For those of you having problems with loading a disc when inserted and it just won't load (and there's this weird cranking noise), you probably have a problem with the laser guiding arm.
The laser guiding arm is on top of the drive snake motor. The drive snake motor is a long gold-colour screw right next to the laser. The drie snake motor moves the laser guiding arm, which moves the laser to its appropriate position.
When I load the disc, all I have is the the browser screen and the weird noise.
There are two hooks on the sides that hooks on the cover. Make sure you try to unhook it first and then take it out. You'll see the laser underneath. So, be careful.
You could use a very strong glue, just put some on the teeth, and then use a filer to get back the original shape, but leave some glue to make it abit bigger, i have done this before, works perfect even upto now, no problems.
I've been using my ps2 now for 3 yrs and just recently have encountered this problem. I did a bit of research and did as the video told and now I don't have any problems.
I never had the plastic arm. I've always had the metal arm. Sorry that I can't help you on deciding which one is better.
any other technique my plastic object with the teeth on it snapped, it is ****, do i have to buy a new one or is your experience with these problems any gid
funnily enough, I found a PS2 on a wall in the street a couple of months back that suffers this problem, so it had been thrown out.
I fixed this by attaching a length of cotton to the plastic laser guiding arm, that hangs out of the front of the drive door, with a tag on the end. When the disc wont read because the the laser head hasn't gone to 'home' I just switch the console off, (as the game hasn't even loaded), and gently yank the cotton, thus returning the laser head to home. switch the console back on and shbang, job done - pity I wont be able to do this forever as eventually it will wear down or snap the guiding arms teeth...