PS3 says "This Disc is Invalid 80029906"

[andyparhelia]

Sorry to hear about your repeat problems repete66211.

I've been a loyal playstation fan since 1995 - my original playstation had to be replaced 3 times due to optical drive faults, I should have learned my lesson then! However, the PS2 performed perfectly for 7 years so I felt confindent enough buying a launch date PS3.

I won't be sending it back to sony for a refurb though, I'll see if there are any local guys who can do it or if I can install a new blu ray laser myself.

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by andyparhelia

I won't be sending it back to sony for a refurb though, I'll see if there are any local guys who can do it or if I can install a new blu ray laser myself.

Thanks for the condolences. I checked out the threads detailing laser replacement, but I don't trust myself to do it. Between the cost of the laser and the effort (not to mention frustration) I'd rather have Sony do it. They broke it so they should fix it. I wish you all the luck though.

[carbonS54]

GL resolving the issue OP.....all my old gaming systems still work....except my POS PS3

[Arcam_or_bust]

I had those problems, I have the 60gb, had to send it to a sony repair shop, cost $170 CND and they replaced the laser and cleaned and updated the system and this have been highly superior... and gave me a new 3 month warranty

[repete66211]

My latest email to Sony:

I received my 40GB PS3 as a gift in December 2008. I took very good care of the machine, but after regular use--Blu-rays and games mainly--it stopped reading discs of any sort. I thought I would check online to see if there were any solutions to this problem. It didn't take long before it became clear this laser failure is a problem common with the PS3.

Mechanical failures happen. However, when a specific failure is as widespread as the PS3's laser failure, the manufacturer should own up to the problem and, in good faith to its customers, offer relief of some sort. I do not begrudge Sony for making a profit with the PS3, but to charge $149 for fixing something that should never have broken to begin with is no way to treat a loyal customer.

For example, take the competition: The Xbox had a systematic failure (the "red ring of death") similar to the laser failure I and many others have experienced with the PS3. How did Microsoft respond? They extended the Xbox's one year warranty to three years in instances of the "RROD". I don't believe they did this out of kindness, but rather because competition demands it. What would have happened to Xbox sales if Microsoft didn't demonstrate that they are willing to stand behind their product? What does Sony's policy regarding the repair of failed lasers have to say in this regard?

In my opinion, I shouldn't have to pay $149 to repair a SYSTEMATIC problem, especially after only 16 months of use and especially for a device with a $400 price tag. Where would we be if everything failed after 16 months, due not to customer abuse but rather build and parts quality? Where would we be if repairing such failures cost 37% of a brand new model?

If Sony will not waive the repair cost all together you should at least assume some of the expense. I did not cause the failure, so I shouldn't have to pay 100% of the repair cost.

I appreciate your attention to this matter.

Here's the response:

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused you. If you are outside of the 1 year warranty period, or cannot provide a copy of your store receipt, you will be required to pay a fee of $149 U.S., plus applicable taxes, to have your console serviced no exceptions.

[PurpleJesus74]

Originally Posted by repete66211

My latest email to Sony:


Here's the response:

Sorry to hear about that,i'm just coming up on owning my PS3 a year,i got the MGS4 bundle version,so i'm hoping i'm not a ticking time bomb(so to speak). .

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by PurpleJesus74

Sorry to hear about that,i'm just coming up on owning my PS3 a year,i got the MGS4 bundle version,so i'm hoping i'm not a ticking time bomb(so to speak). .

Eh, I wouldn't worry too much about it. There are plenty of people who have launch PS3s that are still working fine, so it's unlikely to happen. However, if it does, you're going to have to fork out $149 for a refurbished model with a 90 day warranty.