Gamecube not reading discs

This is an OLD Gamecube, it's probably a launch day model that was gifted to me a few days after the person who gifted it to me got a Wii which was around the Wii Launch. So it's been with me awhile.

At first it was just finnicky now it's just not reading anything or saying disc could not be read, the drive is also very VERY loud. Is this something that could be fixed or is it time to start stocking up on spare component out GameCubes? (I am VERY LUCKY to have the cables)

I do have a spare Gamecube that does work but it only has standard AV Out.

 

I'm also fortunate enough to own the component cables!

I've had a few Gamecubes go on me in the past... Usually it's just the lens dying. Many people claim that the Gamecube is very durable, which it is, but the lens is particularly prone to failure in my experience.

I recently had to get another Gamecube myself, but the one I bought had a broken component out (of course, being the one thing the guy at the store couldn't test). So what I did was open up my other Gamecube with the dead lens, and simply reattached the whole bottom of the console to the one I bought.

It would be interesting to know if you could do the same with the newer model Gamecube. If nothing else, you could swap the lenses if you had the tools.

 

I have a security bit screwdriver and I am toying with the idea of Frakenstiening my two Gamecubes together. I have my gamecube pulled out at the moment while I figure out if I can fix it or just get a replacement.

 

you can swap the whole laser assembly between them. Its really easy to do. They are the same on all the models.

 

That's what I'm thinking of doing. Maybe swapping out the outer casing if that's possible as well. HATE the Indigo color while I have a perfectly good Platinum sitting around doing nothing.

 

Swap out the drives and/or adjust the laser's potentiometer. If you suspect the laser is toast, then tweaking that could be a last-ditch effort to save it or get some more life out of it. Also, clean the laser with a cotton swap + alcohol. I've had systems several times not read any discs and then read discs perfectly after a clean.

Guide:
http://128bit.me/index.php?PHPSESSID=1s1dp3p8bn726ov5fpcofhq8a4&topic=26113.0

 

new optical pickups are under $20, that is also another option

 

I got a couple spare laser assemblies for $1 from megalomanic's badassconsoles store when he first opened up. He had stated that they would not come with the boards, but mine did. It looks like hes sold out though. Still has some other cheap spare parts though. The lasers could possibly come back in stock at some point also.
http://www.badassconsoles.com/parts/

 

That MegaDrive on that site looks very interesting. Though I haven't touched my Gamecube in years, especially after the laser stopped reading my backups.

 

Adjust the pots, it will still give out but you might get 1-2 more years on the laser.

 

I'll try that next. Right now it's wrapped in a plastic bag awaiting repair or replacement.