Swapping PS3 slim bluray drive from same model

P

PSNDOOD

Forum Noob
I've been researching this all night but not found much on it.

i have 2 ps3 slims. Model cech-2503B . Date code 1A.

They are both the same model and have the same bluray drive FX72-P the one with the 4 different ribbon cable connectors to the main mobo.

I tried cleaning the lasers on the broken drive that doesnt read bluray, reads dvd and has BURN marks all over the chasis, but the issue persists…

I know the drive from the other ps3 works. I broke that one trying to delid it. Can i just swap the drives out since they are the same model? Or are they married on a ps3 by ps3 basis and i would need to swap the motherboard but not the lasers. The issue arises when trying to swap the motherboard as it looks like the laser is hard fixed to the motherboard on this model… cheers
 
PSNDOOD said:
I've been researching this all night but not found much on it.

i have 2 ps3 slims. Model cech-2503B . Date code 1A.

They are both the same model and have the same bluray drive FX72-P the one with the 4 different ribbon cable connectors to the main mobo.

I tried cleaning the lasers on the broken drive that doesnt read bluray, reads dvd and has BURN marks all over the chasis, but the issue persists…

I know the drive from the other ps3 works. I broke that one trying to delid it. Can i just swap the drives out since they are the same model? Or are they married on a ps3 by ps3 basis and i would need to swap the motherboard but not the lasers. The issue arises when trying to swap the motherboard as it looks like the laser is hard fixed to the motherboard on this model… cheers
Click to expand...
It's quite likely that the problem comes from the lens block.
If you have a working BD drive of the same model on a dead console, I see 2 options really.

1. You could disassemble both BD drives and swap the lens block. I would recommend this option as it should be the most straightforward, no remarrying or whatever else needed.

2. You could swap the entire BD drive and remarry the new drive with your console.
The remarrying procedure isn't very complicated, it must be done in Factory Service Mode which can be entered/exited either through a USB dongle with the lv2diag.self enter/exit files or using the CFW Tools on XMB.
While in Factory Service Mode, you should ONLY do the remarrying procedure steps, nothing else and whatever you do, NEVER use the system update feature.

I suggest backing up the /dev_flash3 partition contents before remarrying the console, it might be helpful to restore the CRL/DRL hashes this way rather than using the multiman method to regain Blu-ray video features after the remarrying procedure. In that case you can just restore the /dev_flash3 contents then try to read a BD video.

When the remarrying procedure is complete and successful, CRL/DRL hashes have been restored and BD Videos play fine, exit FSM, rebooting is not enough, you must run the exit FSM routine (with the lv2diag self dedicated for FSM exit or with the CFW Tools exit entry).

If you decide to remarry the console and a BD Drive, check the available information on the topic on psdevwiki.com.
You can also post any questions here if you have doubts, it's always better to ask for confirmation about something before doing it than acting blindly in the hope that all goes well.


Warning:
Some parts of this post should be disregarded.
The remarrying procedure isn't necessary on 25xx models, it's required ONLY on PHAT models and slims 20xx and 21xx when changing the BD drive daughter-board that's screwed under the enclosure.
 
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bguerville said:
It's quite likely that the problem comes from the lens block.
If you have a working BD drive of the same model on a dead console, I see 2 options really.

1. You could disassemble both BD drives and swap the lens block. I would recommend this option as it should be the most straightforward.

2. You could swap the entire BD drive and remarry the new drive with your console.
The remarrying procedure isn't very complicated, it must be done in Factory Service Mode which can be entered/exited either through a USB dongle with the lv2diag.self enter/exit files or using the CFW Tools on XMB.
While in Factory Service Mode, you should ONLY do the remarrying procedure, nothing else and whatever you do, NEVER use the system update feature.

I suggest backing up the /dev_flash3 partition contents before remarrying the console, it might be helpful later if ever you experience problems when trying to restore the CRL/DRL hashes with multiman to regain Blu-ray video features after the remarrying procedure.

When the remarrying procedure is complete and successful, exit FSM, rebooting is not enough, you must run the exit FSM routine (with the lv2diag self dedicated for FSM exit or with the CFW Tools exit entry).

If you decide to remarry the console and a BD Drive, check the available information on the topic on psdevwiki.com.
You can also post any questions here if you have doubts, it's always better to ask for confirmation about something before doing it than acting blindly in the hope that all goes well.
Click to expand...

Thanks dude, you're the man!

I'll try just replacing the laser block part i guess, hopefully the pcb attached to it isnt the part thats married???

If that fails, ill have to do the remarry procedure, im on evilnat 4.88.2, will i have to update to a No BD version and if so will i lose anything on the HDD like my homebrew?

