[mrks]

Your laser is dead. It's a really easy and straight forward "bolt-on" fix. No soldering or adjusting required. All you need are some small screwdrivers and you are set.

The laser itself costs around $30-$50.

1. Look for a take apart manual online.
2. Open up the PS3 and get to the optical drive.
3. Open optical drive and look at laser.
4. Order correct laser, some have 1 lens others have 2. I bought mine from DealExtreme
5. Replace laser.
6. Reassemble everything.


Your PS3 is already broken, you are thinking of buying a new one. You have nothing to lose.
Opening up the PS3 for the optical drive you won't go as far as the logicboard. Which means the only thing you could break is the optical drive, which is broken anyway.