bizarre Playstation 2 problem

[DanteBK]

I'm not sure if anyone can help me out with this, but I don't know where else to start looking for answers

My Playstation 2 shows a messed-up video signal --purple, with crazy vertical hold-- when it's starting up or when it's playing a game... BUT it plays movies fine, once it gets past the start-up screen.

It's crazy. Video games broke. Movies work. Makes no sense to me. I'd rather not buy a whole new PS2 but I'm not sure if something like this is fixable, or if it'll end up being more money to fix than it's worth.

Any advice from the hardware experts out there?

Much obliged

[Nipedley]

Has it only just started or has it done it ever since you used the PS2 with your current television? Some TV's do that I'm afraid, my Sony has a similar problem with my Dreamcast...

[dennis808]

This sounds like a cable problem. The PS2 uses 2 different techniques to transmit images; one for games, and one for DVD's.
Try out a different cable or see if there's a small switch on your cable like this:
http://www.gameline.cz/ps2_imageshry/rgbcable_av.jpg

Also try to hook it up to another TV...
good luck!

[pointdablame]

are you using a component video cable?  There is a setting in the PS2 dashboard to turn on component cable... if you don't set it, you get crazy vetical hold issues when first booting up, and games will not play.  I never tried a DVD while it happened, but it sounds very similar to what i saw.

If you are using component, you'll have to find a regular RCA cable to turn component on.

[DanteBK]

Wow, thanks for all the responses!

Nipedley - It did just start, I've had this TV forever and it's worked on it before.

dennis808 - I'll try another cable with it and see if it makes a difference.

pointdablame - Actually I AM using a component video cable. But the games still worked after I started using the component cable, and continued working for a while before this problem started. Can you please explain what you mean by the PS2 dashboard? I'll try to find the RCA cable that came with the PS2 and see if that makes the problem go away.

Thanks again everyone! 

[DanteBK]

Whoops! I posted too soon!

I figured out what you meant, pointdablame, shortly after I posted my last post. I found the old RCA cables, hooked them up, it worked (!!), and then I changed the system config from "RGB" to "Yb Yp something something" (I forget now exactly what) and now it works! Holy crap!

And of course I just bought six GameCube games yesterday at a used game sale because it was the only working system I had 

Thanks so much!! Again, I'm amazed at this response... I called the Sony PS2 helpline and after 45 minutes of nothing they suggested I mail it in to them with a check for like $45 of $50 and they'd send me a refurbished one.

God bless BYOAC!

[pointdablame]

Feel free to send me the $45 instead     I'm glad it worked for ya.

I had the same thing happen to me in my dorm room when I switched over to a component cable.  Luckily, I knew that the system "broke" the instant I used the new cable, so at first I just thought it was a bad cable.  I went back to the RCA and just looked around the settings on a whim.

You'd think Sony would implement a simple auto-switch for that.  I can only imagine the number of people this has happened to.