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After Hours

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

By Bill Detwiler February 5, 2007, 3:46 AM PST on Twitter billdetwiler

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Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Sony PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Sony PlayStation 2 (slim case)

ntReleased in 2000, the PlayStation 2 (PS2) was Sony’s second game console. According to Sony sales reports, over 115 million PS2s have been shipped as of December 31, 2006. Many consider the PS2 to be the most successful game console to date.
nt
ntThe PS2 can read both CDs and DVDs and is backwards compatible with PlayStation (PS1) games. Since the unit’s launch, Sony has given the PS2 several hardware revisions, including a dramatic case size reduction in 2004. Originally priced at $299.99 USD, we purchased this new slimeline PS2 for $129.99.

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Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Box - Front

Box - Front

The new slim case PlayStation 2’s box is smaller then the boxes for the Xbox 360, Wii, and PlayStation 3.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Box - Back

Box - Back

Sony packed a ton of information on the box’s back in English, French, and Spanish.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Box contents label

Box contents label

For $129.99 (plus tax), this new PlayStation 2 SCPH-77001 comes with the console, one DUALSHOCK 2 analog controller, an AV cable, AC power cord and adaptor, online sart-up disc, and printed manuals.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

What, no stand?

What, no stand?

If you look closely at the box’s front cover, you’ll see the PlayStation 2 standing upright on a thin, circular stand. Unfortunately, this vertical stand is not included with the console. You can buy the vertical stand for about $20 USD from various retailers.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

PlayStation 2 box contents

PlayStation 2 box contents

Before buying this unit, I had never seen or held a slim case PlayStation 2. I was surprised by the PS2’s tiny size. The included DUALSHOCK 2 controller is almost as wide as the PS2.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Analog DUALSHOCK 2 controller - Top

Analog DUALSHOCK 2 controller - Top

The DUALSHOCK 2 controller provides vibration feedback.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Analog DUALSHOCK 2 controller - Front

Analog DUALSHOCK 2 controller - Front

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

AV cable

AV cable

The included AV cable provides RCA video and audio plugs.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

PlayStation 2 - Front

PlayStation 2 - Front

On the front of the PlayStation 2, you’ll find two memory card ports, two controller ports, disc cover open button, power/reset button, two USB ports, the IR receiver, and front cooling vents.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

PlayStation 2 - Front controller and memory card ports

PlayStation 2 - Front controller and memory card ports

The PlayStation 2 supports both the ~120KB PlayStation memory cards (SCPH-1020 U) and the 8MB PlayStation 2 memory cards (SCPH-10020 U).

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

PlayStation 2 - Front buttons and USB ports

PlayStation 2 - Front buttons and USB ports

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

PlayStation 2 - Right side

PlayStation 2 - Right side

The PlayStation 2’s right side, or bottom when mounted vertically, has three small holes used to attached the vertical stand–sold separately.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

PlayStation 2 - Back

PlayStation 2 - Back

The Ethernet jack, digital audio out (optical), AV multi out connector, power connector, and two cooling vents are located on rear of the PlayStation 2.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

PlayStation 2 - Rear Ports

PlayStation 2 - Rear Ports

This image shows a closeup of the Ethernet jack, digital audio out (optical), AV multi out connector, power connector, and one of the rear vents.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

PlayStation 2 - Left side

PlayStation 2 - Left side

The PlayStation 2’s CD/DVD drive takes up most of the unit’s left side.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

PlayStation 2 - Drive door open

PlayStation 2 - Drive door open

The PlayStation 2’s optical drive supports the following formats:

PlayStation format CD-ROM
PlayStation 2 format CD-ROM
PlayStation 2 format DVD-ROM
Audio CD
DVD-R
DVD-RW (Video mode)
DVD R
DVD RW

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

PlayStation 2 vs. PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray drive

PlayStation 2 vs. PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray drive

I thought it would be interesting to compare the PlayStation 2 and some of the components from the PlayStation 3. This picture shows the whole PlayStation 2 console and the PlayStation 3’s Blu-Ray drive.