Thanks again
 
PSNDOOD said:
Its the KEM-450 DAA laser block thingy, ive got this in my hand now
...
is there any parts on this i need to swap out too for it to be married? Or i can just swap the whole thing?
Click to expand...
This is the entire sliding tray, the problem comes probably from the lens block which is only a part of it.
If you look at the wiki page for your sliding tray model, you will see that there are 2 possible models of laser blocks mounted on it: KES-450D or KES-460A.
Follow both links and you will see a picture of the laser block.
That's what you really need to swap but I suppose you could swap the entire sliding tray if you prefer.
https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/KEM-450DAA
If you ONLY swap the lens block or the sliding tray, there should be nothing else to do.

There's a short step by step laser block disassembly guide for your drive model, unfortunately it's in German so you may need to use a translator:
https://www.trisaster.de/page/index.php?topic=464
 
bguerville said:
This is the entire sliding tray, the problem comes probably from the lens block which is only a part of it.
If you look at the wiki page for your sliding tray model, you will see that there are 2 possible models of laser blocks mounted on it: KES-450D or KES-460A.
Follow both links and you will see a picture of the laser block.
That's what you really need to swap but I suppose you could swap the entire sliding tray if you prefer.
https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/KEM-450DAA
If you ONLY swap the lens block or the sliding tray, there should be nothing else to do.

There's a short step by step laser block disassembly guide for your drive model, unfortunately it's in German so you may need to use a translator:
https://www.trisaster.de/page/index.php?topic=464
Click to expand...

Ok so i replaced the whole caddy thing with the laser block on and it works! Weird though, the only other pcb in the drive would be to control the feeding mechanism, so is that the pcb the ps3 marries to?? Doesnt make any sense to me. But i wont complain

Thanks a ton bgeurville uve made my day. I finally didnt break something! Haha
 
PSNDOOD said:
Thanks dude, you're the man!
....
Thanks again
Click to expand...
No problem, helping each other, that's what we are all here for.

PSNDOOD said:
I'll try just replacing the laser block part i guess, hopefully the pcb attached to it isnt the part thats married???

If that fails, ill have to do the remarry procedure, im on evilnat 4.88.2, will i have to update to a No BD version and if so will i lose anything on the HDD like my homebrew?
Click to expand...
You should have no need for a NoBD firmware.
1. NoBD firmwares don't fix anything, nothing changes in terms of functionality, it's ONLY a patch making it possible to install a CFW on a console experiencing hardware health checks failure because of the BD Drive.
2. A failing laser block or even a stuck sliding tray aren't the kind of issues which can trigger those critical hardware checks failure.

If ever you wish to change firmware, like for instance downgrade to Rebug REX 4.84.2, with QA toggled on, the regular REX pup should install just fine.
You would ONLY consider using a NoBD pup file if all attempts to install a firmware (including OFW) from recovery mode were to fail.

When you install a firmware you don't lose any games or apps so you would not lose your homebrews, the ONLY things you may "lose" are things like XMB menus customisations because all /dev_flash files get overwritten during pup installations.

I don't use evilnat's firmware so I am not familiar with its XMB menu offerings. I assume that the CFW tools FSM entries are there, ideally you would need 4 of them:
1. Enter FSM
2. Remarry BD drive
3. View logs (optionally to verify the remarry procedure job success on the spot). You could omit this step, go to step 4 directly then after reboot, check the xai_plugin log file manually. In case of failure, post the logs here to seek guidance.
4. Exit FSM
 
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PSNDOOD said:
Ok so i replaced the whole caddy thing with the laser block on and it works! Weird though, the only other pcb in the drive would be to control the feeding mechanism, so is that the pcb the ps3 marries to?? Doesnt make any sense to me. But i wont complain

Thanks a ton bguerville uve made my day. I finally didnt break something! Haha
Click to expand...
Told you it was a straightforward fix without complications. ;-)

Tbph the 25xx is the first model of PS3 where the BD controller was integrated into the motherboard, before that it was a daughter board screwed under the BD drive enclosure. While I am quite familiar with the daughter board setup, I don't know much about the integrated setup so I won't speculate about which chip or PCB may be involved with the remarry process.
 
The CECH-25xx are the first PS3 models where the BD is not married
Or better said... the BD controller (a chip) is still married, but is soldered in the main motherboard so it cant be removed easilly (in other words, it cant be unmarried). And you should never use a NoBD CFW

You could have replaced the BD entirelly, or by parts, you only have one laser pickup, but if i where you i would take a look at the sliding rails (that cilyndrical bars) to see how dry is the lube in them and i would keep the most "wet" (probably this means it have less use, heheh)
And for the other small circuit boards... well look at the model numbers and serials, they could have small differences, i would keep the higher (probably would mean newer revisions)
 
sandungas said:
The CECH-25xx are the first PS3 models where the BD is not married
Or better said... the BD controller (a chip) is still married, but is soldered in the main motherboard so it cant be removed easilly (in other words, it cant be unmarried). And you should never use a NoBD CFW

