Why does my PSP make grinding sounds?

[Aguiluz]

Ever since I got my PSP from the beginning, it makes "GZSHKK!," BZZK! and SHZKK! sounds every time I play UMD. is this normal? My model is PSP-1001 (Phat). Games play fine, but the loading time makes the noises really sound out. Anyone can explain the noises? It's kinda bothering if you ask me...

And, PSP version of NFS: Carbon: Own the City has glitches too. Sometimes the track disappears and the car falls to flying space. Weird.

[vskid]

I've read that there is extra plastic on the drive gears, you can take it apart and cut it off (I've never seen this extra plastic, and my PSP used to do the same thing, doesn't now, though). I don't think it hurts anything, its just annoying.
The glitch is probably the game's fault, see if anyone else has had the same problem.

[GoldenfrankO]

It's normal. Like vskid said. It's an extra piece of plastic. I havn't removed it myself since I got a psp slim, and I don't think slim has the problem

[rikitheshadow]

Ok, i've got an older PSP lying around. Bought it a week after the first PSPs were released. I got bored with it one day so I bought a crystal clear case off Ebay for like 20 bucks. Took it apart and transferred it to the new case and installed the last screw located near the bottom of the unit in between the speakers. Of course realizing, whomever manufactured these cases did not do it with 100% efficiency, that last screw was causing a pressure problem between case, the metal screen holding structure, and the UMD drive. This caused the UMD drive to create the same noise you are experiencing when loading games or whatnot. I would have to say it is the gears that control the location of the laser and the motor is either struggling to push it into position. Now I can't say thats the same for the PSP slim, considering I'm referring to one of the older fatter PSP units. Not daring enough to open my newer PSP slim.

I decided after a few months to transfer my old PSP back into it's original case because of the poor manufacturing of the crystal case. I had pleny of problems with the UMD door and I had to use the older black sony door one in place of it, and the battery compartment door barely locked into place, not to mention as what I stated above. I seriously hate 3rd party companies who make this crud now, wish Sony would design upgrades for stuff like that for people who wish to customize their PSPs.