If you would like to see more of the PlayStation 3’s internal hardware, check out my gallery, “Cracking open the Sony PlayStation 3”.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

PlayStation 2 vs. PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray drive

PlayStation 2 vs. PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray drive

This picture is another shot with the PlayStation 2’s drive cover open and the PlayStation 3’s Blu-Ray drive.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

PlayStation 2 vs. PlayStation 3 Cooling system

PlayStation 2 vs. PlayStation 3 Cooling system

This photo shows another shocking comparison–the slim case PlayStation 2 and the cooling system from the PlayStation 3.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

PlayStation 2 vs. PlayStation 3 cooling fan

PlayStation 2 vs. PlayStation 3 cooling fan

When I saw the size of the PlayStation 3’s fan, I had to take this photo.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

PlayStation 2 - Bottom

PlayStation 2 - Bottom

To disassemble the PlayStation 2, you’ll start on the bottom. There are six case screws that you must remove.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Warranty seal

Warranty seal

This warranty seal covers one of the case screws.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Void if removed

Void if removed

There’s no turning back now.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Remove the six Phillips case screws

Remove the six Phillips case screws

Removing the warranty stick, the unit’s two rear rubber feat and three rubber plugs from the front will reveal the six Phillips case screws.

Unlike the Nintendo Wii or PlayStation 3, the PlayStation 2 has no security screws.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

PlayStation 2, case top, and screws

PlayStation 2, case top, and screws

With the six case screws removed, you can gently lift off the PlayStation 2’s top cover. Unlike the Xbox 360, Wii, or PlayStation 3, the PlayStation 2’s lacks a self contained optical drive. Removing the case’s top half exposes the optical drive’s laser and drive mechanism. Be careful not to damage these components during dissection and reassembly.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Case top removed

Case top removed

Removing the case’s top half also exposes the PlayStation 2’s metal shielding, tiny cooling fan, heatsink, power button PCB, and a tiny bit of the mainboard.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Metal shielding screw

Metal shielding screw

To remove the metal shielding and mainboard from the case’s bottom half, remove this screw–located between the two memory card ports.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

PlayStation 2 mainboard and metal shielding - Top

PlayStation 2 mainboard and metal shielding - Top

With the last screw removed, you can lift the metal shielding and mother assembly away from the case’s bottom half.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Cooling fins

Cooling fins

Compared with the PlayStation 3’s massive cooling system, the PlayStation 2 heatsink is downright puny.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

CD/DVD ROM drive

CD/DVD ROM drive

Instead of being a self-contained component, the PlayStation 2’s CD/DVD drive is part of the metal shielding. Four, screws hold the drive mechanism to the shielding and mainboard. You must remove these screws before removing the shielding.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

CD/DVD ROM drive ribbon cable

CD/DVD ROM drive ribbon cable

Before removing the metal shield from the mainboard, disconnect the CD/DVD drive’s ribbon cable.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

CD/DVD ROM drive lifted up

CD/DVD ROM drive lifted up

The CD/DVD drive’s ribbon cable is fastened to the metal shield with an adhesive. I was unsure if the cable could withstand the stress of being pulled free, so I left the CD/DVD drive in place.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

PlayStation 2 metal shielding - Top

PlayStation 2 metal shielding - Top

With the CD/DVD ROM screws removed and the ribbon cable disconnected, you can remove the top section of the metal shielding.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

PlayStation 2 mainboard and metal shielding - Bottom

PlayStation 2 mainboard and metal shielding - Bottom

There are not screws to remove on the bottom of the metal shielding. Just gently separate the shield from the mainboard.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

PlayStation 2 metal shielding - Bottom

PlayStation 2 metal shielding - Bottom

The metal shields are easily bent. Be careful when removing them.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Mainboard - Top

