Retro GEM PS2 Slim Installation Instructions

Disclaimer: This kit is for advanced installers only. Install at your own risk. We cannot be held responsible for damage to your console and/or kit. Each kit is individually tested and confirmed working before being shipped.

Before you begin:

Please review the installation video. Always reference these install docs and use the video as an aid for techniques on how to preform the required steps.
https://youtu.be/9JkMKWqYDYc

Kit includes:

Items required

Step 0 - Understanding the GEM Kit

This guide will not go over the tear down or small nuieces of the installation. Please watch the installation videos for this information.

https://youtu.be/9JkMKWqYDYc

The typical install procedure is:

  1. Test the console
  2. Teardown the console
  3. PS2 Main board prep
  4. PS2 Controller Flex Installation
  5. PS2 Main Flex installation
  6. Reset Hookup
  7. Retro GEM Jumpers
  8. Testing
  9. Reassembly

Step 1 - PS2 Fat Board Prep

Click to expand/collapse

You first need to identify your motherboard type. I will be reference this type later (Top/Normal/Rotated)

TypeID
TopGH-035-XX
StraightGH-035-XX
StraightGH-032-XX
StraightGH-037-XX
StraightGH-040-02
StraightGH-040-12
StraightGH-041-XX
StraightGH-051-02
StraightGH-051-12
StraightGH-051-32
StraightGH-052-12
StraightGH-052-32
StraightGH-052-42
RotatedGH-036-XX
RotatedGH-040-51
RotatedGH-040-52
RotatedGH-040-72
RotatedGH-051-51
RotatedGH-052-51
SlimGH-061-XX
SlimGH-062-XX
SlimGH-070-XX
SlimGH-071-XX
SlimGH-072-XX

Select your motherboard type and use the images to determine your +5 and +3.3 locations. If your exact motherboard picture is not shown you will need to locate +5 and +3.3. Please contact for help!

Top

Straight

Click to expand/collapse Straight

Rotated

Click to expand/collapse Rotated

Slim

Click to expand/collapse Coming Soon

Step 3 - Installing the controller hookup.

Click to expand/collapse

There are two ways to setup the controller hookup. Using the supplied flex or with wires. The flex is difficult to solder so using 30AWG solid core wire is also recommend.

FLEX

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Align the flex and solder into place. Confirm the traces are on the flex are facing up.

Align the controller flex on the main flex and solder into place.

Wires

Click to expand/collapse

Refer to your motherboards pin out and run wires from each alternative place to the main flex.

GH-019

GH-022

GH-023

GH-026

Step 4 - Installing the reset line

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Run a line from the reset test point to the point on the flex.

Refer to your motherboard below:

GH-019

GH-022

GH-023

GH-026

Step 5 - Retro GEM Jumpers

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Use the online config tool to setup the jumpers for your retro gem. Just bridge the jumpers shown in the tool.

https://docs.pixelfx.co/fxdigital-config.html?c=ps2

Step 6 - Testing

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Its possible to test the console with it partially dissaembled. Be extremely careful, there will be live a/c mains.

Before testing its highly recommend you test each pin to verify no pins are bridged. Use the pinouts page for support.

Partial shorts (100ohm) are expected between ground and the power rails from bleed off resistors.

Before attaching the retro gem confirm the analog/composite video still work correctly. If you have any problems with composite this will signify you have bridged or discconneted pins.

Step 7 - Mounting the GEM Board

Click to expand/collapse

The GEM board mount is fairly straight forward.

If you have 39000x you will either need to use the RePS2 adapter or the 5000x (power supply and metal shield). The metal shield is required as it has the correct mounts for the power supply. The 39000x power supply is flipped as compared to the 5000x.

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