Sony Ends Its Repair Service For the PlayStation 2 More Than 18 Years After the Console Went On Sale (bbc.co.uk)

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Sony Ends Its Repair Service For the PlayStation 2 More Than 18 Years After the Console Went On Sale (bbc.co.uk)

Posted by BeauHD on Tuesday September 4, 2018 @02:20PM from the end-of-the-road dept.

Sony has decided to end its repair service for the PlayStation 2, more than 18 years after it first went on sale. The best-selling gaming console ever produced was first released in Japan in March of 2000. Sony stopped manufacturing the device in 2012, roughly six years after the PlayStation 4 was released. The BBC reports: Sony said it was no longer able to offer repairs because it was running out of replacement parts for the aging console. In a statement, the company thanked customers for their "continued patronage." Gamers seeking repairs will now have to try their luck with unofficial services. More than 150 million PlayStation 2 consoles have been sold.

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Unbelievable... by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-04 14:28 · Score: 2, Funny

I work hard and pay Sony good money for their PS2 console and this is how they repay me. Unbelievable. I guess I'll take my future business somewhere else. - Soccer mom
1. Re:Unbelievable... by HiThere · 2018-09-05 06:17 · Score: 1
  
  From my point of view, Sony ended their repair the day they removed the Linux install. And I haven't bought anything from them since, and won't.
  
  --
  
  I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.
2. Re:Unbelievable... by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-05 07:49 · Score: 0
  
  They didn't remove PS2 linux support, it's still there. They removed however _PS3_ linux support.
3. Re:Unbelievable... by HiThere · 2018-09-06 05:36 · Score: 1
  
  OK, it's been awhile. I still won't buy anything from them.
  
  --
  
  I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.
PS4 is not that old. by EmilioCobos · 2018-09-04 14:51 · Score: 2

"Sony stopped manufacturing the device in 2012, roughly six years after the PlayStation 4 was released." That would be the Playstation 3, not 4.
1. Re:PS4 is not that old. by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-04 16:50 · Score: 0
  
  Playstation 2 was released March 4, 2000.
  Playstation 3 was released November 11, 2006.
  Playstation 4 was released November 15, 2013.
  IMO: Expect Playstation 5 in November 2020, just in time to take everyone's minds off of the election. Also, expect an exclusive like GTA6 to help piggy-back off all the election coverage and controversy about violent games.
2. Re:PS4 is not that old. by Luckyo · 2018-09-04 16:57 · Score: 2
  
  Not necessarily, as PS4 pro was released, and that's effectively the next gen console. It's just that now consoles are effectively x86/amd64 PCs, so they can be easily made to be fully backwards compatible with all of their old games made for the x86/amd64 consoles. For all we know, we'll simply see hardware bumps every few years, PC gaming style from now on. And eventually standard PS4 will go away and in its place we'll have PS4 mega, ultra, or whatever, which will be to PS4 pro what PS4 pro is to vanilla PS4.
  Or they might even call it PS5. But it will likely still be the same x86/amd64 machine with a spec bump.
3. Re:PS4 is not that old. by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-04 18:53 · Score: 0
  
  and that's effectively the next gen console.
  Wrong. It was a small upgrade SONY put out mostly for the sake of PSVR.
  It's just that now consoles are effectively x86/amd64 PCs, so they can be easily made to be fully backwards compatible with all of their old games made for the x86/amd64 consoles.
  It's like you slept through the the last few gens or something. Here's a hint: console makers are not interested in backward compatibility because they don't want people play their old games. They want people to pay for the privilege (HD remakes / SWITCH classics)
4. Re:PS4 is not that old. by Luckyo · 2018-09-04 19:00 · Score: 1
  
  Yes, Sony retooled hardware manufacturing capacity for the tiny market that is VR. It had nothing to do with the massive resolution boost, addressing the "60fps" complaints and trying to look less outdated compared to the PC gaming scene.
  It's all about VR.
  2016 called. They want their VR marketing BS back.
5. Re: PS4 is not that old. by aliquis · 2018-09-05 00:32 · Score: 1
  
