I have a Fat 20GB PS3 that the blu-ray drive seems to be failing in. We took it about and tried cleaning the lens but it still has trouble reading PS3 games and blu-ray movies. So I guess I'll have to replace it. But can I buy just any used PS3 blu-ray drive and put it in there as long as its a fat one and not a slim one? Or was there more than one type of blu-ray drive for the 20, 60, 40, and 80gb units?
AFAIK you can't buy replacement drives and even if you could I believe they are firmware locked to a specific console.
Ebay is loaded with them. There is a good market for PS3 parts. I'm not sure if there are specific drive models for each PS3 model, but a drive can most definitely be replaced.Originally Posted by dryvlyne
OP, I would try and find the exact same model drive you already have to be sure you don't have firmware issues. Maybe someone else here can clarify if there are any firmware blocks that prohibit different model drives.
Yes, you can replace the BDROM and it is quite easy. Make sure you get the correct model drive on Ebay, but the most important part is the Blu-ray control board on your original drive. It's the PCB located under the drive. It must be removed and put on the new drive when you get it. That step is most important, as that board is locked to your system.
My 20GB BDROM died a few years back and Red Lotus here on FM sold me his dead 60GB unit. The drive in it worked perfectly.
So if I use the board off of my 20gb, can I use any fat drive from like a 60, 40, or 80gb unit? Or must it be out of a 20gb unit. My model is a CECHBxx so does the drive have to come out of a B unit or can I put my board on like a fat drive out of a 40gb or 80gb unit? You mentioned you used a 60gb drive in yours.
There are different drives with different connectors, so no, just any drive from any fatty will not work. You must make sure that your new drive is from a compatible model system. This info should always be included with the auction on Ebay. I'd also make sure the picture of the drive resembles yours as well.
Last edited by mtbe4life; 05-30-2011 at 04:18 PM.
You think I should just replace the laser lens or the whole drive? I've seen refurbished drives for my unit and the laser lens for it too.
In my experience, it's best to replace the entire unit. Sometimes you get problems that follow the drive even when parts are replaced on it. Prices of drives are not overly expensive, so I'd go the safer route.
One more question: You think it would be best to buy a broken system and take the blu-ray drive out of it? Or just get one of these drives that a seller says are refurbished and working. The refurbished drives are like $90 dollars, might be able to get a broken system for less.
That probably comes down to what you can get and how much it costs. Having a back up machine you can use for parts has many advantages, especially if it has a working disc drive, HDD, power supply or touch-panel(things that typically go tits up). I'd make sure that whatever you buy though, had a fully working BD drive at the time of failure(say a YLOD or similar). It would be quite a letdown to drop $100 on a broken system only to get a bad drive in it. And always make sure the warranty sticker hasn't be broken on any failed system you buy, as sellers like to root around inside them for good parts to swap and sell.
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