about the maximum. Anything past that is a
fluke.
Q: Where do I send it to?
A: The location varies, since Sony has many service centers scattered across
the country. The address will be provided to you over the phone or in the
email.
Q: Does Sony care if I removed the warranty sticker?
A: No. The warranty sticker isn’t actually important to this repair since it
only voids the warranty when there is a warranty. Since most of the
people taking advantage of this haven’t had a valid warranty in years it
doesn’t much matter. But just to be safe, don’t mention anything about
doing that or opening it up or anything when you talk to them.
Q: Does it matter if I bought my PlayStation2 used?
A: No. You could have bought it new, used, free, won it in a contest, or
pretty much anything. Sony doesn't care how you acquired it.
Q: Do I need the receipt from when I bought my PlayStation2?
A: No.
Q: Do I need the original box the PlayStation2 came in?
A: No. Any box will work fine. But if you do choose to use the original PS2
box, keep in mind that you will not get the box back.
Q: I'm under 18, does that matter?
A: No. Sony doesn't care what age you are.
Q: Do I need a credit card for this?
A: No.
Q: Is this repair safe and reliable?
A: Yes. As long as you insure your package when you send it to Sony there is
virtually nothing that can go wrong.
Q: Isn't repairing it yourself just as good as the Sony repair?
A: No. Sony replaces parts and sometimes the entire system, this can not be
done by yourself. Additionally, "repairing" it yourself is a very
temporary fix. The process usually has to be repeated quite frequently.
There is also the risk of messing up and breaking it for good.
Q: If you follow the instructions on fixing it yourself, it's impossible
for your PS2 NOT to be fixed!
A: Not true. Never assume that just because someone else had a positive
experience that your situation or that of anyone else is the same. DREs
are very unpredictable, and one case is almost always different from the
one before it.
Q: I called them hours ago, but the email still hasn't arrived. How long
does it take?
A: Some people get their emails within minutes. Sometimes it can take over a
day. There's really no set time. But if it hasn't arrived within 48 hours
you should call them up and ask them to send the email again.
Q: What exactly do I send to Sony?
A: Only the PS2 and the email or sheet that you wrote the info on. Do NOT
include any cables, games, controllers, memory card, Network Adaptor, or
anything else. You won't get them back.
Q: I only live a few minutes away from the Service Center they gave me the
address of. Can I take it in personally instead of mailing it?
A: In most cases, yes. But you MUST okay it with Sony over the phone first.
Q: Sony repaired my PS2 in the past, but the DREs came back later on. Will
they still do it for free?
A: Yes.
Q: I live outside the United States. Does Sony do this free repair where I
live?
A: That depends. The answer for Canada is yes. The answer for the UK is a
maybe, here is what one person had to say on the matter: "I called, and
they refused to entertain the idea initially, but after a few emails and
some more calls, I finally got my repair put through." As for other
regions, you'll just have to call your local Sony number and find out.
The number will be located in the warranty section of your PS2
instruction manual and on the package of any PS2 accessory manufactured
by Sony.
Q: What the heck?! Sony wants to charge me. You said it was free!
A: As long as nothing in Section 4.3 applies to you the repair should be
free. Even though nearly every Sony Representative is very nice and
helpful, there are a few who are major jerks and won't give you the
repair for some reason. Just call back and hope for someone else.
Q: My PS2 came back worse than when I sent it! It doesn't work at all now!
A: This is a very rare thing to happen, but it does indeed happen from time
to time. The first thing to remember is that not only does Sony insure it
when they ship your PS2 back to you, but along with the repair you also
got a free 90 day warranty. Both of these cover this situation. All you
need to do is call Sony again and explain what happened. The rest should
take care of itself.
Q: What kind of music did you listen to while writing this?
A: Final Fantasy and Xenosaga soundtracks and lots and lots of Freezepop!
Q: Do you work for Sony or something?
A: In my dreams!
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6. Testimonials
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Some people seem to think this is to good to be true and that Sony would
never repair PS2s that are no longer under warranty. So I made this section.
It contains happy posts from people on the PlayStation2 General board
talking about this free repair.
- I called this number a while ago because my PS2 wouldn't read Xenosaga.
They replaced my SCPH-30001 with a Brand New SCPH-39001! I'm not saying
you're guarenteed to get a brand new one but they told me my damage was
too extensive and they had to replace it. --yumaru
- Wow, I thought I was going to have to blow all of my Christmas cash on a
new PS2, this is WAY cool. --Ryke Sarr
- Thank you! I called them today and my Playstation is saved. I was going
to sell it for spare parts! What a relief! --shivalva
- Thanks for the info. Got my PS2 back yesterday, with replaced parts. The
system is working perfectly! --psychoticmonkey
- My baby's on it's way home yea. They got it on the 3rd and were shipping
it back on the 3rd yea! --gamepolice
- I just called now, they waived it free of charge since they are not
sure how bad the damage is! They should be emailing me soon THANKS MAN!!
