ps3 not reading discs

[matas]

A friend of mine has a ps3 that stopped reading discs a few days ago. He said when he puts in a movie or a game, the screen is only showing that loading circle and nothing happens. I am assuming that the laser is bad. I saw some laser replacement drive modules for $40. Anyone else have tried to fix this problem?

 

[Drako]

A friend of mine has a ps3 that stopped reading discs a few days ago. He said when he puts in a movie or a game, the screen is only showing that loading circle and nothing happens. I am assuming that the laser is bad. I saw some laser replacement drive modules for $40. Anyone else have tried to fix this problem?

Is the ps3 still under warranty? I had mine fixed a couple years ago, and they just replaced the whole drive.

 

[matas]

no, it is no longer under warranty. Do you think he would need the whole drive replaced, or just the laser part?

 

[mmntech]

You could do either or. Depends how comfortable you are with doing that sort of job. The 20/60/80gb models are definitely worth repairing.

Here's a repair guide for fixing the optical drive.
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Installing-Playstation-3-Optical-Drive/1349/1

Just be advised that if you do break the seal, Sony won't repair it: warranty or no.

 

[matas]

I am assuming this is what he needs: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.27134 ?

 

[mmntech]

Yeah, that should work. Just thought of something though. If your friend a smoker, or is his house dusty? Try cleaning the lens first before pulling the system apart.

 

[Soundmanred]

Replaced the laser assembly in mine a few months ago. Got the laser from eBay and installed it myself.
Not very hard if you have a little experience.