Avoiding PS2 scratching games up...

I\'ve seen various threads relating to topics such as "My PS2 ruined my game", etc.  Picked up on a piece of advice I thought I\'d share with the community while I was visiting my local Toys R Us today:  Are you aware that when the PS2\'s power is off (that\'s right, the little red light ain\'t on...in fact, no lights be on) and you turn the PS2 on (at the back of the machine), the mechanics of the PS2 draw the laser up to the tray & the spindle spins up.  Now, if you don\'t have a game in your PS2 when you turn the power on...very good for you!  But imagine what is potentially happening inside if you do have a game loaded in the tray and this series of actions takes place.  Entirely possible for the game to be scratched by the laser.

Just thought I\'d mention it since Christmas is coming, this is a cool board, and there are numerous "eager beavers" just begging their parents to buy them a PS2 this Christmas -- just thought a "heads up" would be in order.

Thanks...I\'m out to play GTA3 now (gotta go *****-slap some pimps!:laughing: )

Good advice.  Also, if you aren\'t too lazy/impatient, you should probably take any games out of the PS2, when you shut down, even into standby mode.  If you plan to play in an hour though, that\'s probably unecessary.  

One thing I did which helped my ps2 a lot, is bought a bunch of lens papers, then I cut out a piece which fits into the tray of my PS2, but I left an oval hole for the laser.  The CD then sits on this lens paper (it\'s a super clean, almost cloth like paper with no lint), and vibrates a LOT less.  It also gives the cds a free cleaning (I replace it every so often).  Make sure you fasten it down though, so it doesn\'t go spinning into your PS2 when you startup.

Originally posted by FatalXception
Good advice.  Also, if you aren\'t too lazy/impatient, you should probably take any games out of the PS2, when you shut down, even into standby mode.  If you plan to play in an hour though, that\'s probably unecessary.  

One thing I did which helped my ps2 a lot, is bought a bunch of lens papers, then I cut out a piece which fits into the tray of my PS2, but I left an oval hole for the laser.  The CD then sits on this lens paper (it\'s a super clean, almost cloth like paper with no lint), and vibrates a LOT less.  It also gives the cds a free cleaning (I replace it every so often).  Make sure you fasten it down though, so it doesn\'t go spinning into your PS2 when you startup.

How did you do that again?
What does len papers look like?

There\'s lots of type of lens papers.  Kodak makes lens paper, which pretty much feels like ART tissue paper, the thin, crinkly kind.  The kind I bought is multiply and perforated (like bounty paper towel), but again/always - no lint - is the key.  I cut out a piece that will fit exactly in my PS2 tray without interfering with the hole for the laser.  Then you take a bit of EASILY REMOVABLE THIN double sided adhesive.  I used photo-adhesives, meant for albums, cause they peel easily without residue (for when I change the paper).  Then I just put the paper in, it only needs a couple of pieces of adhesive.  

Bonuses - PS2 Runs quieter, very little vibration when spinning up.
Bonuses - Cleans CDs of loose particulate.  Replaceable.
Bonuses - It helped fix some of my problems (also switched vertical to horizontal).
Negatives - If you use wrong stuff, you could screw things up (SO DON\'T DO THAT!)
Negatives - Maintenance every 50-60 hours, to replace lens paper