  Don't we already know it will be Zen + Navi?
  Easier to market PS5 and ray tracing could be the excuse.
6. Re:PS4 is not that old. by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-05 01:07 · Score: 0
  
  Still completely irrelevant.
  If they had manufactured them all back in 2002 instead it would be the same problem.
  What matter is when the last unit was sold.
  If I bought it 6 months ago and they decided to end the repair service then the situation is completely different from if I bought it 6 years ago.
  When the actual manufacturing takes place doesn't matter for me as a consumer.
7. Re:PS4 is not that old. by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-05 04:28 · Score: 0
  
  They want to sell new consoles to buyers who are in the market without needing to provide a noticeable update from their previous release, then sell the whole game catalog to the original purchasers and the current ones. If this means allowing backward compatibility, they'll hold their nose and bear it... for now.
8. Re:PS4 is not that old. by Kjella · 2018-09-05 04:48 · Score: 1
  
  Not necessarily, as PS4 pro was released, and that's effectively the next gen console. (...) Or they might even call [the one after PS4 pro] PS5.
  I think the main reason it was called the PS4 Pro was to assure all current PS4 owners that they weren't being left behind. As far as I know there's no PS4 Pro exclusive games and there probably never will be. Whenever they release the PS5 it'll be a new platform with games that may or may not be available for PS4. It'll be interesting to see when they do if you'll have PS5 games with PS4 Pro support or if they go all or nothing, you're either on PS4.x or you're not. I would think maybe the latter so people don't whine about buying the PS4 Slim instead of the Pro.
  
  --
  Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
9. Re:PS4 is not that old. by Luckyo · 2018-09-05 06:47 · Score: 1
  
  You could be right. It could be that they will make it different enough to resell the old games to the people on the new one.
  Internally however, it's almost certain to be of the same architecture, to make running said "resold" games trivial. So a change would be a marketing one, rather than engineering.
10. Re:PS4 is not that old. by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-05 07:52 · Score: 0
  
  They are not really x86/amd64 PCs. They have a separate ARM SOC to handle a lot of stuff. I think it replaces northbridge on motherboard. PS4 has a separate target for linux kernel compilation because of the differences. It also has other quirks, for example it has both HDMI and DP on the GPU, but HDMI is not connected to anything and DP is connected through a DP-to-HDMI converter to the HDMI port at the back of the console.
11. Re:PS4 is not that old. by Luckyo · 2018-09-05 09:03 · Score: 1
  
  ARM SOC is there for added internal OS functionalities such as monitoring and downloading updates while system is in standby mode. AFAIK it's in no way relevant to the actual process of running games.
Does not compute by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-04 14:53 · Score: 1

"Sony stopped manufacturing the device in 2012, roughly six years after the PlayStation 4 was released."
So the PS4 was released in 2006?
1. Re:Does not compute by aix+tom · 2018-09-04 20:44 · Score: 1
  
  So the PS4 was released in 2006?
  ... roughly....
Dang, I effed up by Snotnose · 2018-09-04 14:58 · Score: 3, Funny

Back in '06 or so I overpaid for a PS3. Had I known that for only $100 more I could get a PS4 I'd have overpaid for that instead.
1. Re:Dang, I effed up by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-04 15:06 · Score: 0
  
  Shoot, back in 75 I paid $85 for an Atari Pong.
2. Re:Dang, I effed up by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-04 15:58 · Score: 0
  
  Damn, back in 72 I paid a hooker 10 DM.
  Your President
3. Re: Dang, I effed up by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-04 15:59 · Score: 0
  
  Dammit i paid $500 for a 1gb hard drive in 97. I should have waited!
4. Re: Dang, I effed up by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-05 06:00 · Score: 0
  
  I paid $1200 for a 486-33 processor/motherboard and 16MB of memory.
5. Re:Dang, I effed up by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-05 11:34 · Score: 0
  
