gdgt

Pffffffffffft,..... that's a great question. My first option would likely be trying on Ebay for a parts, as-is unit..making absolutely certain that the user has a bulletproof return policy if the item is not as described. This might require buying an entire defective console unless you've got a clue as to the exact model of the Blu-Ray drive that goes into the console itself then just order a replacement from a good brick & morter place online.

Otherwise I'd check locally over Craigslist, or better yet Crazedlist.org which allows you to search your whole region at once for such a used PS3. Hopefully you can find someone who's system merely went bad from a bum power supply which would guarantee you finding a good condition Blu-Ray drive.

Hopefully you can snag one for sub- $200 at most, otherwise save up for a whole new system

Here are some showing on Google: "ps3 blu-ray replacement" shows a good place to start. I'd ask some other forums to see if perhaps it's just a mechanism that can be replaced instead of the entire drive itself.

I found this helpful here....Great tutorial with pictures... and places to get them.. hope it helps it helped me alot. just be careful and take your time forum.blu­-ray.com­/showthread.php­?t­=70948

It may not even have been the firmware update, mine just went out and all that needs to be replaced is the laser assembly which is about $50 on ebay.