The Ultimate PS1 Modchip | The Playstation xStation Complete Installation

[@barrynevio4440]

There's something so satisfying watching Voultar filling in the joints starting @9:49 It's crazy to see mod chips (can we even call them that anymore? they do so much more) still being made for a 25 year old system and how well designed they are, literally lining up with all the connection points. Watching this brings me back to the only console mod I ever did - my PS1 back in 2001 while in the 7th grade. Had to mail a $40 money order to the Philippines. Came in 2 months later with inket printed instructions, it was just a little chip no bigger than a 555 timer IC. Had to cut apart a phone cable to get the wires (not a charger cable, like a copper phone line with 6P6C ends). It looked horrible, all taped in there with my globby solder joints from my 40 watt soldering iron (at 13 you think more solder = more better; more watts = more better), but it worked and all my friends wanted me to do it to theirs (luckily my parents and their parents would say "no"). It was stolen shortly afterwards on the last day of Summer School when I brought it in for us to play, still don't know whom or how they stole it, guess whomever was wearing Jnco Jeans. Every now and then when Voultar posts mod fixes from ebay, I hope it somehow ends up being my long lost modded PS1, will definitely get some laughs with all the green electrical tape.

[@LasOcurrenciasDeEmanuelito]

Thanks, very good video! 👌🏻

[@theskroobs538]

Thanks for this video. You gave me the confidence to attempt this and I was able to install it successfully! It was my first attempt at a mod like this. I have soldered before, but not anything like this. The install wasn't actually that bad. Lifting the pins was the most nerve wracking. Thanks again!

[@Enchurito]

That soldiering to metal gear solid music was mesmerizing.

[@PalominoBlueGames]

@Voultar I followed this video 2 years ago and my PS is still working perfectly. I send everyone who asks me about it to this video. Thank you again for your videos.

[@Anarkkie]

I really appreciate this and all your other videos Voultar. You've made soldering super accessible to me since I started learning a couple years ago. Gonna be attempting this soon; after watching this a few times I feel like I already have some muscle memory for when I get at those pins!

[@Voultar]

It's a hobby for everyone who wants to learn. Thanks so much. Keep soldering!

[@mushroomsamba82]

Two things I've come to count on from Voultar: Quality and professional mods/repairs, and jokes/innuendo that make me slightly uncomfortable.

[@taylorsombathy]

TIGHT holes....

[@dylanjastle]

So hyped on these recent uploads. I’m just getting into console mods and PCB work. These videos are really helpful and inspiring

[@DrBagPhD]

Thanks so so much for this guide Voultar! The only time I'd touched a circuit board with a soldering iron was to replace a single resistor that had died on my PS1 and I was terrified I'd make a giant mess of everything. With some patience my PS1 is loading backups with the X-Station beautifully. Thank you!

[@adamatomant3381]

I'm glad to see you're back, man. Your workmanship is awesome. I'll watch installations I've already done just so to see how I could have done better.

[@Kjeldvk]

Thanks for the video Voultar. I still consider myself a beginner when it comes to soldering so when I heard people talking about the xstation install being difficult I considered hiring a modder. But as an aspiring modder, I wanted to see what the process was like. You have filled me with confidence that I can do it myself if I'm careful and with enough patience. Keep up the amazing work!

[@Kjeldvk]

@@MatthewMorgan3030 it was a bit of a struggle as my PS1 apparently had issues. But with help from Rama and a new PS1, it all works perfectly now!

[@jackmyowl]

love the vid! between you and mrmario, you both are the Bob Ross's of video game console hard mods. such a calming voice.

[@robertlawrence9000]

I love the Battle Arena Toshinden soundtrack. I really wish that series would come back. Thanks for the video!

[@lillo2711]

Sure that's not Metroid?

[@ReaperX7]

If I could go back to High School this is the guy I would want as my teacher for an Elective Electronics Repair class. 👍

[@codysegleski492]

Late to the Party but finally worked up the curage to do this mod.. and thank you so much for pin lifting tip, it was a life saver.

