Source
r/PS3•
arkanus

My PS3 won't Read Disks - Considering Options

My 80 GB BC PS3 stopped reading both bluray and DVD based discs. I have already tried blowing into it with compressed air and using one of those bluray cleaners that they sell at the store. I still get nothing and I am not even sure that the disk spins. Note I have done no mods nor opened the box, so as far as I know Sony will still fix it.

My options as I understand them are:

  1. Send it into Sony for about $135. This is the option that I am favoring at the time. My understanding is that they send back a different unit of the same model. I am OK with this.

  2. Send it to a third party repair shop. My understanding is that these are about $90-$100. I would save some money on the repair, and maybe get it back faster, but I would worry about shoddy workmanship or just getting a new problem a few weeks later.

  3. Order a laser online and install it myself. To do this I understand that I will have to buy a Torx screwdriver. I am not particularly good at electronics, but I would enjoy the experience.

Does anyone have any experience with these options, or other insight into the situation, that they would mind sharing with me?

Posted Jan 12, 2011, 4:00 AM UTC

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[deleted]•

[deleted]

3
misterkiem•

Yup I got the first torx screw off with a jeweler's flathead. I had to push reaaaaaaaaly hard to make sure it would stay engaged though.

1
Tryxia•

Send it in for the $135. You spend maybe 40 more than 3rd party repair shops that may never send back your PS3, and even if you are able to fix the unit yourself, just imagine down the road when it breaks again (IT WILL) and its something you cannot fix yourself, it will be void of warranty and you will not have the option to send it in anymore.

2
SamwiseTheBrave•

This happened to me a few months back. I sent it into: http://x-tremegaming.com/console_repairs

The website is not the best looking thing in the world, but the man I spoke with on the phone was very nice and knew what he was talking about. Very simply process...call them, send it in, takes about a week for repair, they return it. They are based in FL, I live in MI. Even with such a large distance, I had it back within about 10 days, and paid roughly 80 dollars including shipping. This was about 6 months ago, and everything is still working great. The only complaint I have is that they send it back via USPS, which delivered it on a Saturday while I was gone, and had my PS3 sitting on the porch all day for anyone to take. Not sure if that was a fault of my own for not specifying with them or the post office, but be careful.

But like Tryxia stated, you would be gambling with your warranty not sending it in to Sony. So either warranty or save $60. My warranty was well expired, so not a tough decision on my part.

2
thumbgreen•

Are you sure it's the laser? When mine stopped reading discs that's what I thought too but when I ordered a replacement and put it in, mine still wouldn't read any disc. Before anybody asks, yes I made sure I ordered the right one and installed it correctly.

Personally I'd just send it in to save the hassle of taking the damn thing a part and making sure it is put back together properly. Haven't gotten around to sending mine in so I can't suggest who you should send it to.

2
misterkiem•

The first time I had to replace my laser, the first one I bought did not work either. I had to send it back and get a new one that worked fine for a good 2 years. I bought that one from Yall store. Just food for thought.

edit: I thought I might have gotten a bad laser because I could see that the laser was really weak looking when it tried to read the disc.

2
thumbgreen•

Well damn that's interesting. Not sure if I'm willing to hassle with it but I may give it another shot. Thanks none the less.

*missed a N in none.

1
misterkiem•

Yeah, I hope you didn't get it from yall store that place blows man. The first one they sent me was busted, and it took a total of like 2 months for me to get my replacement. When I had to replace the laser again a month ago I got mine from gamer's fix. Got here in about a week and it works fine so far.

edit: to check the laser put in a clear plastic disc and look at the laser as it tries to read it. you should see a violet blue beam, then a red one, then nothing. If you see no blue beam or a very dim/weak looking blue beam, then there's a good chance that laser is busted as well.

Especially if you're using a KES400AAA. Apparently they don't make many of these anymore and so you can only get refurbished ones online now.

1
thumbgreen•

I believe the one I ordered was from gamer's fix, I'll have to find the receipt. Good thing you told me yall sucks because I didn't make the connection that you got both from there and was thinking you got the 1st one elsewhere.

1
arkanusOP•

I am absolutely not sure that it is the laser. I just know that it doesn't read disks, but it could be that the motor burned out as well. I would hate to spend $60 on a new laser just to have to send it in anyway.

1
jspraggsmicah3766•

http://faq.en.playstation.com/cgi-bin/scee_gb.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?locale=en_GB&p_faqid=4545&p_created=1248687438&p_sid=wTpz*gdk&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD00LDQmcF9wcm9kcz00OTEmcF9jYXRzPSZwX3B2PTEuNDkxJnBfY3Y9JnBfcGFnZT0xJnBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9c2FmZSBib290&p_li=&p_topview=1

Try doing this and use option 3. Has worked for some others. No guarantee, but it's worth a shot considering it's free.

2
arkanusOP•

OK, I am going to try to do Safe Mode Now. Thank you.

1
Evan64•

Thank goodness for hdd backup games. Screw the dvd drive.

1
jspraggsmicah3766•

Any luck with safe mode

1
arkanusOP•

Just to be clear, you were saying to rebuild my file system right? If so, then no luck. Thank you for mentioning it though.

1
jspraggsmicah3766•

yeah. Oh well, it has worked for some. good luck.

1