Slim PS2 DRE, replace the laser?

[XYXZYZ]

I did search the forum for a while on this, didn't find anything useful.

A friend at work gave me his slim PS2 (SCPH-70012) to fix, it's got the old "reads CDs but not DVDs" problem. Cleaned the lens, tried playing it on it's side, all that other "quick n' easy fix" type stuff that never works anyway. The slim PS2 doesn't seem to have the gears and potentiometers to tweak as the old PS2 did. (or am I not looking hard enough?)

The mechanics seem to be okay, sometimes it seems to work really hard to try and read the discs, and like I said it plays PS1/CD games without problem. Oh, and the message is "There is no data" as opposed to "Disc is damaged or dirty", etc.

So is my only option to replace the laser? I've seen them for $10.00 plus some insane shipping price on the Bay of E.

[phreak97]

yep, new laser. let me know how it goes

[XYXZYZ]

What exactly is wrong with the laser when this happens? Was it worn out by it's own heat?

[shadowkn55]

This version of slim ps2 lacks a laser protection circuit. It was removed as part of cost reduction. After you put in a new laser, you should probably have a Comsoft V4 or Neo Fix XIV laser fix installed so it prevents the laser from burning out so quickly.