PS3 problem

[DimebagCFH]

I have been having trouble with my ps3 reading discs lately this morning I was watching the animatrix and it just froze then later today I tried out cloudy with a chance of meatballs and the disc won't start on the top right hand corner of the screen it shows the loading symbol but no disc icon on the movie tab I have tried games and dvds also and it does the same.

Is there anyway to fix this problem because my ps3 is out of warranty by 2 weeks so I'm pretty much out of luck in terms of support from sony. I tried restoring the system and settings and everything to no avail. so any ideas?

[dhenry5320]

lm sorry but your lazer is dead,happened to me.

[DimebagCFH]

so what is should I just trade it in at gamestop or something any idea how much i could get? its a 40gb btw

[cdot2four]

There is a unofficial ps3 laser fix thread just search for it. Would do myself for ya but I'm on my BB

[cdot2four]

I bought my 40gb the same time you did and about 2 months ago it was acting up so I took a can of air and cleaned the crap out of it I even did that trick and ran the fan backward and it works fine now. Just try all the cheap options first it might be just a dust problem

[boombox99]

Sorry to hijack your thread man but I have had exactly the same problem..

Playing Guitar Hero the other day and it froze (audio still playing). After that I had to turn it off at the box bcos the controller wasn't responding nor the remote. When it restarted it wouldn't recognise the guitar hero cd - no icon under Game menu, no cd spinning that I could hear. Now it wont load anything.

Spoke to Sony and as my unit is out of warranty they say i'll have to pay roughly £110 for a repair.

I have a couple of questions for you guys if I may:

1. Sony recommend formatting the PS3 first to see if this is a software or hardware problem. Is this just a waste of time?
I don't really want to lose everything, but if it might help (?) i'll definitely do it - no other online forums where people have had the same tech problems recommend a format, they all just say it's either a lens or blu-ray drive issue.

2. Is the Sony repair worth it? Would it be cheaper (but same result) if I went elsewhere for the repair? Or should I buy a new PS3? I don't want to repair my one only for it to break in a month! (It's 2 years old but in good condition, or so I thought..)

3. As I am currently only running on an internet connection, can anyone recommend some really good online games I can get from the PS Store?
I like Fallout, Bioshock, Prototype, Assassins Creed, LBP..
...So either good Shooters/RPG's/Action titles, or something fun like little big planet.

p.s. I found a game called Cell Factor (or something similar) It's a 1st person shooter, you have telekenetic powers as well as guns, and it's loads of fun - well worth the £10 I paid for it. Kinda like Quake.... So if there's anything similar pls let me know, and if you haven't got it I recommend it!

Thanks!