xbox vs. PS2

[joeisgod]

My playstation just broke and i was thinking about buying anothe playstation or getting an xbox which one do you guys think is better?

[Python]

Is your PS2 saying disk read error? If so I know how to fix it.

[hail2skins]

I have xbox. I love it.

[rskinsfan10]

The Box is Best...

[UKredskinsfan]

Originally posted by joeisgod
My playstation just broke and i was thinking about buying anothe playstation or getting an xbox which one do you guys think is better?

PS2 has a greater variety of games, but I would have to agree with the lads above and say XBox is the more impressive console.

Halo, GTA III/Vice City and ESPN 2K4...... grab these, some beer and you wont leave your house for a month!! haha

[joeisgod]

Originally posted by Python
Is your PS2 saying disk read error? If so I know how to fix it.

No, it isn't saying disk read error it is making a clicking noise and then the game freezes and i am not able to play any more.

[Python]

I have not heard of that problem before but you can try this anyway. I mean if it is broken you might as well try it and if it works then you saved yourself some money. This is a little long so bear with me. You also might want to print this out and refer to it while you are working.

[Python]

Disclaimer: I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE YOU MAY CAUSE. In addition, any alterations to your PS2 may void your warranty. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.


What you need

Before attempting the fix described below, read through this guide completely in order to familiarize yourself with the steps involved. Once that is done, gather the following items.


Standard Phillips screwdriver
#0 Phillips screwdriver (or eyeglass-sized)
Cotton swabs
Isopropyl rubbing alcohol
Felt-tip pen or marker

Optional cleaning tools.

Vacuum
Can of compressed air

PS2 Tip No. 1: It's best to use a vacuum for cleaning the dust from electronic devices. Wiping the surface or dusting with compressed air may force contaminants inside of the device, making things worse.

Screws and stickers

Before you do anything, disconnect the PS2's power and video connections. On the bottom of the PS2 are 10 square-shaped screw covers. Four of these double as rubber feet for the PS2 (when the device is laying flat.) Remove these covers to access and remove the screws. Some of the screws will be longer/shorter than the others so keep track of what goes where.


Removing the case

Once you've removed the screws, it's time to break the seal and completely void whatever warranty you may have had. Seriously, there is a "warranty seal" sticker near the PS2's power connector that must be removed in order to gain entrance to the innards of the beast.

With the screws removed and the warranty sticker "void," gently turn the PS2 right side up. Carefully remove the top cover by lifting the back edge and pulling it toward the front of the unit until it clears the controller jacks as well as the front of the disc tray.

You'll notice a metallic ribbon or white wires (depending on your PS2's age) connecting the main base to the eject/play buttons on the top cover. Remove the tape that normally holds this wire in place and set the top cover off to the side. Don't try to disconnect the ribbon/wires. There should be enough slack for the cover to lie off to the side.

Before moving on to the disc tray cover, now is a good time to blow out the dust that has collected around the fan and main circuit board. A can of compressed air will do the job nicely.

PS2 Tip No. 2: Always operate a PS2 in its prone position. Standing a PS2 vertically looks cool, but it seems to cause more problems than it's worth.

With the PS2 splayed open, the disc tray cover removed, and the unit plugged in, eject the disc tray.

Toward the back of the PS2, behind the laser, is a white gear about 0.75-inches in diameter. This gear adjusts the distance between the disc surface and the laser's eye. It's also the key to fixing a PS2 that frequently suffers from disc read errors (DREs.) On the left side of the white gear will be a notched metal tab or a smaller brass-colored gear.

Use a felt-tip pen to mark the white gear at the point it contacts the tab/smaller gear. This provides a reference point for the original position of the gear as we prepare to make our adjustment(s). Now would be a good time to gently clean the laser's eye using a cotton swab dampened with a bit of rubbing alcohol.


Adjusting the gear position in order to fix DREs involves the following steps.

Turn the white gear a notch or two (clockwise or counterclockwise)
Replace disc cover (holding it in place with your hand, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. YOU DON"T WANT A HIGH SPEED DISK FLYING ACROSS THE ROOM. IT COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH.)
Insert a DVD
If it works, insert a purple game disc
If it works, insert an audio CD
If all three work, you are finished.

If any of the disc types fail to be read follow these steps.

Eject the disc
Remove the disc tray cover
Move the gear a notch or two (perhaps in the other direction)
Replace disc cover (holding it in place with your hand)
Retest until all three disc types are properly detected

Once you have correctly positioned the gear and all disc types are reading properly, reassemble your PS2 and get gaming!

This describes how to adjust the distance between the disc surface and laser pickup. I have read reports of DREs being caused by improper laser voltage levels, and this fix will do nothing for that type of problem. DREs caused by an incorrect gap between the laser and disc appear more common with early PS2 units, as they used a small spinning gear as the stop rather than the notched tab found in later models.


Also, this fix will not remedy a disc-specific playback problem.

[bfauble83]

I have the disk read problem with my PS2, it does it with all PS1 games and all of the blue or purple backed PS2 games...It plays the DVD ROM games fine though, which is why I'm too scared to try to fix it.

[NCredskin]

i have both systems,, cant tell much difference

[NCskinsfanatic]

Originally posted by joeisgod
No, it isn't saying disk read error it is making a clicking noise and then the game freezes and i am not able to play any more.

Hey man just started doing the same thing and i was like whats going on?Ive had it about 16 months.It really sounds like you described it and/or like the PS2 just cant read the disk but it just freezes and so far unfreezes and continues,sometimes it does it worse than others.Anyone know if THIS can be fixed?

[TexSkin]

Ps2 only because it has alot more selection ( I play all types of games) If you are content with Sports games then either is fine.

[Death_Venom]

PS2 has way less power, crappy graphics (when put up against BIG GREEN X).......PS2 has alot of games-most of which are mostly of average quality.........XBOX does not possess as nearly as much of gaming selection, yet gaming designers are just now figuring out how to design better games for the more powerful machine (in other words gamie designers like the power it has).........PS2 recently announced it will be releasing a far more powerful machine within a few years-.......XBOX designers annouced in turn that a MORE POWERFUL XBOX will be in stores shortly as well........Overall the XBOX is a FAR BETTER MACHINE............

[joeisgod]

Well i just bought and x-box today. Thanks for all your input guys.

[Skinsfan1906]

Originally posted by TexSkin
Ps2 only because it has alot more selection ( I play all types of games) If you are content with Sports games then either is fine.

Well, I own both systems (which is the best of both worlds). Having said that, I play the X-BOX like 95% of the time. Really! Yes, the PS2 has more games to choose from, but most of them are crap (IMO). Stuff for younger kids. As a grown man, I can appreciate the X-BOX; particularly for the improved graphics, quicker load up times, additional functions and what all men love..............POWER.

I too play a "variety" of games. It so happens that all of the games that I am interested in are found on the X-BOX as well (especially now that GTA 3 & Vice City are on the console). My PS2 is collecting dust at this point. Unless there is a game that comes out solely on the PS2 that I HAVE to get, I will continue to stay glued to my X-Box.