A couple of issues with my PS2

December 19, 2005 3:27 AM

Problems with a PS2 and stuttering video playback in games...

I bought a PS2 recently (second hand) and most things work perfectly. However a couple of games have some problems with video stuttering. `Red Dead Revolver' has terrible video playback, a couple of moments play, then pause etc. Gameplay is unaffected in every game I've played so far on the unit, including the ones with problematic video. The game `The Getaway' does a similar thing.

Speaking of `The Getaway', I can't seem to get out of the title sequence, no matter what I press. Any suggestions for either of these problems?

posted by tomble to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

I'm pretty clueless when it comes to this stuff, but it sounds like a disc reading problem. Older PS2s tend to go wacky in that department. I've had problems with my PS2 and I had to take the cover off, so that I can whack it a little when it skips while loading. I haven't played The Getaway, so I can't help you there, but it could just be that you need to load something before the game lets you move past the title sequence, but it can't read what needs to be loaded from the disc.

Someone who's much better with machines and electronics will likely be able to give you a better answer.
posted by pazazygeek at 5:59 AM on December 19, 2005

Your laser is dying. Sorry. Sony makes really poor lasers. The PS2 (especially the older revisions) had such a bad laser, Sony was worried about a class action lawsuit over it and, for a time (which is over now) was repairing consoles YEARS out of warranty for free.

Sadly they don't make lasers for the larger PS2s anymore. Your best bet is to get it repaired (cleaned, etc) and you'll get some more time out of it before it's done for good.

Hopefully you have the newer "slimline" PS2, in which case the laser is a bit better (but the console itself is poorer since it can now burn out the laser). They still make lasers for these, thank God.
posted by shepd at 6:16 AM on December 19, 2005

This sometimes happens with my older PS2. I have only been playing NASCAR 2006 lately and have not played "The Getaway."

When I flip the switch at the back of the PS2 on, I wait a minute before hitting the red button on the front. This seems to make it function normally. I always turn it off when not in use and stopped playing DVD's on it as well. I need the laser to stay alive until the PS3 comes out!
posted by sciatica at 7:44 AM on December 19, 2005

Have you tried changing the orientation? i.e. keeping it vertical instead of horizontal, or vice versa?
posted by Sibrax at 9:23 AM on December 19, 2005

I was having an issue with some game where it would occasionally freeze up, but just opening and closing the dvd would get it going ok. Probably won't help if your video is actually playing, albeit crappily, but if it locks up on you it might be worth a shot.
posted by juv3nal at 4:35 PM on December 19, 2005