Hey, I know this is off topic for the forum but I figured it would be the best place to look for help. I have a 40gb PS3 that up until recently was working fine and all of of sudden stopped reading any disc that I put in. I've searched all over trying to find troubleshooting tips and it looks like the laser just died. Sony wants $150 plus shipping to them to repair but only guarantee for 90 days after. Was wonderining if anybody tried replacing the lasers themselves or could recommend another repair facility cheaper with a better warranty. Also, I live near Albany NY so the closer the better.

Does it not read both Blu-ray and DVDs?

It won't read any disc I put in, DVD, Blu-ray, PS3 game, CD, anything. The machine accepts them but then does nothing to indicate a disc is inserted.

Interesting. Does it sound like it's TRYING to read the disc? I've had drives where the laser is out of calibration and it kind of chugs along trying to read anyways. Also I'm fairly certain there's two actual laser diodes, one for Blu-ray and one for CD/DVD... perhaps that assembly is stuck or broken and no longer moving (take a look at a notebook tray drive for an idea how they work).

I can't see them replacing individual parts in the drive, they're just going to swap out the bad drive for a working one. Of course it's not an off-the-shelf drive, but perhaps you can find a PS3 with other problems and take the drive from it.

I'd go into a Bestbuy and have Geek Squad take a look at it. They might do the exact same thing as Sony, but they're usually a little cheaper.