PS1 SCPH-7000 JAPAN Can't run any CD

[andymage593]

The machine is not cracked, the disc is burned, and the games are Tekken 3 Japanese and American versions, but none of them can run.

Options 123 are all failed reads。

And my other models, such as PS1 SCPH-7001 and PSone-102, can read normally.
What's the problem?

[Keiyuu]

The problem is that's it's a Japanese PS1.
This is mentioned in the README with a link to Unirom's page for a rather clunky workaround.
I would just get an NTSC-U/C or PAL PS1, they don't have this problem.

[andymage593]

I didn't read it carefully. If there are other friends who didn't see it clearly, please take this as a warning. If the last digit of your host model number is 0, it represents the Japanese region, or if the video format is NTSC J, remember that it cannot be read. For any disc, please be sure to use NTSC-U/C or PAL format. The last digit of the machine number must be 1, 2 or 3.

[Keiyuu]

For any disc, please be sure to use NTSC-U/C or PAL format.

Any region disc works, you can boot NTSC-J discs just fine. It's only about the PS1 model.

[Mcinwwl]

Well, all fine, but I've been following workaround for JP consoles from here: https://unirom.github.io/usage/#mod-free-booting
with no success. Tried 👍

• freepsxboot/unirom8 is read from ori sony memory card, slot 2
• different jp games to unlock disc prior.
• both ori PAL and burned discs as roms to be unlocked.
• model 7000
• clicking literally every possible option in menu, and swaping with different timings
• running from cd browser
• ok my cd-rs and writer are not top-notch, but enough to be read by modchipped 5002, also it does not apply to the ori discs problem
• laser makes machine-gun sounds while trying to read discs
• no prob running ntsc-j games, obviously.

either there is some twist with this workaround that prevents my setup from booting, or I make something wrong, or instruction in inprecise, or it simply does not work on this model :)

[alex-free]

Well, all fine, but I've been following workaround for JP consoles from here: https://unirom.github.io/usage/#mod-free-booting

with no success. Tried 👍

• freepsxboot/unirom8 is read from ori sony memory card, slot 2

• different jp games to unlock disc prior.

• both ori PAL and burned discs as roms to be unlocked.

• model 7000

• clicking literally every possible option in menu, and swaping with different timings

• running from cd browser

• ok my cd-rs and writer are not top-notch, but enough to be read by modchipped 5002, also it does not apply to the ori discs problem

• laser makes machine-gun sounds while trying to read discs

• no prob running ntsc-j games, obviously.

either there is some twist with this workaround that prevents my setup from booting, or I make something wrong, or instruction in inprecise, or it simply does not work on this model :)

https://alex-free.github.io/psx-cdr/

https://alex-free.github.io/unofficial-ps1-cd-drive-service-manual/

[Mcinwwl]

as said not the issue, ori ntsc-j games run with no hiccups.

[alex-free]

as said not the issue, ori ntsc-j games run with no hiccups.

It's the issue. Original games are read better by the PSX then burned CD-Rs. Refurbish the drive and or use a good CD-R burning setup. Also can try changing the console orientation (lean it diagonal or vertical).

[Mcinwwl]

No :P
As said, i need to unlock ANY game, that is not original ntsc-j print. on my japanese scph-7000. And this includes original, printed PAL games. they certainly do not suffer from burning quality :)

[alex-free]

No :P As said, i need to unlock ANY game, that is not original ntsc-j print. on my japanese scph-7000. And this includes original, printed PAL games. they certainly do not suffer from burning quality :)

Are you following the specialized Japanese instructions which involve swapping an original Japanese disc for the PAL original?

[alex-free]

Yea your not selecting manual swap/NTSC-J option. You need to boot up with a Japanese disc, then stop the drive, replace this disc, then boot. You can't use the unlock option for Japanese consoles.

[Mcinwwl]

Well, all fine, but I've been following workaround for JP consoles from here: https://unirom.github.io/usage/#mod-free-booting
with no success. Tried 👍

So i guess I did.

[alex-free]

Well, all fine, but I've been following workaround for JP consoles from here: https://unirom.github.io/usage/#mod-free-booting

with no success. Tried 👍

So i guess I did.

Are you using a spring? I noticed that's not anywhere in the docs

[Mcinwwl]

not previously, but now i tried and results are the same.

Ok i did it, both with ori PAL games (Actua Soccer 3, Spyro 1 and 2 and 3) and with "backup copy" (net yaroze games collecion)
steps:

1. run freepsxboot from memcard
2. set settings to autoboot from cd
3. insert original japanese disc
4. press and hold the disc tray closed button. the disc should start to spin.
5. important - do not release the button at any cost! this will spoil the workaround!
6. when autoboot starts to load (indicated by loading bar) press any pad button to stop loading.
7. [optional] check settings and status for unlock value. For me it was set to 0 when done correctly, and 6 when done incorrectly. However, when I broke the unlock by unreleasing the button, value did not return to 6 and stayed at zero.
8. the drive should be unlocked. Now you should be able either to read disc contents, or boot the game from boot menu.

close lid button must never be unreleased! Else the game will stop reading data from disc and very likely softlock.

So yes, the "spring" was the missing entry in the guide. thanks :)

[alex-free]

not previously, but now i tried and results are the same.

Ok i did it, both with ori PAL games (Actua Soccer 3, Spyro 1 and 2 and 3) and with "backup copy" (net yaroze games collecion)

steps:

1. run freepsxboot from memcard

2. set settings to autoboot from cd

3. insert original japanese disc

4. press and hold the disc tray closed button. the disc should start to spin.

5. important - do not release the button at any cost! this will spoil the workaround!

6. when autoboot starts to load (indicated by loading bar) press any pad button to stop loading.

7. [optional] check settings and status for unlock value. For me it was set to 0 when done correctly, and 6 when done incorrectly. However, when I broke the unlock by unreleasing the button, value did not return to 6 and stayed at zero.

8. the drive should be unlocked. Now you should be able either to read disc contents, or boot the game from boot menu.

close lid button must never be unreleased! Else the game will stop reading data from disc and very likely softlock.

So yes, the "spring" was the missing entry in the guide. thanks :)

Excellent, so @brad-lin you can close this issue... but it does bring up the UX of Japanese console users. This can be detected and improved on as seen in Tonyhax international. You can detect a Japanese consoles and give step by step instructions as well as additional info. I find the users that say to just buy a USA console to be discouraging, (as someone who develops a specialized soft-mod mainly to support Japanese consoles anyway ;))

I know you don't develop UniROM but it should be improved on their side regardless...

https://alex-free.github.io/tonyhax-international#japanese-ps1-console-loader-instruxtions