[@MrKrewie]

Thank you so much Voultar for teaching me how to solder proper joints, i've successfully installed the xstation with no previous modding experience and only surface level knowledge of soldering but your video and livestreams has really helped me understand how to do it and i gotta say its really fun, im not sure what project to pickup next but im really hyped to continue

[@DuckmanR10]

Thank you! This guide helped a ton. I also got the Laser Bear mount and put it in a 5501. This was like heart surgery I swear. Had a magnifying glass, bent sewing needle, and needle-tip iron to heat and lift the pins and I accidentally moved three pins instead of one. Had to push the other two down carefully and make sure they stuck. Luckily everything went well in the end though, and switching to an even smaller needle worked better. I had issues with shorts after screwing it back together. Turns out the wire you solder near the resistor was shorting with the metal plate. Some kapton tape worked around the issue. I also put it all over the QSB solder points to be sure. Definitely needed to be a lot more precise than any other mod I've done. I also modded an NES RGB recently, and I say that one was more tedious overall honestly.

[@TheOnlyTwitchR6]

This was a fun mod. Loving mine, Cant wait for the ps1Digital kits to become available again.

[@darklightlantern]

Just wanted to say a big thank you. Been a fan for awhile now but I just attempted this as my first hands on modification and it worked. Great tips and clear directions. You're a gift to this community. Will be looking to see what else I can do now.

[@ModzvilleUSA]

Lol intro 10/10 Do you modify the tips of your dental picks? All of the ones I'm seeing in that shape have a 90 degree angle on the tip. I've never had issues with using an exacto knife but this dental pick looks like the better choice.

[@jaysonl]

I've been seeing the same thing. I wound up ordering some generic 14 piece pick set off Amazon. I figure if none of them are exactly what I need I'll just apply some "gentle persuasion" to one of them in the form of vice grips.

[@inusmoore9918]

I loved the Metal Gear Solid music in the background. Got me ready to pop that disc in and play it again.

[@LolaliciousSmiley]

:( Hey! I like the n64 and I'm married with children! I mean, the kids are from her previous marriages... and I usually only see her when she's back from her vacations, but it still counts, yeah!

[@MrSkate3flip]

The PS1 was a weeb jrpg machine, a genre known for depressed gamers who like to sit alone in there dark rooms and play slow games. N64 owners actually had friends and got to enjoy 4 player multiplayer.

[@ludgerwillkresnik4871]

@@MrSkate3flip Spoken just like a dry dicked 64 owner B))))))))

[@mushroomsamba82]

That's pretty cool, man. My wife's boyfriend got me an N64!

[@skonafid]

What is this comment section

[@ludgerwillkresnik4871]

@@skonafid N64 virgins getting owned by PS1 chads. Meanwhile, us Dreamcast sigmas are grindsetting away at PSO1.

[@therogueveteran]

I did it!!!! My very first mod. I had no faith in myself, but ive been watching your videos over and over!! THANK YOU VOULTAR, THANK YOU BROTHER!! SINCERLY, A DISABLED VETERAN

[@RedWolfy7]

I've done a few of these already but I like your advice regarding to start soldering on the big pad whereas I've generally started from the right working my way left. Very entertaining and informative V. YOU are an asset.

[@VCRVoyage]

Just succesfully installed one of these thanks to this video Voultar! This was definitely the hardest solder job I've attempted, and even though there were a couple hiccups I was able to resolve them and got it working perfectly! As a completely unrelated sidenote if you happen to accidentally pull off the pad you have to attach the wire to at 12:02, the via just below that it connects to can be used instead.

[@bahamutbbob]

Just installed an xStation for a friend using your video. Thanks for the tip with the dental pick, it made lifting pins stupid easy.

[@SnoopKatt]

Great tips on lifting the chip legs. Best way I've seen to do it yet

[@eiv-gaming]

Good to see a more thorough breakdown of pin lifting etc. Always looking for new skills to add to my toolbelt. Again dude, still loving the new positivity.

[@HadoukenX]

Your installation is buttery smooth. 👍🏻

[@ShinryuZensen]

1 year later, and I managed to install an X-station. Never been happier. Now I'm waiting for the MemcardPro, and my psx will be completed. I've been tempted to buy a custom shell, but I'll probably keep it stock.

[@jimt8140]

The guitar solos are what take this video from good to excellent

[@BrunakoPAO]

I just ordered it and already lifted the proper pins on the motherboard, waiting for the kit for some soldering session 😍 Thanks man for the vid 🤘

[@MrSirCrab]

Thank you so much for your content. This video was a huuuge help in installing xStation, it worked without a hitch!

[@ДенисПлахотя-о2ч]

Good to look the successful result, happy for you

[@johnsonlam]

As usual fantastic demonstration of how to did a good soldering and modding job, technique that require thousand of US dollars in lesson, free of charge here, thank you very much. And also for learning how to speak English (I'm not native English speaking) in an elegant way, free.