  I just shot a perfectly good beer out of my nose. This is why I still come to /.
New title by viperidaenz · 2018-09-04 15:09 · Score: 4, Insightful

Sony ends its repair service for Playstation 2 5 years after selling it.
1. Re:New title by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-04 20:18 · Score: 0
  
  At the same time, a used PS2 cost 20€, what's the point of repairing it through Sony, it's not even worth the shipping fee.
Impressive - Wish Sony did that for ALL Products by mykepredko · 2018-09-04 15:38 · Score: 1

I've had some horrific experiences with having Sony products repaired - so much so, I haven't bought a TV or major consumer electronic device from them since 1988 (seriously). I did buy a Sony clock radio from Walmart about ten years ago.
The point of this email isn't to bitch about Sony or show what a stubborn old fart I am, just point out the importance of good service. The experiences I had were with a TV and a VCR - I've negatively influenced many thousands of dollars in potential sales for Sony all because they hired the lowest common denominator in terms of repair technicians.
So, if Sony has been repairing and maintaining PS2s for almost twenty years - good on them. I'm sure that has given their customers a good feeling about the Playstation and Sony's commitment to it. Would I have a better experience today if I had a problem with a new Sony TV or DVR/DVD Player? I dunno, I'm pretty reluctant to consider them - this is the first thing I've seen since 1988 that indicates that they have any kind of commitment to their customers.

--
Mimetics Inc. Twitter
I am still using PS3 as a media player by guacamole · 2018-09-04 16:08 · Score: 3, Interesting

It plays Blu Ray and its hard drive can store and play MP4 (H264) and mp3 files. It runs Netflix, Hulu, Amazon prime, HBO Go, and Youtube apps. Not bad for such an old device. I know a 30 dollar Roku express can do most of this better, but I still like being able to play an occasional optical disk. 802.11g wi-fi is the only disappointment as it can take a long while to transfer a media file to the disk over http.
1. Re:I am still using PS3 as a media player by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-04 16:30 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  I believe your nostalgia is misdirected, since you are describing a PS3, not a PS2. PS2 had no hard drive, apps, or a BluRay drive (it was DVD).
2. Re: I am still using PS3 as a media player by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-04 16:38 · Score: 0
  
  Go back to sleep in the office, max.
3. Re:I am still using PS3 as a media player by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-04 17:27 · Score: 0
  
  PS2 had a hard drive attachment which added RJ45 Ethernet too. You could probably replace the hard drive inside. I knew people who used it to store and play many games without paying for them. Like, 120GB full of games.
4. Re:I am still using PS3 as a media player by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-04 18:16 · Score: 0
  
  Might want to read the title of your own post here.
5. Re: I am still using PS3 as a media player by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-04 19:06 · Score: 0
  
  Actually, up to 2TB oh games.
  Sincerely,
  A. Pirate
6. Re: I am still using PS3 as a media player by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-05 00:15 · Score: 0
  
  Hmmm. I wonder what the A stands for..
  Arrrr Pirate? Too obvious.
  Arthur Pirate? Too Plain.
  Please enlighten me to what the A. stands for!!
7. Re: I am still using PS3 as a media player by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-05 01:15 · Score: 0
  
  Autistic.
8. Re:I am still using PS3 as a media player by XxtraLarGe · 2018-09-05 01:18 · Score: 1
  
  That's pretty much how I use my PS3 now. We have it in the master bedroom. I've had a PlayStation, PS2, PS3 & now a PS4, all still working.
  
