I didn't know where else to put this, so I just decided to put it in the forum I frequent. That and I know some of you guys might have an idea of what to do.. :\
When I place the Swap Magic disc into the fliptop tray, it jumps about inside the tray and won't stay in place. I've had Swap Magic run with the lid down, but it makes very loud scratching sounds, which also happens when I run a normal game.
Sounds like you're either not pressing the swap magic disc down enough over the hub on the disc drive (like right around the edges of the hole in the center of the swap magic disc), or there is something wrong with your drive.
The drive was fine before, so I doubt it's that, the whole thing was working fine earlier.
The disc doesn't stay fixed on the hub even when I press it down onto the center, it just sits there loose until it jumps around when the console is on.
If worse comes to worse I can always make a video of the problem.
You really need to press down right around the hole in the swap magic disc (try two fingers at once on opposite sides and press down hard all around the disc, you will hear a clicking kind of sound when it is over the hub completely like it needs to be). I think there's something funny about how they're manufactured because I've never seen this problem with a regular retail disc. If your drive works fine with other discs, then I would say this is your problem. I've had the same issue myself, the swap magic discs can be finicky that way.
You're supposed to run it with the lid down, the grinding noises are because the disc is not continuous, look on the underside and you will see what I mean.
Yeah, you need to push down really hard and make sure all 3 of the little "teeth" of the middle spinner are latched onto the disk. I think it's a hair wider than the normal game disks.
I'll try pressing the disc down, next time I get round to it.
If you have the fliptop that is magnetic, then make sure the lid is all the way down. I had one of these and this happened to me often. The other problem that might be occurring, is that you may not have the disc fully aligned in the tray. Try opening the top and put the disc in, and spin it first with your fingers pressed firm in the middle of the disc. Usually disc alignment is the main cause of the jumping, and just checking for a proper fit in the tray/spindle can make this go away.
If it's the fliptop that pops open with the button, I can't help you there
This is why it's easier to invest in a Modded/Japanese PS2 and skip the mess. Also be sure to keep a spare laser on hand since the discs wear out the eye very fast.