[@Trippy86117]

Voultar one thing I would include though is the SD card bracket, as these mounts with SD card extensions are known to damage the sd card slot on the Xstation

[@dylanmcconnell409]

Good to see new videos, buddy. And it looks like you've been working out a bit more. Good for you.

[@phrtza]

Awesome guide, Voultar. Thanks to you, I was able to mod customer's PS1 and I liked so much that I modded one for myself too.

[@louielou9479]

@Voultar Dude thank you so much for making this video. Your examples for lifting the chip pins made installation so much easier.

[@BrandonArnold0]

Just completed this mod, and it works great. Great instruction and knowledge, Voultar! Thank you.

[@DanHendricks]

installed my xStation into my 5501 from ebay today and it works great! thanks for the tutorial. the new laserbear 3d printed mount doesn't need so much rigamarole with the microSD cable either!

[@iBoujin]

Recently installed an xStation of my own and I love it. All that’s left right now is getting a PS1Digital to finish it off but they’re out of stock due to the shortage. Can’t wait for it to be back.

[@rdaws73]

It wont

[@mjc0961]

@@rdaws73 It will. It'll take a while, because it'll take a while for the shortage to end, but it'll be back.

[@rdaws73]

@@mjc0961 I hope so. Just hope it doesn't disappear like the NES HDMI.

[@ShenmueAtheist]

Nice vid. Any chance you'll be doing a Genesis RGB Triple Bypass mod video?

[@TheRetroChannel]

Nice to see some more videos Voultar. I think it's worth putting some emphasis on the tip size being used to lift the legs on the QFP. This can trip people up if they use a tip that's too large to heat each individual pad, and then accidentally heat the pad of the leg they're using to leverage the pick. If that happens it will likely force this leg off to the side. That leg could then become attached to the leg next to it, and from there things can quickly go south.

[@matthubina64]

Hey Voultar. Did you work on the Girls Gone Wild set? Love the hat by the way.

[@TooBokoo]

Boys Gone Wild, yes.

[@retroonlinemultiplayer9196]

love watching your stuff bro. out of all the modders you have the best personality.

[@Trippy86117]

And take it from me, pay attention and focus because twice I've started pulling pins off the wrong chip, they're close together and look the same. Great vid as always voultar top notch

[@rokero171]

A good use to hot glue is to positioning the board, get the board in position, a couple drops of Peter North Special Sauce, solder everything and them remove the hot glue

[@jaysonl]

Boy, after having just modded my SNES Mini with your RGB mod, I have to say: I wish my hands were half as steady as yours!

[@Cimone90]

Haha yea I know right. It gets easier the more you do it. Get some garbage boards and just practice removing and reinstalling surface mounted stuff.

[@jaysonl]

@@Cimone90 Oh, I'm no spring chicken when it comes to soldering, it's just a matter of dexterity (and a lifetime of drinking caffeinated beverages) when it comes down to dealing with 0603 passives... I squeezed with the tweezers wrong and the tiny little C11 "ghost fix" capacitor shot off into another dimension, never to be seen again! I ordered another 10 as replacements just in case, but I had to wait a whole weekend for them to come in. Only needed one of them after that, but I think my show of force and willingness to sacrifice as many capacitors as it took caused the components to give up in submission. That, and tinning those teeny tiny wires and getting them into those itty bitty vias was a minor struggle. Probably would have been easier with flux paste, but all I had to hand was no-clean and seven-year-old flux pen. Other than that, I can deal with everything down to QFP fine. In fact, I'm looking forward to doing a recap and "triple bypass" mod on a Genesis Model 2, though I'm probably going to have to hold off until next week; the YPbPr cable was slow to ship and part of the triple bypass mod involves lifting the composite sync pin to reduce interference and thus disabling composite video out...

[@BMR86]

As always Voultar masterfully done! I think what I have realized after a couple of years of pulling my hairs and being frustrated with this kind of work is... what matters the most is using the right tools and a proper technique, sure you can practice a little but having the right tools is way more important so I'm giving myself the advice that I need to invest in getting all my tools first before attempting this mod

[@Lskiku]

Voultar, you must be kidding me. Awaiting my xstation, excellent timing! Thanks for sharing all your espertise. Expect a coffee donation 😉 Or for whatever you use it for! All the best to you!

[@Lskiku]

Is there a way to buy you a coffee actually?

[@locked01]

Greatest intro ever!!! EVER, I say.