Mainboard - Top

The slimline PlayStation 2’s mainboard is dramatically different than the original PS2 mainboard. Many of the functions once handled by separate components hare now handled by single chips. For example, the Emotion Engine (CPU) and Graphics Synthesizer (GPU) are now a single chip.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Mainboard - Rear ports

Mainboard - Rear ports

This image shows the system batter, CPU/GPU (covered with a gray pad), and the PS2’s rear ports.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Mainboard - Memory card and controller ports

Mainboard - Memory card and controller ports

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

PlayStation 2 mainboard - without CPU/GPU pad

PlayStation 2 mainboard - without CPU/GPU pad

With the protective pad removed, you get a better view of the integrated Emotion Engine and Graphic Synthesizer.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Integrated Emotion Engine (CPU) and Graphics Synthesizer (GPU)

Integrated Emotion Engine (CPU) and Graphics Synthesizer (GPU)

Jointly designed by Toshiba and Sony, the PlayStation 2’s Emotion Engine is a 128 bit, 294.9 MHz RISC processor that provides 6.2 GFLOPS of floating-point performance. The graphic processor is capable of 128-bit 2D/3D graphics acceleration, uses 4MB of video RAM, and can produce a maximum resolution (external) of 1280 x 1024.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Sony CXD9209GP

Sony CXD9209GP

I was unable to locate any information on the Sony CXD9209GP chip. The PlayStation 3 has a very similar Sony chip labeled CXD9208GP, but I was unable to locate any specific information on that chip.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Hynix 616A - 32MB RDRAM

Hynix 616A - 32MB RDRAM

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Samsung K4R271669F 128Mbit RDRAM

Samsung K4R271669F 128Mbit RDRAM

Samsung K4R271669F 128Mbit RDRAM (F-die) – 256K x 16 bit x 32s Banks

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Spansion NOR Flash memory chip

Spansion NOR Flash memory chip

Although I can’t be 100 percent certain, I believe this Spansion NOR Flash memory chip is used to store the PlayStation 2’s BIOS.

Spansion, AMD’s former memory division, also provided memory chips for the PS3’s Bluetooth module and Blu-Ray drive. AMD spun Spansion off as a separate company in 2006.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Texas Instruments or Sipex SP375 1A integrated circuit

Texas Instruments or Sipex SP375 1A integrated circuit

I was unable to find any information explaining this chip’s function. Searching the Internet for ‘SP375’, I found several references for a SP375 integrated circuit made by Texas Instruments and Sipex.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

DVD Control integrated circuit (IC)

DVD Control integrated circuit (IC)

Posts on several PlayStation 2 forums identified the CXR716080 chip as the DVD Control integrated circuit (IC)

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Broadcom BCM524110/100BASE-TX Single-Channel Transceiver

Broadcom BCM524110/100BASE-TX Single-Channel Transceiver

Broadcom’s BCM524110/100BASE-TX Single-Channel Transceiver provides the PlayStation 2’s Ethernet support.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Mainboard - Bottom

Mainboard - Bottom

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Sony CXD3098Q digital signal processor (DSP)

Sony CXD3098Q digital signal processor (DSP)

My research indicated that the chip shown in this picture is a custom digital signal processor (DSP) that provides the floating-point calculations used for 3D graphics and the video decoding for DVD playback.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Sony CXM4015R video signal processing

Sony CXM4015R video signal processing

According to a forum post on nfggames.com, the Sony CXM4015R chip converts the raw video signal from the CPU/GPU into RGB video. As part of the signal processing, the chip handles the MacroVision (copy protection) mixing and Sync-On-Green (component video sync signal) mixing.

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Mainboard labeling

Mainboard labeling

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

Mainboard Sony copyright

Mainboard Sony copyright

Cracking open Sony’s PlayStation 2 (slim case)

It still works!

It still works!

After putting the pieces back together, our PlayStation 2 test system still worked.

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By Bill Detwiler
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show.
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