You could have replaced the BD entirelly, or by parts, you only have one laser pickup, but if i where you i would take a look at the sliding rails (that cilyndrical bars) to see how dry is the lube in them and i would keep the most "wet" (probably this means it have less use, heheh)
And for the other small circuit boards... well look at the model numbers and serials, they could have small differences, i would keep the higher (probably would mean newer revisions)
Click to expand...
Thanks sandy, that settles my doubts.. ;-)
It makes perfect sense mind you, with the daughter board models, iirc the remarrying was required only when changing the BD controller, not the rest of the drive, which means that the only reason for remarrying a drive is basically a fried daughter board otherwise everything can be replaced without having to go through that procedure.
And all 25xx revisions are like that, no matter the controller type, it's always integrated, correct?
Btw could you in theory put a BD450 for 21xx or 20xx in a 25xx, remove the daughter board and connect it?
 
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bguerville said:
Thanks sandy, that settles my doubts.. ;-)
It makes perfect sense mind you, with the daughter board models, iirc the remarrying was required only when changing the BD controller, not the rest of the drive, which means that the only reason for remarrying a drive is basically a fried daughter board otherwise everything can be replaced without having to go through that procedure.
Click to expand...
Yes, the problems always happens because the PS3 firmware is not able to communicate with the BD controller chip... is either because the BD daughterboard, the ribbon cable or the connectors are damaged
This is important to be mentioned because in the PS3 models before CECH-25xx you can take the daughterboard out of the Blu-ray drive, isolate it electrically (inside a plastic envelope or covered with tape), and stick it to the main motherboard and after that you can remove the blu-ray drive (because the only component that does some "logic" is that chip, lets say... the PS3 firmware detects the presence of the blu-ray drive based on the presence of that chip)

In CECH-25xx the amount of components in the BD daughterboard was so small that they decided to move it to the main motherboard (so is always married), in this PS3 models you can remove the blu-ray drive and the ribbon cables entirelly and the PS3 firmware will work fine... actually you can even rip appart the connectors, are not considered critical components anymore

For curiosity sake, the best example to see how they did this change in the PS3 design is by looking at https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/CXD5131R-1
In CECH-21xx it was located in the daughterboard https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/BMD-065
In CECH-25xx is soldered in the main motherboard, veeery close to the connector for the BD ribbon cable... but is the same exact component, so in theory we could "swap" them in between CECH-21xx CECH-25xx

bguerville said:
And all 25xx revisions are like that, no matter the controller type, it's always integrated, correct?
Click to expand...
Yes, CECH-25xx and all the next PS3 models (the last Slim CECH-30xx, and all the SuperSlims) have the BD controller chip integrated in the main motherboard, so there is no need to worry about marrying them anymore

For me this is an improvement, but i know there is people like @littleballup that was a bit afraid about this (as well as i was when i bought my CECH-25xx) because the obvious payback for having the BD controller chip integrated in the main motherboard is... if at some point the laser pickup or other circuit inside the BD drive have a critical problem (shorcuts), the damage could be "propagated" back to the BD controller chip soldered in the main motherboard
And that makes a big difference, you know... in older PS3 models this kind of damage only could affect the BD drive (easy to replace it because is just a separated part), but since CECH-25xx this would represent a critical chip fried in the main motherboard, and thats a serious repair

But in favour of sony i have to say after all this years reading reports of PS3 failures i never saw this kind of problem to happen. Also... in the PSP happens something similar, there is a laser controller soldered in the main motherboard and i saw many people reporting burned lasers, but never that chip

The real reason why me (and i guess litteballup too) was worryed about this design detail is because the PS2 really had a problem with this, it have a laser controller soldered in the main motherboard and the laser was burning it

So long story short... i guess there was many people aware of this mistake in the PS2 design... but it seems they fixed it definitivelly since PSP

bguerville said:
Btw could you in theory put a BD450 for 21xx or 20xx in a 25xx, remove the daughter board and connect it?
Click to expand...
No because that way you would have 2 BD controllers connected in cascade :D
Im not sure... but i guess the connectors of the ribbon cables doesnt allows to do it anyway... when they does this kind of important design changes they uses to change the connectors to make them incompatibles with the previous revision

But as far i know all the other parts inside the BD drive of the CECH-20xx up to CECH-25xx are compatibles, cables, the laser pickup, maybe gears/mechanics and probably some of the other tiny circuit boards inside too (there is one for the main disc motor, other for the laser motor, another for positional sensors, etc...)
 
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bguerville said:
Btw could you in theory put a BD450 for 21xx or 20xx in a 25xx, remove the daughter board and connect it?
Click to expand...
Hmmm, wait, i think i misundestood you

You mean to take a BD450 and remove his daughterboard (with the BD controller), then try to connect it without daughterboard to a CECH-25xx ?
In theory yes, i guess... but im not sure about the connectors
 
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