  --
  Taking guns away from the 99% gives the 1% 100% of the power.
9. Re: I am still using PS3 as a media player by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-05 03:39 · Score: 0
  
  I know you aren't using a ps4 as a media player because its functionality absolutely sucks. Half the time it will play a file then not play the same file the next day.
10. Re:I am still using PS3 as a media player by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-05 05:39 · Score: 0
  
  Bridge to your WiFi using 802.11ac on the wired Ethernet connector, and your network issues go buh-bye!
11. Re: I am still using PS3 as a media player by Arashi256 · 2018-09-05 08:02 · Score: 1
  
  Agreed. The PS4 Media Player app *used* to play all my DLNA media from my Linux server in the study just fine (you know, once it got DLNA support). A few updates back and it stopped recognising my media files completely and showed nothing. Whereas the good old Xbox 360 still plays all my media just fine through the same DLNA server. And the PS Vita media player never recognised any of my media from day one. Sony sucks at this.
Re: Impressive - Wish Sony did that for ALL Produc by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-04 16:38 · Score: 0

Yes, after-sales support and service leave a very lasting impression. It takes a company with a longer term strategy to please it's customers even if it seems to be losing. Overall, they are gaining through customer loyalty.
Planned obsolesence by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-04 18:15 · Score: 1

Most PS2s were built to fail. The disc laser will slowly come miscalibrated and you'll get disc read errors, but you can fix this yourself by opening the console, opening the disc drive and usually adjusting the laser chassis up (or you can jam something in as a spacer).
1. Re:Planned obsolesence by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-05 03:10 · Score: 0
  
  Yes the machine that remained in production for six years after its replacement was released was the pinnacle of planned obsolescence.
2. Re: Planned obsolesence by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-05 04:44 · Score: 0
  
  You're supposed to buy multiple of the same console - Microsoft took this to the extreme with the xbox's famous "red ring of death"
3. Re:Planned obsolesence by Megane · 2018-09-05 08:31 · Score: 1
  
  There is a white gear that you can often tweak to get the optical drive working again on a "fat" PS2, but it is such a pain in the ass to disassemble, and will eventually go out of alignment again, that it wasn't worth it for me to do again. I'd much rather rip my discs and play them on an emulator.
  
  --
  #naabhaprzrag, #sverubfr-000, #agi-fcbafberq, negvpyr[pynff*=' negvpyr-ary-'] { qvfcynl: abar !vzcbegnag; }
The Windows XP of games consoles by xack · 2018-09-04 18:31 · Score: 1

Hundreds of millions sold, still widely used after end of support. I expect it will still be widely used in the Playstation 6 era.
1. Re:The Windows XP of games consoles by TheReaperD · 2018-09-04 20:49 · Score: 1
  
  That's almost certainly why they want it to go away and die. They want you to buy their new, shiny, expensive console, not continue to play your 10+ year old console that they no longer make money off off (they don't give a damn about the rest, this is SONY after all). So, if it won't die naturally, they'll kill it with any method at their disposal.
  
  --
  "Be particularly skeptical when presented with evidence confirming what you already believe." -
2. Re:The Windows XP of games consoles by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-04 21:35 · Score: 0
  
  That's almost certainly why they want it to go away and die.
  You also missed out the part where they can re-release old PS2 games on the playstation store for more precious $$$. There is already a section for PS2 Classics on PS3/4.
3. Re:The Windows XP of games consoles by jfdavis668 · 2018-09-05 00:29 · Score: 1
  
  There's always a market. People still write new games for the Commodore 64.
good Projects by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-04 21:49 · Score: 0

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anybody? by sad_ · 2018-09-04 22:58 · Score: 1

did anybody still use sony services for repairing a broken ps2?
except for the dvd drive, not much failed on it, by all means it is quite a basic console.
all parts you could ever want are available through many different channels and it never crossed my mind to check sony's.

--
On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.
1. Re:anybody? by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-05 02:26 · Score: 0
  
  I still have a PS2 and didn't know that Sony would repair them. As you guessed the DVD drive failed about 5 years ago and it is still sitting on the top of the TV display case. If I would have known that Sony would have repaired it, it probably would be still in use today.
2. Re: anybody? by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-05 04:47 · Score: 0
  
  Raise the disc laser chassis a few mm
Japanese Ethics and Workmanship by Deliveranc3 · 2018-09-04 23:41 · Score: 1

When Japan entered the global market they had a reputation of creating shoddy products.

