PS3 issues?

[abyssfan]

I use my PS3 to play my Blu-ray's. With my recent purchase of The Godfather collection and Weeds Season 6, I have to fight with it to play the discs. It gives me an error screen saying it can't play the video type and then will play them later. Is my PS3 going out or does anyone have any other advice?

[Cadrian]

Mine started doing that with only blu-rays then it finally just gave out and wouldnt play blu-rays at all. I had to send it in to Sony to have it fixed. Luckly I only owned it for 11months and was in warrenty. I had to have the CD Mech replaced.

There are plenty of people on ebay that fix this type of thing.... I just had mine sent out again to get it reflowed since it overheated and just wouldnt cut on.

Maybe buy a cleaner disc and try that... and/or just see if it finally gives out.

[kefrank]

Sounds like a failing Blu-ray laser, which is not an uncommon problem (at least with the older fatties). Are either of you seeing this on a Slim?

[abyssfan]

Mine is the older fat one. I don't play many games, maybe one or two a year...so I don't know if I should just buy a slim for the occasional game or just buy a higher end player. If I buy a new ps3, will I lose my profile with my current saved data?

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by abyssfan

Mine is the older fat one. I don't play many games, maybe one or two a year...so I don't know if I should just buy a slim for the occasional game or just buy a higher end player. If I buy a new ps3, will I lose my profile with my current saved data?

Your profile is stored on the PSN (trophies/friends/PS Store purchases/etc). It can be reaccessed by entering your e-mail address and password on the new PS3. However, the game save data is a different story. More game save data is getting locked with copyright protection. In order to ensure transfer of game save data from 1 PS3 to another, you have to use the DATA TRANSFER UTILITY which effectively takes the information off of the current PS3 completely and puts it onto the new PS3. There is no DUPLICATION involved. You won't be able to continue your progress on certain games with the old PS3 once the DATA TRANSFER is complete.

[Max_Genus]

My old 40gb model has suddenly had problems with BDs and game discs. Playback will freeze shortly after starting (5-15 mins) or an "Invalid Disc" error will be raised (80029903, ...06 or ...41)

I sent an email to SCEA & here's their response:

BD/DVD Settings

Changing the setting that starts with 'BD 1080p' setting may solve the issue. Change from Automatic to Off, or vice versa.

Settings > Video Settings > BD 1080p 24 Hz Output (HDMI)


If the Original BD Movie does not Load

Try using a different Blu-Ray Movie. Make sure the disc is clean, free of fingerprints or smudges, and is not scratched.

If none of the steps helps the issue, your PlayStation(R)3 computer entertainment system may need to be serviced. You may submit your own Exchange Order using our Self Service Exchange for quick and easy processing on the Internet. Please visit our Self Service Exchange page for more information.

https://service1.us.playstation.com/...B-66EAD8230772

I tried this and it didn't help. I've tried several different BDs. DVDs on the other hand play without a problem and all other features on the PS3 (music, hard drive videos, Netflix, etc.) still function.

Also tried a DVD player lens cleaning disc. No change.

I only play games occasionally, so I've wondered if I'd be better off with a standalone player as well, rather than drop $300 on a new Slim.

[kefrank]

Originally Posted by Max_Genus

My old 40gb model has suddenly had problems with BDs and game discs. Playback will freeze shortly after starting (5-15 mins) or an "Invalid Disc" error will be raised (80029903, ...06 or ...41)

I sent an email to SCEA & here's their response:

BD/DVD Settings

Changing the setting that starts with 'BD 1080p' setting may solve the issue. Change from Automatic to Off, or vice versa.

Settings > Video Settings > BD 1080p 24 Hz Output (HDMI)


If the Original BD Movie does not Load

Try using a different Blu-Ray Movie. Make sure the disc is clean, free of fingerprints or smudges, and is not scratched.

If none of the steps helps the issue, your PlayStation(R)3 computer entertainment system may need to be serviced. You may submit your own Exchange Order using our Self Service Exchange for quick and easy processing on the Internet. Please visit our Self Service Exchange page for more information.

https://service1.us.playstation.com/...B-66EAD8230772

I tried this and it didn't help. I've tried several different BDs. DVDs on the other hand play without a problem and all other features on the PS3 (music, hard drive videos, Netflix, etc.) still function.

Also tried a DVD player lens cleaning disc. No change.

I only play games occasionally, so I've wondered if I'd be better off with a standalone player as well, rather than drop $300 on a new Slim.

What you're describing is exactly what happened when the Blu-ray laser in my 40GB failed. I bought a replacement laser on ebay for ~$50 and replaced it myself. It's been going strong now for a year or so. There's a good thread in the PS3 forum here with replacement instructions. Basically, as long as you can keep track of a bunch of small screws, it's not too difficult.

Considering how often this specific problem apparently occurs, I still think it's absurd that Sony hasn't offered some kind of out-of-warranty repair for it.

[CptGreedle]

If your PS3 is dying, which it sounds like it is... you should know a few things before you take it into Sony. I assume you play games on your PS3 as well as movies, and there are some things you should think about related to that...

Usually when Sony gets a busted PS3, if they can't fix it in 5 or so minutes, they would rather give you another refurbished model. This means they can spend the time they need to fixing the broken one you gave them while getting you another unit fast. It is their choice if they give you yours back or not, you have no say, and once they have it, you can do nothing about it.
The problem with this is that even if you back up all your files with the backup utility, or save the hard drive in hopes that the drive will work in the new unit, you will be unable to get all your data back. Unless you are lucky and they give you your same unit back, you are likely to run into the same problem I had. The hard drive and all the data on it is encoded and registered to a specific unit. When you get a new unit, a lot of that data will no longer work. You can not just put in the old hard drive, it will not work at all without erasing everything on it. The backup will only recover about half the files on there if it is on a new unit. Even if you manually copy saved game files, you will run into another problem where many games use a sort of DRM in their saved game files. This means they can not be copied at all, no matter what. Not even on the backup. (Games like Bayonetta have this).
In short, if you don't want to risk losing all or most of your data, even if you back up, don't send it into Sony. They will not give your old unit back, and you will lose many of your old saved games. You will also have to call Sony to unregister your account with your old unit, and reregister it with the new one. Some games, like Sing Star, actually use Sony EU to register the PS3, so you have to make sure they change it over too!
In the end, you will end up with headaches, frustration, stress, and far fewer saved games. You will have to start them over, which in many cases, is not worth it.

If you need to get your PS3 fix, before you take it into Sony, consider getting your PS3 services by a local repair shop, someone who will give you back your old unit. If they can not fix the problem, then you may have no choice but to go with Sony.
Word of warning, these parts wear out, and Sony has a very bad policy with backups and saved game files.