The Forbidden Image.
The Forbidden Image is a error on (early) PlayStation 1 console(s). It is caused when the user inserts a foreign disc on a mod chipped PlayStation (usually a PC disc).
When the user turns the console on, the startup will occur like normal, but then instead of showing the PlayStation logo, it shows the Sony logo, the Playstation wordmark, and SCEA, SCEE, or whatever division of Sony made your console. This error is somewhat different from Fearful Harmony.
The error is commonly mistaken for Fearful Harmony when the screen starts the same as Forbidden image but without the PlayStation wordmark (it fades in as the Fearful Harmony progresses).
Other info[]
The Forbidden Image has two possible errors. As mentioned above, the startup will show the Sony Computer Entertainment logo like normal, but as the console starts reading the foreign disc, it shows up the error. The Sony logo, the PlayStation wordmark, and SCEA, SCEE, or SCEI shows up like that in the images. Also, since there is a foreign disc in the system, the PlayStation can't load it up, so the screen will show the Forbidden Image until you turn the console off or if you reset it. This error may look different on later PS1 models, instead of the sony logo, they may show xxx or ddd at the bottom.
The second type of the forbidden image. This is what the forbidden image error will look like if you put the disc while the console is in the main menu or when Fearful Harmony is encountered. (model: SCPH-5502, has the white checkerboard menu)
The second "error" can be triggered by inserting the disc when the console is in the main menu. After the disc has been loaded, the SONY logo is replaced with "MAIN MENUY" (on models with blue main menu) or "+ONY" (on models with white checkerboard menu). This doesn't happen on all models.
It's important to note that this is only possible on mod chipped consoles. Inserting an unreadable disc on a non-mod chipped console will instead trigger the "Please insert PlayStation CD-ROM" error. Doing the "swap trick" will also work.
Comparison to other errors[]
The Forbidden Image is overall not very frightening and scary compared to other PS1 errors, like the Fearful Harmony or the Personified Fear. Its sound is just like the normal startup of the PlayStation console, so there is no reason to be scared of this error.
The scare factor is low. Sometimes it frightens few people, due to the unexpectedness of the screen or the strange SONY logo and the lack of the PlayStation logo.
You need:[]
You only need a foreign disc to trigger this error and a mod chipped console. Almost any unreadable disc inserted into a mod chipped PS1 console will trigger a Forbidden Image.
Fearful Harmony
If you put an unreadable disc on a non-mod chipped console, this will appear. The screen may vary with different PS1 models. (SCPH-5502)
PS1 Error Screen - Forbidden Image
A video of the first version of the Forbidden Image.