[@Chariblaze]

The official PDF guide says to cut one of the case's posts (step 11 currently), saying it is necessary "to prevent the flex cable from breaking during installation". That step is skipped in this installation; the post is still seen intact during the board reinstallation at 17:45. Is the post cutting more of a "best practice", to for-sure prevent damage to the cable? It would be nice to avoid this permanent case modding, even if it is just internal.

[@MrBlizzard769]

I have this same mod in my ps1 . It’s worth it’s weight in gold . Seriously a damn good mod worth ever last penny . Had a question and rama personally replied to me within minutes too . I don’t know what else to say other than get it !

[@johnathanvalentin7718]

I really enjoy your vids. Learning more than what i already know. Is there any vids for reballing PS3?

[@iorix98]

This guy isnt only a pro modder, also teaches soldering. I love watching his videos. He makes me see how shitty mods ive done in my consoles xD they work tho

[@banditrw27]

Thank you for the tip on lifting the pins !😊

[@ricky865]

I wonder of someone will ever do a SD Card solution for the smaller playstation 1 the PS One.

[@naliboi93]

Can also get a bit wacky with the tool of choice for pin lifting. You can use coated enamel wire carefully threaded underneath the pin leg and level the leg up after heating the pad. It'll be tricky threading it through. Be careful you don't burn your fingers with the conducted heat. And careful you don't accidentally strip the enamel coating from the wire. I used this method when install a bunch of modchips on my 1chip PAL snes. Tbh, the dental pick looks like a better compromise as the enamel wire method can get time consuming depending on how well you can thread the wire.

[@pow9606]

You could hot air the chip off. Lift the pins. Clean the pads and solder it back.

[@naliboi93]

@pow9606 wild! I don't have a hot air station, nor the space to safely use one but this sounds like a really cool method, especially if I could idiot proof against any collateral damage 😅

[@itailevin]

Why didn't you trim on of the case standoffs?

[@notOEAH]

I lifted the APLL pad when i installed the qsb on mine 😅 but it didn't lose connection to the trace so i taped it with some krapton tape.

[@briannorthFW]

Lord Voultar, keep up the great videos!!

[@greasebob]

As much as you "hate" the N64, your background music around the 7:00 point sounds an awful like F-Zero X. Tsk tsk. Great video btw.

[@gregb4530]

Awesome as usual Lord Voultar

[@jumsdogpetter7610]

This was massively helpful to me, thank you for this. You're a gifted teacher apart from your experience and skills, I'm not sure if you get enough credit for that. So for my beginner soldering story on this installation, I accidentally learned how to drag solder when I decided to try fixing my horribly bridged legs on IC701 by dumping flux and dragging a clean tip across them. It just kind of intuitively seemed like it would work, and it did! Impressed with how seeing good footage and superb, patient explanations gives you confidence to go just ham on this stuff.

[@hhectorlector]

I finally sat down to do this mod and wow are those pins small! Do you have a magnifying glass you recommend/ what do you use to see such small stuff (a headband, eyewear, your phone, etc)?

[@b3nner]

Yes Im also looking for a good magnifier, Im not sure whether to get a glass magnifier or some type of microscope.

[@hhectorlector]

@@b3nner I asked Tito from Macho Nacho productions.. he recommended the YOCTOSON LED head magnifier. It’s like $18 on Amazon. It’s cool. I like it. A digital microscope would be great but for the price it’s hard to beat

[@b3nner]

@@hhectorlector Thank you! I will purchase it, I have a dead ps1 that I can use to practice on. good luck!

[@bobYT4]

Awesome video!😀 I will definitely be referring to it when my Xstation comes in!👍

[@nobodytonobodysbusiness]

You have very good technique. Thanks for sharing. Learned a lot watching you.

[@rgbcrafts]

I have a pretty silly question. Is there any kind of repair/fix on a PS1 laser unit other than replacement?

[@byrdlegz]

Just curious … couldn’t you use snips or small diagonal cutters and just cut those pins and just make sure to isolate fold away once they are cut ? If not option then yes your soldering technique is great and learn much from it

[@MrKrewie]

if you can get it to work, i guess the point is that those pins shouldnt make contact with the chip, how you do it is whatever

[@SandyRegion]

Thank you. This video made this mod much easier for this amateur!

[@NovusDundus]

Sold me with Dino Crisis tbh. Absolutely LOVE that game

[@victorschiavo2201]

Man I really appreciate your videos. You make this look so easy compared to when I did it!