--KRide
- Got my ps2 back on Friday, I sent it last Thursday, came back the
following Friday, that's about 8 days. It works, yay! --IMaGam3r
- Just got mine back today. I sent mine out last Wed. afternoon. It's
working great and I am very happy with it. --minon9
- I did this not too long ago, Sony fixed it and sent it back to me within
a week free of charge. Now my PS2 purrs like new instead of making those
awful grinding sounds. --Asian the Saiyan
- Thanks for the post. My DRE's started with DVD's and then more and more
games. I called & will send mine in this week. --Saint Hubbins
- I called about 10 minutes ago, and they said they would waive the fee. I
was like, "Sweet! Uh, um..I mean, thank you." Thanks to KabutoHunter, I
saved myself a lot of trouble trying to fix the thing myself. And thanks
to everyone else who gave me info about what to do, etc. It was a lot
easier than I thought it was going to be. I thought I was going to have
to beg for a free repair. --skychotic
- Cool, Sony just sent me an email telling me that they fixed it and it
should be arriving tomorrow! It only took a week, too. --TheRock88
- I sent mine a week before this monday, and I got it back today. It got
there on the 19th, a technician got it on the 22nd, and they shipped on
the 23rd with FedEx. Just came to my door this morning. Plays blue disc
games perfectly-something I couldnt do for a year. --bcbasketball
- I just got off the phone with Sony using the number provided in this
thread. The call lasted about 15 minutes and my repair fees were waived.
I'm now awaiting the e-mail with further instructions. --tdb
- Sony has by far the best customer service I've ever had to deal with.
Super friendly, efficient people and fast repair time. I bought my system
the day they came out and had no warranty and they still gave me the free
repair. I got mine back in two weeks and it works like a charm.
--LoneStarWolf
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7. Credits & Thanks
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Credits:
- Sony, for the hours from their phone line.
- cubah, for the "Original Box" question.
- D R A G O, for the "It's impossible for your PS2 NOT to be fixed!"
question.
- hakikev, for his experience with the repair in the UK.
- TheRock88, for the "Sony repaired my PS2 in the past" question.
Thanks:
- CJayC, thank you for making such a fantastic site!
- Sony, for making such an amazingly fun, although easily breakible, game
system! What would the world be like without PlayStation? I shudder to
think about it.
- A big thanks to all the other FAQ writers on GameFAQs. Without your works
I would have had no clue what in the world I was doing while writing
this, my first FAQ.
- Thank you, whoever you are, for posting that message so long ago that let
me know Sony repaired your system for free. You saved my system and,
through the progression of events, many others.
- And lastly, I want to thank everyone who posted their experiences in my
"1-800-345-7669 = no more DREs" topics in PlayStation2 General. I got
some of you in, but there really are too many of you to list, and
frankly, it's completely impossible to list all of you since most have
been deleted as the topics maxed out. If I could, I would; but I can't.
You all know who you are. Thank you so much! Your insight and experiences
not only helped in the completion of this FAQ, but also helped many
people solve their DRE woes using this free Sony repair.
You're all Super-Sprode in my book! :)
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8. Copyright & Contact Information
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This FAQ may not be reproduced under any circumstances except for
personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise
distributed publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide
on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly
prohibited, and a violation of copyright.
If you do want to use it on your web site or for something else, please ask
for my permission via email first. In most cases I'll be more than happy to
give you permission you as long as I am asked in advance. When emailing me,
please make very clear in the subject line that it is about this FAQ or it
may get deleted along with the truckloads of spam.
Also, if you need any help or clarification with parts of this FAQ, don't
hesitate to email. But please read the entire FAQ and go through the
Frequently Asked Questions section first, many of the most common issues are
answered there. And if you have any additional information, suggestions, or
want to point out something I got wrong, go ahead and email. You'll get full
credit if it affects the FAQ. But again, make very clear what the email is
about in the subject line. Preferibly including the phrase "DRE" or "FAQ"
somewhere. Additionally, any and all rude emails will not be responded to or
read.
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9. Closing Thoughts
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Please continue to post experiences in the "1-800-345-7669 = no more DREs"
topic on PlayStation2 General. I'm going to keep it going since it not only
brings attention to this free repair, but is also a good way to gather
additional information in order to make this FAQ even better.
Everyone should buy Amplitude, Everblue 2, Gitaroo-Man, and ICO. All of them
are awesome!
Freezepop rocks!
And I wish you all success in your dealings with Sony.