Then they worked hard and got a reputation as making some of the best products.

If Sony and the other Zaibatsu's can keep up this level of commitment to products they will destroy the built to break conspiracy and Japan will get more respect than ever for making great products which are well supported.
1. Re:Japanese Ethics and Workmanship by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-05 01:15 · Score: 0
  
  Almost all countries products are considered to be of high quality in their own country and crappy everywhere else.
  It is when you get exceptions to that rule that you know that something actually is good/bad.
Re:They should ban drills by jfdavis668 · 2018-09-05 00:48 · Score: 0

Responded to the wrong topic.
How to make homebrew PS2 discs bootable? by tepples · 2018-09-05 01:12 · Score: 1

How long until third parties can manufacture CDs and DVDs with the specific wobble or whatever that the PlayStation 2 console's drive chip needs? True, the Checking Integrated Circuit in the NES and Super NES has been cracked, allowing production of new NES carts. But I imagine that mastering and pressing an optical disc with nonstandard features is a lot more involved than programming CIC emulation on an off-the-shelf PIC MCU.
1. Re:How to make homebrew PS2 discs bootable? by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-05 02:23 · Score: 0
  
  If you're that hardcore you'll get your hands on a test kit. Could use a regular CD-ROM (not CD-RW!).
2. Re:How to make homebrew PS2 discs bootable? by tepples · 2018-09-05 02:53 · Score: 1
  
  A test kit for the developer, and what for the end users playing the game that the developer has developed? Or should developers be developing for Linux and Windows instead of PlayStation 2?
3. Re:How to make homebrew PS2 discs bootable? by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-05 04:01 · Score: 0
  
  You're missing the forest for the trees. There's no need to get involved with the failure-prone optical drive if you want homebrew on a PS2. All consoles feature standard USB ports and there's a software exploit that you can put on a memory card which will allow you to run executables straight from the memory card or an external USB drive (among other options like the internal hard drive which is specific to older models with an adapter). Much easier than burning discs, dealing with worn out lasers and no console modifications necessary.
TYPO in description of article by omfglearntoplay · 2018-09-05 01:40 · Score: 1

It says "Sony stopped manufacturing the device in 2012, roughly six years after the PlayStation 4 was released. "
The Playstation 4 was released around 2013 December, if I can trust a quick google. They probably meant Playstation 3 in that sentence.
Re:Impressive - Wish Sony did that for ALL Product by DontBeAMoran · 2018-09-05 02:33 · Score: 1

Sony is a Japanese conglomerate. Each division is run as a separate entity, which is why in the year 2000 this happened.
It explains why a PlayStation could get repaired for 18 years while their TVs will never get 18 years of support.

--
#DeleteFacebook
FreeMcBoot on 9xxxx by tepples · 2018-09-05 04:28 · Score: 1

All consoles feature standard USB ports and there's a software exploit that you can put on a memory card which will allow you to run executables straight from the memory card
For one thing, I thought the exploit used by FreeMcBoot was patched in newer (model 9xxxx) slim PlayStation 2 consoles. What's the new exploit that works on 9xxxx? If there is one, the FMCB FAQ on Reddit hasn't been updated.
If the suggested solution is to replace a 9xxxx PS2 with a pre-9xxxx PS2, the supply of these is likely to dwindle even faster. My pre-9xxxx slim PS2 no longer stays on reliably because of a loose power jack, and the used one I bought at a garage sale to replace it is 9xxxx. How would I go about getting its power jack repaired in order to use FreeMcBoot?
And how practical is it to manufacture new PlayStation 2 compatible memory cards with a copy of this exploit, so that a suitable memory card can be bundled with each boxed physical copy of a homebrew game?
1. Re:FreeMcBoot on 9xxxx by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-05 05:28 · Score: 0
  
  Indeed the 90000 series can't be software exploited, but it's the only hardware revision out of 18 released with that problem so it's an edge case. Still, the 90000 isn't unhackable, it can be liberated with a hardware modchip (which is cheap to obtain but difficult to install for the inexperienced). If you want homebrew on a 90000 PS2 you should install a modchip or get another console with an older board revision that can run FMCB. Used consoles are still plentiful and really cheap, particularly if the laser is worn out (which you won't be using anyway).
  
