Help with PS1 Game Burns - CDR, x Speed, Software, & Drive

[Ziggy587]

The one Chinese replacement drive that I purchased off eBay for my 1001 did not work, and I gave up after that. I posted about it on this forum and was told that they just do not work, and to use a drive from a PSOne but I didn't want to do that.

[Jagosaurus]

The one Chinese replacement drive that I purchased off eBay for my 1001 did not work, and I gave up after that. I posted about it on this forum and was told that they just do not work, and to use a drive from a PSOne but I didn't want to do that.

Well crap. I want to fix these guys. Going to post on PS & console repair subreddits. Will let you know if I get any good news on lasers.

Going to post a related question in flash cart/ODE thread also

That said, I may pick up both a US & JPN PSOne. Looks like I can do that for under 100 bucks. Future proof my setup.

[Jagosaurus]

Well gents... looks like I found a quality product from a US seller. It's the KSM-440BAM which is for the PSOne... BUT they include the needed ribbon cable to make it work on OG PS1 models.

KSM-440BAM Laser Lens Drive For Sony PS1 PlayStation 1 PSOne ( PS One ) - BRAND NEW from Total Console

Install YT video

At 80 bucks... it's a premium. You can tell from that packaging it's a well done, thought out product. The YT vid has very solid comments. I actually ran across this laser on a positive video a few weeks back and it lead me to an out of stock Amazon link.

I'm going to vet Total Console a bit more, but I might save my MM3 chipped console with this. Felt dang good to revive my NES earlier this year with Blinking Light Win. May have to repeat.

Add: Okay, found Total Console on Amazon. They have a 91% seller rating over the past 12 months. Not terrible, but no great.
https://www.amazon.com/sp?seller=A3BVFOU06EC1JZ

[Ziggy587]

Price is a little steep for me for what it is. An ODE is not much more, after all. Are these off the shelf parts that they're sourcing? Or are they getting them specially made? That would explain the price.

[Jagosaurus]

Price is a little steep for me for what it is. An ODE is not much more, after all. Are these off the shelf parts that they're sourcing? Or are they getting them specially made? That would explain the price.

They're sourcing something from Sony. Not sure if entire assembly or just lens. That wording makes me think part.

Original SONY OEM component guarantees top quality performance.

ORIGINAL SONY COMPONENT
BRAND NEW
Model: KSM-440BAM
Including a FLEX CABLE FOR SONY PLAYSTATION 1

Note: This is not like third rate trash sold by others on Ebay and elsewhere. Buy from us for top quality SONY products.

Added Amazon review link above.

[Jagosaurus]

So... after lots of digging and time away lol... I pretty much landed on oiling/lubricating the laser assembly tracks or the pots need adjusting. The later obviously being more involved.

I lubricated both my laser assembly tracks & it did seem to help FMV skips to an extent on retail games. This seemed to fix some ppl's issues on reddit.

I haven't done this next one yet... but major props to this guy. Resistance values on pots adjustments for what works better for retail only, CDR only, or middle ground. Most of all thanks for proving I'm not insane ... similar to the difference between my 2 systems:
https://youtu.be/-mXM2UTjDiI

Also, somehow during all my laser cleaning, track oiling, & readjusting laser during tear down/assembly... my secondary PS1 is working beautifully for US & imports.

Think I'm going to settle for emu for anything outside of games I own vs CDRs and messing with pots. I have a project in mind... more to come there...