[@CAVisualProductions]

This is a great video and thanks for making this. I had just ordered the Xstation and received it today, but sadly the PS1 console I bought new in 1997 (when FFVII came out) isn't compatible since it has the PU-22 motherboard. So I ordered a SCPH-5501 model off ebay and waiting for it to arrive. I'm guessing I will need some other supplies like liquid flux, and a dental pick for the pins. I have a soldering iron and have done a few soldering jobs but not much on these kind of electronics. The install itself doesn't look hard at all but I may practice on another dead board first before I actually do this on the one I plan to keep. I think in doing it this way I can run all my PS1 games with no compatibility issues (since its running on its original native hardware) like the PS2 and 3. Too bad the PS1 Digital isn't available right now and no telling when that will be.

[@NightWolve75]

The Legend of Voultar!

[@hhectorlector]

wow I thought your old Xstation vid was awesome. Didn't think it could get better so I'm very interested to watch this.

[@ohyou_6599]

every pin on that poor qfp you bent well past its yield and you'd be very lucky to return them back down without snapping one off. probably best to only lift them a couple mil and feed tape under or use a second tool to brace the pin at the chip and give it a more gentle bend

[@BJ-uncensored]

I played the "voultar: just like that drinking game". I have never been so drunk in my life.

[@NRH_Wx]

Key words?

[@BJ-uncensored]

@@NRH_Wx have a shot everytime he says just like that.

[@NRH_Wx]

@@BJ-uncensored I probably be dead

[@BJ-uncensored]

@@NRH_Wx I think a full grown bull elephant would be hardly clinging to life.

[@Destroymaster100]

im gonna go to school for computer engineering which will teach me the electrical engineering and software engineering disciplines so one day hopefully i can make my own mod and chips one day.

[@lucho3410]

Dude u make it look so easy!! Great work

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Thank you, Lord Voultar! 🍻

[@arthurallsopp9344]

I like the PSIO better because I can play audio CD's with my games but this an awesome instructional video.

[@zyrobs]

thumbs up for the Toshinden music.

[@PalominoBlueGames]

I absolutely love this video. Well done.

[@Burdman660]

Hey Voultar, I'm trying to get an update on an install from early April. I haven't gotten a response from ticket system or email. I'm not sure how else to contact you. Thanks dude.

[@wadeimous4135]

Go to his website and login. Then go to your account at the top, then click tickets, and then hit the plus sign on the right hand side to start a ticket for support.

[@Burdman660]

I have done that.

[@Voultar]

Hey Burdman! Shoot me your order # and I'll get right on it!

[@Burdman660]

@@Voultar 7274. I know you're probably super busy. I just haven't heard anything since May. Thanks dude. Have a great day.

[@Burdman660]

@@Voultar ???

[@alimoradi2323]

Awesome as always

[@TheUniversalid]

To your opening statement... THANK YOU!! 😁

[@lancevee]

Damn it, Voultar! Why are you so damn awesome!?

[@f33ble]

Thanks for the video, it worked a treat! 👌

[@Mc-lu5ic]

Hey Voultar, I tried soldering for a GBC IPS mod and burned my finger with the soldering iron. I literally just cannot solder for shit. Those small holes on the motherboard literally get burnt and no solder goes on them. I think I just need to send it away :(

[@hellodarren]

Epic soldering skills!

[@ZyHead]

Awesome ! I'm a noob and I was able to do it thanks to you !

[@Androchan]

Is there a similar mod for the PS2 slim?

[@Jason-Scott]

Fantastic work

[@jasidwa]

Excellent walkthrough. Thanks. I have a question about the legs you lifted from the pads: Are any of those pins used for chip input such that they might benefit from being tied to low or high? In your experience, would that even make a difference? Also, do you find that your wedding ring positively or negatively affects the power that your cap/tank-top combination has over women? Thanks again.

[@Jkoziol72577]

I've bought quite a few laser Bear products. One of the most recent was Sega Nomad battery pack. I like the thing and all and being able to get six hours out of a lithium ion battery. One issue I had was once I got the thing on there it was almost impossible to take it off. And then I had to take my Nomad apart so I did unfortunately doesn't leave it on there and drill the hole where the security screw was

[@w00dyblack]

would it help to put some flux on the pins before lifting them, or would that just not make any difference ?

[@ДенисПлахотя-о2ч]

Thank You for presenting an interesting activity

[@zackslack80]

Voulrar rocks!!! 🤘🤘

[@retrotony4119]

Only thing missing was that Peter North sauce. Jk. This might be a mod I will try. You make this shit look easy. You the man.