  My pre-9xxxx slim PS2 no longer stays on reliably because of a loose power jack [...] How would I go about getting its power jack repaired in order to use FreeMcBoot?
  Reflow the solder joints on the power jack, it might just have developed cold joints over time. If that doesn't cure the problem, desolder the power jack and install a replacement which you can still easily get (the PS2 being one of the most popular consoles of all time works in your favor when looking for spare parts, both in availability and price).
  "But I can't solder!" I can hear you say. Well if you're into homebrew software on discontinued game consoles (a niche, geeky endeavor) you should be thinking about learning some basic soldering skills so you can maintain your aging equipment, or getting acquainted with someone who can do it for you. You're posting on a geek community where people aren't afraid of voiding warranties and breaking out the soldering iron to bend technology to their will so I don't think you'd get any sympathy for being unwilling to repair/mod your own equipment specially if you have non-mainstream needs.
  If you're serious about PS2 homebrew now would be the time to start stocking up on hardware since it's still available in large quantities for really low prices, along with newly manufactured replacement parts. Don't wait until the mainstream 'retro craze' catches up and you end up priced out of the market. And don't be afraid of screwdrivers and sodering irons either.
  
  And how practical is it to manufacture new PlayStation 2 compatible memory cards with a copy of this exploit, so that a suitable memory card can be bundled with each boxed physical copy of a homebrew game?
  Ask the Chinese. For a small, hobbyist run it might be practical to get cheap blank memory cards in bulk from China and program them yourself with consumer hardware (bog standard PS2s), much like bedroom musicians who can't afford getting discs pressed burn their own CD-Rs with consumer drives.
2. Re:FreeMcBoot on 9xxxx by Megane · 2018-09-05 08:35 · Score: 1
  
  It doesn't matter that the FMcB loophole got patched in thin PS2s, I'd rather use a 3xxxx and stick an SSD drive in there with a SATA adaptor. The main problem with the "fat" units is the optical drive going out of alignment, but even if you can't get it working, it is possible to rip games on a PC and download them to the hard drive.
  
  --
  #naabhaprzrag, #sverubfr-000, #agi-fcbafberq, negvpyr[pynff*=' negvpyr-ary-'] { qvfcynl: abar !vzcbegnag; }
22 years of NES support by Anonymous Coward · 2018-09-05 05:27 · Score: 0

https://www.destructoid.com/this-is-the-end-my-only-friend-nintendo-drops-nes-support-49596.phtml
2007-10-17
"After 22 years (24 if you're pedantic and Japanese) the NES is finally being retired by Nintendo. As of October 31st, Nintendo plans to drop support for the ol' girl,"
Re:Impressive - Wish Sony did that for ALL Product by mykepredko · 2018-09-05 05:34 · Score: 1

Good point - doesn't matter to me because I just look at the "Sony" label and think that the policies for one business unit are used in all of them.

--
Mimetics Inc. Twitter
How often do PS2s break down? by nensondubois · 2018-09-05 14:47 · Score: 1

I still have my original PS2 Fat model and it works. I knew a few people who had lasers stop working and some minor issues but overall they seem reliable.
Nintendo stopped repairing the Famicom only because they were running out of parts, so I wonder if this is part of the issue as well as service hours and Sony no longer wanting to pay repairmen and for new parts,
mostly the console is just no longer supported. A lot of amazing games were on the PS2 and PS1 was still pretty popular.

--
http://gamehacking.org/vb/threads/12747-nensondubois-codes http://twitter.com/nensondubois_