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How To Take A PS2 Apart For A Mod-Chip
In this guide I will show you how to take your PS2 apart the SAFE way so you can add you MOD-CHIP to the motherboard.
This works for versions 3 and above!
Before disassembling the PS2 unit be sure to have a clean, well-lit work area with storage containers for loose parts. You will require a 15 watt pencil tip soldering iron, a Philips head screwdriver, and electrical tape to secure the MOD chip to the PlayStation main board.
1) Flip the unit over and remove the 8 case screws from the base. Store screws.
2) Remove the hard drive bay cover from the rear of the PS2.
3) Turn the PS2 over and remove the top cover. You will need to remove the warranty sticker
4) Unclip the reset/eject button from the top case (Optional but makes job easier)
5) Remove the 2 screws from the power supply switch
6) After removing the power supply switch, remove this 1 screw situated underneath
7) Remove these 2 screws that connect the memory card ports to the base of the PS2
8) Now the base of the PS2 should lift away easily
9) Now the base of the power supply is exposed. Remove the 4 screws as shown.
10) The power supply is connected via a set of 4 vertical pins. Remove by pulling upwards firmly but be careful. CAUTION: Before handling the circuit board touch a piece of grounded metal to remove any static charge from your body. These components are static sensitive.
12) Remove the black protective shield.
13) Disconnect the fan power supply
14) Remove all the 9 small screws connecting the base plate
15) To remove the base plate you need to use a screwdriver to unclip the tabs as shown, 1 at the side and 2 at the back.
16) The mainboard is now exposed and you are ready to install the modchip
The board is now ready to be soldered. To start you should have a fine tip, low temperature soldering iron (15 watt is ideal). Quickly touch the iron and the solder onto the pad. Hold only for a second. When the iron tip is removed you should have a tiny ball of solder bonded to the pad on the board. All Full Kit MOD chip sets come pre-wired and soldered so tinning the wires is not necessary. Place the wire onto the pre-soldered contact and touch it with the soldering iron. The solder should flow and the wire will bond to the pad. To complete the wiring, attach the other remaining wires to the indicated soldering pads. CAUTION: Due to the heat involved in soldering you must only hold the tip on the work long enough to get the solder to flow. If too much heat is applied to the work it may damage the chip, lift the PCB trace or burn the insulation back on the wire. If the insulation for the MOD chip's wires burns back you must trim and re-solder. Too much insulation removed could result in the exposed copper touching other traces on the board. This is hazardous to the PS2 unit.
Click here to go to the Diagrams page Once all of the wires are attached, visually inspect the board to ensure that no exposed copper is touching any adjacent traces. You can now lay the MOD chip on the board in a clear area where it will not be damaged. To give you some sort of idea of what the mod looks like after its installed we took this picture. Note where the chip is positioned - we recommend this spot on all installs.
Once you are pleased with the work, follow the above steps in reverse order to re-assemble the PS2.
Reconnect the unit to your power source and video outputs. Power up the console. The chip will take a few seconds to initialize when playing imports or backups. If the unit is turned on and the menu screen does not boot up within a few seconds shut the unit off immediately. If eject doesn't work or the tray ejects and won't go back in PINS 5 & 6 are not installed correctly. If PSX games are not working then check PIN 2. Disassemble the PS2 and start from the beginning to try and find the fault.
