PS2 Stopped Working

Well, I could use some advice. And please, no get an Xbox, or any other unhelpful comments.

Around late December, I noticed that my PS2 would whir a bit more than usual, and after playing a game for a few hours, it would click and stutter every now and then. Over the next month, the whirring would become a buzzing/growling/clicking and games and movies would jam up and stop on occasion. Additionally, it took some time, and would click a bit when you first started it up/put a disk in.

No problem, I figured after at least 5 years (Probably closer to 6 or 7), the laser was probably getting dirty. I bought a laser cleaning disc (DVD/Xbox/PS according the the box), and it seemed that the problem had gotten much worse. It wouldn't read the disc. Or any other.

It knows that there's a disc in there, it just can't read it, with a "Cannot read disc" error. Everything else seems to function perfectly outside of the drive/reader.

I did some research, and was somewhat saddened to see that there doesn't seem to be much out there; unless I'm missing the obvious, there's no place I can go to get it repaired, instead I'd have to ship it somewhere. (Which I'm not real comfortable with doing) It also seems that depending on what's wrong, it can cost as little as $50, and as much as $150. (Outside of using Action Replay, I haven't done anything "extra" to it; it's unmodded.) I tried looking at some gaming boards, and based on the descriptions, it sounds to me like it's dirty, out of lubrication, and the laser "motor" has failed, which sounds like it may be pricey. I also heard that Sony would repair/clean it for me as it's unmodded, but since the warranty is long since expired, I'd have to pay for it as well.

So now, I'm unsure what to do. On the one hand, if I can get it cleaned (or whatever) and working for $50, that's not a bad option, but I'm not very comfortable with just shipping it off and hoping I get it back undamaged without paying more for shipping to boot. On the other hand, I can always get a new one, one of those tiny slimlines for $150. However, that's pretty much abandoning a PS2 that's not unsalvageable, and it's a pretty penny just to get a working PS2 again. My third option is to bite the bullet and wait and get the PS3. However, the information I've heard about it is all over the place; when it comes out, how much it'll cost, how reliable it'll be, that thing about the read once discs, etc. make me unsure if I even want to get a PS3 when it comes out, making it seem like a bad option.

So, any helpful words of advice?

I'd just go the simple route. I'd go buy a brand new slimline. So far, from all accounts they've gotten all the bugs and kinks worked out.

Think of it as the PSX to the PSOne. Took them all that time to really perfect the physical system. I've had 2 PSX systems and sooner or later...dead. The PSOne I had, never a single ounce of trouble. Not one.

I'd cut my losses and go with the slimline. It's going to do all the things the original did, so I can't see where it's a loss really. Yes, the pocketbook will feel it, but when it comes to things like that, wish in one hand and shit in the other...see which one gets full first.

i think your system have finally met its maker.....best bet is to get a PStwo or wait for the 3.

Mine stopped playing DVDs (would skip and pixelate all the time) and finally one day it just refused to load God of War. I did the same research you did, and came to the conclusion that just buying a new PS2 (one of the slimline ones) was much easier and cheaper. I say go that route, you wouldn't regret it.

You might even be able to sell your non-working one on a message board for parts. I know some people are good at that sort of thing and would buy it.

try calling Sony, my PS2 died, i swapped lasers etc and it still didn't work, i called Sony - obviously didn't tell them i'd been mucking about with the insides, and mine wasn't chipped or anything to begin with - and they offered me a re-built one with a 3month guarantee on it for £50, which is cheaper than ebay or wherever was offering for a console let alone one with a guarantee!
they sent a courier to pick mine up from me and hand me a newer one the same day.
don't know if Sony US do the same thing as the UK but its worth a try in my book.

Well, since it was released in the U.S. in 2000, I doubt you have a seven-year-old PS2.

Since it's not working right now anyway, you might as well try cleaning it by hand. I've done that a few times and my launch ps2 is still working just fine. Use a couple of q-tips and some rubbing alcohol to clean the lense. Rub in circles, very, very lightly.

I have a question

I bought a slim PS2 yesterday. Do they break as easily as the original design?

It would help to set the PS2 flat instead of standing. Disc drives don't take well to operating on their sides. Too late for yours but use it for your new one.

(and yes I still hate sony but I'd rather preserve existing PS2s than see them get even more money from selling replacements)