Is blu-ray laser failure the new 3 red lights?

[funmonster-1]

Recently I've been told by a few people on the PS3 network (and off it) that there ps3 wont play any games, dvd or blu-ray discs. This is apparently due to the fact that the Blu-ray laser/drive is broken. These people with broken lasers/drives have also informed me that it was quite costly to repair this issue. After a quick search on Google for ps3 repair e.t.c I am starting to worry that this problem may become just as big as the 3 red lights disaster of the xbox 360. If anybody has any info about this issue im sure me and any other concerned gamers would be glad to hear it.

[Rebuilt In Error]

I wouldn't be suprised if this starts to be widespread.
I went through 4 ps2 consoles as the lasers kept dying.
the one I have now is on it's way out as well.

Nothing lasts for ever but a few years would be welcome.

[funmonster-1]

I've still got a mega drive that works! Even a commodore 64 that works! A couple of years is not a long enough lifespan in my opinion. Im convinced that most new technology is designed to fail after several years so the consumer keeps spending. Its the same with most new electronics. If its not hardware failure then its software upgrades or format changes that render your current products obselete or unusable. Its just getting frustrating. Even if this does become a big problem I have the option to not bother with games, but i'd have to get a blu-ray player anyway if I wanted to watch the blu-ray movies i've bought.

[cal_el]

All such problems with consoles can be avoided if you look after them.

I have both a PS3 and a 360. My PS3 is a 60gig so it is pushing on in years these days but I have never had a problem with it. Also I still have my PS2 from launch day and it still works and that thing is old! With the PS3 most problems are caused by people not switching off the console at the back after they have finished using it (it was the same for the PS2 as well). Because the red light means that the console is in standby so everything inside is switched on and waiting for you to put a disk in or turn on the box.

With the 360 keep it in a well ventalated place and clean the dust off it every now and then. Also don't go crazy and leave it switched on all the time. I am on my 3rd 360 now. This is because with my first one the red ring wasn't heard of back then and with the second my flat mate left it on for 3 weeks solid while I was on holiday once! So they can take a lot of use!

Also if you smoke like I do, either smoke outside or in a room other than the one that your consoles are in cos man does it clog everything up!

As ever nothing I have said here is full proof and problems do happen but if this laser error with the PS3 becomes a really big issue like the RRoD one then Sony will have no choice but to extend the warranty for that issue. Or else they will lose face to Msoft.

[Sim2k]

I used to think all these 360 faults were because people didn't look after them too, but my 360 died on my despite being lovingly looked after for just over three years. Thats not a long enough life span in my opinion, considering I have my first Saturn, Dreamcast, and even Megadrive all in full working order. The 360 I have now is being a jerk and only reading discs when it feels like it too. The jerk.

[24 Hour Gamer]

The reason that Cartridge-based systems last forever is because they have no moving parts.
I've never heard of this proble with the PS3. As far as I knew the console was pretty much bomb-proof. The only time mine has ever crashed is when I was downloading the multiplayer update on Motorstorm and trying to open messages at the same time, which happened about four times before I twigged.
My 360, however, is still my first, over two years on. It sounds like a lancaster bomber when it's swiched on, and has RRODed three times now, but every time it has a simple hard reset and a loving look at the PS3 has sorted it out fine. Guess I'm lucky.

[wolvieware]

I've been through three 360s. All RRODs.

My PS3 also failed on me once. DVD drive just completely stopped working. No blu rays could be played, no dvds. Games could be, but when I activated the dashboard, it would get frozen. I couldn't save my game either. I couldn't play music, nor watch videos on the HDD. I phoned up sony, and while the guy on the phone was nice, he didn't have a clue what was wrong with it. Fortuantely he suggested a factory reset, which did the trick, and meant I didn't have to send it away for repairs. But it did wipe my entire console of all content, save games and other bits and pieces.

If my ps broke, I couldn't replace it. I just couldn't afford to buy multiple versions of that console. If my 360 breaks completely, I can pick up an arcade for around £100, and just slot my HDD in. No issue, and not bank breaking.

[cal_el]

If my ps broke, I couldn't replace it. I just couldn't afford to buy multiple versions of that console. If my 360 breaks completely, I can pick up an arcade for around £100, and just slot my HDD in. No issue, and not bank breaking.

Yup That is why I'm not really fussed if my 360 dies on me because Arcades are so affordable it's almost like Msoft saw that was going to happen and brought out an Xbox with no HDD for those who need a replacement 360......

Also if my PS3 dies I'm gonna be pissed! 1) it's a 60gig and they don't make them anymore! 2) it's £299 for a new one!!!! 3) I will loose my backwards compatability with PS2

[24 Hour Gamer]

it's almost like Msoft saw that was going to happen and brought out an Xbox with no HDD for those who need a replacement 360

When they should have devoted more time into making a reliable machine.

[funmonster-1]

My friend has got a broken laser and he was told that it will cost £100 to fix, so I guess its the same as buying a 360 arcade. You dont have to buy a new machine though. I got my 360 just after they were released and its only just died this week. The thing is I only want to play through Fable 2 and gears of war 2 and it aint worth shelling out for a 360 arcade just for that. Theres few exclusives out these days and I can just play the rest on PS3. I just wish the new tech was as reliable as the old. I love to get the old consoles out of the wardrobe and have a true solid retro session every now and then. With todays consoles that wont be possible in the future, it'll be all emulators.