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How to Change the Laser on a PS3

The PS3 is equipped to play Blu-ray, DVD and CD discs. With Blu-ray game discs, the player gets to experience complicated graphic environments and exceptional game play. Rarely, the console's laser burns out. If your console is still covered by warranty, send it in to be fixed. If not, you can replace it yourself. But if you don't know what you're doing, you can wreck the console.

Things You'll Need

PS3 replacement laser
Medium phillips-head screwdriver
Small phillips-head srewdriver
Razor knife
Torx TRT10 screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Remove disc. This is very important. If there is a disc in the drive and you attempt to repair the PS3, it will malfunction.
- 2
  Unplug all PS3 cables from the outlet and PS3 itself.
- 3
  Remove the warranty sticker on the right side of the PS3 with a razor knife.
- 4
  Pop off the rubber bumper found under the warranty sticker with your fingers. Under the rubber bumper is a PS3 security screw.
- 5
  Unscrew the PS3 security screw with the Torx TR10 screwdriver and slide off the PS3 top.
- 6
  Remove seven phillips-head screws from the uncovered part of the PS3. There should be one short and six longer screws.
- 7
  Pull off the top while pushing a release catch on the left corner of the PS3 and lifting up. If there is a cable attached to the top lid, lift up on the lip while holding the connector in place. Disconnect it from the top lid. The Blu-ray should now be visible.
- 8
  Lift up slightly on the Blu-ray drive and unplug the power cable from the front side. If your are facing the PS3, this cable is located on the left front side of the drive.
- 9
  Turn the Blu-ray drive over. Flip the small lid while holding the cable from the motherboard in place. Disconnect the cable from the drive. Lift the Blu-ray drive from the PS3.
- 10
  Turn over the Blu-ray drive and disconnect the small black/red wire on the side. Unclip and disconnect the cable beside it. Unclip and disconnect the three cables on the bottom of the drive.
- 11
  Unscrew the five small black phillips-head screws from around the circuit board on the bottom of the drive and lift out the circuit board.
- 12
  Unscrew two silver screws on the bottom of the drive that hold the casing in place and remove the casing from the drive.
- 13
  Remove the magnetic spindle that holds the disc in place when spinning. Remove five black phillips- head screws while holding the disc slot in place and lift it from the drive. This will give you access to the laser mechanism.
- 14
  Unclip and disconnect the ribbon cable attached to the laser. Remove two screws and railing guards holding the laser bar in place. Lift the laser out of the case. Slide the laser bar out of the laser assembly.
- 15
  Unscrew and remove the white plastic laser slider on the side of the old laser. Remove the small metal guard on the side of the old laser. Attach both the plastic laser slider and small metal guard to the new laser.
- 16
  Slide the laser bar into the new laser assembly and set the new laser into the casing. Replace all components and screws to put the PS3 back together.

PlayStation 3