I think I know the answer to my question but I want to make sure I'm ordering the right part to fix it. Today, I was using SMS playing DivX movies. I left my PS2 running SMS not actually watching a movie just the browser in SMS, I tried restarting my movie and everything froze up. I hit reset and it took me to the system menu, the disc didnt even try to spin. Unplugged everything and still nothing. When I examined my disc it had what looks like a square burn mark the same size as the area around the laser. So I guess my laser smoked. :( If anyone has had similiar problems and has been able to fix it please let me know. I was going to order a new laser but I just want to make sure I don't need to just buy a new PS2. BTW, I have no mod chip I just use swap magic so I haven't done anything to the insides except close the open lid sensors with plastic and rubber pieces and my system has worked fine for the last year.
Yeah it looks kinda bubbly and dull, not the shiny smooth oval shape. And yes it lights up. I confirmed it burnt, I opened everything up and took the metal plate off the top of the laser assembly and it was a nice brown color, like burnt metal brown. :( One month out of warranty! Just like the $600 Sony surround sound reciever I bought a couple years ago, one month out of warranty. I vowed never to buy Sony again then but I made an exception for the PS2 and look what it got me. I just went and bought me an Xbox 360 but I would still like to know if buying that laser assembly will fix my PS2.
Yes, it will fix the ps2, if it is definitely the laser, and your 100% sure that it is, then i can tell you now that replacing the laser will fix the system, so go for it, post back your results if you change it.
