i have heard of special cleaning fluid for the ps2 laser but can anyone who has used it, leave a step by step guide please?
im using this as a last alternative to buying a new laser.
also how do you move the white cog thing whatever it is!
thanks.

p.s.
is it safe to look directly at the laser, even when the power is off?
thanks

all you need to do is find a soft qtip, nothing abrasive and nothing that leaves lint/dust. dip it a little bit in the fluid and rub it against the lens VERY carefully. if theres any left over fluid, clean it off with a soft cloth.

ps2ownz has a tutorial on how to remove the white cog (its under the swap method)

and yes it is safe to look at the laser as long as the power is OFF. but just to make sure, unplug the system from the outlet and leave it there for at least 1 min to make sure :)

thanks m8.
does adjusting the cog help the laser then?
sorry for all these newbie questions!

the cog doesnt help the laser at all, it just holds the disc in place

and everyone has to be a newbie at some time :)

denatured alcohol forom the hardware store is what you really should use as its used to clean vcr heads & audio heads by professionals.

I would read the faqs first & use compressed air, but often its the DISKS that are dirty not the laser.

yeah i did read them handyguy, and thats why i posted here!
but i sorted it out this morning.
i took it apart, got the dyson over the laser and it works a charm!
to think, i was on the verge of paying £50 for a new laser to be fitted!

I have a similiar problem, except for the only thing it doesnt read, or at least doesnt read 9 out of 10 times are blue bottom cd's. Anyone else have this problem? I'm using a version 4 PS2 if that matters.