Ok, I've had my PS2 for about 2 years now and all of a sudden today it just decides to stop working.

I put in a game and it'll work for a few minutes and then all of a sudden it'll bump me out of the game and take me to the "memory card or disc" menu screen, or just totally lock up.

Is my PS2 just screwed at this point, or is there possibly something I can do to get it working again?

I refuse to spend another $150 bucks on something that's just built poorly and doesn't last as long as it should.

Some older models have brittle ribbon cables inside and just snap/break now and then.

If you're careful, you could probably disassemble it and inspect it -- all the while looking for anything broken.

Ok, so if I find a broken cable, then what?

It is Sony's evil plan so that you will buy the PSTwo now!

man, can't wait until mine breaks so i can get a new and improved smaller PSTwo!

It's past warranty period, and fixing it through an authorized Sony center may be as expensive as getting a new one.

A few months ago, I called Sony because my PS2 wouldn't read games on CD format very well, and they agreed to fix it for free even though it was 1-2 years past the warranty period, so I'd say try calling them first.

If that doesn't work, go for the new model of the PS2. I just saw it for the first time today at WalMart and it's so small it almost made me shit my pants. Seriously, the whole unit is around the size of one of those thick 2-disc DVD cases. It's amazing.