Well depending on the dashboard version there's two different Lite-On firmwares, I don't recall if LT3 is only for updated (post-13146) consoles or not..all the Lite-On drives were updated to the same 02-something firmware after that dashboard version, and those are the only ones I've ever flashed with LT3, because I don't believe the features in LT3 are needed or usable on a prior dashboard because they don't support XGD3/topology. I have a feeling putting an 02-series Lite-On into a console pre-13146 would cause the same 'Play DVD' error but I have yet to confirm it.
The key is usable yes, although I think I saw somewhere in a stickied tutorial that the pre-13146 dummy.bin is NOT usable. No idea if I'm remembering right, the info is there though.. If you flashed the wrong key, you'll have to either find the right key in your key database or written someplace, or RGH the console temporarily to recover the key right from the nand. Arguably depending on how many keys you've got RGHing may be the easier/faster option.
0251c is latest firmware, dvd key never changes with firmware change as long as it is known, safe and stored somewhere ur good.
It won't detect if u didn't plug SATA, so not likely, try the laser tweak.I'm pretty sure I have the key, so I would just flash again with the correct key, there is also a chance I forgot to plug in the SATA
Bad laser, 100% guaranteed. Check the laser ribbon cable first, but you'll have to either pot-tweak the drive or replace the laser. Replacements are anywhere from $5-$8, pot-tweaks are free but don't always work if the laser is totally dead.
So have I, but stranger things have happened. I may start unplugging drive ribbons from here on out myself..never believed the rumors but seeing it happen to somebody changes my tune a bit.
This has NEVER happened to me. However, I have heard of the risks and started unplugging the cable each time.
