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PS2 Life Expectancy

While the PlayStation 2 has been all but phased out by the PlayStation 3, it's still available for purchase through various retail stores. Whether you purchase your PS2 from the store or buy it secondhand, it's important to have a general idea as to how much life to expect from your console. Unfortunately, the exact number varies depending on construction issues and how you treat your PS2, but a general number should give you an idea of how long your PS2 should last.

General Life Span
- The general life span of your PS2 depends heavily on a wide range of factors, making it difficult to narrow the issue down to a specific number of years. In general, a PS2 that is handled carefully and played moderately, without any manufacturer defects should last anywhere from 5 to 10 years. Unfortunately, even carefully-used PS2s can have hidden issues such as loose connections and malfunctioning lasers that could cause the life expectancy to become much shorter.
Warranty Information
- It's important to know your rights when it comes to Sony's responsibilities should your PS2 malfunction. The original PS2 has a 90-day warranty on parts and services as long as the damage is not caused by accident or by the user. The PS2 Slim model carries a one-year warranty on parts and services under the same conditions. Note that the warranty is non-transferable and the warranty terms begin when the PS2 is originally purchased from the retail store, not repurchased through a private sale.
Potential Problems
- The PS2 often suffers from problems which reduce its overall life expectancy. For instance, constantly overheating can lead to what is known as the "yellow light of death," a malfunction which requires the soldering of component connections for repair. Allowing your PS2 to be exposed to certain environment factors, such as moisture or dust, can also limit your console's life span. Finally, component malfunction through no fault of your own can occur, rendering the console useless.
PS2 Care
- If you own a PS2, it's natural that you'd want the most life out of the console to get your money's worth out of the purchase price. But the way you interact with your PS2 could actually be shaving years off of your device functionality. Place the PS2 in a well-ventilated area or place the console on blocks to allow for sufficient air flow. Clean the vents regularly with compressed air and turn the device off when it's not in use. Use games that are clean and dust and fingerprint-free to avoid dirtying the laser and you'll enjoy the longest life expectancy possible.

PlayStation 2