PS3 disc read issue

[Grimnebulin]

Currently experiencing the following issue:

Insert disc, mechanism whirrs for a few seconds, then silence. Disc not being picked up, tried multiple games and a few dvds. PS3 around 5 months old so still under warranty, but keen to see if there is a fix that avoids having to go that route.

Googling the issue brought up issues to do with the laser, the firmware and a host of others; anyone experienced a similar issue, or have any advice as to what I can try before going the warranty route?

Thanks.

[Wesley]

Currently experiencing the following issue:

Insert disc, mechanism whirrs for a few seconds, then silence. Disc not being picked up, tried multiple games and a few dvds. PS3 around 5 months old so still under warranty, but keen to see if there is a fix that avoids having to go that route.

Googling the issue brought up issues to do with the laser, the firmware and a host of others; anyone experienced a similar issue, or have any advice as to what I can try before going the warranty route?

Thanks.

My dad had the same issue with a launch model where the drive simply packed in and wouldn't ready anything. We narrowed it down to the laser but couldn't find any spare parts. If there are any PS3 units out there that use similar drives or refurbished models, its likely to be a firmware issue. Did you recently do any updates to the console?

[Cleric]

While there may be a way to fix, its not a good sign when something like that goes wrongafter only a few months, so chances are that its a Friday-model. I'd go directly to the warranty route, making sure you back up your saves, and sync your profile and trophies online first.

[Grimnebulin]

My dad had the same issue with a launch model where the drive simply packed in and wouldn't ready anything. We narrowed it down to the laser but couldn't find any spare parts. If there are any PS3 units out there that use similar drives or refurbished models, its likely to be a firmware issue. Did you recently do any updates to the console?

It's not connected online, so the only updates that I can assume may have taken place would have been via a recent game install. Thanks for the reply.

@Cleric Thanks, yes I did a backup yesterday but as the console is not online I'm not clear on the synching of trophies. But it's honestly not an issue to lose trophies. 'Chievos would have been a different matter altogether!

I did see a few threads suggesting a system reset, but I'm not convinced that would make any difference.

[Toxxyc]

I'd install the update. It's pretty big, think when I updated a few months ago it was several hundred MB (if not closer to 2GB) and the PS3 has been running a bit better since then. I'd say it's worth it.

That being mentioned, my PS3 won't play my Lord of the Rings DVD's. Does the above as well. Everything else works fine though.

[Wesley]

I'd install the update. It's pretty big, think when I updated a few months ago it was several hundred MB (if not closer to 2GB) and the PS3 has been running a bit better since then. I'd say it's worth it.

That being mentioned, my PS3 won't play my Lord of the Rings DVD's. Does the above as well. Everything else works fine though.

The latest update is 191MB in size, actually. If you're updating a launch model there have been reported issues with DVDs that use older codecs, as the launch models simply won't play them and Sony is aiming to fix that in another update. For Slim models that also have the issue its not clear why as they should have updated Blu-Ray drives but some people have found older models inside that may be the cause of the problem.

It's not connected online, so the only updates that I can assume may have taken place would have been via a recent game install. Thanks for the reply.

@Cleric Thanks, yes I did a backup yesterday but as the console is not online I'm not clear on the synching of trophies. But it's honestly not an issue to lose trophies. 'Chievos would have been a different matter altogether!

I did see a few threads suggesting a system reset, but I'm not convinced that would make any difference.

Take it in then. You've got a warranty, so use it! You can also back up the system to an external HDD that's been formatted as a FAT partition. The built-in backup solution copies over games saves, profiles and achievements as well as PSN information.

[Drone]

The optical drives are a general issue. It sucks.

My PS3 won't switch on... Think it is the power supply. Does anyone maybe know where I can get n power supply that isn't a R1000.

[Wesley]

The optical drives are a general issue. It sucks.

My PS3 won't switch on... Think it is the power supply. Does anyone maybe know where I can get n power supply that isn't a R1000.

Where did you get that quote from? I know you can take your console into Look and Listen and have it booked in with a third-party repair company. Playstations aren't fixed under warranty here, though. If its a simple thing, parts are sent down from japan to Sony HQ in Johannesburg for fitment, or sourced from spares that they have available. If its something like a board issue, Sony prefers to give you a similar replacement model that could either be new or refurbished (refurb most of the time).

These guys also offer a repair service, but they're not an official repair centre: http://www.play-it.co.za/

[Toxxyc]

The latest update is 191MB in size, actually.

I updated mine first time in about 4 years. The guy I bought it from never even connected the thing to the internet before I bought it. Huge update waited, I think it downloaded like 18 update files in total, one being something like 550MB.

[Cleric]

I updated mine first time in about 4 years. The guy I bought it from never even connected the thing to the internet before I bought it. Huge update waited, I think it downloaded like 18 update files in total, one being something like 550MB.

That can't be right, as to my understanding, they aren't incremental like the Xbox updates, so each update contains the info from V1 right until current. ie No matter how long between, it should only be a 190-odd meg update.

That is, unless you're including game-specific updates, which can be huge.

[Drone]

@ Wesley

I can't remember the place's name, but they collect your console from Reggies. If I can just get a power supply my cousin will replace it. He just can't source one. They said it could also be the yellow light of death(YLOD), but the console doesn't power on at all. So I'm sure it is the power supply?

[Toxxyc]

That can't be right, as to my understanding, they aren't incremental like the Xbox updates, so each update contains the info from V1 right until current. ie No matter how long between, it should only be a 190-odd meg update.

That is, unless you're including game-specific updates, which can be huge.

Weird. Because I distinctly remember initiating the update initializing, me leaving it on while reading Dracula on my phone and checking up every now and again to see how it goes. Noticed the big one downloading, and left it to complete. Took about 45 minutes on my 10Mbps line, and after completion I checked my cap to see a fairly large bite gone.

Maybe it was some sort of game update included, but it all started from the "systems update" thingy you find under the settings. I'm not really up to par with the PS3 as I should be.

[Wesley]

That can't be right, as to my understanding, they aren't incremental like the Xbox updates, so each update contains the info from V1 right until current. ie No matter how long between, it should only be a 190-odd meg update.

That is, unless you're including game-specific updates, which can be huge.

Actually, considering it is the launch version he bought, it might be possible. Remember, Sony had to change a whole manner of DRM measures and removing the dual-boot functionality while preserving the ability to play PS2 and PS1 games. But I've never seen an update bigger than 200MB, likely because I always kept the system up to date by installing the update that came with new games.