If there was a firmware which ran the laser too hot, it was the 3.00 release. 3.15 came out last night, and 3.10 was pushed out not long after 3.00. Just don't play a BD if firmware 3.00 is installed to avoid any possible problem.
The PS3 will play BDs over analog, even composite video. So as long as there's a screen hooked up, you can test it.
Unless Scythe makes a fan specifically for the PS3 (I've never looked), you're going to have trouble finding a replacement. You'll see once you get it apart, but the fan Sony used is a real beast.
All you need is a set of small screw drivers to replace the diode assembly. If you have an original 60 or 80 gig, and the diode is the only thing which failed, then they are priceless. There's two different optical drives used in those original machines. But either way the diode can be had for less than $100.
