PS3 slim issue with 50GB blu-rays and games: laser replacement?

I still have my 60GB phat boy, but I rarely turn it on to prolong its life because my slim is in use nearly every day for hours.

When I got Uncharted 3, it wouldn't load on my slim -- it took sometimes upwards of twenty tries to get the disc to be recognized and then all was fine! All other CDs, DVDs, and blu-rays and games would play fine.

After one exchange and trying a friend's copy of U3, I figured the issue was limited only to 50GB blu-rays because Avatar also wouldn't load up on the slim.

From what I've read, this seems to point to the blu-ray laser wearing out?

I tried the Maxell Blu-ray cleaner (it is a DVD with two holes in it, it vacuums dust away from the laser lens) and it helped for some disks, but it did not eliminate the problem.

So I've bought a replacement laser for about $30 on e-bay and it arrives this week hopefully. Has anyone else gone through this experience?

I got the 120GB Slim in October, 2009 for under $300. I would say that it has gotten a lot of use in those 2 years, so putting in less than $50 (laser + BR cleaning disk) to maintain it seems reasonable -- especially if it will prolong its life.

To everyone: I do recommend the Maxell Blu-ray cleaning disk, it was about $13 at Sears and it made a difference. I don't think it will solve issues, but it may be preventative maintenance!

I'll report back after my attempt to replace the laser.

Well, it took two tries to replace the laser, but I have resolved all of my issues for now. I'm out of warranty and would rather prolong the life of my slim rather than replace it, migrate data, etc.

Taking apart the Playstation is fairly easy if you are used to constructing a computer from components, I am impressed with Sony's engineering:

• http://www.rapidrepair.com/Merchant2...lim-ps3-repair
• http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/PlayS...-3-Slim/1121/1

Taking apart the Blu-ray drive was straightforward, too, but I had to stop when I didn't have the proper tiny Philips head screwdriver (PH 00 if I recall correctly). I remedied that issue with a trip to Frys. The second try took about an hour to replace: putting everything back together properly in the drive mechanism was obviously more difficult than taking it apart.

I used: PS3 Slim Blu-Ray Drive Laser Replacement Tutorial - ConsoleZombie.com


So far, everything is back to normal: I can play all my blu-ray movies and games again! I'm happy, I hope it lasts!

$13 Maxell blu-ray cleaning disk (Sears) + $32 laser replacement (E-bay, US Seller, made in China part) + $14 precision electronics screwdriver set (magnetic bits are good! from Taiwan) -- was an investment well worth the time to learn how to do this = roughly the price of a new game.

I will report back if the Slim or laser fails just to let others have a benchmark. I guess I'm doing better than an XBox 360 Ring of Death.

Thanks, I just wanted to share this experience so others can benefit.
Your input is a good benchmark for others, too!

I think I understand the following:
- there are different laser mechanisms for each successive models of the PS3: be sure to order the correct match to your model.
- there are two lasers, a red and blue laser. CD+DVD for red, blu-rays for blue.
- because the blue laser was failing, only some blu-rays were being affected.
- 50GB (dual layer) blu-rays were harder to read, so they failed completely

I think this means the blu-ray laser diode/LED/power source was wearing out and needed replacement.

I won't defend Sony here, because the PS3 blu-ray laser endurance IS an issue. Whether or not it is a wide spread issue, I don't know.

Since we both have PS3 phats and they were the first widely deployed consumer blu-ray players, we were early adopters. The first generation of anything will likely be improved upon in successive generations.

However, I encountered this issue in Sony's third generation PS3 (the slim) after just over two years of heavy usage. I would have expected three or four years before any problems or the hard drive to go out first.


Game installs are opening up if you don't mind digital downloads: I'm seeing more and more (like Ico and Shadow of the Colossus this past week) available in the PS store. More recently, Assassin's Creed was installable from the AC: Revelations blu-ray. I agree it would be more convenient if it were across the board, but I imagine there is some piracy concern.