PS3 won't read Blu-ray, faulty laser time...

[danrok]

My PS3 refuses to read game discs, i.e. blu-ray discs. Still reads other types of disc.

So, I've taken it apart, and ordered a new laser for it.

Some photos of the laser parts...

[danrok]

If you have the same problem, you have a few options to get it fixed, out of warranty.

Send it off to be repaired - the most expensive option at about 50% or more of the cost of a completely new console.

Replace the whole drive, a fairly easy DIY job, but still fairly expensive. Although you may be able to sell the broken drive for spares.

Replace the laser and laser deck, or just the laser part only.

Replacing the laser part only is cheapest, this is what I am doing. The photo shows the part I have ordered.

For my 40GB model, the part no. is KES-400AAA.

[danrok]

Laser part nos. and corresponding PS3 model numbers...

[Daniel ~]

Great post and a noble undertaking Danrok!

[chrisbard]

But my question is after how many months/years the laser went nuts?

[Aedan]

Originally Posted by danrok

Replacing the laser part only is cheapest, this is what I am doing. The photo shows the part I have ordered.

That's the whole optical sled there Danrok. That includes all three lasers, beam splitters, adjustable beam "zoom" (to prevent the objective lens coming in contact with the disc), wavefront correction, focussing and the detectors.

What actually fails in these things?

[danrok]

Dunno, but it reads lower density discs fine. Reads blu-ray discs only if I reinsert the disc about 20 times.

[danrok]

Originally Posted by chrisbard

But my question is after how many months/years the laser went nuts?

This one is a refurb which replaced my original unit under warranty. So, I don't know how old it really is. I use it a lot though.

[Aedan]

Originally Posted by danrok

Dunno, but it reads lower density discs fine. Reads blu-ray discs only if I reinsert the disc about 20 times.

Interesting! The PS3's sled is actually pretty complex, as they used the same objective lens for all three wavelengths (IR for CD, red for DVD, and blue/violet for Bluray). A lot of other sled designs have two objective lenses, as CD/DVD uses one path, and Bluray uses the other path, which makes them simpler, but bigger and more unwieldy.

That would suggest that the majority of the optics are working ok, as they're shared. However, there's a few bits (like the "zoom" lens for layer selection) that might be a bit more Blu-ray unique.

[chrisbard]

What if the blue-ray is feeling blue?

[Daniel ~]

Your struck with XBox like replay? (Just a guess!) ":O}

[chrisbard]

Well just because X-box is way better you dont have to mock it!

[danrok]

Originally Posted by chrisbard

Well just because X-box is way better you dont have to mock it!

There is no chance of the blu-ray failign on an Xbox!

[chrisbard]

Originally Posted by danrok

There is no chance of the blu-ray failign on an Xbox!

Pfffffff

[Daniel ~]

Originally Posted by chrisbard

Well just because X-box is way better you dont have to mock it!

Trust me Chris that's not why I mock them! ":O}

I could show you...but you'd need a BlueRay for that wouldn't you?

[danrok]

Part has arrived, so I'll be fitting it tomorrow...

[danrok]

Job done, and now working!

[Daniel ~]

Can Aedan have the dead parts to play with? ":O}

[chrisbard]

Neah, he'll fix it in no time!

[robbie]

Have you tried just lubing the rails? We get problems with rails here and there on copiers and with a little lube all is well.